Lesson 11 - Senior SWE = DS&A + System Design + Technical Leadership Experience (+ Strong References)

I. Data Structure & Algorithm (DS&A)

Learn Python

Structure (REACTO)

  1. Read/Repeat
  2. Examples
  3. Approach/Algorithm
  4. Code
  5. Test
  6. Optimize/Big O Notations

45 Min Interview

  1. Intro (5 min)
  2. Example and Approach + Time/Space Complexities (15 min)
  3. Code + Test and Optimization (20 min)
  4. Q&A (5 min)

II. System Design

Whiteboard

Resources

Structure

  1. Gather requirements
    1. Users/Customers
    2. Scale (read and write)
    3. Clarify on the consistency versus availability tradeoff
  2. Translate requirements to APIs
    1. Write down verbs
    2. Define input parameters and return values
  3. Draw out a high-level design
    1. Go through the whole dataflow of a read or write path
    2. How do data get in?
    3. How do data get out?
    4. Data model: what, where, how are data stored?
  4. Dive into a few components for a detailed design
  5. Point out the bottlenecks and tradeoffs for scaling

Mindset

  • YOU are responsible for structuring the interview
  • YOU drive the entire discussion
  • Your main job is to give AS MUCH SIGNAL AS POSSIBLE in 35 mins

III. Technical Leadership Experience

Think of one or two long-term, technically-complicated projects that you were able to execute individually while guiding or unblocking others.
  1. Context (Situation + Task)
  2. Design alternatives and tradeoffs
  3. Challenges (Interpersonal + Technical)
  4. Result
  5. Retro (Lesson Learned + What would you do differently)

IV. Strong References (2 Direct Managers + 1 Peer)

They matter.

V. Practice

Free Practices with Peers

Paid Practices with Professional Interviewers (Worth the Money)


VI. Recruiting Platforms (Other Than LinkedIn.com)

Recruiters will actively reach out to you once you create a profile.

VII. Evaluating Offers

Negotiating Compensation

Reviews


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