SDE-2 Frontend Interview Experience at Tekion

Overview

This case study details the interview experience for a Software Engineer 2 (Frontend) role at Tekion Corp. The process aims to evaluate candidates' proficiency in frontend development, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of software engineering principles within a product-based company context. The overall difficulty is rated as 7.5/10.

Interview Rounds

The interview process consisted of the following rounds:

1. JavaScript Fundamentals: This round focused on core JavaScript concepts, including internals, polyfills, and functional programming.
2. Machine Coding (React Native): A practical coding exercise involving React Native. The candidate was tasked with building a news application with specific functionalities.
3. Hiring Manager Discussion: A discussion focusing on expectations, negotiation, and relevant questions about the company.
4. HR Discussion: Standard HR procedures and discussion.

Round 1: JavaScript Fundamentals

• Difficulty Level: Medium-Hard (7.5/10)
• Description: This round assessed the candidate's understanding of JavaScript internals, polyfills, and functional programming concepts. A strong grasp of these areas was crucial.

Round 2: Machine Coding (React Native)

• Difficulty Level: Hard (8/10)
• Description: The candidate was required to build a News Application with the following specifications:
  • Display news in a table format with pagination.
  • Allow users to edit rows, with changes persisting across app sessions and navigation.
  • Handle inconsistent data from the provided API, requiring validation and formatting.
• Post-implementation questions included:
  • Strategies for backend contract building.
  • Approaches to efficient state management.
  • Considerations for using third-party libraries for persistence (AsyncStorage/SQLite).

Round 3: Hiring Manager Discussion

• Difficulty Level: Easy (5/10)
• Description: This round focused on aligning expectations, discussing compensation, and allowing the candidate to ask questions about Tekion and the role.

Key Takeaways

For individuals preparing for SDE-2 frontend roles, the following areas are crucial:

• Mastery of JavaScript fundamentals, including closures, the event loop, and polyfills.
• Hands-on experience with React and React Native.
• Understanding of backend API design and contract handling.
• Knowledge of UI performance optimization techniques (e.g., FlatList, List Virtualization).

This case study aims to provide valuable insights for candidates preparing for frontend roles at Tekion or similar product-based companies.