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MockQuestions

Facebook Mock Interview

To help you prepare for a Facebook job interview, here are 33 interview questions and answer examples.

Facebook was updated by Kevin Downey on February 9th, 2024. Learn more here.

Question 1 of 33

What were you doing on your very best day at work?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

What you need to know, experienced example.

Community Answers

Your interviewer is curious to learn more about your work standard, and how often you rise to the occasion to go above and beyond in your work. Your response should inform them what you enjoy most about the work you do and where your passions lie. This goes beyond what your day-to-day responsibilities look like. It more so pertains to the quality you bring to your time at work. Their ideal candidates enjoy the work they do and are bringing their best selves to work every day. So, take your interviewer through your ideal day in your current role, and when describing what you do, try to make going the distance look like your work standard. Remember to be positive and upbeat.

Included in the frequently asked questions on Meta's careers site is the question, "What should I focus on when applying for a job at Meta?" They then detail that this interview question is one they frequently like to ask. Here is their advice for answering this question: "Focus on your strengths. We like to ask, 'What were you doing on your very best day at work?' We want you to do that not just on your best day, but every day. Show us something you've built. Builders look at the world with fresh eyes. They see things that are good, but could be better, and figure out how to make it so. We look for candidates who've got that same building mind-set, whether they're applying for executive roles or internships. Share when you've failed and learned. Don't hesitate to talk about the blunders you've made in the pursuit of big ideas. We want to hear about those as much as your wins."

"I try to have every day be my best day. I do this by grabbing everything I can control by the reins. By arriving at work a little early, coffee in hand, I show up relaxed and at the top of my game, ready for what comes next. I greet all of my coworkers, dive into some fun banter, and set the stage for having fun with my teams. I want everyone to look forward to working together, day in and day out, so we can have the best experience together. Then, I head to the gym at lunch and have a keto power meal. Ideally, I'll deliver work that exceeds my standard, spread high-fives all around, map out my following day, and even get a head start on one or two projects. I then wrap up with a few good laughs with coworkers, while looking forward to the next challenge."

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33 Facebook Interview Questions & Answers

Below is a list of our Facebook interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 11 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.

Table of Contents

• 1.   Accomplishment Questions
• 2.   Adaptability Questions
• 3.   Capability Questions
• 4.   Career Goals Questions
• 5.   Communication Questions
• 6.   Compatibility Questions
• 7.   Conflict Questions
• 8.   Creative Thinking Questions
• 9.   Discovery Questions
• 10.   Diversity Questions
• 11.   EQ Questions
• 12.   Experience Questions
• 13.   Job Satisfaction Questions
• 14.   Performance Based Questions
• 15.   Problem Solving Questions
• 16.   Stress Questions
• 17.   Teamwork Questions

Accomplishment

1. What were you doing on your very best day at work?

Written by Kevin Downey on January 17th, 2024

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Adaptability

2. Do you prefer change or the status quo?

Meta's products are constantly evolving, with new products being added, older ones being improved upon, and occasional shifts occurring in their company focus. Therefore, your interviewer is curious about how able you are to adapt and how effectively you embrace and support the vision and direction of your employer. As they say on their website, "We all recognize that Meta's business is both broad in scope and constantly changing, and while I know many of you are energized by this, I also recognize that the idea of upcoming changes creates uncertainty and stress. My hope is to focus on the critical work ahead."

How you answer this question could provide insights into whether this job is the right fit for you. For example, those who prefer to cruise along performing at the status quo, relying on the security of predictable work, day in and day out, are more likely to feel stressed out and burnout on the job than those who are more adaptive and thrive in a constantly changing, fast-paced work environment. So showcase your familiarity with the type of work environment they've created, and that you feel this is the right opportunity for you.

"The high-growth tech startup I work for initially kept reinventing themselves, shifting their focus as they trained many of us to wear all the hats, and we were constantly learning on the go as they parceled out jobs and responsibilities between sales and marketing. Eventually, they shifted gears and hired a chief marketing officer who hired specialists in that field. As a result, the company went through 3 major rebrandings and shiftings of focus for the company. Many of our teammates enjoyed the work, even though they lacked proper training, and grew frustrated by these shifts, resulting in a lot of turnover. I did what I could to share the company's vision and defend the direction we were heading. But not everyone shared my enthusiasm."

Kevin's Feedback

3. What would you have done if we did not show up to this interview, today?

According to sources online, Meta's interviewers are known to ask this question from time to time. This hypothetical, scenario-based question is meant to test your problem-solving abilities, your communication skills, emotional intelligence, and your sense of diplomacy. The way you respond will show the interviewers your level of confidence, how you strategically think when placed in uncomfortable situations, and how driven you are to reach your goals. It also could provide them a glimpse of your self-perceived professional worth, and how badly you want the job.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 13th, 2024

Before your interview, make sure to exhaust all efforts in understanding the nature of their work culture, and the traits that they look for when recruiting their people. This will help you better determine how aligned you are with them, and whether this is the right fit for you. Remember, everyone who works for Meta, from their recruiters to their hiring managers, to their team members, all serve as representatives of their employee culture. So, when answering this question, approach it with the understanding that you are still getting to know one another, and if hired, you will potentially be working with and collaborating with the person sitting across the table from you.

How to Answer

This question is something of a test of your communication skills. Without understanding what may have transpired to have caused your interviewer to miss your appointment, it is necessary to approach the situation with an open mind while offering the benefit of the doubt. Therefore, demonstrate empathy. Many of Meta's seasoned employees detail in their careers blogs that empathy is a requirement for working there. So, when answering this question, be a leader. Exude empathy, confidence, professionalism, and self-respect.

A huge part of being a skilled communicator is asking questions and actively listening. So, in this hypothetical situation, suggest the questions you might ask to better understand the situation and circumstances of why they didn't show up for the interview. Then determine whether their responses align with your work standard and the standard you expect from those on your team.

"I can empathize with how challenging a job recruiting is and would give you the benefit of the doubt. So I would start by reaching out to you to make sure you were okay. If I couldn't get a hold of you, I would reach out to your human resources and explain the situation and express my concern. I would then try to be flexible regarding rescheduling. However, if it seemed clear that this interview wasn't a high priority, then I might ask more questions, and reflect on the wisest course of action from there, depending on the situation."

4. How up to date are you on Meta's advancements with AI, AR, and VR?

Your interviewer is curious whether you share their passion for their innovations and for the direction they're taking the company. How you respond may also inform them of how effectively you'll work with their teams, the level of dedication they can expect from you, whether you'll help them further the company's vision, and to what degree you already fit in.

Here are a collection of combined quotes where Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook and Meta, discusses his company's focus on the Metaverse, augmented reality, virtual reality, and AI. "We've been focusing on both A.I. and the metaverse for years now, and we will continue to focus on both. The two areas are also related. I believe augmented and virtual reality are going to enable a deeper sense of presence and social connection than any existing platform, and they're going to be an important part of how we will interact in the future. The Metaverse has the potential to revolutionize education by creating immersive learning experiences that feel like you're actually there. AI can personalize learning pathways in the Metaverse, adapting to individual needs and styles."

How to Prep

Before your interview, read up on how AI, AR, and VR all play interconnected roles in their "Metaverse" of products. "Meta's mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. What we build today could one day be the norm. So to be here today is to truly be at the heart of change and the frontier of what's to come. We're the people helping to define the metaverse. We may not have all the answers. But together, we're getting closer." Meta also details how AI helps personalize content, creates A.I. generated advertising, and readily available intuitive and personalized chatbots, among other applications, such as Meta's open-sourced language model, Llama 2. So thoroughly explore all of their products, services, and offerings so you can knowledgeably discuss them when such topics come up in your interview.

Answer Example

"I spent some time reading up on all of it on your website. Some people are big Apple fans, but I am definitely more of a Meta fan. I don't have any of the cool products Meta has available right now, like the most recent Quest, but would love to justify the expense soon. I am especially keen on the Ray-Ban Wayfarers. So cool! That is definitely going to be my next priority purchase."

Career Goals

5. What are your developmental priorities over the next 6 months?

This question is aimed at gauging how motivated you are, whether you have a mapped-out career plan, what your short-term goals are, and what growth opportunities you are working on right now. This is different from asking where you plan to be in five years, which your interviewer may ask, which helps them determine whether you see this opportunity as a long-term career move, and have mapped out some big-picture goals for where you hope Meta may take your career next. How you answer questions like these may potentially inform them of how driven you are, and what your level of personal achievement looks like.

Read through Meta's careers blogs, which often feature their model employees, for more insights into their company's culture. For example, here are some insights that directly correlate to this interview question, and how they count on all of Meta's employees to have a growth mindset and an "always learning" attitude. "No matter your role, having a growth mindset is critical. Things are always changing and the industry is evolving quickly. People who do well here are passionate and genuinely excited to learn." They go on to say, "the key is to keep challenging yourself, which is a defining factor at Meta. As long as you push yourself forward with the knowledge you already have, you have the right people supporting you, and you have access to new opportunities, you'll be fine."

Someone who cruises along at the status quo often uses the expression, no news is good news. But when taking charge of your own development with the aim of furthering your career, this couldn't be farther from the truth. In one of Meta's career blogs, a department manager said, "Enabling growth can be a balance between offering encouragement, radical candor and sometimes, tough love. It's important to give constructive feedback and have honest, difficult conversations." So when describing your drive and ambition to grow in your career, detail how you proactively seek out feedback at every opportunity, and that you receptively consider all feedback as a learning opportunity.

Written by Kevin Downey on January 16th, 2024

"I am very interested in moving into a leadership role and have been reading books and taking online classes on leadership development. So, next my focus will be on communication and delegation best practices, team-building, and coaching rising leaders. I am very interested in learning more about Meta's Leadership in Practice program and am very interested in learning what it takes to enter the program."

Kristine's Feedback

Communication

6. How would you describe what we do here at Meta?

They're curious about how familiar you are with Meta and how they define themselves as a company. They are also curious how effectively you would detail what they do as a company to their users, advertisers, or the general public. They're looking for candidates with exceptional communication skills, and who are resourceful in building relationships across the larger Meta ecosystem. For example, before Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook as Meta, he was quoted as saying, "Facebook is really about communicating and telling stories."

Meta describes what they do as building technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. Among their offerings, they sell proprietary AR and VR devices, such as Meta Quest and Ray-Ban Meta. They offer their social networking apps, such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Meta Horizon. They even offer work tools involving immersive virtual reality experiences. Not only do they expect their employees to represent the interests of the company, but they expect them to embrace their offerings as well.

Meta details in their code of conduct that they expect their employees to communicate transparently. They state that they empower honest, open communication and that they expect their employees to be clear, truthful, courteous, and professional in their internal and external communications. "We understand that information travels rapidly and unpredictably. As Meta Personnel, everything we say and share reflects on us individually and on Meta. We are thoughtful and responsible in how we connect and communicate with the world. Whether we are in a meeting, a cafe, walking together or communicating online, our words matter. Thus, we should pause before communicating to avoid misunderstandings and allow our authentic voice to be heard."

Your social media presence can reveal a lot about you, your hobbies, external interests, and your personality. The more your online presence reflects upon you as a good fit to join their company, the better. Your interviewer expects you to be publicly active on their social media channels. However, they also count on their employees to make it clear when they are expressing their personal opinions, not leading people to believe they are speaking on behalf of Meta, unless they've received permission to do so. So before your interview, make absolutely sure your online social media presence is professional.

"I would say that Meta helps connect individuals and communities on a global scale. They find new ways to help people tell their stories, to relate to each other, and new methods of communicating online, enabling everyone's voice to be heard."

Compatibility

7. Which of our platforms do you connect with most, and how frequently?

Your interviewer is curious to what degree you are a fan of their company, how energized you feel about the direction Meta is going, how engaged you are with their products and offerings, how they impact your daily life, and how you connect with others. Whether you are actively on Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, or utilize Meta Quest and its over 50 games, detail how you connect to others by connecting with Meta. "From social media to cutting-edge AR/VR, all our technologies share a vision of a more connected world."

"I'm always on Instagram. I love scrolling through stories. Honestly, there is no greater source for cat videos anywhere. I love viewing them and posting them. If I am having a bad or stressful day, a micro break with a few cat videos is all I need to get back on course."

8. Why should Meta hire you?

Posing similarly phrased questions can serve several purposes. It can help your interviewer assess your attention to detail. It tests whether you can think on your feet, and how original your answers are from question to question. In this set, you'll find three such similarly phrased questions; "Why do you want to work for Meta?", "What makes you unique from the rest of the candidates in Meta's talent pool?", and this question, "Why should Meta hire you?" The first of these questions has to do with your career goals, and how Meta aligns with where you want to take your career next. The second question concerns your work standard, and how you tend to stand out among your peers. And this question concerns how aligned you are with the talent Meta is ideally hoping to recruit.

To get the most of out this question, you must learn all you can about every aspect of Meta's culture, identify all the ways you fit their mold, and where you can relate to and identify with their methodology. Go beyond researching the careers pages on Meta's website. Explore the Meta Careers Blog, Meta Careers on Facebook, Meta Careers on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor. Sign up for their Career Profile, which they call "your source for the information and resources you need for your career journey at Meta. Create personalized job alerts, see jobs recommended for you, try our coding puzzles, get interview schedules and more." Doing this will help you paint a clearer picture of how you are uniquely positioned to complement their teams.

Meta describes their company's purpose as building a more connected future. To do that, Mark Zuckerberg describes his philosophy for recruiting those whom he wants on his teams. "I will only hire someone to work directly for me if I would work for that person. It's a pretty good test." Here are several other quotes from several of Meta's top talent, who in different ways describe what it is like being part of their culture. "Innovators, change makers and thought leaders, you'll find them all at Meta." "We are solution-seekers and bold builders." "At Meta, your career is in your hands." "Learning has never stopped." "Empathy is key." "People's lives change once they're able to connect."

Written by Kevin Downey on January 14th, 2024

"I would describe my personality as supportive, emotionally intelligent, and highly empathic. I have a lot of drive and am one of those people who preach that nothing is impossible. I'm adventurous and also enjoy taking on new challenges and am willing to jump into any situation and learn on the spot. I'm also resourceful. In fact, one of the nicknames my coworkers have for me is MacGyver. I am also very driven to grow professionally and am always receptive to feedback. I'm always asking questions, am willing to try new things, am incredibly positive and happy-go-lucky."

9. What values form your character?

Your interviewer is curious whether you have a personal or professional code that forms your character or your decision-making. How you answer may educate them on how closely your values align with theirs. For example, a candidate who is more likely to prioritize the needs of Meta or their fellow metamates is more aligned with their values than someone who prioritizes themselves or the advancement of their own career.

If you don't already have a few core values by which you operate, take some time to perform the exercise of coming up with a few. Think about the principles and morals you live by, and the kind of person you strive to be. Once you've written those down, phrase them in a manner that complements Meta's core values.

Meta's 6 core values are presently, "Move fast, Focus on long-term impact, Build awesome things, Live in the future, Be direct and respect your colleagues, Meta - metamates - me." The last of these values is a play on the nautical saying, "ship, shipmates, self." This in essence means they first must prioritize the ship, then their fellow shipmates, and lastly, they prioritize themselves. Also, before rebranding to Meta, Facebook's five core values used to be "Focus on Impact, Move Fast, Be Bold, Be Open, and Build Social Value."

"I would say that my core values are consistency in quality, happy work relationships are fundamental to performance, always be creative, and maintain a spirit of adventure in everything you do."

10. What makes you unique from the rest of the candidates in Meta's talent pool?

It is your interviewer's job to identify and recruit their target talent. This can prove even more difficult with how many applications they receive and how competitive pursuing a position at Meta can be. So, to make their job easier, your interviewer wants to hear your pitch for not only what you feel makes you unique, but what distinguishes your work standard and performance level from your peers. They'll assess how confident you are in your own statements, and how well you've aligned your drive, ambition, experience, and personality with the qualities they look for in their ideal candidates. In some ways, they are offering you an opportunity to showcase what you have to offer.

It's impossible to know how you compare to the other candidates being interviewed. Instead, focus on who Meta's trying to recruit, and what the performance and work standard for their top talent looks like, (those who work fast, averting risk through information flow and decision-making, while making sure all the rough edges are polished off before sending work further up the chain). When describing his expectations and vision for his company and employees, Mark Zuckerberg suggests the more they are held to his standard, the more Meta will become an even greater magnet for the most talented people. He describes looking for individual contributors who grow and develop faster, at every level. He suggests those who utilize what they are capable of, working leaner and within their means, execute higher priorities faster, are more productive, and find their work more fun and fulfilling. Those who work leaner operate more efficiently, identify obsolete processes worth phasing out, and work more meaningfully. He also emphasizes that building trusting relationships gets more done and those relationships help each other work more effectively. Being resilient, looking ahead, and focusing on what you can control, delivers more sustainable results and helps every team run more efficiently.

"I am very competitive with myself. Not so much with those I work with. But, if I admire a coworker, and see what they are doing is better than what I can do, I'll learn everything I can from them, and not because I am trying to outperform them. Rather, if I am not outperforming my previous best record, I am not doing my best. My learning curve is steep, as is my desire for growth and knowledge. I am always focusing on the impact of my work and always moving fast. My stress resistance is also exceptionally high. I like to think I have a pretty great attitude, and it's because I am always having fun at work."

11. Which of Meta Platforms' products and services are you most excited about?

Your interviewer is curious to learn the extent of your familiarity with Meta's products and offerings, or those which you are looking forward to trying, whether currently out on the market or coming soon. How familiar you are with where the company is trending may serve as an indicator of your interest and enthusiasm for joining their teams.

Some of Meta's offerings are more widely known and available, such as their social platforms, like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Whereas others are not as widely publicized or available, such as Meta's Ray-Ban AR and VR glasses, Meta's Llama 2, (Large Language Model Meta AI), or their Meta Quest or Meta Quest Pro VR headsets, their accessories, apps and games, and more. So dive deep into their products and services, and be prepared to speak about those which excite you the most.

"I'd say I am most excited about the next generation of smart glasses. And partnering with Ray-Ban, you can't get any cooler than that. I am more of a Wayfarers fan. And the idea that you can access all of those features without ever taking your phone out of your pocket is truly awe-inspiring."

12. What will you contribute to Meta's mission and values?

Meta's recruiters are looking for top performers who they connect with, and who see the value in building connections with others. Therefore, your interviewer is curious how familiar you are with their company language, and the many ways they define why they do what they do as a company, and the values and principles that guide how they work, each and every day. So, before you can adequately answer this question, it's essential that you understand what Meta's missions and values are. The most ubiquitous keyword that appears across their site is connection.

Facebook was founded in 2004. In 2017, Mark Zuckerberg expanded its mission to "Bring the world closer together." Then, in late 2021, Facebook was rebranded as Meta, and their full mission statement became "to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. That reflects that we can't do this ourselves, but only by empowering people to build communities and bring people together." Their six core values are, "Move fast, Focus on long-term impact, Build awesome things, Live in the future, Be direct and respect your colleagues, Meta - metamates - me."

Explore each of their core values in depth and determine which of their values you stand to contribute to the most. Examine your work history and where you've shined. For example, in the descriptions of their core values, they describe how their employees build and learn faster than anyone else, and act with urgency, removing barriers, "moving fast in one direction together as a company and as individuals. We emphasize long-term thinking rather than optimizing for near-term wins. We push ourselves to focus more on inspiring, in everything we do."

"I have friends and family all across the globe and I honestly wish I could step into a teleportation machine and hang out with them, to be in the same room as them at any time. Often, making a video call on your phone simply doesn't capture what it is like being there with them. But, the advancements Meta is making with the metaverse, to feel like you are actually in the same room with them, and then to goof around and hang out as your avatar, or whatever you want to be, is amazing. This is the future of connecting with others across the world, and I want to be part of advancing that future."

13. Why do you want to work for Meta?

Your interviewer wants to assess your enthusiasm and interest in this role, and Meta as a company. How you answer could potentially help them determine how aligned you are with their mission and values, how familiar you are with their culture and what they do, and if you feel this position and their company are a strong match for your career goals. By understanding why you want to work there, they'll better be able to determine whether they should invest in you as an employee.

When examining your career goals, go beyond how this opportunity of working for a leading tech company would be a step forward for your career. Rather, align your career goals with what they are doing as a company, how their culture complements what you are looking for, and how you'd like to learn, develop, and grow with them. Also, relay how working for them feels like participating in something bigger than yourself, "the future of how people connect."

