Uber SDE 2 Frontend Interview Experience

Overview

This document outlines the interview process for a Software Engineer II - Frontend position at Uber. The evaluation consisted of five distinct rounds designed to assess the candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving skills, system design knowledge, and leadership attributes. Each round is described in detail, providing insights into the types of questions asked and the expected level of expertise.

Interview Rounds

Round 1: Online Assessment (35 mins)

This round involved a 35-minute CodeSignal test, featuring two coding questions focused on data structures and algorithms (DSA), along with eight multiple-choice questions (MCQs) related to frontend concepts. The coding questions ranged from easy to medium difficulty. The first question centered on manipulating digits within a number, categorized under Math, and the candidate successfully passed all 20 test cases. The second coding question was a medium-level string problem, similar to LeetCode's "Longest Substring Without Repeating Characters," which involved using a hashmap and sliding window technique. The candidate passed 18 out of 20 test cases, with the remaining two timing out. The MCQs were primarily output-based, assessing JavaScript and CSS knowledge.

Round 2: DSA Coding Round (1 hr)

This round was a live coding session lasting one hour. The candidate was informed that only one question was planned, with the possibility of extension depending on the speed of completion. The candidate dedicated a significant portion of the time to understanding the question, which was considered medium-hard in difficulty. The problem involved finding the minimum time at which different objects with given positions and maximum velocities could meet. The question integrated concepts from Math, Binary Search, and Overlapping Intervals. The candidate identified the optimal solution on the first attempt and successfully passed the required test cases. The interviewer emphasized problem-solving ability, thought process, and the clarity and modularity of the code.

Round 3: Tech Specialization Round (1 hr)

This round was a machine coding assessment using vanilla JavaScript, focusing on DOM manipulation and asynchronous programming. The difficulty was assessed as medium. The question was related to sequential unbind/bind click events. The interviewer evaluated the candidate's ability to write modular and functional JavaScript code, proficiency in DOM manipulation, understanding of ES6 concepts, and problem-solving skills. Follow-up questions explored performance optimization strategies and code adaptations for different scenarios.

Round 4: System Design and Architecture (1 hr)

This round involved designing a collaborative calendar application. Requirements were provided by the interviewer. The candidate engaged in a CodeSignal whiteboard discussion, covering API design, component architecture, technology choices, and performance optimizations. The round emphasized the candidate's thought process in designing large-scale applications and the ability to articulate design decisions and trade-offs.

Round 5: Leadership and Collaboration (1 hr)

This round focused on assessing the candidate's alignment with Uber's values. The interviewer explored situations where the candidate had demonstrated these values. Questions covered topics such as challenging projects, conflict resolution within a team, and leadership skills.

Key Takeaways

• Comprehensive Preparation: Success in Uber's frontend interview process requires thorough preparation in data structures and algorithms, frontend technologies (JavaScript, CSS, DOM manipulation), and system design principles.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Interviewers prioritize problem-solving abilities, logical thinking, and the capacity to articulate the rationale behind code and design choices.
• Code Quality: Emphasis is placed on writing clean, modular, and well-documented code.
• System Design Thinking: Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of system design principles, including API design, component architecture, scalability, and performance optimization.
• Behavioral Assessment: The leadership and collaboration round highlights the importance of aligning with Uber's values and demonstrating relevant behavioral competencies.