In a FAANG technical interview, you can expect several rounds, including a coding assessment, system design questions, and behavioral interviews. You’ll need to demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, knowledge of data structures and algorithms, and an understanding of software design principles.
Navigating the technical interview process at FAANG companies
Muhammad Bilal
Nov 11, 2024
4 min read
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Landing a job at a FAANG company is a dream for many software engineers. These companies offer exciting challenges, great benefits, and growth opportunities. But the interview process can be tough.
The first step to acing FAANG interviews is to understand what to expect so you can prepare accordingly.
In this blog, we’ll go through the different phases of the FAANG interview process. We’ll also discuss core concepts you need to know, like data structures, algorithms, and System Design — and provide resources to help you prepare effectively.
Let's get started.
Phases of the FAANG interview process#
The following table provides a summary of the different interview phases:
Phase | Description |
Initial screening |
|
On-site |
|
Behavioral |
|
Let’s discuss the common types of the initial screening phase first.
1. Initial screening#
Recruiter screen#
The recruiter screen is the initial step. It’s your chance to make a good first impression. Recruiters look at your background and experience to check whether you’re a good fit for the company.
Typical questions covered#
You may be asked about work history, education, and projects.
They can talk about the specifics of your previous roles and accomplishments.
They can ask you to explain why you want to join the company and how your skills match the job.
#
Tips for making a good first impression:
Keep your answers short and to the point.
Show commitment to the role and company.
Know your resume and be prepared to discuss any details listed on it.
Technical phone screen#
Here comes the technical phone screen. This usually lasts about 45–60 minutes. You might be asked to solve coding problems while explaining your thought process.
Common topics#
You may be asked questions regarding sorting and searching algorithms.
They may ask questions from data structures like arrays, linked lists, trees, and hash tables.
You may face real-world problems to test coding skills and logical thinking.
Preparation tips:
Brush up on fundamentals like data structures and algorithms.
Practice coding problems on platforms like Educative, LeetCode, and HackerRank.
Do mock interviews — by practicing under realistic conditions, you'll improve your problem-solving speed, gain confidence, and get valuable feedback.
2. On-site interviews#
Let’s go through the on-site interview process now.
Coding interviews#
On-site coding interviews are a major part of the FAANG hiring process. Typically, you can expect multiple rounds, each focusing on different types of problems. These rounds test your problem-solving skills and coding abilities.
Key areas to focus on:
Data structures: Arrays, linked lists, trees, and hash tables
Algorithms: Sorting, searching, and dynamic programming
Coding efficiency: Interviewers want a solution that isn’t just correct, but optimal.
System Design Interviews#
System Design interviews are important for mid- to senior-level positions at FAANG companies. They assess your ability to design scalable and reliable systems and are for roles that involve architecture and infrastructure knowledge.
Typical format#
They may ask to discuss your approach, trade-offs, and high-level design of a System Design problem.
You may be asked about core concepts like scalability, reliability, databases, and load balancing.
You may need to show how you handle and make decisions in complex situations.
Check out this FREE course from a System Design expert.
The System Design Interview Prep Handbook
Only 1 in 5 candidates pass the entire technical interview process at tech companies—their most common pitfall is the System Design Interview. When it comes to System Design Interview preparation, it's not enough to practice System Design Interview questions. This is because, unlike other technical interviews, there are many possible solutions to a given System Design problem. Rather, to excel in these interviews, you must be able to demonstrate the soft skills and thought processes that interviewers are looking for. In this course, you'll learn to master the behavioral aspects of the System Design Interview from a former FAANG engineer with 15+ years of experience designing distributed systems and conducting System Design Interviews. Whether you're interviewing for a role as a software engineer, technical project manager, or engineering leader, this essential System Design Interview prep course will prepare you with actionable best practices so you can confidently enter your next System Design Interview.
3. Behavioral interviews#
Behavioral interviews are a key part of the FAANG hiring process. They help companies assess if you fit well with their culture and values. FAANG companies value not just your technical skills but also how you work with others, how you handle challenges, and align with their mission.
Common behavioral themes #
Teamwork: Examples of successful collaboration.
Conflict resolution: Instances where you resolved disagreements.
Leadership skills: Showing your ability to lead.
Adaptability: Situations where you adjusted to new challenges.
Preparation tips:
Typical questions: Expect questions like “Tell me about a time when…” to explore your past experiences.
STAR method: Use the Situation, Task, Action, and Result (STAR) method to provide clear and concise answers.
Showcase your skills: These questions reveal how you handle different situations and show your problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
Preparation: Keep in mind specific examples that highlight your skills.
Resources to help you prepare#
Interviewing is a skill in and of itself. Be sure you dedicate enough time to address your knowledge gaps and learn new skills, then practice, practice, practice.
Be sure your prep includes:
Common coding problems
System Design problems (as needed)
Company-specific research
Mock interviews
Securing a FAANG position offers great career growth. We've already helped thousands of developers land tech jobs — and we'd love to support you on your journey too!
Here are some free resources on the technical interview process:
Check out our full catalog of resources at Educative Interview Prep.
You can find some of our most popular courses below.
To help you gain confidence before your interview, we offer AI-powered mock interviews for various rounds and topics:
System Design mock interviews on topics ranging from designing a NewsFeed to designing WhatsApp
Coding mock interviews covering problems from sliding windows to two points to greedy techniques
Company-specific interviews including Google, Amazon, Oracle, and beyond
Happy interviewing!
Frequently Asked Questions
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