At Meta, they state that their best work is yet to come. And they're looking for their ideal talent to help them. "Do what you love or discover new challenges in a place where you can take ownership, chase ideas and build the future of connectivity. We want to invest in you as a person. You're our most valuable resource." On their career blog, one of their engineers describes Meta's culture "as challenging and fun. The opportunities you have to work on what you're interested in, even moving to a different project or team, are just amazing."

"I read an interview with your COO where she said, 'I would rather take a total superstar in another area and move them into a new job than take someone who hasn't performed as well but has the right experience.' I love that, and I get it. I want to work with the best, and be part of a great team that will help deliver us into the future. Meta gets this and understands what it takes to build a solid team. So I am interested in that type of collaboration, where our daily interactions help me learn and grow, just by being immersed in a great diverse team with new perspectives. It's all about the angles to look at things. I am an avid learner who actively seeks opportunities to grow, and I want to surround myself with those who are similar."

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14. What do you believe were the biggest challenges Meta faced this year?

Your interviewer is curious to hear your opinion on the direction the company is heading and the challenges ahead. Not only are they interested in determining how informed you are, but also curious about how aligned your views are with those of Meta, and how you would be able to represent their positions and attitudes when discussing work with those outside of the company.

When asked about industry topics or the company's direction, always start with the positions and perspectives of the company, similar to the information they offer on their website. So, to prepare for this question or those like it, check out the top stories on Meta's Newsroom, such as, "Living in the Future," where they discuss Meta's two long-term bets on technologies of the future, AI and the metaverse, each of which took major steps forward in 2023. Or, explore their article "What's New Across Our AI Experiences," where they discuss the features they're adding to Meta AI and the new ways generative AI will improve experiences across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp.

"I would say that with all the new breakthroughs of AI, now increasing at an exponential rate, incorporating those advances and the potential of those AI breakthroughs into the metaverse was a huge challenge. Not only in realizing the implications and applications, but what it means for connecting people through the Metaverse on a previously unrealized scale."

15. What kind of disagreements have you had with colleagues and/or managers? How have you resolved them? Can you empathize with people whose points of view differ radically from yours?

In Meta's Full Loop Interview Prep Guide, they pose this very question, and there is a chance your interviewer may ask this to assess how thoroughly you've prepared for this interview. This falls under one of the five signals they evaluate their candidates for, resolving conflict. This question directly pertains to how well you would thrive in their unstructured, open working environment. They want to know how aligned you are with their culture and how adept you are at resolving conflict when tense situations may arise, for whatever reason. How you answer will inform them of how aligned you are with their culture, and how your approach to resolving conflict aligns with theirs.

Written by Kevin Downey on February 9th, 2024

At Meta, they repeatedly emphasize that they are looking to hire "highly qualified individuals from the widest range of backgrounds and experiences. This helps us benefit from each other's vast variety of experiences and perspectives and offer products and services truly designed for all." They depend on each one of those metamates to get along, treat each other with respect, and collaborate harmoniously. As Mark Zuckerberg succinctly puts it, "At Meta, I believe that embracing a deep responsibility to each other allows us to innovate better and be a better company."

Here are several guidelines for being kind and respectful which Meta details in their code of conduct. "It is important that Meta Personnel feel valued and respected and that they are treated fairly at work and work-related events, whether in-person or virtual. This culture helps establish the openness and trust we need to make informed decisions and have a meaningful impact in the world. Being kind and respectful means we treat every person within our community with respect, regardless of role, position, seniority, employment status or tenure. Consider the needs and perspectives of others and how our words and actions might be received. Never threaten, act violently toward or harass others. Don't insult, bully, disparage, shame or mock others and stay vigilant. Don't retaliate. Speak up."

"Well, I work in a very collaborative think tank environment currently. And often our teams are challenged with charting unmapped paths forward on major projects. The aim is to get it done together and to collaborate at speed. So, this often requires a lot of active listening, validating, and implementing advanced communication, negotiation, diplomacy, validation, non-defensive communication, and compromise. On occasion, simply because of communication backdowns, things get tense, but they never result in conflict. In those situations, we'll ultimately reach a compromise and work well together toward our common goal. We all want the same thing. It's just how to get there that ends up for debate. All for one and one for all."

Creative Thinking

16. Do you consider yourself more of a left-brained or right-brained person?

Your interviewer wants to learn more about your motivators and preferences for the type of work you perform. How you answer could prove insightful in regards to your behavior and personality and whether you are more creatively inclined, or more pragmatic. It could also inform them where you fall on the scale from being more of an introvert who enjoys solitary analytical work, an extrovert who enjoys more social and collaborative work, or more of an ambivert, falling somewhere on the scale between the two.

When answering this question, it is important to be as honest with yourself as you are with the person you are interviewing with. You should be certain this opportunity feels like the right fit for your talents, personality, and professional skills. "Innovators, changemakers and thought leaders, you'll find them all at Meta." By showcasing who you truly are as a person, and as a professional, you stand a greater chance of landing this, or perhaps another position which the recruiter might see you as a better fit for. "What really motivates people at Facebook is building stuff that they're proud of." - Mark Zuckerberg

"My best friend says I am super pragmatic, and my sister says I am the most creative person in the world, so I guess it depends on who you ask. I'd say I fall somewhere and alternate back and forth from the right to the left. I look at the world from all angles, am unconventional in my thinking, and try to look at things from every unbiased angle, never taking sides, and just try to follow the path of what makes the most sense."

17. What does the word "innovation" mean to you?

Your interviewer is curious how closely your concept of innovation aligns with theirs and would like to know what innovation looks like for you. The term "innovation" is not something that Meta's employees strive for, it is a job requirement. At Meta, they describe their culture as innovative by nature, and responsible by design. "Take on meaningful, challenging work at incredible scale. What we do has never before been done. By asking complex questions to drive innovation, you can help shape the future as you build for the world."

Mark Zuckerberg is reported to hold his employees to a high standard. According to reviews from Glassdoor, and from several articles and blogs on the subject, the work is very challenging, and demanding, and the hours can be long. Due to being surrounded by high-performing, top talent, the environment can sometimes feel competitive and the talents of those you're working with can feel intimidating. So, part of their innovative culture requires a high degree of commitment, drive, dedication, and perseverance.

"To me, innovation means what it means, which is a great improvement that moves something forward. Whereas kaizen means a small, or a collection of small improvements. I am all about improvement implementation, whether on a large or small scale. But, the aim is to constantly improve on what was done before, on whatever scale, which as a whole translates to innovation. As I always say, do better with consistency and move the world forward. Ideally, I'd like to move the world forward at Meta."

18. Tell me about yourself.

According to one of Meta's Full Loop Interview Prep Guides, one of the purposes of your interview is to assess whether you would thrive or flounder in Meta's fast-paced and highly unstructured environment. They want to learn more about your background, what you're passionate about in tech, and what kind of impact you want to make. So come prepared to share a well-structured narrative of your background and interests, what you're passionate about in tech, why you're looking to make a change in your career, and what kind of impact you hope to make at Meta. "It's important to prepare ahead of time for interviews designed to get to know you better." This is your opportunity to share stories and examples of your past work, what you've learned along your career journey, what it's like to work with you, and how you feel about the types of challenges you'll face at Meta.

One of the signals your interviewer will watch out for will be how effectively you communicate your answers throughout your interview. This may inform them of how well you'll communicate with their teams, and with their cross-functional partners, and whether you can tailor your communication based on your work and/or your audience. To help construct your answer, Meta's recruiters recommend you use the STAR method. "Use the S.T.A.R. method to mentally organize your thoughts. This will provoke a well-thought-out and chronological action of events. Easy to describe, easy to follow. You can practice this method using the Journaling Exercises in the Preparation Hub within your Career Profile. S: One or two sentences about the SITUATION: What happened? T: Describe the TASK: What was your specific goal? A: ACTIONS you took to overcome the obstacles and complete your objective. R: The tangible / quantifiable RESULTS of the situation: How did it help the team/company? Have concrete examples or anecdotes. Support each question with practical experiences and examples. Avoid theoretical answers. If you go into a theoretical tangent, your interviewer will redirect you to provide a concrete example."

"I first grew intrigued with code when I was teaching myself how to build my profile page on Myspace. Then, when Facebook came along, I abandoned Myspace of course. But I was still addicted to code and created a few apps here and there. Small fun games. For quite a while, it was a dream of mine that I'd create the next big app and Facebook would buy it from me. Although I have developed a few, and some I've sold to smaller outfits, I later landed a career developing apps for companies. But the dream of working with Facebook was still there. So, I revamped my career goals and steered my development and learning with the aim of working for Meta. Having gained the right skills and experience, and learning all I can about the company, I feel like I am already a metamate, and hope to meet the rest of the teams."

19. How much experience do you have working in a diverse and inclusive environment?

Your interviewer needs to ensure you are culturally competent and will have no difficulties collaborating with Meta's diverse teams. "Connecting the world takes people with different backgrounds and points of view to build products that work better for everyone. This means building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we serve and a workplace focused on equity and inclusion." In Meta's annual diversity reports, they detail their efforts towards building strong relationships with organizations that support people of color and women. "We value each contribution and unique perspective, and we see lived experience as an asset." So, they also need to ensure you'll have no difficulty connecting with a diverse world. "People from all backgrounds, with diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas, rely on Meta technologies to build community. Building a diverse team where everyone belongs is crucial to understanding where we're succeeding and where we need to do better."

Meta's diversity report begins with the following statement by Mark Zuckerberg: "To bring the world closer together, diversity is a must-have for Meta, not an option. Hiring people with different backgrounds and experiences helps us build better products and make better decisions. We're committed to building a workforce that's as diverse as the communities we serve. Responsibility rests on us and our companies. You need diverse teams to do the best work. So it's important that we do better on diversity, not only because it's the right thing to do, but because that's the only way we're going to serve our community the best."

"I appreciate the open and transparent effort that Meta makes when it comes to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, especially after reading your most recent diversity report. I embrace the fact that everyone is different. Every chance I get to get to know someone new is a learning opportunity. I love to travel, love music from every corner of the world, and love learning about new cultures. My views on diversity are that it's not simply a matter of culture but also gender, identity, background, demographics, and so much more. I am sensitive in all my actions as well, and take nothing for granted."

20. How do you balance your personal life with your work life?

Even though Meta, through several programs and benefits, invests in the wellness of their employees, for the sake of recruiting a sustainable workforce, they need to ensure their employees put in equal or greater efforts to promote a strong work-life balance and are capable of maintaining their passion for the work they perform. So, your interviewer is curious whether you have a thorough understanding of the level of dedication and hard work Meta requires of their employees. Before considering hiring you, they need to ensure you can rise to the challenge without getting burned out on the job.

According to many of the employee reviews on Glassdoor, Meta's employees struggle with their work-life balance due to the high-performance standard, work-related stress, and demanding schedules. But, the company also invests in their employees' work-life balance, including freeing up their employees' time and creating more efficiency in catering to their other needs, such as providing health, dental, and vision care on and near Meta campuses. "When it comes to our benefits and programs, we know it's not a one-size-fits-all situation. Our wellness reimbursement program gives more flexibility to reimburse expenses that support well-being. Eligible employees can be reimbursed up to a specific amount each calendar year for eligible expenses."

"I have found that one of the best ways to avoid burnout is to constantly celebrate. Take time to show gratitude and appreciation for your team, their support, and their wins. Also, strategically planning every project, whether it's planning a major work project or planning your week, morning, nights, weekends, meals, just plan and remove any stressors that are easily avoided. I call that last one being kind to yourself. Minimize stress and keep moving at a manageable pace. Exercise your body, and your mind, and find time for those things which enrich your spirit as well."

21. Do you take constructive criticism as an opportunity to improve? How have you approached improving your skills?

At Meta, they state they're interested in recruiting new employees with great interest in continual professional growth. How receptive someone is to feedback, and how proactive a professional is with seeking out feedback is a clear indication of how career-minded that professional is. Among their incentives is the promise of offering development programs designed to accelerate their careers. So, they'll be trying to determine in each interview how close that candidate aligns with their target talent.

Here are some of the value propositions Meta posts on their careers site to recruit their target talent. "Sharing, providing feedback, debating and questioning, all with kindness, respect and humor, are core to our culture and key to our mission. Meta must be a space where everyone is welcome and has the opportunity to succeed. We help people who work here expand their skill sets, including their capabilities to build inclusive team environments where everyone is seen, heard and valued. From onboarding to managing performance to providing community education programs, we offer consistent support and resources to help people grow professionally and personally."

"I thrive on feedback. I need it, and any time someone is willing to offer it, I approach it with appreciation. Sometimes the feedback can be disappointing, but only because I have been working hard on the issue to which the feedback pertains, and had hoped I was either farther along in my development or noticed for the progress I'd made. But, regardless, I take those in stride and keep at it until my reputation once again proceeds me."

22. What would you consider a professional weakness of yours?

How you answer this question stands to inform your interviewer of whether you take charge of your professional development, and are actively trying to grow professionally and personally. As detailed in one of Meta's interview prep guides, they will assess each candidate for signals that correlate with what they see as attributes to which they credit their success. One of these is "Growing continuously. Your interviewer will be assessing your aptitude for seeking out opportunities for growth and learning. Do you take constructive criticism as an opportunity to improve? How have you approached improving your skills?"

Here are some excerpts from Meta's career blogs, where their top employees detail the growth mindset of their work culture. "I might not know it inside and out, but I'll learn on the job, make mistakes and get better." "I always tell everyone on my team that it's great to make mistakes as long as you don't repeat them." "Getting your team to trust you and to mutually share honest feedback, interests and motivations is highly valued. It is the norm to share wins as well as failures openly within the company."

"I would say that my biggest growth opportunity is sharing tips and tricks with those whom I work with, and helping them out more when they're struggling. I often become far too engrossed in surpassing my deadlines, working at speed, and over-delivering that I rarely afford the time to help out another teammate who might be struggling, even if I have a tip that I can share that will help them over-deliver as well. It's not because I am being competitive or anything like that. I am just too hyper-focused on my own tasks that I become blind to where I can help out elsewhere. Granted, it takes a bit of multitasking. But, I have recently realized this is a growth opportunity and have been making small improvements in this regard, but still have a way to go."

23. What is the riskiest decision you've made in your career?

Risk-taking plays a role in their company culture. One of Facebook's original core values was to "Be Bold." Often, being bold requires taking calculated risks. Mark Zuckerberg also detailed in an address that information flow is necessary for making calculated risks. So, your interviewer is curious about your approach to taking risks, your experience, whether you are risk averse, or whether you compulsively take risks based on intuition rather than information. As one senior Meta employee puts it, part of what makes someone successful at Meta is the ability to make "bold decisions and take calculated risks without being afraid of being wrong."

In one of Meta's interview prep guides, they advise their candidates to be honest. "Not every project is a runaway success. Being transparent in these situations won't be counted against you in the interview. In fact, sharing & discussing how you learned, improved, and grew from your past experiences is valued. Know yourself. Take the time to review your own resume, as your interviewer will almost certainly ask about key events in your work history. Be prepared to discuss projects in depth. It's helpful to outline 2-3 major projects ahead of time." And, as Mark Zuckerberg once said, "The biggest risk is not taking any risk... In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks."

"One of the riskiest decisions I made was to leave my job with an established organization to create a startup. But I did so in stages, first by reducing my hours, from full-time to part-time, then by making the leap to dedicating myself to the business full-time. My start-up was focused on providing a service that would pioneer a new space in the nutraceutical marketplace. Of course, we had some roadblocks along the way, but I learned to quickly pivot in the face of a challenge. I grew significantly during that time, and although it was a risk, I stand behind my choice. I later sold the business and did well, and was incredibly proud of what I created and passed on. It was a lot of work, sometimes too much work, but working hard and putting in long hours is something I am used to."

24. What is your greatest strength?

The interviewer would like to learn what you perceive as your greatest strengths, and how they might benefit Meta. While preparing for your interview, make a list of your greatest strengths, and choose those that align with Meta's culture. Consider adopting some of their language into yours, such as their keywords and coined key phrases.

According to Meta's careers blogs, Meta encourages everyone to draw on their unique strengths by promoting a think-tank, strengths-based culture "which aims to identify and foster employees' talents rather than try to round out their weaknesses. This allows us to build on what our people are good at instead of what can be fixed, maximizing the power of their skills and inspiring them with confidence. By aligning our people's strengths and passions with the right projects, leaders at Meta are able to drive high results and cultivate productivity and innovation in their teams."

"I would say my greatest strength is that I have a pretty easygoing, super positive nature, and have been told multiple times that I have a nurturing and calming effect on those around me. I am able to lift others up when they're feeling low, have no problems going against the grain when I know it's right, and always choose to do the right thing. I always take the time to get to know people for who they are and show them my authentic self in exchange. I've always believed this is the best way to build relationships."

Job Satisfaction

25. What motivates you at work?

The interviewers want to know what motivates you at work, what inspires you to perform at your best, and to go above and beyond. They want to know where your passions lie and the impact you strive to make in your career. How you answer may help them determine how suited you are to the role. As one of their top-performing candidates puts it, at Meta, your career is in your hands. "It's almost like being a kid again because you get to dream big. You may be hired to do a job, but if you discover a new passion, there will always be a way for you to explore it."

Meta's approach to a happy team begins with getting to know each person's greatest motivators. On Meta's careers site, the company states, "We work on things we're incredibly passionate about, that align with our values and purpose, and that have a positive impact on the world. It's who we are. It's why we build. You can bring your values to do work that matters, not just to you, but to the world. You belong here. Here's your blank canvas, now decide what to paint."

"I am motivated by doing the work I love to do, by being given the opportunity to do what I do best and to take that to the next level. I am also motivated by working with teams that share my enthusiasm for the work we are doing together, where we all geek out in the same way. There is something super motivating about that specific collaborative energy."

Marcie's Feedback

Performance Based

26. How do you manage your priorities when multitasking becomes necessary?

In any Meta behavioral interview, they will assess each candidate for signals that correlate with what they view as attributes of success. One of these is "Embracing ambiguity: How do you operate in an ambiguous and quickly changing environment? Are you comfortable making decisions and maintaining high levels of productivity when you are missing information or lack clarity? How did you react when you had to quickly pivot away from a project due to a shift in priority?" How you answer will help your interviewer determine your experience level, and whether you are ready for this opportunity.

Too often, when managing multiple priorities, it's common for one's time management to be undermined, resulting in losing track of where you left off in your work, increasing the likelihood of losing track of a time-sensitive priority in the midst of various distractions. At Meta, "work is multi-functional and requires an evolving set of skills, prioritizing multiple assignments quickly, multitasking and changing direction quickly, looking ahead, anticipating needs, and making needed adjustments." Reflect on the systems and processes you employ to track your work, maintain strong attention to detail, and assist in not losing track of any of your work when more pressing priorities arise. You want to showcase that you are capable of performing at a high standard in a variety of challenging environments.

"I start by analyzing each task to determine its priority, necessity, and impact. From there, I make notations on the work I am temporarily setting aside, and where I left off. Once that's done, I focus my attention on where I have the highest potential to make an impact. Also, I often determine where to focus my attention based on time management, and the time I have to work with. I delegate tasks when I can and commit until I deliver on all of my obligations. I take ownership of my work and have never had I under-delivered on a deadline."

27. Tell us about a time where you got really involved in your work.

This question is designed to help your interviewer assess how engaged you are in your career path. Your answer will help them gauge how satisfied you'd be working with them, based on how passionate you seem about your work. Someone who loses themselves in their work is more likely to perform to a higher standard and feel energized when collaborating and innovating with others.

We all enjoy doing what we are good at. The more you enjoy your work, the less it actually feels like work. So, think about the aspects of your work that you most enjoy, which you are most accomplished in, and which plays to all of your strengths. If you can align this with why you pursued a degree in your field, all the better. "At Meta, your passion can bridge worlds and bring dreams to reality. Come build something different with us."

"I'd say it is a regular occurrence. And when I am doing something I've done before, I try to avoid it ever becoming repetitive. For example, last Saturday, I started an online course on video and optimization. It's something I've done before. But instead of teaching the same old material, I made sure it was more edgy, and more current, and challenged myself to up my game and learn something new that I could then impart to the class. I was then super excited about the work, and the day flew by so fast. I loved every second of it. Any time I am studying and gaining a new skill, it feels like I lose track of time. My boss appreciated my passion and expressed they'd like me to perform more classes."

28. How do you demonstrate your impact to push yourself and others? Are you self-directed in reaching goals despite challenges and roadblocks?

This question correlates directly with one of their five signals, driving results. Your interviewer is curious how self-managed and self-directed you are in your own work, whether you lead by example, and how you drive successful outcomes for your teams. "Driven by connection, Meta's success continues to be built around open innovation, collaboration and discovery. Inspired by collaboration. When creativity meets collaboration, connections come alive. Build connections that breathe life into our worlds. Come build something different with us."

Your Meta interviewer will evaluate your answer to see whether you push "yourself and others to deliver against goals and objectives." So, spend time in advance meditating on how you would articulate what "your drive to push boundaries, to create new, exciting ways to connect," looks like to you.

"I just adhere to my own standard and stay true to my character. In every way, I try to best my personal best. If I adhere to my standard, I am satisfied. If I exceed it, I am happy. But, I am present in my performance and positive in my attitude, and I always aim to make my positivity known and felt. If I can lead by example, either through my work ethic or my optimism, then all the better. This is especially useful when things don't go according to plan. I think it's common for stress or pessimism to arise in such situations. That's when you have to stay positive most of all."

Problem Solving

29. How do you operate in an ambiguous and quickly changing environment? Are you comfortable making decisions and maintaining high levels of productivity when you are missing information or lack clarity?

Your interviewer is curious how you approach making informed decisions when you don't have all the necessary information needed to do so. How you answer could inform them of how decisive you are, your approach to risk-taking, your ability to think outside of the box, your resourcefulness, and your ability to anticipate the needs of your superiors. How in tune you are with your teams and superiors will speak to your experience and suitability for the role.

Another attribute for success that Meta will assess you for is how well you drive results. "We will be evaluating your experience pushing yourself and others to deliver against goals and objectives. How do you demonstrate your impact? Are you self-directed in reaching goals despite challenges and roadblocks?" So, before answering consider the words of one of Meta's department managers, "Give people a sense of trust and ownership. They'll often exceed your expectations. Everyone goes above and beyond. I encourage people to take risks, and I let them know I'll be there as a safety net."

"From day one, I am asking questions, trying to understand why everything is done the way it is, always with the aim of obtaining a deeper understanding. So, I become naturally predisposed to anticipating needs. In this regard, I consider myself a rational problem solver. So, even when information is lacking, I have a strong idea of how our leadership would approach such a situation and behave accordingly. When I can, I will involve our teams, so we can think-tank our way out of any given situation. With creativity comes the ability to take smart and calculated risks, allowing me to feel less constrained. When I can apply creative problem-solving techniques, I am more focused and likely to uncover an out-of-the-box and innovative solution."

30. How do you manage your own stress, and the stress of your teammates, at work?

Your interviewer is interested in learning how you manage your stress, and if your stress has the potential to impact morale and interfere with how well you get along with your coworkers in high-stress situations. Meta advertises that they have an open and horizontal work culture that often lacks walls and barriers between desks. In a high-pressure work environment, where hours are long, and expectations are high, with little standing between you and your teammates, conflict can on occasion arise. Meta's employees credit the company culture for having a supportive work environment. Therefore, your interviewer is interested in how you manage your stress, how supportive you are of your coworkers in high-stress situations, and how diplomatic your approach is to conflict resolution when such situations arise.

In one of their careers blogs, a manager at Meta describes the type of culture that they aim to foster: "I really want the team to function as a unit, so nobody is in competition with each other. I had this great professor who always said, 'Hire people who are more talented than you and lift those up around you.' And I really take that to heart. I truly believe that we are the relationships we make around us, and I want to be the person in the room who lifts everyone up." And, in one of their full-loop interview guides, they state that they'll want to know "what kind of disagreements you had with colleagues and/or managers? How have you resolved them? Can you empathize with people whose points of view differ radically from yours?"

"I am pretty good at just being aware of what stress does to my body, and paying attention to that. For example, if my heart rate goes up, or my thoughts grow scattered, or any other physiological symptoms occur, I just manage those. I objectify what the stress does to me, manage it, and move on. I never allow my stress to confuse me or dictate my behavior. This approach also allows me to help balance stressful situations that might impact the workplace, enabling me to be a stabilizer for those I work with. However, all I can do is control my own behavior, and sometimes my coworkers have trouble managing their stress, and project their feelings onto those who they're closely working with, and conflict situations arise. But, I am a pretty strong communicator and can de-escalate such situations pretty quickly and turn things around to being more productive again. It's all about approaching such things with the right attitude."

31. What have you contributed to your teams?

Your interviewer is curious to learn more about your unique perspective and voice by learning what you feel your strengths are when collaborating with those you work with. Regardless of whether you lead by example, set the pace, set the tone and right attitude, or whether you perform in a more supportive role, they're interested in learning what you'd potentially contribute to their teams. "At Meta, everything we do is about helping people feel connected and closer. It's in our technologies, our mission and how we collaborate. Working collectively and valuing each person for the differences we bring allows us all to do more. The pace is fast and the challenges are enormous, but this is how we thrive."

"I mentor when I can. I always acknowledge my teammates' accomplishments and always play on their strengths. I am really good at making those on my team feel good about what they're bringing to the table, thereby helping them enjoy their work more. I lean on my teammates for their expertise and learn what I can from each one of them. I'm strong at creating a plan of action quickly, but always give credit to even the slightest suggestion that helps further our goals alone. I Flike to think of myself as cheerleader and quarterback rolled into one."

32. How well do you communicate with teams?

Part of your interviewer's job is not just ensuring you possess the right skills, talents, and experience to do your job well. They also need to ensure you'll keep up with and complement their teams. The stronger your relationships with your coworkers, the greater the impact you'll have. So, they need to assess whether you'll be able to build lasting, cohesive, and stable relationships with your new co-workers right from the start. As they say on their careers page, "Make every connection matter."

Before their rebranding, Facebook's team members were known as Facebookers. Now they are called Metamates. Depending on your role, one of your interviews may even be with your "potential teammates, managers, and other people you may work with. Now is the time for you to learn even more about Meta, and for us to better understand your professional experience and talents. When all the interviews are complete, the people you spoke with submit their feedback on your interview performance and we assess whether you'd be successful in the role we're hiring for, or if there's another role at Meta that makes sense for you. We look forward to officially welcoming you to Meta. Together, we'll help give people the power to build community, and bring the world closer together."

"I always look forward to establishing excellent relationships, whether we're introducing someone new to our teams, or I am the new addition to a team. I wholeheartedly believe that with strong trust, you'll build the best relationships, and, in so doing, build the best teams, which can accomplish the best things together. But it is an investment, and trusting relationships are built and earned over time. So, I start building trust by being transparent in my communications. Communicating clearly, working fast, earning my keep, leading by example, supporting my teams' efforts, and being willing to try new things. I will always deliver above what I say I'll do and faster than expected. When appropriate, I take the approach of under-promising and over-delivering to accelerate the trust process. I maintain a good, cheerful attitude as well. A friend to all. These are just some of the approaches I take when establishing relationships with co-workers."

33. Tell me about a memorable team experience.

Your interviewer wants to assess how similarly your concept of teamwork and collaboration aligns with theirs. Many of those they employ are professionals who are rising stars in their field. So you'll be expected to hold your own while collaborating with their top-tier talent. Meta is known for recruiting those who prioritize the needs of Meta and the needs of their teams over their own needs, or over advancing their own professional gains over Meta's, or the team's. This again circles back to their core value, "Meta, metamates, me. We are stewards of our company and our mission. We have a sense of responsibility for our collective success and to each other as teammates. It's about taking care of our company and each other."

Meta's culture centers on teamwork and collaboration. Many of their employees describe their culture as having a think tank energy to it. On the company's career website, they describe part of their mission as empowering people to connect with each other, build community, and do work that is meaningful. "The work we do at Meta brings billions of people closer to what they care about. The relationships here don't just happen on their own. They are built by committed leaders who are up for the challenge. Help shape the future at Meta."

"We were working on a seriously complex project, albeit probably boring in translation, but there were some highly complex problems that required some innovative solutions, and we had to come up with them at pace. So, our team formed a roundtable, and the meeting started off slow, but gradually gained momentum, and everyone's collaboration flourished unlike ever before. It was a real think tank. It was both encouraging and exhilarating. As a result, once we all agreed on where to steer the project and ironed out all the details, we worked together as one until the end and, as a group, delivered amazing work. In the end, nothing but cheers and pats on the back. Then, we all went out for drinks afterward, and it turned into quite a party. It was Friday night going into the weekend, and we all couldn't wait for Monday morning to come."

Hacking the Meta Interview Process

Everything you need to know about Facebook's interview process, from phone screen to offer.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, Meta announced plans for permanent remote work. If other tech giants follow suit, tech workers may see major changes to compensation structures, company culture, and other office-centric employee perks.

Pre-pandemic, Meta employees benefited from free meals, free shuttle bus service, onsite health checkups, dental care, and generous parental leave. Now, it’s uncertain whether employees will ever return to the tech giant’s sprawling campuses in Menlo Park, CA.

Meta was consistently voted one of the top places to work on Glassdoor since 2011, but dropped to #23 in 2019 on the heels of the Cambridge Analytica scandal going public. Workers also pushed back internally on some of Meta's policy decisions, such as declining to fact-check political advertisements.

That said, there’s still value in working for Meta in terms of remuneration, prestige, and learning experience. Like other FAANG companies, culture fit is a large deciding factor in the hiring process. Meta wants people who are “builders” -- entrepreneurial go-getters eager to solve problems and change the status quo.

So how do you crack the interview process at this tech giant?

How Long is the Interview Process at Meta?

Those familiar with the interview process say it depends largely on the seniority of the role you’re applying for and your background. Someone formerly employed by a competitor like Google might progress faster than a fresh grad vying for an entry-level position.

Many employees on Quora report long lulls between interview rounds (to the tune of several weeks or months), so don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back right away.

According to Indeed, 26% of employees reported the interview process took two weeks, 23% said about a month, while 19% reported waiting longer.

The Interview Process at Meta

Phone screen (1-2 rounds)

Meta allows candidates to apply for up to three positions simultaneously. The company claims its proprietary hiring algorithms also match candidates with other Meta positions they may be suited for.

A recruiter will contact you for an initial phone screen to discuss the details of the role and what it’s like to work at Meta. They will also ask behavioral questions to assess culture fit. Bring up past projects you’ve worked on that involved building something new or disrupting the status quo. Show that you’re capable of analyzing your work by discussing what went well and coming up with areas for improvement.

👉 Discover recently asked Meta interview questions here.

For technical roles...

If you’re interviewing for a technical role, you’ll spend the first five minutes answering questions about your experience and career aspirations, then jump straight into a 30-35 minute coding challenge. You’ll be asked to solve one to two problems about data structures and algorithms using a collaborative coding platform such as CoderPad.

Each coding question is short enough to explain in a few minutes and can be solved in 10-30 minutes. If the interviewer presents a vague scenario, such as:

Ask for clarification about system requirements instead of diving right in. For example, how many users are we talking about? How will you store messages? The interviewer may add further constraints or requirements.

Brush up on data structures like lists, arrays, hash tables, hash maps, stacks, queues, graphs, trees, and heaps, as well as sorts, searches, and traversals. Also, make sure to review recursions and iterative approaches.

Meta emphasizes in its careers blog that you shouldn’t expect trick questions or estimation questions.

“We don't care how many ping pong balls can be fit in Sea World,” writes Bosmat, an engineering manager at Meta.

👉 Discover recently asked Meta interview questions here

Phone or video interviews with potential teammates

After the phone screen, recruiters delegate the remainder of the hiring process to your prospective teammates. Doing so ensures your interviewer shares your domain expertise and understands staffing requirements better than an HR generalist.

This round of interviews is designed to evaluate your interest in and ability to execute on the day-to-day work the role entails. Above all, Meta wants its employees to be happy at work.

“We want more than 70 percent of your time doing work you truly enjoy,” Janelle Gale, VP of HR, said at a 2018 industry event.

Exude passion for your chosen profession, the products and teams at Meta, and the career trajectory you’ve outlined for yourself.

"Onsite" interviews (6-7 rounds)

While this portion of the interview process was previously done on-site, it is now done remotely. This round of interviews involves potential teammates, managers, and cross-functional partners.

For non-engineering technical roles (eg: UX design, product management) the onsite interview consists of three components:

• Behavioral questions: Tests whether you are well-tempered and resilient, and if you would be a pleasant person to work with. Practice self-awareness and focus on giving answers that are honest and genuine, as Meta values these qualities.
• Technical questions: Your interviewer will be someone with your domain expertise or background. For example, if you’re a pro at building user interfaces for mobile apps, you might be interviewed by a UX designer with similar expertise.
• System design questions: Tests your ability to define the architecture, modules, interfaces, and data requirements for a system. The interviewer also wants to assess your ability to deal with vague project requirements.

For engineering roles , the onsite is structured as follows:

• Coding interview: You’ll solve a number of coding questions in a shared editor.
• Design interview (45 minutes): This phase almost never involves coding. Instead, you’ll solve problems on a whiteboard. The purpose is to assess a candidate’s ability to solve a non-trivial engineering problem and talk through the solution.
• Behavioral interview: These questions test how well you work in a team and how closely you adhere to Meta's five core values (move fast, be bold, focus on impact, be open, and build social value).
• Questions: You’ll have five minutes to ask the interviewer any questions you may have.

Each of your interviewers will award you a score, but scores aren’t tallied up until after the onsite is over. Unlike other tech giants , this means messing up one round won’t immediately disqualify you. Remember that the feedback process can take weeks or even months.

If you pass, Meta will send you an offer detailing your remuneration and benefits. If you don’t receive an offer, you will have to wait one year to reapply.

Sample Interview Questions

Sample behavioral questions

• Tell me about your best collaboration experience.
• What do you do to stay motivated?
• How do you build relationships?
• What would you do if your interviewer didn’t show up?
• What is one project you’re proud of?
• Why do you want to work for Meta?
• What is the biggest compliment you’ve received in your current role?
• Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with your manager.
• What are Meta’s challenges in the coming years?
• What would a former coworker say about you?

👉 Practice these questions and more here .

Sample technical questions

• Design a distributed key-value caching system, like Memcached or Redis
• Design a URL shortening services like bit.ly
• Locate a substring (needle) in a string (haystack)
• Given 2 sorted arrays, find all the elements which occur in both the arrays.
• You are given two linked lists representing two non-negative numbers. The digits are stored in reverse order and each of their nodes contains a single digit. Add the two numbers and return them as a linked list.
• Find the longest increasing subsequence of a given array of integers, A.
• Given an arbitrary unweighted rooted tree that consists of N nodes, find the largest distance between two nodes in a tree.
• Say you have an array, A, for which the ith element is the price of a given stock on day i. Design an algorithm to find the maximum profit.
• Given a digit sequence, count the number of possible decodings of the given digit sequence.
• Given an array with positive numbers, find the largest subset from the array that contains elements that are Fibonacci numbers.

The information provided herein is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to provide tax, legal, or investment advice and should not be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation of any security by Candor, its employees and affiliates, or any third-party. Any expressions of opinion or assumptions are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results and the opinions presented herein should not be viewed as an indicator of future performance. Investing in securities involves risk. Loss of principal is possible.

Third-party data has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable; however, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Candor does not receive compensation to promote or discuss any particular Company; however, Candor, its employees and affiliates, and/or its clients may hold positions in securities of the Companies discussed.

More interview prep articles

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Hacking the Case Interview

If you’re interviewing for a business or product strategy role at Meta (Facebook), there is a good chance that you’ll receive at least one case study interview, which is also known as a case interview. Meta roles that include case study interviews as part of the interview process include:

• Business Development
• Product Manager
• Product Marketing
• Product Strategy
• Strategy and Operations

To land a job offer for these roles at Meta, you’ll need to ace every single one of your case interviews. While Meta case study interviews may seem ambiguous and challenging at first, know that they can be mastered with proper preparation.

If you are preparing for an upcoming Meta case study interview, we have you covered. In this comprehensive Meta case interview guide, we’ll cover:

• What is a Meta case study interview
• Why Meta uses case study interviews
• The 6 steps to ace any Meta case study interview
• Meta case study interview examples and answers
• Meta case study interview tips
• Recommended Meta case interview resources

If you’re looking for a step-by-step shortcut to learn case interviews quickly, enroll in our case interview course . These insider strategies from a former Bain interviewer helped 30,000+ land tech and consulting offers while saving hundreds of hours of prep time.

What is a Meta Case Study Interview?

Meta case study interviews, also known as Meta case interviews, are 20- to 30-minute exercises in which you are placed in a hypothetical business situation and are asked to find a solution or make a recommendation.

First, you’ll create a framework that shows the approach you would take to solve the case. Then, you’ll collaborate with the interviewer, answering a mix of quantitative and qualitative questions that will give you the information and data needed to develop an answer. Finally, you’ll deliver your recommendation at the end of the case.

Case study interviews have traditionally been used by consulting firms to assess a candidate’s potential to become a successful consultant. However, now a days, many companies with ex-consultants use case studies to assess a candidate’s capabilities. Since Meta has so many former consultants in its business roles, you’ll likely encounter at least one case study interview.

The business problems that you’ll be given in a Meta case study interview will likely be real challenges that Meta faces today:

• Usage of Facebook has dropped by nearly 15% over the past year. What is causing this and what can Meta do to address this?
• How can Meta increase ad revenues from its B2B customers?
• How should Meta deal with “fake news” in users’ newsfeeds?
• How can Meta increase user engagement despite the rise in new social media platforms such as Tik Tok?

Depending on what team at Meta you are interviewing for, you may be given a business problem that is relevant to that specific team.

Although there is a wide range of business problems you could possibly be given in your Meta case interview, the fundamental case interview strategies to solve each problem is the same. If you learn the right strategies and get enough practice, you’ll be able to solve any Meta case study interview.

Why does Meta Use Case Study Interviews?

Meta uses case study interviews because your performance in a case study interview is a measure of how well you would do on the job. Meta case interviews assess a variety of different capabilities and qualities needed to successfully complete job duties and responsibilities.

Meta's case study interviews primarily assess five things:

• Logical, structured thinking : Can you structure complex problems in a clear, simple way?
• Analytical problem solving : Can you read, interpret, and analyze data well?
• Business acumen : Do you have sound business judgment and intuition?
• Communication skills : Can you communicate clearly, concisely, and articulately?
• Personality and cultural fit : Are you coachable and easy to work with?

Since all of these qualities can be assessed in just a 20- to 30-minute case, Meta case study interviews are an effective way to assess a candidate’s capabilities.

The 6 Steps to Solve Any Meta Case Study Interview

In general, there are six steps to solve any Meta case study interview.

1. Understand the case

Your Meta case interview will begin with the interviewer giving you the case background information. While the interviewer is speaking, make sure that you are taking meticulous notes on the most important pieces of information. Focus on understanding the context of the situation and the objective of the case.

Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions if you do not understand something. You may want to summarize the case background information back to the interviewer to confirm your understanding of the case.

The most important part of this step is to verify the objective of the case. Not answering the right business question is the quickest way to fail a case interview.

2. Structure the problem

The next step is to develop a framework to help you solve the case. A framework is a tool that helps you structure and break down complex problems into smaller, more manageable components. Another way to think about frameworks is brainstorming different ideas and organizing them into different categories.

For a complete guide on how to create tailored and unique frameworks for each case, check out our article on case interview frameworks .

Before you start developing your framework, it is completely acceptable to ask the interviewer for a few minutes so that you can collect your thoughts and think about the problem.

Once you have identified the major issues or areas that you need to explore, walk the interviewer through your framework. They may ask a few questions or provide some feedback.

3. Kick off the case

Once you have finished presenting your framework, you’ll start diving into different areas of your framework to begin solving the case. How this process will start depends on whether the case interview is candidate-led or interviewer-led.

If the case interview is a candidate-led case, you’ll be expected to propose what area of your framework to start investigating. So, propose an area and provide a reason for why you want to start with that area. There is generally no right or wrong area of your framework to pick first.

If the case interview is interviewer-led, the interviewer will tell you what area of the framework to start in or directly give you a question to answer.

4. Solve quantitative problems

Meta case study interviews may have some quantitative aspect to them. For example, you may be asked to calculate a certain profitability or financial metric. You could also be asked to estimate the size of a particular market or to estimate a particular figure.

The key to solving quantitative problems is to lay out a structure or approach upfront with the interviewer before doing any math calculations. If you lay out and present your structure to solve the quantitative problem and the interviewer approves of it, the rest of the problem is just simple execution of math.

5. Answer qualitative questions

Meta case study interviews may also have qualitative aspects to them. You may be asked to brainstorm a list of potential ideas. You could also be asked to provide your opinion on a business issue or situation.

The key to answering qualitative questions is to structure your answer. When brainstorming a list of ideas, develop a structure to help you neatly categorize all of your ideas. When giving your opinion on a business issue or situation, provide a summary of your stance or position and then enumerate the reasons that support it.

6. Deliver a recommendation

In the last step of the Meta case interview, you’ll present your recommendation and provide the major reasons that support it. You do not need to recap everything that you have done in the case, so focus on only summarizing the facts that are most important.

It is also good practice to include potential next steps that you would take if you had more time or data. These can be areas of your framework that you did not have time to explore or lingering questions that you do not have great answers for.

Meta Case Study Interview Examples and Answers

Example #1 : What are some areas that Meta should invest in?

Sample solution: To answer this question, it may be helpful to clarify what Meta's primary objective is. Are they looking to increase profits, revenues, number of users, or user engagement? The ideas that you brainstorm may vary depending on their actual goals.

Next, develop a framework to organize your ideas. You may want to think about areas of investments as short-term investments and long-term investments. You could brainstorm short-term investments and long-term investments for each of Meta's growth objectives.

Example #2 : Should Meta enter the job search platform market?

Sample solution: This is a market entry case. Potential areas you should consider looking into in your framework include: the attractiveness of the job search platform market, the competitive landscape, Meta's capabilities, and the expected profitability from entering the market.

Example #3 : Facebook Groups has seen a 15% drop in usage over the past year. How would you determine what is causing this drop?

Sample solution: You can break down usage by the number of users and the average level of engagement per user. This can be the first major area of your framework, determining the exact quantitative driver behind the drop in usage. Once you understand whether the issue is due to a decline in the number of users or a decline in engagement, you can try to understand qualitatively why this happening.

You could look into potential areas such as whether customer needs or preferences have changed, whether competitors have made any strategic moves, whether Meta has made any recent changes to its platform, or whether there are new market trends affecting Facebook Groups.

Example #4 : How would you estimate how many birthday posts occur on Facebook in a given day?

Sample solution: This is an estimation question. Before you do any math calculations, make sure to lay out a structure or approach on how you would calculate this figure.

You may want to start by estimating the number of people that use Facebook and divide that by 365 to determine the number of people that have a birthday on any given day. Then, estimate the average number of friends a person has on Facebook and the percentage of friends that would make a birthday post. Multiplying these figures together will give you an estimate of the number of birthday posts on Facebook in a given day.

Example #5 : How would you sell Meta advertising to a potential client?

Sample solution: To develop an effective marketing strategy, you may want to look into the client’s needs, competitor offerings, and Meta advertising’s features or benefits. Exploring these three areas will help you identify the features or benefits of Facebook advertising that are superior to competitor products that the client also values.

Example #6 : How can Meta better compete in the ads market?

Sample solution: When thinking of ways for Meta to better compete in the ads market, we can consider all of the stakeholders involved in Meta's business to come up with a comprehensive list of ideas. The major stakeholders are Meta's users and advertisers.

Therefore, Meta can make its platform a better user experience for its users and advertisers. For users, they want ads that are relevant, safe, and trustworthy. For advertisers, they want to run ads with high targeting specificity, low cost, and easy setup and maintenance.

Example #7 : How would you identify potential partners for Meta to work with?

Sample solution: The first step in solving this case is to identify what Meta's objective or goal is with a potential partnership. Are they trying to acquire new users? Or are they trying to increase user engagement?

Next, you can come up with a framework to assess the attractiveness of a partnership with a particular company. You may want to look into areas such as the partner’s capabilities, expected synergies, and expected profitability.

Example #8 : What are Meta's challenges in their international markets?

Sample solution: When answering this question, consider what are the major types of differences between the United States and other countries. Create a framework that shows the most important characteristics or qualities of international markets. One potential framework may look into customer needs and preferences, the competitive landscape, market trends, and Meta's capabilities to execute in international markets.

Example #9 : How would you balance content from the different number of platforms on Facebook?

Sample solution: To balance content, it is helpful to first create a framework that assesses the ideal qualities or characteristics that good content has. You may want to assess the content’s level of engagement, the content’s trust and safety, and the likelihood that the content will not drive users away from Facebook and onto other platforms.

You can use this framework to assess each piece of content across all of the platforms on Facebook to determine which content is best to show. It may be beneficial to also diversify the platforms that content is pulled from so that users do not grow too attached to a particular platform outside of Facebook.

Example #10 : Let’s say that Meta is considering getting into the ride share business. What should they consider when making the decision on whether or not to enter?

Sample solution: This is a market entry case and the approach is similar to Example #2. Potential areas you should consider looking into in your framework include: the attractiveness of the ride share market, the competitive landscape, the company’s capabilities, and the expected profitability.

Meta Case Study Interview Tips

Below are eight of our best tips to help you perform your best during your Meta case study interview.

1. Familiarize yourself with Meta's business model

If you don’t understand Meta's business model, it will be challenging for you to do well in their case interviews. Therefore, you should know that Meta makes the majority of its revenue by selling advertising. You should also be familiar with the products and services that Meta offers for the specific team you are interviewing for.

2. Read recent news articles on Meta

A lot of the times, the cases you’ll see in a Meta case study interview are real business issues that the company faces. Reading up on the latest Meta news will give you a sense of what Meta's biggest challenges are and what major business decisions they face today. There is a good chance that your case study interview will be similar to something that you have read in the news.

3. Verify the objective of the case 

Answering the wrong business problem will waste a lot of time during your Meta case study interview. Therefore, the most critical step of the case interview is to verify the objective of the case with the interviewer. Make sure that you understand what the primary business issue is and what overall question you are expected to answer at the end of the case.

4. Ask clarifying questions

Do not be afraid to ask questions. You will not be penalized for asking questions that are important and relevant to the case. 

Great questions to ask include asking for the definition of an unfamiliar term, asking questions that clarify the objective of the issue, and asking questions to strengthen your understanding of the business situation.

5. Do not use memorized frameworks

Interviewers can tell when you are using memorized frameworks from popular case interview prep books. Meta values creativity and intellect. Therefore, make every effort to create a custom, tailored framework for each case that you get.

6. Always connect your answers to the case objective

Throughout the case, make sure you are connecting each of your answers back to the overall business problem or question. What implications does your answer have on the overall business problem?

Many candidates make the mistake of answering case questions correctly, but they don’t take the initiative to tie their answer back to the case objective.

7. Communicate clearly and concisely

In a Meta case study interview, it can be tempting to answer the interviewer’s question and then continue talking about related topics or ideas. However, you have a limited amount of time to solve a Meta case, so it is best to keep your answers concise and to the point.

Answer the interviewer’s question, summarize how it impacts the case objective, and then move onto the next important issue or question.

8. Be enthusiastic

Meta wants to hire candidates that love their job and will work hard. Displaying enthusiasm shows that you are passionate about working at Meta. Having a high level of enthusiasm and energy also makes the interview more enjoyable for the interviewer. They will be more likely to have a positive impression of you.

Recommended Meta Case Interview Resources

Here are the resources we recommend to learn the most robust, effective case interview strategies in the least time-consuming way:

• Comprehensive Case Interview Course (our #1 recommendation): The only resource you need. Whether you have no business background, rusty math skills, or are short on time, this step-by-step course will transform you into a top 1% caser that lands multiple consulting offers.
• Hacking the Case Interview Book   (available on Amazon): Perfect for beginners that are short on time. Transform yourself from a stressed-out case interview newbie to a confident intermediate in under a week. Some readers finish this book in a day and can already tackle tough cases.
• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook (available on Amazon): Perfect for intermediates struggling with frameworks, case math, or generating business insights. No need to find a case partner – these drills, practice problems, and full-length cases can all be done by yourself.
• Case Interview Coaching : Personalized, one-on-one coaching with former consulting interviewers
• Behavioral & Fit Interview Course : Be prepared for 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours. We'll teach you exactly how to draft answers that will impress your interviewer
• Resume Review & Editing : Transform your resume into one that will get you multiple interviews

Land Multiple Tech and Consulting Offers

Complete, step-by-step case interview course. 30,000+ happy customers.

Meta product designer interview (questions, prep, process)

Product designer interviews at Meta (formerly Facebook) are really challenging. The questions are difficult, specific to Meta, and cover a wide range of topics.

The good news is that the right preparation can   help you maximize your chances of landing a job offer, and we've put together the ultimate guide below to help you succeed.

Here's an overview of what we will cover in this guide:

• Process and timeline
• App critique
• Problem-solving
• Preparation

Click here to practice 1-on1 with ex-FAANG interviewers

1. interview process and timeline, 1.1 what interviews to expect.

What's the Meta product designer interview process and timeline ? It typically takes ~4 weeks and follows these steps:

• Application or recruiter outreach
• Recruiter phone screen
• First round of interviews (2 interviews)
• Recruiter check-in (sometimes)
• Onsite interviews (4 interviews)

Let's look at each of these steps in more detail below:

1.1.1 Application or recruiter outreach

Step one is getting a Meta interview in the first place. In this guide we're focusing primarily on the interviews, so we'll keep this portion brief. You may apply to the position, or a recruiter may reach out to you directly through LinkedIn (or similar).

If you apply, then you'll want to make sure that your documents and portfolio are up to date and specifically targeted to the role at Meta. Once you have your documents together you can submit your application. And, if possible, it can also be helpful to get an employee or contact at Meta to refer you to the recruiting team internally. Now let's get to the interviews!

1.1.2 Recruiter phone screen

In most cases, you'll start your interview process with Meta by talking to an HR recruiter on the phone. They are looking to confirm that you've got a chance of getting the job at all, so be prepared to explain your background and why you’re a good fit at Meta. You should expect typical behavioral and resume questions like, "Tell me about yourself", " Why Meta? ", or "Tell me about a time...".

You should also be prepared to walk the recruiter through your portfolio, although you probably won't get into as much detail during this conversation compared to future rounds. 

If you get past this first HR screen, the recruiter will then help you schedule the next round of interviews. One great thing about Meta is that they are very transparent about their recruiting process, and once you pass this initial screen, they will typically provide you with more details on the remaining steps in the hiring process.

1.1.3 First round of interviews

For the first round of interviews, you'll typically have 2 back-to-back interviews. Both interviews will be about 45-minutes long and they will likely be held via videoconference (i.e. BlueJeans).

One of the interviews will be a "past work" interview, where you will present your portfolio. Your interviewer for this interview will likely be the hiring manager for the role. The other interview will be an app critique. You'll usually have a different interviewer for these two interviews, and for the app critique it will probably be with a current Meta product designer.

Don't worry if you're not sure what to expect during these interviews, we have more information on them below, including how to prepare. 

1.1.4 Recruiter check-in (sometimes)

Meta's recruiters for product design roles have a reputation for being very engaged throughout the interview process. After your first round of interviews, you may even have a second call with a recruiter. 

However, if you've been invited to the onsite interviews (the final round), then you may talk to a different recruiter at this stage (i.e. not the recruiter you spoke with at the beginning of the process). If you do end up talking with a different recruiter, then this will probably be the recruiter who will be involved in your onsite interviews.

1.1.5 Onsite interviews

The last major stage of the interview process, is the onsite interviews. For this, you'll typically spend ~4 hours interviewing with Meta. Here are the interviews you can expect to face during your onsite:

• Past work (30mins), where you'll be evaluated on your design work from past projects and on your communication skills. 
• App critique (45mins) , where you'll be tested on your ability to recognize good and bad designs and on your ability to make good recommendations for improvements.
• Problem solving (45mins) , where you'll need to demonstrate your ability to collaborate and your ability to address new design challenges in a structured way.
• Behavioral (45mins) , where you'll be further evaluated on your past work experience, your motivation for applying, and your fit with Meta' s culture.

[PRE-COVID] In addition to these interviews, you'll also have a brief 15-minute meet and greet with your recruiter and lunch with a fellow product designer during your onsite visit. The lunch interview is meant to be your time to ask questions about what it's like to work at Meta. The company won't be evaluating you during this time, but we recommend that you behave as if they were.

2. Example questions

Now let's dive into more details on the four types of interviews you should be prepared for during your Meta product designer interviews. Note that these four interview types cover the interviews you will face in both your first round and onsite interviews (i.e. you'll have "past work" and "app critique" interviews in both rounds).

• Problem solving 

In the below subsections, we've also compiled a selection of real Meta product designer interview questions, according to data from Glassdoor . These are great example questions that you can use to start practicing for your interviews.

2.1 Past work interview questions

Meta product designers work on products and features that are used by millions of people. So, it's extremely important for Meta to hire designers who have a track record of high-quality, thoughtful design work. 

There are two interviews in the Meta interview process that are focused primarily on your portfolio. During the first round of interviews, you'll have a portfolio review with the hiring manager for the role. And during the onsite interviews, you'll give a 30-minute presentation of ~2 of your past projects. 

Both of these interviews are considered the same "type" of interview (i.e. past work interview), but it's especially important that you come prepared to deliver your past work "presentation style" in the onsite interview. That's because during the onsite, you'll be sharing your work with a panel of around 5 people, including your interviewers for the day and your recruiter. In addition, during your presentation for the onsite, you'll typically have no interruptions. 

To help you start preparing for this style of interview, we've listed a few example questions below. Keep in mind that your portfolio / past work samples will drive the discussion in this type of interview, but you should be ready to answer questions about your work, the approach you took, why you made specific design decisions, etc.

The questions below are all real Meta product designer interview questions from Glassdoor , we've just made edits to the language in some places to improve the clarity or grammar.

Meta product designer interview questions - Past work

• What problem did you solve with this project?
• What metrics signaled you to work on this problem?
• If you could work on your project again, what would you do differently?
• What guided your assumptions and hypothesis?
• What was the biggest failing of this project?
• How did you measure success?

2.2 App critique interview questions

It is vital for Meta product designers to be able to distinguish between good design and bad design. And one way that Meta evaluates your ability to do this, is using "app critique" interviews.  An app critique interview is exactly what it sounds like. It's an interview where you analyze an existing app, and discuss the design of the app with your interviewer. 

The specific app that you'll be analyzing is usually decided at the beginning of your interview, so it's helpful to use an approach or framework that is dynamic (i.e. can be used to evaluate any app). With that said, there are a few apps that are commonly used during this interview. In particular, Google Maps and Yelp are both frequently used.

Here are a few examples of specific apps that have been used in this interview at Meta according to Glassdoor data:

• Google Maps

In addition to the app that you're working with, your interviewer will also ask you related questions. Either to kick-off the interview, or to dig-deeper into particular areas.  Below, we've listed several example questions that were asked in Meta product designer interviews, according to data from Glassdoor. Note that we've edited the language in some places to improve the clarity or grammar.

Meta product designer interview questions - App critique

• What do you think they can do better?
• What does the company want out of this app?
• Looking at this mobile app, what do you think these buttons do?
• Why are these items placed here?
• If you have all the power in the company, what would you change about this app?
• The bookmarking icon is the same as the collections icon. Why do you think they made them the same icon?
• Why do you think this feature was added?

2.3 Problem solving interview questions

At Meta, designs are developed to solve user problems. As a result, the company needs to hire product designers who can take ambiguous problems, break them down, and create solutions for them. 

One way that Meta evaluates candidates' problem solving skills, is through a dedicated "problem solving" interview. This interview is also sometimes called a "whiteboard interview" because you'll be using a whiteboard to organize your approach and solutions. 

Below we've listed several real problem solving questions that were asked in Meta product designer interviews, according to data from Glassdoor. Note that we've edited the language of the questions in some places to improve the clarity or grammar.

Also, the ATM question is used pretty frequently compared to the other questions, so it would be a good idea to include that question in your preparation.

Meta product designer interview questions - Problem solving

• Redesign the ATM
• Design a library book rental delivery app
• Design a scheduling app
• How would you make an app that helps you decide which gift to buy?
• Redesign a TV remote

2.4 Behavioral interview questions

Google product designers usually work with a variety of stakeholders, like engineers , product managers , PMMs , etc. And they need to be able to communicate clearly and work with others efficiently. In addition, Meta wants to make sure that the candidates they're hiring share the company's values, and have the potential to thrive within Meta's culture.

Meta uses behavioral interviews to help them evaluate candidates' on these areas. Behavioral interviews are also an opportunity for the company to dig deeper on your past work experience. Be prepared to talk about your top accomplishments, situations where you've had a positive impact on a team, and your motivation for applying to be a Meta product designer. Below, we've compiled a list of example behavioral questions. All of the below questions are real Meta product designer interview questions from Glassdoor, we've just edited the language in some places (e.g. grammar, phrasing, translating to English, etc.).

Meta product designer interview questions - Behavioral

• Why do you want to work at Meta?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Tell me about yourself
• Tell me about your role at your current company
• Why are you transitioning from your current position?
• Tell me about your background in design and some recent projects you've worked on
• How large was the team you were working on?
• Who else did you work with when you were doing X?
• What kind of challenges did you face working on your current product?
• How do you influence product?
• What made you get into design?
• Which part of the design process interests you most?
• Why do you want to be a product designer rather than a UX researcher?
• What is the area where you have the most to learn?
• What do you want to do in the future?

3. How to prepare

Now that you know what questions to expect, let's focus on how to prepare. Here are the four preparation steps we recommend, to help you get an offer as a Meta product designer.

3.1 Learn about Meta's culture

Most candidates fail to do this. But before investing a ton of time preparing for an interview at Meta, you should make sure it's actually the right company for you.

Meta is prestigious, so it's tempting to ignore this step completely. But in our view, the prestige in itself won't make you happy day-to-day. It's the type of work and the people you work with that will.

If you know anyone who works at Meta (or used to) it's a good idea to talk to them to understand what the culture is like. In addition, we would recommend reading about Meta's 6 core values and Facebook's hacker culture .

3.2 Practice by yourself

As mentioned above, you'll have four main types of interviews at Meta: past work, app critique, problem solving, and behavioral. Here's how we'd recommend preparing for each one.

For the past work interviews , we recommend that you first update and polish your portfolio. If you need some tips to get your portfolio optimized, check out this article , which provides a step-by-step guide and examples of great portfolios. This will help you get the basics of your portfolio in order, but you're also going to need to translate your portfolio into a presentation, particularly for the onsite "past work" presentation. For this, we highly recommend Lily Konings' approach .

For the app critique interviews , we recommend that you start by learning how to approach an app critique using a framework. To help with that, you can read Dan Shilov's guide , which covers several potential frameworks that you could use. In addition, we'd recommend that you review section 3 of this article , which gives an example of a "good" and "bad" app critique of Venmo. Then, you should start practicing with the example apps we mentioned in section 2.2.

For the problem solving interview , we recommend studying the approach described in this article . It covers a systematic approach for tackling whiteboard interviews like the one you'll encounter at Meta. It also highlights common mistakes and a helpful strategy for allocating your whiteboard space. We'd also recommend that you practice with the questions we've provided in section 2.3 above. This will help you to start getting comfortable with this interview format.

For behavioral interviews , we recommend learning  our step-by-step method  for answering behavioral questions. Once you've familiarized yourself with the method, then get some practice with the questions we've provided in section 2.4 above. 

Finally, a great way to prepare for all of these different types of interviews, is to do a few practice rounds by yourself. To get the most out of this time, we recommend practicing out loud and setting a timer. And for the interviews where you would typically engage with an interviewer, p lay the role of both the candidate and the interviewer. This probably sounds strange, but trust us, it can significantly improve your communication, focus, and time management.

3.3 Practice with peers

Practicing by yourself will only take you so far. One of the main challenges of product designer interviews is communicating in a way that's impactful and easy to understand.

As a result, we strongly recommend practicing the different types of product designer interviews with a peer interviewing you. Practicing with a peer takes you one step closer to matching the conditions of the real interviews, because now you'll have another human being asking you questions.

In addition, since a peer will be able to view your answers a bit more objectively, they should also be able to give you some initial feedback to help you improve. A great place to start with peer interviews is to practice with friends or family if you can.

3.4 Practice with ex-interviewers

Practicing with peers can be a great help, and it's usually free. But at some point, you'll start noticing that the feedback you are getting from peers isn't helping you that much anymore. Once you reach that stage, we recommend practicing with ex-interviewers from top tech companies like Meta.

If you know a product designer or someone who has experience running interviews at Meta or another big tech company, then that's fantastic. But for most of us, it's tough to find the right connections to make this happen. And it might also be difficult to practice multiple hours with that person unless you know them really well.

Here's the good news. We've already made the connections for you. We’ve created a coaching service where you can practice 1-on-1 with ex-interviewers from leading tech companies.  Learn more and start scheduling sessions today.

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• Gift mock interviews

A Senior Engineer’s Guide to Meta's Interview Process and Questions

The meta hiring process and common questions, table of contents, part 1: differences between the faangs, part 2: a guide to each faang company’s interview process.

Before you interview with Meta, read our guide on negotiating with them . They’ve gotten very aggressive, and if you don’t know the rules, you will fail.

Meta’s interview process and questions

Meta’s interview process consists of the following steps:

• Call with a Meta recruiter
• Technical phone screen (and possibly a second technical phone screen)
• Onsite interviews

Before we get into the details of each of these steps, here are a few general notes about Meta’s hiring process, evaluation criteria, and interviewers.

Meta interviewers are guided by the company’s current motto: move fast. All human groups have a metaphor they operate from. Meta isn’t a family or an army. They’re a well-structured Formula 1 team; they spend a lot of effort to put safeguards in place, and then they go pedal to the metal. At Meta, speed wins.

At Meta, because the process is centralized, you cannot interview with multiple teams concurrently like you can at some other tech companies. You get one shot on goal every ~3 to 6 months, depending on performance.

Anecdote from a Meta Interviewer

“If you pass Meta’s onsite, but don’t take the offer your status of ‘passed onsite’ is valid for a year. If you don’t take their offer and then choose to re-engage within that year, tell their recruiter ‘I already passed the onsite’ and push to get steps skipped because you usually can.”

Tip to get unstuck

When interviewing at Meta, listen closely to the subtle clues and hints your interviewer gives you. Meta is the only FAANG where you can’t become an interviewer unless you give good hints.

Step 1: Recruiter call

Please see the previous section called “A note about recruiter calls” . Also read our guide to negotiating with Meta . It starts at the recruiter call.

Step 2: Technical phone screen

Meta's technical phone screen is a 45-minute coding interview that focuses on data structures and algorithms.

At the beginning of the interview, your interviewer will ask you a question or two about your resume and recent work that you've done. This portion will take 5 minutes, and how you answer these questions doesn't meaningfully factor into the interview's outcome - they are just meant to break the ice and get you talking. The part that matters is the technical portion.

After the intro portion, your interviewer will ask you two coding questions, and they expect you to get through both in 35 minutes. These questions will be LeetCode easy or medium difficulty.

Meta’s technical phone screens are conducted in CoderPad . If you've never used it, you may want to play around in their sandbox and get familiar with their environment before your real interview. One specific thing about Meta's way of using CoderPad is that during the interview, they'll have code execution turned off - if you've used it before and are accustomed to testing your code during the interview by running it, you'll need to practice not being able to.

Step 3: Onsite interviews

The typical Meta onsite will consist of the following:

• At least two coding interviews
• Two system design OR product design interviews
• One behavioral interview

Types of Meta interviews and what to expect

There are four main types of interviews you’re going to encounter when you apply for an engineering job at Meta – coding interviews, behavioral interviews, and either a system design or product design interview. Here’s what to expect during each of these rounds of interviews.

Coding interview

Meta's process is highly standardized, so coding interview questions and themes tend to repeat. Coding questions are pre-approved, but that doesn’t mean the interviewers have no freedom.

“Meta gives you the questions to ask or modify. But they don't tell you the answers in their interviewing wiki. And they let you design the path of the question: you get to ask your own twists and turns.”

“There’s some variance with the interviewer, but usually there are 20 mins per question, and the questions are simple. They want you to get the algorithm fast, and implement the basic solution. The kind of bugs that can be acceptable are empty input, and out of scope inputs like empty array/null. But an incomplete algorithm at Meta usually doesn’t cut it. They want you to get to it and get to it quickly, and you can sacrifice making a little bit of a mess along the way.”

“I think there is a rule that during the programming interview, interviewers have to ask two questions. And the questions have to be balanced. The first is more like a juicy question testing problem solving skills and you as the interviewer can permit some bugs in the implementation. The second will be easy from the algorithmic point of view but the goal is to assess how much the candidate can write debugless code and test this code perfectly. And if a candidate fails to solve both problems, even if they somewhat shine during one problem: it will be ‘No Hire’.”

It's not that bugs are encouraged, it’s that they're the only company that's top-down directive is: sometimes, in certain rounds, bugs are okay. No other company does that. Meta relaxes the need for bug-free code so that candidates can code faster.

Finally, Meta doesn’t ask dynamic programming questions and, in fact, those questions are banned.

For everything you need to prepare for Meta’s coding interview, check out the section called " Meta coding interview preparation resources " below.

System design OR product design interview

Meta hires two types (on paper) of backend engineers: System Generalists and Product Generalists. System generalists get a system design interview, and product generalists get the confusingly named product design interview (in most other contexts, product design refers to UI/UX).

Which of these interviews you get is determined by your recruiter, based on your experience. If you have worked on a lot of product features, then you get a product design interview. If you have worked on high-scale distributed systems, then you get system design.

The product design interview at Meta is similar to the system design interview but with some key differences:

• System design focuses more on high level architecture and scale, while product design focuses more on interactions between services. For example, the expectations for API design in system design interviews is just high level arguments/data passed, whereas product design focuses more on the details, i.e., a more comprehensive list of arguments and response structure.
• Product design focuses more on how and what data flows through the entire system, between each service.
• Data models are weighted much higher in the product design interview than in system design. The expectation is to be more thorough and detailed.

“Product design is less databases, more data flow, more time spent on details of the API (e.g. parameters that will pass). System design is more databases, less API details, and more about scaling.”

“Many people think Meta only asks high level system design questions like ‘Design Twitter’ or ‘Design Meta Feed.’ But that’s not the case. They also ask low level questions. In E6 or above interviews, you will most likely be asked ‘Design Redis’, or ‘Design Kafka’, or ‘Design Memcached.’ I’d even seen rare occasions where E5 candidates would be asked low-level system design questions; low-level questions are less common in rounds for E5 and below.”

“You have to ask about back of the envelope estimations. A lot of senior engineers hate to do that. I hate to do that as well. It’s a waste of time. When I do the ‘There is a rule that I have to do this. But there is no point in doing this. Let’s spend 5 minutes talking about real system design. Let’s assume we have to scale our system from 0 to Google level and therefore estimations are just a waste of time.’”

Ask your interviewer: “Do you want to spend a few minutes on estimations? I’m okay with skipping it, but if you need to see it, then let’s do it. If we skipped it, one thing that might be a more interesting conversation would be spending a few minutes on how to scale this system.’”

If you don’t know what to talk about in a E5 Meta system design round, talk about user experience. Go on about two choices you could make, then explain in depth the one preferred because it’d be a better user experience.

It’s also common for Meta interviewers to ask you to walk them through a system you’ve worked on in the past, which is known as a reverse system design interview.

Behavioral interview

Unlike technical questions, behavioral questions at Meta are not standardized: interviewers can ask you whatever they want. Behavioral rounds are of medium/low importance at Meta; they’re less important than technical interview rounds, but they do carry some weight. For the best summary of what to expect in a Meta behavioral interview, read this blog post by a former Meta engineering manager – in it he describes exactly how behavioral interviews at Meta are evaluated and also includes a bunch of sample questions.

Here is a list of questions to get you started. Read the post to get examples of good answers (split out by the candidate’s seniority level!)

• “What project are you most proud of and why?”
• “Tell me about a recent day working that was really great and/or fun.”
• “Tell me about a time when you wanted to change something that was outside of your regular scope of work.”
• “Tell me about a time you had to make a fast decision and live with the results.”
• “Tell me about a time when you needed to overcome external obstacles to complete a task or project.”
• “Tell me about a time a project took longer as expected.”
• “Tell me about a person or team who you found most challenging to work with.”
• “Tell me about a time you disagreed with a coworker.”
• “Tell me about a situation where two teams couldn’t agree on a path forward.”
• “Describe a situation when you made a mistake, and what you learned from it.”
• “Tell me about some constructive feedback you received from a manager or a peer”
• “Tell me about a skill set that you observed in a peer or mentor that you want to develop in the next six months.”

Finally, if you are applying for E5 and above make sure to have a couple of projects that lasted longer than one quarter – if all your examples are of smaller initiatives, your interviewer may walk away with the impression that you can’t handle complex projects. Also, remember to quantify the impact that you made by sharing specific metrics.

How Meta makes hiring decisions

Meta’s candidate review and feedback process is usually completely asynchronous. Sometimes, they’ll do a live debrief but it’s rare. This means there’s a low likelihood for an interviewer to “fight” for a candidate. Socially influencing interviewers won’t go very far here.

Meta is also the only FAANG that asks interviewers for a confidence score when filling out post-onsite feedback forms. As a result, the process at Meta can be more forgiving on failed rounds because a lower confidence score means a failed round carries less weight. Also, Meta is the only FAANG that directly asks interviewers about downleveling.

“Coding is used to decide ‘Should we hire this person?’ System and product design is used to decide ‘How should we level this person?’

For coding interviews, the interviewer says a binary score first: ‘Hire’ or ‘No Hire’. Then in the comments, they say how confident they are in that binary score. The ‘Hire’ or ‘No Hire’ is an official metric, but the confidence score is not.

For system/product design, the interviewer gives the ‘Hire’ or ‘No Hire’ first. Then they say if the candidate should be considered for another level.

So the final decision could be like: ‘No Hire’ for E5 with low confidence. ‘Hire’ for E4 with high confidence."

In cases where the hiring panel is hung, it’s possible they may request one more follow-up interview to help them get more signal.

“Interview feedback is discussed primarily by the system design and behavioral interviewers, and those are the interviewers who have the most say regarding both the hire decision and a candidate’s level. If interviewers don’t feel like they got enough signal and the candidate ends up being on the fence, the recruiter will push for an additional round. Indicative hint: If you have an additional follow-up interview, your interviewers were probably split."

“At Staff level and above, it’s a mandate that candidates can’t get hired if they don’t pass both system design rounds.”

“For E6 and above candidates, if you fail one system design round but do well in the other rounds, you can get a mulligan. They can let you retake one system design round. But the same isn’t true for behavioral: if you fail there’s no mulligan. If you fail the behavioral round, it will be ‘No Hire.’”

'Team matching, offers, and “Bootcamp”'

Meta made some changes to their process in 2023. Before, unlike at other FAANGs, you'd generally accept an offer before knowing with which team you'd end up on. Then you'd do a 6 week “Bootcamp”, where you'd be trained on Meta's engineering infrastructure and systems. After the bootcamp, there would be a 2 week team-matching period.

Now, after you finish the onsite, you jump straight to the team matching process. Team matching now happens BEFORE you get an offer, and offers are contingent on team matching completely successfully.

You'll talk with hiring managers from a number of teams to gauge fit and chemistry: we've heard that sometimes it's a handful, and sometimes it's over 10.

After your team matching conversations, your recruiter will ask you to choose a team. In order to move forward, both you and the hiring manager have to opt in.

Once you make your choice, your recruiter will officially make an offer, and you'll usually have just a few days to make your decision. We hope this will change in the future, but recently Meta has been very aggressive with both offer timelines and with negotiations - they will not negotiate unless you can share competitive offer details from another top-tier company.

One other key difference between Meta's new process and the old one is what happens during Bootcamp. Historically, Bootcamp took 6 weeks, and in addition to training new hires on Meta's engineering infrastructure and systems, there'd be a multi-week “speed dating”-esque team matching component.

Bootcamp still exists, but now it's much shorter - 2-4 weeks, and the focus is getting new engineers ramped up on generic tools. After that, new engineers will continue to ramp up on their specific teams.

The team matching process is a bit like speed dating. You meet with hiring managers to gauge fit and chemistry. In order to move forward, both of you have to opt in.

“When the market is good, you can talk to 20 different teams at the same time.”

There are exceptions – some people with niche skills may get hired for a specific team before they start Bootcamp, but they still have to do the bootcamp period, just not the team-matching part afterwards.

Meta coding interview preparation resources

“ Top Meta Questions " on LeetCode is a solid question bank for your practice – you’ll want to practice modifying these a bit because you’ll get slightly modified versions of these questions in real life.

In addition, we’ve aggregated a bunch of useful Meta content for you! We have replays of candidates doing mock interviews with Meta interviewers, long-form solutions to common Meta questions, and deep dives into technical topics that tend to come up in Meta interviews.

Meta interview replays

Below are a series of mock interview replays, conducted by Meta interviewers on our platform. Watch them so you can learn from others’ mistakes.

Solutions to common Meta questions

Below are common questions that interviewers from Meta ask on our platform. Since our data comes from mock interviews, questions may not be exactly the same as what you'd see in real interviews.

Odd Even Linked List

Remove nth node from end of list, valid palindrome, fruit into baskets, lucky numbers in a matrix, design a free food app, prefix pairs, infinite binary print, minimum window substring, technical topics.

To figure out what technical topics might come up in your Meta interviews, we did a few things. First, we spoke to a bunch of Meta interviewers in our community. Then we cross-referenced all the anecdotes we heard with Glassdoor data, the LeetCode question list above, AND our own data-set of mock interviews in the style of Meta. Based on all of the above, here are the technical topics you’re likely to encounter.

Other Meta interview preparation resources

The following interview guides and resources can help you better understand Meta’s recruitment process and support your interview prep so you impress the hiring committee.

System design

• A Senior Engineer's Guide to the System Design Interview
• If you’re primarily going for E5, then mainly practice high-level system design questions. If E6, then focus on low-level questions.
• Reverse system design interviews happen sometimes at Meta, so you might like to practice these too.
• This blog post about behavioral interviewing at Meta , written by a former Meta engineering manager.
• Even though it’s not Meta-specific, A Senior Engineer's Guide to the Amazon Leadership Principles Interview will help.
• Practice your ability to demonstrate communication skills with stakeholders AND practice talking about times where there was a conflict and you were able to resolve it.

Want to know if you’re ready to interview at Meta? Do anonymous mock interviews with real Meta interviewers, and see exactly where you stack up.

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Cracking the top 40 Facebook coding interview questions

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Landing a job at Facebook is a dream for many developers around the globe. Facebook is one of the top tech companies in the world, with a workforce of over 52,000 strong. Facebook is known for its growth-based company culture, fast promotion tracks, excellent benefits, and top salaries that few companies can match.

But competition is fierce, and with a swell of new hires, Facebook is on the lookout for the top candidates. Facebook focuses on your cultural fit, generalist knowledge, ability to build within constraints, and expert coding skills.

To help you prepare, today I will walk through everything you need to crack an Facebook interview, including coding questions and a step-by-step preparation guide.

Today we will go over:

Overview of the Facebook coding interview

Top 40 Facebook coding interview questions

How to prepare for a facebook interview.

• Wrapping up and resource list

To land a software engineering job at Facebook, you need to know what lies ahead. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be. So, let’s break it down.

For a deeper dive into Facebook’s interview process, check out Coding Interviews’s free Facebook Coding Interview Guide .

• Interview Timeline: From resume submission to job offer, the process lasts 1.5 to 2 months.
• Types of Interviews: The interview process consists of 6 to 7 interviews. This includes 1 pre-screen interview (20 minutes), 1 technical phone interview (50 minutes, 1-2 coding questions), and 4-5 on-site interviews (45 minutes each).
• On-site interviews: Facebook breaks the on-site interviews into three sections. The Ninja portion consists of 2 coding interviews using a whiteboard. The Pirate portion includes 2 system design interviews. The Jedi portion includes 1 cultural/behavioral interview.

Coding Questions: Facebook interview questions focus on generalist knowledge on algorithms, data structures, and time complexity. They also test on architecture and system design (even entry level).

Hiring Levels: Facebook normally hires at level E3 for entry level software roles with E9 behind the height of levels. E5 is considered an entry-level manager role.

Hiring Teams: Central hires for Oculus, Facebook Groups, and WhatsApp.

Programming languages: Facebook prefers most standard languages, including Java, C++, Python, Ruby, and Perl.

What’s different about Facebook interviews? System design interview: At Facebook, you can expect these questions no matter what level you are interviewing for. Structured interviewing: Facebook will pair you with interviewers who have either held the position you’re interviewing for or with individuals who work directly with the position you’re interviewing for. Core values and your behavioral interview: Facebook interviewers will also evaluate your ability to embody their five core values: Move Fast, Be Bold, Focus on Impact, Be Open, and Build Social Value.

In this section, we’ll take a deep dive into the top 40 coding interview questions . We will discuss the answers and runtime complexities for the 15 questions you’re bound to see in an interview followed by the definitive list of 25 questions you’ll likely encounter.

As you can see to the right, Facebook focuses mostly on arrays and strings. These are essential skills to master.

Each question will be solved in Python 3. To see these solutions in C++, Ruby, Java, and JavaScript, visit here .

Arrays: move zeros to the left

Given an integer array, move all elements that are 0 to the left while maintaining the order of other elements in the array. The array has to be modified in-place. Try it yourself before reviewing the solution and explanation.

Runtime complexity: Linear, O ( n ) O(n) O ( n )

Memory Complexity: Constant, O ( 1 ) O(1) O ( 1 )

Keep two markers: read_index and write_index and point them to the end of the array. Let’s take a look at an overview of the algorithm.

While moving read_index towards the start of the array:

• If read_index points to 0 , skip.
• If read_index points to a non-zero value, write the value at read_index to write_index and decrement write_index .
• Assign zeros to all the values before the write_index and to the current position of write_index as well.

Arrays: Merge overlapping intervals

You are given an array (list) of interval pairs as input where each interval has a start and end timestamp. The input array is sorted by starting timestamps. You are required to merge overlapping intervals and return a new output array.

Consider the input array below. Intervals (1, 5), (3, 7), (4, 6), (6, 8) are overlapping so they should be merged to one big interval (1, 8). Similarly, intervals (10, 12) and (12, 15) are also overlapping and should be merged to (10, 15).

Try it yourself before reviewing the solution and explanation.

Memory Complexity: Linear, O ( n ) O(n) O ( n )

This problem can be solved in a simple linear scan algorithm . We know that input is sorted by starting timestamps. Here is the approach we are following:

• List of input intervals is given, and we’ll keep merged intervals in the output list.
• For each interval in the input list:
• If the input interval is overlapping with the last interval in the output list then we’ll merge these two intervals and update the last interval of the output list with the merged interval.
• Otherwise, we’ll add an input interval to the output list.

Trees: Convert binary tree to doubly linked list

Convert a binary tree to a doubly linked list so that the order of the doubly linked list is the same as an in-order traversal of the binary tree.

After conversion, the left pointer of the node should be pointing to the previous node in the doubly linked list, and the right pointer should be pointing to the next node in the doubly linked list. Try it yourself before reviewing the solution and explanation.

Memory Complexity: Linear, O ( h ) O(h) O ( h ) .

Recursive solution has O ( h ) O(h) O ( h ) memory complexity as it will consume memory on the stack up to the height of binary tree h . It will be O ( l o g n ) O(log n) O ( l o g n ) for balanced trees and in the worst case can be O ( n ) O(n) O ( n ) .

In an in-order traversal, first the left sub-tree is traversed, then the root is visited, and finally the right sub-tree is traversed.

One simple way of solving this problem is to start with an empty doubly linked list. While doing the in-order traversal of the binary tree, keep inserting each element output into the doubly linked list.

But, if we look at the question carefully, the interviewer wants us to convert the binary tree to a doubly linked list in-place i.e. we should not create new nodes for the doubly linked list.

This problem can be solved recursively using a divide and conquer approach. Below is the algorithm specified.

• Start with the root node and solve left and right subtrees recursively
• At each step, once left and right subtrees have been processed:
• Fuse output of left subtree with root to make the intermediate result
• Fuse intermediate result (built in the previous step) with output from the right subtree to make the final result of the current recursive call.

Trees: Level order traversal of binary tree

Given the root of a binary tree, display the node values at each level. Node values for all levels should be displayed on separate lines. Let’s take a look at the below binary tree.

Level order traversal for this tree should look like:

• 25, 75, 350

Here, you are using two queues: current_queue and next_queue . You push the nodes in both queues alternately based on the current level number. You’ll dequeue nodes from the current_queue , print the node’s data, and enqueue the node’s children to the next_queue .

Once the current_queue becomes empty, you have processed all nodes for the current level_number . To indicate the new level, print a line break ( \n ), swap the two queues, and continue with the above-mentioned logic.

After printing the leaf nodes from the current_queue , swap current_queue and next_queue . Since the current_queue would be empty, you can terminate the loop.

Strings: Reverse words in a sentence

Reverse the order of words in a given sentence (an array of characters). Take the “Hello World” string for example:

Here is how the solution works:

• Reverse the string.
• Traverse the string and reverse each word in place.

For more on string reversal, read my article Best practices for reversing a string in JavaScript, C++, and Python.

Strings: String segmentation

You are given a dictionary of words and a large input string. You have to find out whether the input string can be completely segmented into the words of a given dictionary. The following example elaborates on the problem further.

Runtime complexity: Exponential, O ( 2 n ) O(2^{n}) O ( 2 n ) , if we only use recursion. With memoization, the runtime complexity of this solution can be improved to be polynomial, O ( n 2 ) O(n^{2}) O ( n 2 ) .

Memory Complexity: Polynomial, O ( n 2 ) O(n^{2}) O ( n 2 )

You can solve this problem by segmenting the large string at each possible position to see if the string can be completely segmented to words in the dictionary. If you write the algorithm in steps it will be as follows:

The algorithm will compute two strings from scratch in each iteration of the loop. Worst case scenario, there would be a recursive call of the second_word each time. This shoots the time complexity up to 2 n 2^{n} 2 n .

You can see that you may be computing the same substring multiple times, even if it doesn’t exist in the dictionary. This redundancy can be fixed by memoization, where you remember which substrings have already been solved.

To achieve memoization, you can store the second string in a new set each time. This will reduce both time and memory complexities.

Dynamic Programming: Find maximum single sell profit

Given a list of daily stock prices (integers for simplicity), return the buy and sell prices for making the maximum profit.

We need to maximize the single buy/sell profit. If we can’t make any profit, we’ll try to minimize the loss. For the below examples, buy (orange) and sell (green) prices for making a maximum profit are highlighted.

The values in the array represent the cost of a stock each day. As we can buy and sell the stock only once, we need to find the best buy and sell prices for which our profit is maximized (or loss is minimized) over a given span of time.

A naive solution, with runtime complexity of O ( n 2 ) O(n^{2}) O ( n 2 ) , is to find the maximum gain between each element and its succeeding elements.

There is a tricky linear solution to this problem that requires maintaining current_buy_price (which is the smallest number seen so far), current_profit , and global_profit as we iterate through the entire array of stock prices.

At each iteration, we will compare the current_profit with the global_profit and update the global_profit accordingly.

The basic algorithm is as follows:

Answer any Facebook interview problem by learning the patterns behind common questions.

• Grokking Coding Interview Patterns in Python
• Grokking Coding Interview Patterns in JavaScript
• Grokking Coding Interview Patterns in Java
• Grokking Coding Interview Patterns in Go
• Grokking Coding Interview Patterns in C++

Math and Stats: Calculate the power of a number

Given a double, x , and an integer, n , write a function to calculate x raised to the power n . For example:

power (2, 5) = 32

power (3, 4) = 81

power (1.5, 3) = 3.375

power (2, -2) = 0.25

Runtime complexity: Logarithmic, O ( l o g n ) O(log n) O ( l o g n )

Memory Complexity: Logarithmic, O ( l o g n ) O(log n) O ( l o g n )

A simple algorithm for this problem is to multiply x by n times. The time complexity of this algorithm would be O ( n ) O(n) O ( n ) . We can use the divide and conquer approach to solve this problem more efficiently.

In the dividing step, we keep dividing n by 2 recursively until we reach the base case i.e. n == 1

In the combining step, we get the result, r , of the sub-problem and compute the result of the current problem using the two rules below:

• If n n n is even, the result is r ∗ r r * r r ∗ r (where r r r is the result of sub-problem)
• If n n n is odd, the result is x ∗ r ∗ r x * r * r x ∗ r ∗ r (where r r r is the result of sub-problem).

Backtracking: Find all possible subsets

We are given a set of integers and we have to find all the possible subsets of this set of integers.

Runtime complexity: Exponential, O ( 2 n ∗ n ) O(2^{n} * n) O ( 2 n ∗ n ) , where n n n is the number of integers in the given set

Memory Complexity: Constant, O ( 2 n ∗ n ) O(2^{n} * n) O ( 2 n ∗ n )

There are several ways to solve this problem. We will discuss the one that is neat and easier to understand. We know that for a set of ‘n’ elements there are 2 n 2^{n} 2 n ​​ subsets. For example, a set with 3 elements will have 8 subsets. Here is the algorithm we will use:

Note that the ordering of bits for picking integers from the set does not matter; picking integers from left to right would produce the same output as picking integers from right to left.

Graphs: Clone a directed graph

Given the root node of a directed graph, clone this graph by creating its deep copy so that the cloned graph has the same vertices and edges as the original graph.

Let’s look at the below graphs as an example. If the input graph is G = (V, E) where V is set of vertices and E is set of edges, then the output graph (cloned graph) G’ = (V’, E’) such that V = V’ and E = E’.

Note: We are assuming that all vertices are reachable from the root vertex. i.e. we have a connected graph.

Runtime complexity: Linear O ( n ) O(n) O ( n )

Memory Complexity: Logarithmic, O ( n ) O(n) O ( n )

We use depth-first traversal and create a copy of each node while traversing the graph. To avoid getting stuck in cycles, we’ll use a hashtable to store each completed node and will not revisit nodes that exist in the hashtable.

The hashtable key will be a node in the original graph, and its value will be the corresponding node in the cloned graph.

Design: Serialize / deserialize binary tree

Serialize a binary tree to a file and then deserialize it back to a tree so that the original and the deserialized trees are identical.

• Serialize: write the tree in a file.
• Deserialize: read from a file and reconstruct the tree in memory.

There is no restriction regarding the format of a serialized stream, therefore you can serialize it in any efficient format. However, after deserializing the tree from the stream, it should be exactly like the original tree. Consider the below tree as the input tree.

Memory Complexity: Logarithmic, O ( l o g n ) O(logn) O ( l o g n )

There can be multiple approaches to serialize and deserialize the tree. One approach is to perform a depth-first traversal and serialize individual nodes to the stream. We’ll use a pre-order traversal here. We’ll also serialize some markers to represent a null pointer to help deserialize the tree.

Consider the below binary tree as an example. Markers (M*) have been added in this tree to represent null nodes. The number with each marker i.e. 1 in M1, 2 in M2, merely represents the relative position of a marker in the stream.

The serialized tree (pre-order traversal) from the above example would look like the below list.

When deserializing the tree we’ll again use the pre-order traversal and create a new node for every non-marker node. Encountering a marker indicates that it was a null node.

Sorting and Searching: Find the high and low index

Given a sorted array of integers, return the low and high index of the given key. You must return -1 if the indexes are not found.

The array length can be in the millions with many duplicates.

In the following example, according to the the key , the low and high indices would be:

• key : 1, low = 0 and high = 0
• key : 2, low = 1 and high = 1
• key : 5, low = 2 and high = 9
• key : 20, low = 10 and high = 10

For the testing of your code, the input array will be:

Runtime complexity: Logarithmic O ( l o g n ) O(log n) O ( l o g n )

Linearly scanning the sorted array for low and high indices are highly inefficient since our array size can be in millions. Instead, we will use a slightly modified binary search to find the low and high indices of a given key. We need to do binary search twice:

• Once for finding the low index.
• Once for finding the high index.

Let’s look at the algorithm for finding the low index:

• At every step, consider the array between low and high indices and calculate the mid index.
• If the element at mid index is less than the key , low becomes mid + 1 (to move towards the start of range).
• If the element at mid is greater or equal to the key , the high becomes mid - 1 . Index at low remains the same.
• When low is greater than high , low would be pointing to the first occurrence of the key .
• If the element at low does not match the key , return -1 .

Similarly, we can find the high index by slightly modifying the above condition:

• Switch the low index to mid + 1 when the element at mid index is less than or equal to the key .
• Switch the high index to mid - 1 when the element at mid is greater than the key .

Sorting and Searching: Search rotated array

Search for a given number in a sorted array, with unique elements, that has been rotated by some arbitrary number. Return -1 if the number does not exist.

Assume that the array does not contain duplicates

Below is an original array before rotation.

After performing rotation on this array 6 times it changes to:

The task is to find a given number in this array.

The solution is essentially a binary search but with some modifications. If we look at the array in the example closely, we notice that at least one half of the array is always sorted. We can use this property to our advantage.

If the number n lies within the sorted half of the array, then our problem is a basic binary search. Otherwise, discard the sorted half and keep examining the unsorted half. Since we are partitioning the array in half at each step, this gives us O ( l o g n ) O(log n) O ( l o g n ) runtime complexity.

25 more common Facebook coding interview questions

• Longest increasing subsequence from array of integers (dynamic programming arrays)
• Unique paths in a grid (dynamic programming matrices)
• Add two numbers as a list (lists)
• Design cache (system design)
• Design a highly consistent database (system design)
• Rotate a matrix (arrays)
• Design a URL shortener (system design)
• Design a recommendation system (ML, system design)
• Find nth Fibonacci number (number theory)
• Find the square root of an integer using binary search (math search answer)
• Implement StrStr (string search)
• Minimum appends for Palindrome (strings)
• Find the largest rectangle in a histogram (stacks)
• Substring concatenation (incremental hash)
• Find the least common ancestor (tree search)
• Find largest distance between nodes in a tree (DFS)
• Find all unique triplets in an array, giving sum of zero (array)
• Find maximum path sum in non-empty binary tree (binary tree)
• Find K closest points to origin for a list of points on a plane (search/sort)
• Write a function to compute intersection of arrays (sort/search)
• Design a typehead feature (system design)
• Design Facebook Messenger (system design)
• Group anagrams together in an array of strings (arrays/strings)
• Convert a BST to sorted circular doubly linked list (trees)
• Determine the order of letters in a dictionary (graphs/trees)

Now that you have a sense of what to expect from an interview and know what kinds of questions to expect, let’s learn some preparation strategies based on Facebook’s unique interview process .

Prepare your resume.

The first thing you should do is update your resume to be metrics/deliverables driven. It’s also a good idea to show how the work you’ve done can translate into their five core values: Move fast, Be bold, Focus on impact, Be open, and Build social value.

Practice generalist coding questions

I recommend at least three months of self-study to be successful. This includes choosing a programming language, reviewing the basics, and studying algorithms, data structures, system design , object-oriented programming, and more.

It’s important to practice coding using different tools:

• Simple Text Editor (like CoderPad)
• By hand (on a whiteboard or paper)
• Your preferred style of coding

For a robust, 12-week interview guide, check out our article, the 3 Month Coding Interview Preparation Bootcamp

Prepare for the system design interview

The design interview usually doesn’t involve any coding, so you’ll need to learn how to answer these questions. This will be done on a whiteboard during the interview, so practice your designs by hand. Study up on system design and product design.

The best way to master system design questions is not by memorizing answers but by learning the anatomy of a system design question . You need to train yourself to think from the ground up while also considering scaling and requirements.

Pro tip: If you want to stand out in the system design interview, you’ll need to discuss how Machine Learning can be implemented in your design. Facebook wants next-gen engineers, and they focus heavily on artificial intelligence. Consider brushing up on ML concepts and ML system design principles .

Master the best practices

Once you get the basics down and progress through the interview prep roadmap, master the best practices.

When you practice, learn how to articulate your process out loud . Facebook cares a lot about how you think . When you code, explain your thought process as if another person were in the room.

You also want to start timing yourself to learn how to manage your time effectively. It’s always better to take time planning your answer than to just jump it with brute force.

Prepare for behavioral interviews

Facebook cares that you fit with their company, so you need to be prepared to talk about yourself. For each of Facebook’s values, brainstorm how you fit and why these values matter to you.

You should also think about your 2 to 4 year career aspirations, interests, and strengths as an engineer, as they will likely come up in the interview.

To learn how to prepare, check out my article Behavioral Interviews: how to prepare and ace interview questions

Prepare questions for your interviewers

Facebook values self-starters, so it’s important that you come prepared with questions for your interviewers. You’ll have time during every interview to ask your own questions. This is also an opportunity to determine if Facebook is a good fit for your lifestyle and needs.

Facebook Software Engineer Interview

Getting hired at Facebook is a dream come true for most software engineers. But it’s a hard nut to crack. The Facebook software-engineer interview process is a 5-6 step procedure that includes multiple technical and behavioral interviews.

If you’re preparing for Facebook software engineer interviews, you must have an in-depth knowledge of data structures, algorithms, network and APIs, and system design. Questions mentioned above — such as those involving backtracking, arrays, and dynamic programming — commonly appear in Facebook software engineer interviews. To excel, candidates should consistently practice coding problems, refine their understanding of core computer science principles, and engage in mock interviews simulating the Facebook environment.

Along with testing technical acumen, the interviews also assess cultural fit, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. While technical proficiency is vital, Facebook equally values a candidate’s cultural fit, problem-solving prowess, and communication aptitude. Proper preparation, including practicing coding problems and understanding the company’s core values, is paramount to success. It is crucial to prepare properly, including practicing coding problems and understanding the company’s core values.

Wrap up and resource list

Cracking the Facebook coding interview comes down to the time you spend preparing, such as practicing coding questions, studying behavioral interviews, and understanding Facebook’s company culture.

There is no golden ticket, but more preparation will surely make you a more confident and desirable candidate. The essential resources below will help you prepare and build confidence for Facebook interviews.

Keep learning and studying!

Learn the patterns behind common interview questions

Continue reading about coding interviews.

• 3 Month Coding Interview Preparation Bootcamp
• 5 tried and true techniques to prepare for a coding interview
• Video Interviews: a comprehensive guide for software engineers
• 6 Dynamic Programming problems for your next coding interview

Haven’t found what you were looking for? Contact Us

How hard are Facebook coding interviews?

Facebook coding interviews are generally considered to be challenging. Like many other top tech companies, Facebook sets a high bar for technical talent, and their interview process reflects this.

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Facebook Interview Process & Questions

Looking to land a job at Facebook but don’t know what the process looks like?

I’ve got you covered. In this article, we will look at what goes on in each step of Facebook’s hiring process, two different types of Facebook’s interview questions, and three tips to ace any Facebook interviews. Here are the four steps of the Facebook interview process:

Step 1: Pass the resume screening

Step 2: Pass the phone screenings (1-2 rounds)

Step 3: Pass the on-site interviews (4-5 rounds)

Step 4: pass the hiring committee reviews and get the offer.

Table of Contents

Four steps of the Facebook recruitment process

The first part of Facebook’s hiring process is, similar to most corporate jobs, resume screening. In this round, recruiters will screen your resume for technical requirements, education, experience,.. to make sure you’re a potential fit.

Although hiring criteria depend on roles and company, the fundamental principles of writing winning resumes at Facebook is almost identical to writing winning consulting resumes. There are three fundamental rules you must apply in your resume:

Rule #1: Explicitly display the skills and traits that Facebook seeks in candidates

What Facebook looks for in its employees are: leadership ability, analytical problem-solving skills, excellent written and oral communication, “gritty” character, intense curiosity, and humility.

Rule #2: Write specific, result-oriented, and explicit bullets

  When talking about your experiences and achievements, the way to go is through objective information. A good bullet should sound something like: 

“Reduce overhead by 20% (or $2MN) for an online news media company by leading a cross-functional team to migrate the client’s finance operations cost centers to a shared-services model.” 

Rule #3: Using professional, structured, and to-the point language

Using professional, structured, and to-the point language implicitly shows screeners that you’re a good communicator. Highlighting your achievements with explicit numbers and good structures also save screening time and leaves a good impression.

Before moving on, I highly recommend you checking out my consulting resume overview and specifically look at the resume examples I corrected to see how these rules can supercharge your resume.

Step 2: Pass the phone screenings (2 rounds)

There are usually two rounds of phone screenings at Facebook : the recruiter phone screening (or the pre-screen) and the technical phone screening.

In the recruiter phone screening round, which lasts 20 minutes, an HR recruiter will contact you to ask a few questions on the phone. These questions are somewhat behavioural, aiming to reveal your background information and qualities, from which the recruiter will assess your fit for the selected role.

If you pass this initial phone screening, the recruiter will match you with a Facebook engineer to conduct the technical phone screening, which lasts around 45 minutes. You’ll be asked some questions pertaining to your resume for 10-15 minutes, then spend the next 30 minutes completing one or two coding questions (e.g. data structures, algorithms, etc) on a simple online code editor (e.g. CoderPad).

Once you’ve passed the phone screenings, you’ll move on to the tough on-site interviews. In a typical on-site interview, you will be interviewed with another 4-5 people for 45 mins each.

On-site interviews usually consist of 4-5 rounds, in which two things will be assessed: (1) Your fit for the selected role (role-specific fit) and (2) Process, teamwork, and culture fit (firm-specific fit).

For technical roles, there are generally two types of interviews you should be aware of: Coding on-site interviews and System Design on-site interviews. For each type, expect 2 or more interviews.

Coding on-site interviews involve whiteboarding solutions to slightly harder data structures and/or algorithmic problems. The lesser experienced you are, the more number of coding onsite interview rounds for you.

System Design Onsite interviews involve coming up with high level design architectures for real life products. The more experienced you are, the more number of these interviews you might face.

For both technical and non-technical roles, you’ll definitely get teamwork/process/culture fit interviews. The fit interview will be a combination of topics ranging from agile methodology or workflow, teamwork and collaboration, and conflict resolution.

Congratulations! You’ve passed the on-site interviews, the toughest part of the interview process. At this point, candidates will be assessed in candidate review meetings, where team leaders/ managers will determine whether you’re a good fit for their respective teams. If a team wants you, they’ll tell your recruiter and it will be added to your portfolio, which will then be submitted to the hiring committee

After that, your performance will be evaluated by a hiring committee consisting of Facebook seniors. This step is usually a formality. Before the hiring committee session, each reviewer often takes hiring recommendations made in the candidate review meetings, which will be discussed during the session. If all members agree on one recommendation, an offer will be extended.

Three tips to ace Facebook interviews

The beginning of every interview at Facebook will involve 15-20 minutes of behavioural questions. Hence, it’s crucial that you present yourself in a consistent, thorough manner. Most importantly, however, you must demonstrate the traits that Facebook looks for in every answer. Below, I’ve summarised three tips to help you ace every fit interview question, keep reading!.

Tip 1: Prepare stories, not questions

For any interview, especially fit interviews, it is best to prepare 3-4 detailed, all-round, refined stories exhibiting all the required attributes (for Facebook, they’re the below “Facebook” traits). This way, you can tune the stories according to the interviewer’s questions in a flexible, consistent manner.

Many candidates make the mistake of preparing on a per-question basis, i.e listing out the possible questions and the corresponding answers/stories. Wrapping your head around inflexible answers can throw you off-balance when an unexpected question comes up. The resulting storytelling style is also somewhat robotic.

Instead, in the Case Interview End-to-End Secrets Program, I teach a story-based approach: select a few stories reflecting your best, all-round self, and develop them in detail. 

Learn more: The online guidebook to case interview

Tip 2: Explicitly show Facebook traits

To prepare your stories, compare your past experiences with Facebook traits, along with personal values you’re most proud of, and select the stories best reflecting those traits and values. You want to show that your values and experiences perfectly match what recruiters look for.

So what are these famous “Facebook” traits? Above all, Facebook places emphasis on kindness, empathy, and humility in their people. Successful candidates also excel in these criteria: learning ability, teamwork, communication skills, leadership.

Learning ability: Facebook not only values excellent cognitive abilities, but also problem-solving ability, curiosity, and ability to learn.

Teamwork: Working at Facebook demands that you’re a great team player. Merely being an independent, hard-working employee isn’t going to cut it – you’ve got to work, think, and succeed in teams.

Communication skills: succeeding in teams also requires excellent communication skills, and this holds true not only for Facebook but many companies.

Leadership: Facebook defines leadership as the willingness to step into a difficult problem and step out when their expertise is not needed. One person is not always going to be the right leader for everything Facebook does – work will be handled in small-sized teams (4-6 people) consisting of people with different skill sets.

Tip 3: Use the Problem-Action-Result framework

As the name suggests, the Problem-Action-Result method, also known as the STAR method, is a technique you can use to clearly demonstrate specific skills/ traits required for a job position. Using this framework instantly makes your answers more structured, logical, easy for listeners to follow, and easy for you to keep track of.

STAR stands for:

Situation: An event, project, or challenge faced

Task: Your responsibilities and assignments for the situation

Action: Steps or procedure taken to relieve or rectify situation

Result: Results of actions taken

Example: Tell me about a time when you used your initiative to resolve a complex problem. What was involved and what actions did you take?

STAR Model Answer:

Last year while working as Customer Service Manager with XYZ Products Ltd in Germany, I successfully implemented a new process which reduced the time taken to process customer refunds from 14 days to 2 days, saving over £100,000 annually in agent time and gaining a 50% uplift in customer approval ratings.

Our customer refund process was taking 14 days and was using up an excessive amount of agent time and resources. I was tasked with reducing this to 2 days with the added benefit of saving time and resources.

First, I initiated the project by clearly defining the objectives and procedures. Then, I created a detailed brief analyzing the problem and outlining the potential benefits of the newly proposed process.

After that, I completed a walk-through of the existing system to identify where the problems lie. I interviewed the agents involved to gather their input into both the current system and their ideas of what they thought would work well.

With all that knowledge, I designed a new process and drafted a brief which I then forwarded to four software companies who specialise in the system we needed.

After presentation and consultation with my management team I organised a project team tasked with implementing this new system.

I set up a system for internal and external feedback and communication, ensuring that everyone involved was on board and up to speed. I was very pleased with the outcome. I reduced the time taken to process customer refunds from 14 days to 2 days, saving over £100,000 annually in agent time. 

Facebook interviews’ question types and examples

Facebook Interview Questions comprises three main types: fit questions, technical questions, and brain-teaser questions. Fit questions may appear in technical interviews, but are mostly asked during fit interviews. Technical questions are strictly limited to technical interviews, and brain-teaser questions may appear in all types of interviews.

No.1: Fit questions

1. What is it

For example, if you’re applying as a product manager, you might be asked the following fit interview questions:

• What’s a product you love/hate? Why? How would you improve it?
• How would you solve homelessness in San Francisco?
• Why does Starbucks sometimes have coffee shops on both sides of the road?
• Facebook has invented a technology that makes air travel 4x cheaper and 4x faster. What do you do with it?
• If you could implement a new feature for Gmail, what would it be?
• What will be the impact of self-driving cars?
• What technology trends are you following at the moment?
• You’re part of the Facebook Search web spam team. How would you detect duplicate websites?
• If you were to build the next killer feature for Facebook, what would it be?
• How would you determine if a new Facebook Search feature launch was successful?

2. How to approach it:

Remember, the main purpose of behavioural questions is to test your fit for the position you’re applying to. Hence, the key is to  prepare 3-4 stories gearing towards the specific job requirements (professional experience, attributes, character, etc).

For example, if you’re applying as a software engineer, prepare 3-4 stories about your technical experiences, and don’t forget to include traits that make great software engineers (supreme communication skills, quick learning ability, good team player, etc), in addition to the aforementioned Facebook traits.

To prepare an all-rounded story, read this article for the full guide. Alternatively, follow these three steps:

Lay down the content base:

  Compare your past experiences with Facebook traits along with personal values you’re most proud of, and select the stories best reflecting those traits and values. 

List down as many details of your stories as possible, make sure they follow this structure: Problem, Actions, Result, Lesson.

Form the story plot:

Trim the unnecessary details, simplify the technical parts to help the listeners understand, then rearrange and dramatize the rest to make your accomplishments really stand out. 

Add the Facebook spirit into the mix by emphasizing the relevant traits, telling your stories in a structured way, explaining all your actions, etc.

Refine your style:

  Your style of story-telling should be entertaining for both you and your audience. Take time to practice and find your style – and remember, it should be natural, otherwise you won’t be able to use it in a high-stress, high-stake interview. 

Keep in mind that your style should be formal, because it’s a job interview we’re talking about. Don’t do your trademark sarcasms there, it’s not a stand-up comedy session.

No.2: Technical questions

1. What it is:

Technical questions are exclusively reserved for candidates applying for technical roles, such as Software Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Test Engineer, Network Engineer, to name a few. Coding interview questions often fall into the following categories: 

• Arrays / Strings (38% of questions, most frequent)
• Graphs / Trees (29%)
• Dynamic Programming (18%)
• Search / Sort (9%)
• Linked lists (4%)
• Stacks / Queues (2%, least frequent)

2. Sample questions and solutions:

Below is a comprehensive list of Facebook Coding Interview questions, for all aforementioned categories. Solutions are at the end of every problem.

• Given an integer array, move all elements that are equal to 0 to the left while maintaining the order of other elements in the array. See solution. 
• Given a list of intervals, merge all the overlapping intervals to produce a list that has only mutually exclusive intervals. See solution.
• Implement next permutation, which rearranges numbers into the lexicographically next greater permutation of numbers. See solution.
• Given a string S and a string T, find the minimum window in S which will contain all the characters in T in complexity O(n).” See solution.
• Given an array nums of n integers where n > 1, return an array output such that output[i] is equal to the product of all the elements of nums except nums[i]. See solution.
• Given the head pointers of two linked lists where each linked list represents an integer number (each node is a digit), add them and return the resulting linked list. See solution.
• Given two sorted linked lists, merge them so that the resulting linked list is also sorted. See solution.
• Convert a binary tree to a doubly linked list so that the order of the doubly linked list is the same as an in-order traversal of the binary tree. After conversion, the left pointer of the node should be pointing to the previous node in the doubly linked list, and the right pointer should be pointing to the next node in the doubly linked list. See solution.
• Given a binary tree and a number ‘S’, find all paths from root-to-leaf such that the sum of all the node values of each path equals ‘S’. See solution.
• Reverse the order of words in a given sentence (an array of characters). See solution.
• Given a dictionary of words and an input string tell whether the input string can be completely segmented into dictionary words. See solution.
• Given a list of daily stock prices (integers for simplicity), return the buy and sell prices for making the maximum profit. We need to maximize the single buy/sell profit. If we can’t make any profit, we’ll try to minimize the loss. See solution.
• Given a double, ‘x’, and an integer, ‘n’, write a function to calculate ‘x’ raised to the power ‘n’. See solution.
• You are given a set of integers and you have to find all the possible subsets of this set of integers. See solution.
• There is a dictionary containing words from an alien language for which we don’t know the ordering of the characters. Write a method to find the correct order of characters in the alien language. See solution.
• Serialize a binary tree to a file and then deserialize it back to a tree so that the original and the deserialized trees are identical. See solution.
• Given a sorted array of integers, return the low and high index of the given key. Return -1 if not found. The array length can be in the millions with many duplicates. See solution.
• Search for a given number in a sorted array that has been rotated by some arbitrary number. See solution.
• Given a sorted dictionary (array of words) of an alien language, find the order of characters in the language. See solution.
• Check whether a given graph is Bipartite or not. See solution.
• We have a list of points on the plane. Find the K closest points to the origin (0, 0). See solution.
• Given two arrays, write a function to compute their intersection. See solution.
• Given an array of meeting time intervals consisting of start and end times [[s1,e1],[s2,e2],…] find the minimum number of conference rooms required. See solution.
• A linked list is given such that each node contains an additional random pointer which could point to any node in the list or null. Return a deep copy of the list. See solution.
• Given a singly linked list L: L0?L1?…?Ln-1?Ln, reorder it to: L0?Ln?L1?Ln-1?L2?Ln-2?… See solution. 

Scoring in the McKinsey PSG/Digital Assessment

The scoring mechanism in the McKinsey Digital Assessment

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Acing the Facebook Interview Process: Tips & Common Questions

May 6, 2023

If you’re applying for a job at Facebook, you’re already familiar with its flagship social media platform. The company employs over 60,000 people worldwide. Facebook’s interview process can leave some feeling intimidated, so we’ll help you start off on the right foot.

You probably also know that, in 2021, Facebook changed its parent company name from “Facebook Inc.” to “Meta Platforms Inc.” The name change reflects the company’s evolving focus on the metaverse, a term that refers to a virtual world that integrates multiple platforms and technologies to create a shared, immersive experience. In addition to the Facebook social media platform, Meta also owns several other popular apps and services, including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR.

We’ll focus on jobs with Facebook in particular, exploring what you can expect during the Facebook hiring process. These are the topics we’ll cover:

• How hard is it to get an interview with Facebook?
• What does Facebook’s hiring process entail?
• How hard is Facebook’s interview process?
• Common Facebook interview questions
• How to prepare for a Facebook interview

How Hard Is It to Get an Interview With Facebook?

Getting an interview with Facebook can be quite challenging, as the company receives a large number of job applications from around the world, and competition for positions can be fierce.

To increase your chances of getting an interview with Facebook, it’s important to ensure that your application stands out from the rest. This might involve tailoring your resume and cover letter to match the requirements of the job, highlighting your relevant skills and experience, and demonstrating your passion and enthusiasm for the company and the role.

In addition to submitting a strong application, networking can also be helpful in increasing your chances of getting a Facebook interview. This could involve reaching out to current or former employees of the company, attending industry events, and connecting with recruiters on LinkedIn.

Overall, while it can be difficult to get an interview with Facebook, with the right approach and preparation, it’s certainly possible to increase your chances of success.

What Does Facebook’s Hiring Process Entail?

Facebook’s hiring process typically involves several steps designed to identify the most qualified candidates for their open positions. While the specifics of the process vary depending on the role and location, the following are the general steps you can expect.

• Application: You can apply online via Facebook’s career portal by submitting your resume and completing a questionnaire related to the specific job.
• Initial screening: The next step is a screening interview conducted by a member of Facebook’s recruiting team. This interview typically takes place over the phone or by video conference. It’s designed to assess your qualifications and fit for the role.
• Technical interview: If you pass the initial screening, Facebook will invite you to participate in a technical interview with a member of the Facebook team who specializes in the area relevant to the job. This interview is typically conducted in-person or via video conference. It entails coding challenges, problem-solving exercises, or other technical assessments.
• On-site interviews: If you perform well in the technical interview, Facebook will invite you to an on-site interview at its office, where you will meet with multiple members of the team you’ll be working with. These interviews could include both technical and behavioral questions and might take several hours to complete.
• Offer: If you impress the interviewers as a qualified match for the role, Facebook will make an offer of employment. This will include details such as salary, benefits, and start date.

Overall, Facebook’s hiring process is rigorous and designed to identify the most qualified candidates for their open positions. Candidates who are passionate about technology and possess strong technical and interpersonal skills are likely to succeed in this process.

How Hard Is Facebook’s Interview Process?

Facebook’s interview process has a reputation for being quite challenging and rigorous. The company has a highly selective hiring process. And, the interviewers look for candidates who not only have the necessary technical skills but also possess the right mindset, work ethic, and cultural fit.

In addition to the technical interviews, Facebook also places a strong emphasis on cultural fit. Interviewers may ask questions to assess a candidate’s teamwork, communication skills, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Overall, Facebook’s interview process requires candidates to be well-prepared and have a deep understanding of computer science fundamentals. However, if you’re well-prepared and have the necessary skills and experience, the process can be a great opportunity for you to join one of the world’s leading technology companies.

Common Facebook Interview Questions

You should prepare to answer these common Facebook interview questions.

Behavioral Questions

• Tell me about yourself.
• What interests you about working at Facebook?
• What do you like about working with a team?
• How do you handle conflict at work?
• Describe a difficult problem you solved and how you went about solving it.
• Tell me about a time when you suffered a setback or failure.
• What excites you most about the direction that Facebook is going?

Technical Questions

• What’s your experience with coding?
• How would you optimize the performance of a webpage?
• How would you design a recommendation system for Facebook?
• What’s your experience with data structures and algorithms?
• What’s your experience with database design and optimization?
• How would you approach debugging a complex system?
• How do you stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry trends?

These are just a few examples, and the actual questions vary depending on the position and the interviewer. Generally, Facebook asks technical questions and puts an emphasis on problem-solving skills and experience with software development.

How to Prepare for a Facebook Interview

Preparing for a Facebook interview requires a combination of technical knowledge, communication skills, and familiarity with the company culture. Here are some steps you can take to prepare for a Facebook interview.

• Research the company. Visit Meta’s website , and read about the company’s mission, products, and culture. Try to understand how it operates, its core values, and how it approaches problem-solving.
• Be familiar with Meta’s products. Meta has a wide range of products, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus. Familiarize yourself with the products and their features.
• Review your technical skills. You’ll notice a strong emphasis on technical skills during the Facebook interview process. Brush up on your coding skills, algorithms, data structures, and system design. You can use resources such as LeetCode and HackerRank to practice.
• Be prepared for behavioral questions. In addition to technical questions, Facebook will also ask you behavioral questions to assess your problem-solving skills and how you work in a team. Practice answering questions that relate to your experience, leadership skills, and conflict resolution.
• Prepare questions to ask. At the end of the Facebook interview, you’ll likely be given a chance to ask questions. Prepare a few in advance that show you’re interested in the company, its culture, and its products.
• Be yourself. Facebook values diversity, so be yourself during the interview. Show your passion for technology and how you can contribute to the company’s mission.

Practice With Mock Interviews

Facebook values strong communication skills. This last tip will help you simulate the actual interview experience, improve your communication skills, and identify areas where you need to improve. Practice answering technical questions out loud and explaining your thought process clearly. Whenever possible, your responses should include concrete examples of what you’ve done rather than theoretical actions you would take.

When preparing for the Facebook interview process, be sure to practice with friends or colleagues or on platforms such as Yoodli . Yoodli’s free AI-powered interview coach gives you feedback on your communication skills.

Record yourself answering interview questions, and review the footage. Yoodli provides instant analysis of your word choices and delivery, including filler words, weak words, and eye contact. The Yoodli interview coach isn’t just a preparation tool but also helps you in the moment during phone and video interviews:

• Realtime nudges to course correct as you speak (slow down, make eye contact, etc.)
• Private. Nobody knows you’re using it. It records only you.
• Personalized follow-up report with analytics on your speaking fillers, pace, etc., and suggestions to be more concise and engaging

Yoodli also lets you practice with real-time follow-up questions. Watch the video below to see how it works.

Learn more about how AI can help you ace an interview.

Overall, the key to preparing for a Facebook interview is to be thorough, knowledgeable, and confident. By following these tips and practicing regularly, you can increase your chances of success.

Wrapping Up

Of course, you’ll want to reach out directly to Facebook’s human resources department or recruitment team for more information on their hiring process and interview selection criteria. But, with these tips, you’re already on your way toward a confident interview process with Facebook. Good luck!

Note: This post was created in partnership with artificial intelligence.

Start practicing with Yoodli.

Getting better at speaking is getting easier. Record or upload a speech and let our AI Speech Coach analyze your speaking and give you feedback.

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Facebook Interview Questions

As per Facebook’s official page , below are coding expections.   

This takes place in an online collaborative editor shared between you and the interviewer (or on the whiteboard if you do the initial interview in person). You are given one or more coding questions to complete in this editor. We ask questions that are short enough to explain in a few minutes and to solve in 10-30 minutes. In this section we try to understand your approach to problem solving. We typically don’t ask trick or estimation questions (we don’t care how many ping pong balls can be fit in Sea World). You could be asked to solve a problem in any way you choose, and then the interviewer could add further constraints or requirements.

Below are Tips from same Facebook’s official page  

Tips for the Coding Interview:    

• Think out loud: We pay a lot of attention to the way you solve problems, which can be as important as having the right answer. Thinking out loud gives the interviewer insight into your thinking process and can also help them follow along with your solution. Moreover, it allows them to give hints when needed.
• Locate a good interview spot: Choose a quiet place and ensure that you have good Internet connection and strong phone reception. Headphones will help with having your both hands free for coding.
• Speak clearly: Ensure you are speaking clearly and likewise, if you can’t hear the interviewer clearly, let them know so they can accommodate! You don’t want to waste the whole interview trying to understand each other.
• Use the programming language you’re best at:   It’s important to write your solution correctly and in time, so use the language you are most familiar with.
• Manage Your Time Effectively:  Spend some time figuring out the ideal solution to the question. Don’t jump too quickly into brute forcing the first solution that comes in mind. If you can’t find a better solution in a reasonable time, start writing a working solution, then iterate and improve it as you go. Some interviews end without any coding because the interviewee couldn’t find the ideal solution. It’s better to have non-optimal but working code than just an idea. Once you have a working solution, you can then try to improve its efficiency, code design or any other aspect of it.
• Share your reasoning:  Make sure you can talk about your solution; you will probably be asked to explain them. Engineering is all about tradeoffs, so be prepared to discuss them.
• Find and fix the bugs by yourself: Don’t wait for the interviewer to find them for you.
• Use the hints you are given: Usually, the interviewer knows the question well enough to know which hints will help you next if you get stuck.

Important Resources :   

• Recent Facebook Interview Experiences
• Facebook Practice Questions .

Below are some questions asked in Facebook Interviews. 

Easy Level    

• Converting Decimal Number lying between 1 to 3999 to Roman Numerals
• Find all triplets with zero sum
• Largest subset whose all elements are Fibonacci numbers
• Calculate maximum value using ‘+’ or ‘*’ sign between two numbers in a string
• Convert Ternary Expression to a Binary Tree
• Converting Roman Numerals to Decimal lying between 1 to 3999
• Count all distinct pairs with difference equal to k
• Decode a string recursively encoded as count followed by substring
• Find if string is K-Palindrome or not | Set 2
• Find Minimum Depth of a Binary Tree
• Find subarray with given sum | Set 1 (Nonnegative Numbers)
• Given two unsorted arrays, find all pairs whose sum is x
• Greedy Algorithms | Set 1 (Activity Selection Problem)
• Look-and-Say Sequence
• Smallest subarray with sum greater than a given value
• Program to add two binary strings
• Rearrange a string in sorted order followed by the integer sum

Medium Level    

• Boggle | Set 2 (Using Trie)
• Count Possible Decodings of a given Digit Sequence
• Inplace rotate square matrix by 90 degrees | Set 1
• Largest Rectangular Area in a Histogram | Set 2
• Largest sum subarray with at-least k numbers
• Multiply Large Numbers represented as Strings

Hard Level    

• Median in a stream of integers (running integers)
• Find m-th smallest value in k sorted arrays
• Wild card Matching

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Top 20 Problem Solving Interview Questions (Example Answers Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

When candidates prepare for interviews, they usually focus on highlighting their leadership, communication, teamwork, and similar crucial soft skills . However, not everyone gets ready for problem-solving interview questions. And that can be a big mistake.

Problem-solving is relevant to nearly any job on the planet. Yes, it’s more prevalent in certain industries, but it’s helpful almost everywhere.

Regardless of the role you want to land, you may be asked to provide problem-solving examples or describe how you would deal with specific situations. That’s why being ready to showcase your problem-solving skills is so vital.

If you aren’t sure who to tackle problem-solving questions, don’t worry, we have your back. Come with us as we explore this exciting part of the interview process, as well as some problem-solving interview questions and example answers.

What Is Problem-Solving?

When you’re trying to land a position, there’s a good chance you’ll face some problem-solving interview questions. But what exactly is problem-solving? And why is it so important to hiring managers?

Well, the good folks at Merriam-Webster define problem-solving as “the process or act of finding a solution to a problem.” While that may seem like common sense, there’s a critical part to that definition that should catch your eye.

What part is that? The word “process.”

In the end, problem-solving is an activity. It’s your ability to take appropriate steps to find answers, determine how to proceed, or otherwise overcome the challenge.

Being great at it usually means having a range of helpful problem-solving skills and traits. Research, diligence, patience, attention-to-detail , collaboration… they can all play a role. So can analytical thinking , creativity, and open-mindedness.

But why do hiring managers worry about your problem-solving skills? Well, mainly, because every job comes with its fair share of problems.

While problem-solving is relevant to scientific, technical, legal, medical, and a whole slew of other careers. It helps you overcome challenges and deal with the unexpected. It plays a role in troubleshooting and innovation. That’s why it matters to hiring managers.

How to Answer Problem-Solving Interview Questions

Okay, before we get to our examples, let’s take a quick second to talk about strategy. Knowing how to answer problem-solving interview questions is crucial. Why? Because the hiring manager might ask you something that you don’t anticipate.

Problem-solving interview questions are all about seeing how you think. As a result, they can be a bit… unconventional.

These aren’t your run-of-the-mill job interview questions . Instead, they are tricky behavioral interview questions . After all, the goal is to find out how you approach problem-solving, so most are going to feature scenarios, brainteasers, or something similar.

So, having a great strategy means knowing how to deal with behavioral questions. Luckily, there are a couple of tools that can help.

First, when it comes to the classic approach to behavioral interview questions, look no further than the STAR Method . With the STAR method, you learn how to turn your answers into captivating stories. This makes your responses tons more engaging, ensuring you keep the hiring manager’s attention from beginning to end.

Now, should you stop with the STAR Method? Of course not. If you want to take your answers to the next level, spend some time with the Tailoring Method , too.

With the Tailoring Method, it’s all about relevance. So, if you get a chance to choose an example that demonstrates your problem-solving skills, this is really the way to go.

We also wanted to let you know that we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview. After all, hiring managers will often ask you more generalized interview questions!

Click below to get your free PDF now:

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Top 3 Problem-Solving-Based Interview Questions

Alright, here is what you’ve been waiting for: the problem-solving questions and sample answers.

While many questions in this category are job-specific, these tend to apply to nearly any job. That means there’s a good chance you’ll come across them at some point in your career, making them a great starting point when you’re practicing for an interview.

So, let’s dive in, shall we? Here’s a look at the top three problem-solving interview questions and example responses.

1. Can you tell me about a time when you had to solve a challenging problem?

In the land of problem-solving questions, this one might be your best-case scenario. It lets you choose your own problem-solving examples to highlight, putting you in complete control.

When you choose an example, go with one that is relevant to what you’ll face in the role. The closer the match, the better the answer is in the eyes of the hiring manager.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“While working as a mobile telecom support specialist for a large organization, we had to transition our MDM service from one vendor to another within 45 days. This personally physically handling 500 devices within the agency. Devices had to be gathered from the headquarters and satellite offices, which were located all across the state, something that was challenging even without the tight deadline. I approached the situation by identifying the location assignment of all personnel within the organization, enabling me to estimate transit times for receiving the devices. Next, I timed out how many devices I could personally update in a day. Together, this allowed me to create a general timeline. After that, I coordinated with each location, both expressing the urgency of adhering to deadlines and scheduling bulk shipping options. While there were occasional bouts of resistance, I worked with location leaders to calm concerns and facilitate action. While performing all of the updates was daunting, my approach to organizing the event made it a success. Ultimately, the entire transition was finished five days before the deadline, exceeding the expectations of many.”

2. Describe a time where you made a mistake. What did you do to fix it?

While this might not look like it’s based on problem-solving on the surface, it actually is. When you make a mistake, it creates a challenge, one you have to work your way through. At a minimum, it’s an opportunity to highlight problem-solving skills, even if you don’t address the topic directly.

When you choose an example, you want to go with a situation where the end was positive. However, the issue still has to be significant, causing something negative to happen in the moment that you, ideally, overcame.

“When I first began in a supervisory role, I had trouble setting down my individual contributor hat. I tried to keep up with my past duties while also taking on the responsibilities of my new role. As a result, I began rushing and introduced an error into the code of the software my team was updating. The error led to a memory leak. We became aware of the issue when the performance was hindered, though we didn’t immediately know the cause. I dove back into the code, reviewing recent changes, and, ultimately, determined the issue was a mistake on my end. When I made that discovery, I took several steps. First, I let my team know that the error was mine and let them know its nature. Second, I worked with my team to correct the issue, resolving the memory leak. Finally, I took this as a lesson about delegation. I began assigning work to my team more effectively, a move that allowed me to excel as a manager and help them thrive as contributors. It was a crucial learning moment, one that I have valued every day since.”

3. If you identify a potential risk in a project, what steps do you take to prevent it?

Yes, this is also a problem-solving question. The difference is, with this one, it’s not about fixing an issue; it’s about stopping it from happening. Still, you use problem-solving skills along the way, so it falls in this question category.

If you can, use an example of a moment when you mitigated risk in the past. If you haven’t had that opportunity, approach it theoretically, discussing the steps you would take to prevent an issue from developing.

“If I identify a potential risk in a project, my first step is to assess the various factors that could lead to a poor outcome. Prevention requires analysis. Ensuring I fully understand what can trigger the undesired event creates the right foundation, allowing me to figure out how to reduce the likelihood of those events occurring. Once I have the right level of understanding, I come up with a mitigation plan. Exactly what this includes varies depending on the nature of the issue, though it usually involves various steps and checks designed to monitor the project as it progresses to spot paths that may make the problem more likely to happen. I find this approach effective as it combines knowledge and ongoing vigilance. That way, if the project begins to head into risky territory, I can correct its trajectory.”

17 More Problem-Solving-Based Interview Questions

In the world of problem-solving questions, some apply to a wide range of jobs, while others are more niche. For example, customer service reps and IT helpdesk professionals both encounter challenges, but not usually the same kind.

As a result, some of the questions in this list may be more relevant to certain careers than others. However, they all give you insights into what this kind of question looks like, making them worth reviewing.

Here are 17 more problem-solving interview questions you might face off against during your job search:

• How would you describe your problem-solving skills?
• Can you tell me about a time when you had to use creativity to deal with an obstacle?
• Describe a time when you discovered an unmet customer need while assisting a customer and found a way to meet it.
• If you were faced with an upset customer, how would you diffuse the situation?
• Tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex issue.
• Imagine you were overseeing a project and needed a particular item. You have two choices of vendors: one that can deliver on time but would be over budget, and one that’s under budget but would deliver one week later than you need it. How do you figure out which approach to use?
• Your manager wants to upgrade a tool you regularly use for your job and wants your recommendation. How do you formulate one?
• A supplier has said that an item you need for a project isn’t going to be delivered as scheduled, something that would cause your project to fall behind schedule. What do you do to try and keep the timeline on target?
• Can you share an example of a moment where you encountered a unique problem you and your colleagues had never seen before? How did you figure out what to do?
• Imagine you were scheduled to give a presentation with a colleague, and your colleague called in sick right before it was set to begin. What would you do?
• If you are given two urgent tasks from different members of the leadership team, both with the same tight deadline, how do you choose which to tackle first?
• Tell me about a time you and a colleague didn’t see eye-to-eye. How did you decide what to do?
• Describe your troubleshooting process.
• Tell me about a time where there was a problem that you weren’t able to solve. What happened?
• In your opening, what skills or traits make a person an exceptional problem-solver?
• When you face a problem that requires action, do you usually jump in or take a moment to carefully assess the situation?
• When you encounter a new problem you’ve never seen before, what is the first step that you take?

Putting It All Together

At this point, you should have a solid idea of how to approach problem-solving interview questions. Use the tips above to your advantage. That way, you can thrive during your next interview.

FREE : Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet!

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• What Is Your Greatest Weakness?
• What Is Your Greatest Strength?
• Tell Me About Yourself
• Why Should We Hire You?

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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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Top 20 Problem Solving Skills Interview Questions & Answers

Master your responses to Problem Solving Skills related interview questions with our example questions and answers. Boost your chances of landing the job by learning how to effectively communicate your Problem Solving Skills capabilities.

Problem-solving skills are universal currency across industries and job roles. They’re the backbone of successful projects, the driving force behind effective leadership, and the hallmark of an individual who can navigate complex challenges with poise and acumen. Whether you’re applying for an entry-level position or stepping into a senior role, your ability to identify problems, analyze their components, and devise efficient solutions will be under the microscope in any interview setting.

To help you prepare for questions that probe this critical skill set, we’ve put together a comprehensive look at some of the most common problem-solving related interview inquiries. We’ll also provide strategic approaches to these queries, offering insight on how to structure your responses and share examples that demonstrate your prowess in turning obstacles into opportunities.

Common Problem Solving Skills Interview Questions

1. describe a situation where you had to solve a problem with no obvious solution..

Having strong problem-solving skills is crucial in many job roles, particularly in positions where unexpected challenges are common. This question allows the interviewer to assess if a candidate can think outside the box, remain calm under pressure, and leverage their knowledge and resources to navigate through uncertain scenarios.

When responding, it’s important to outline a specific example that illustrates your thought process and the steps you took to address the problem. Focus on articulating the nature of the problem, the various options you considered, how you weighed the risks and benefits of each, and the outcome of your actions. It’s also beneficial to highlight any unique or innovative approaches you used, how you collaborated with others if applicable, and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “ In a situation where a critical system failed unexpectedly, I was faced with a problem that had no clear solution. The system’s failure was causing significant operational delays, and the usual troubleshooting methods were not yielding any results. I started by breaking down the problem into smaller, more manageable components to isolate the failure’s root cause. I considered various unconventional options, such as repurposing similar systems, modifying existing workflows, and even developing a temporary manual process.

After evaluating the risks and benefits of each potential solution, I decided to implement a hybrid approach. This involved a temporary manual workaround to resume operations immediately, alongside a parallel effort to adapt a similar system for a more sustainable short-term fix. This approach minimized downtime and maintained productivity while we worked on a permanent solution. The outcome was successful, as it not only resolved the immediate crisis but also led to the development of a more robust contingency plan for future system failures. This experience underscored the importance of adaptability and the value of a methodical approach to problem-solving under pressure.”

2. How do you approach defining the root cause of a complex issue?

To effectively untangle intricate issues, a methodical approach is key. Your analytical abilities and systematic methodology for identifying, dissecting, and understanding the foundational aspects of a problem are what interviewers are keen to understand.

To respond effectively, outline a step-by-step process that demonstrates your logical and structured approach. You might talk about gathering and analyzing data, using tools such as the “Five Whys” technique to drill down to the underlying cause, or how you consider the broader context to ensure you’re not overlooking external factors. Emphasize your ability to remain objective, avoid assumptions, and how you collaborate with others to gain different perspectives. Highlight past experiences where you successfully identified and addressed the root cause of a complex problem, which led to a sustainable solution.

Example: “ null”

3. What strategies do you employ when faced with multiple competing solutions?

A delicate balance of creativity, logic, and the ability to weigh options against potential outcomes is what defines decisive problem-solving. Your approach can reveal your critical thinking skills, adaptability, and prioritization techniques.

When responding, outline a structured method that you use, such as listing pros and cons, assessing risks, or consulting with key team members. It’s important to demonstrate that you can make informed decisions by evaluating the evidence and considering the broader context of the problem. Make sure to provide a real-life example that illustrates your process and the successful outcome that resulted from your chosen strategy. Highlight any tools or techniques you find particularly useful, such as decision matrices or brainstorming sessions, and explain how these help you to systematically address the issue at hand.

Example: “ When faced with multiple competing solutions, I employ a structured approach that begins with defining clear criteria based on the goals and constraints of the situation. These criteria typically include factors such as feasibility, cost, time, resources, and potential impact. I then use a decision matrix to systematically evaluate each option against these criteria, scoring them to quantify their suitability. This method allows for an objective comparison and helps to minimize bias in the decision-making process.

For instance, in a scenario where I had to choose between several technical solutions to optimize a workflow, I developed a matrix that included criteria such as integration complexity, scalability, and user adoption. After scoring each solution, it became evident that one option, despite not being the most advanced, offered the best balance between ease of implementation and potential benefits. The chosen solution was successfully implemented, leading to a 30% increase in workflow efficiency. This experience underscored the importance of a methodical approach to decision-making, ensuring that choices are made based on data-driven analysis rather than intuition alone.”

4. Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt your problem-solving approach mid-process?

Demonstrating adaptability in problem-solving shows your ability to navigate the unpredictable and often complex landscape of challenges that arise in any role. This question delves into your flexibility, resilience, and critical thinking skills, as well as your willingness to learn from the process and collaborate with others.

When responding to this question, outline a specific situation where your original approach to a problem didn’t pan out as expected. Explain the thought process behind your initial plan, the moment you realized a change was needed, and how you adjusted your strategy. Emphasize the outcome of your adaptability and what you learned from the experience, ensuring you showcase your ability to remain composed and innovative in the face of obstacles.

Example: “ Certainly. In one instance, I was tackling a complex issue where the initial data analysis suggested a straightforward solution. However, as the implementation progressed, unexpected variables surfaced that rendered our original plan ineffective. Recognizing this, I paused the execution and gathered the team for a brainstorming session to reassess the situation. It became clear that we needed a more robust data set to understand the underlying patterns causing the discrepancy.

We pivoted our approach to include a broader range of data sources and employed advanced analytical techniques, such as predictive modeling, to gain deeper insights. This shift not only resolved the immediate problem but also provided us with a more sophisticated framework for future issues. The key takeaway from this experience was the importance of agility in problem-solving and the value of iterative processes that allow for refinement as new information becomes available. This approach ultimately led to a successful resolution that was both effective and scalable.”

5. Detail a scenario where you utilized data analysis to solve a business problem.

In roles that demand strong problem-solving skills, the ability to use data analysis is crucial. You don’t just make decisions based on gut feelings or assumptions; instead, you seek out data, which can provide objective insights and guide you towards evidence-based solutions.

When responding to this question, outline a specific situation where you identified a problem that could be addressed with data. Walk through the steps you took to gather the appropriate data, how you analyzed it, and what tools or methods you used. Explain the conclusions you drew from the data and how you formulated a plan based on your analysis. Finally, discuss the outcome of implementing your solution, including any measurable results that underscored the success of your data-driven approach. It’s important to be concise, use clear examples, and quantify your impact if possible.

Example: “ In one scenario, I identified a recurring issue with inventory shortages that were impacting customer satisfaction and sales. Recognizing that a data-driven approach could uncover the root cause, I gathered historical sales, inventory levels, and supply chain data. Using statistical analysis and predictive modeling in Python, I identified patterns indicating that demand forecasting was misaligned with actual sales trends.

After refining the forecasting model to incorporate real-time sales data and market trends, I implemented a more dynamic inventory management system. This solution reduced stockouts by 25% within the first quarter, directly boosting customer satisfaction scores by 15% and increasing sales by 10%. The success of this project was a testament to the power of leveraging data analysis to resolve complex business problems efficiently.”

6. In what ways have you leveraged cross-functional team expertise in problem-solving?

Harnessing the expertise of cross-functional teams brings together varied knowledge bases and skills, leading to more innovative and comprehensive solutions. Your understanding of the value of collaborative thinking and your adeptness at harnessing the strengths of different departments are what employers look for.

When responding to this question, highlight a specific instance where you engaged with a cross-functional team to address a complex issue. Explain the role you played in facilitating communication between departments, how you integrated different viewpoints, and the outcome of the collaborative effort. Be sure to emphasize your ability to listen, synthesize information, and navigate through potential conflicts to arrive at a successful resolution.

Example: “ In tackling a particularly complex project challenge, I orchestrated a series of cross-functional workshops that brought together experts from R&D, marketing, finance, and operations. Recognizing that each department had a unique perspective, I facilitated a structured brainstorming session to harness these diverse viewpoints. By employing techniques such as ’round-robin’ and ‘worst possible idea’ to stimulate creative thinking and encourage open communication, the team was able to break down silos and share insights that might not have surfaced in a more conventional meeting setup.

The synthesis of these insights led to a multifaceted solution that balanced technical feasibility with market appeal and financial viability. I played a pivotal role in ensuring that each department’s concerns were addressed and that their expertise was reflected in the final plan. This collaborative approach not only resolved the issue at hand but also set a precedent for cross-departmental cooperation, leading to a 15% reduction in project lead time and a significant improvement in interdepartmental relations.”

7. Share an instance where you resolved a conflict that stemmed from differing problem-solving methodologies.

Navigating through conflicts arising from diverse approaches to problem-solving is a skill that highlights your interpersonal skills, adaptability, and capacity for integrating various strategies to overcome obstacles.

When responding, it is essential to outline a specific situation clearly, emphasizing the differing approaches without placing blame. Describe the steps taken to understand each perspective, find common ground, and explain the process of crafting a solution that incorporated the strengths of each methodology. Conclude with the outcome, focusing on the positive results of the collaboration and what was learned from the experience.

Example: “ In one instance, I was part of a team where conflict arose due to a clash between a traditional, waterfall approach to project management and a more agile, iterative method. One faction was focused on extensive planning and linear execution, while the other advocated for a flexible, adaptive approach that could respond to changing requirements.

To resolve this, I initiated a dialogue to dissect the core objectives of the project, allowing each side to present their rationale. By actively listening and asking probing questions, I facilitated an understanding that both methodologies aimed to enhance efficiency and deliver quality results, albeit through different paths. I then proposed a hybrid strategy that combined thorough upfront planning for known variables with the agility to adapt to unforeseen changes. This compromise leveraged the predictability of the waterfall model and the flexibility of agile practices.

The outcome was a cohesive project plan that satisfied both parties and improved team synergy. The project was completed successfully, meeting its goals on time and within budget. The experience reinforced the value of integrating diverse problem-solving techniques to create innovative solutions and taught us the importance of flexibility and open communication in conflict resolution.”

8. How do you prioritize issues when faced with several problems at once?

Knowing how to triage issues based on urgency and impact is a critical aspect of effective problem-solving. It’s important to distinguish between what needs immediate attention and what can wait, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively.

When responding, a candidate should demonstrate their analytical skills by outlining a clear and logical process for prioritization. This might include assessing the severity of each issue, considering the implications on stakeholders, evaluating the time-sensitivity, and determining the resources required to address each problem. Citing specific examples where they successfully applied such a strategy will provide concrete evidence of their problem-solving abilities.

Example: “ In prioritizing issues, I employ a systematic approach that begins with assessing the impact and urgency of each problem. I consider the potential consequences of not addressing each issue promptly, and I categorize them based on the severity of their outcomes. This is often in line with the Eisenhower Matrix, where tasks are evaluated in terms of urgency and importance.

Next, I evaluate the dependencies and interconnections between the problems, as solving one might alleviate others or, conversely, ignoring one might exacerbate another. I also take into account the resources at hand, including time, personnel, and financial constraints. This comprehensive assessment allows me to create a strategic plan of action that targets the most critical issues first, ensuring that efforts are efficiently allocated to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities for resolution. A practical application of this was when I successfully navigated a project with simultaneous deadlines, resource shortages, and stakeholder pressures by prioritizing tasks that were critical to the project’s milestones, thereby ensuring the project’s timely and successful completion.”

9. What is your process for testing and validating the effectiveness of a solution?

A systematic approach to problem-solving includes setting benchmarks, gathering data, and analyzing results to confirm a solution’s success or identify areas for improvement. This process is essential for ensuring that solutions work as intended.

When responding, outline a clear, step-by-step process that begins with understanding the problem and setting clear objectives for what a successful solution looks like. Describe how you gather data before and after implementing a solution, and how you analyze this information to evaluate success. Offer a real-world example if possible, explaining how you adjusted your approach based on the results you obtained. This demonstrates your ability to think critically and adaptively, showcasing your commitment to not just solving problems, but solving them effectively and efficiently.

Example: “ My process for testing and validating the effectiveness of a solution starts with a clear definition of the problem and the establishment of measurable objectives. I then develop a hypothesis for a potential solution and design an experiment or pilot to test this hypothesis, ensuring that the experiment is controlled and variables are accounted for. I collect baseline data to understand the current state and compare it with the data post-implementation to assess any changes.

After implementing the solution, I gather quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate its impact. This involves not only looking at the direct outcomes but also considering any unintended consequences or side effects. I use statistical analysis to determine the significance of the results, ensuring that the observed effects are due to the solution and not random variation.

For instance, in a project aimed at reducing customer service call times, I established key performance indicators, such as average handle time and customer satisfaction scores. After implementing a new call-routing system, I analyzed the data and found a reduction in handle time, but customer satisfaction had unexpectedly decreased. This prompted a secondary analysis that revealed the new system was too impersonal. I then iterated on the solution, adding a feature to personalize customer interactions, which ultimately led to improvements in both handle time and customer satisfaction. This example underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and willingness to refine solutions based on data-driven insights.”

10. Have you ever implemented a creative solution that was not initially well-received? How did you handle it?

Stepping outside the box and challenging the status quo can be met with resistance or skepticism. Your capacity to innovate under less than ideal conditions and your resilience, persuasion skills, and ability to navigate opposition are all put to the test.

When responding, articulate the situation that required a creative solution, emphasizing the challenges faced and the innovative thinking applied. Detail the steps taken to communicate the idea, gather feedback, and adapt the solution to address concerns. Highlight your commitment to the idea, your ability to listen and incorporate feedback, and the eventual outcomes, including any lessons learned or successes achieved from the implementation. This demonstrates your approach to innovation, conflict resolution, and your ability to lead through change.

Example: “ Yes, I encountered a situation where my creative solution faced initial resistance. The challenge was to streamline an outdated process that was deeply ingrained in the company’s operations. I proposed an automation strategy that would significantly reduce manual labor and error rates. Despite the clear benefits, the solution was met with skepticism due to the team’s comfort with the status quo and fear of job displacement.

To address the concerns, I initiated a series of discussions to openly communicate the vision and long-term benefits of the automation. I actively listened to the feedback and incorporated suggestions that aligned with the project goals, such as offering training for the affected employees to manage the new system. By demonstrating the value of the solution through a pilot program, showcasing improved efficiency and accuracy, the team gradually accepted the change. The successful implementation not only optimized operations but also fostered a culture more receptive to innovation. This experience reinforced the importance of empathy and engagement when driving change.”

11. Illustrate how you maintain objectivity when solving emotionally-charged problems.

Remaining impartial and avoiding letting personal feelings or biases influence the decision-making process is a sign of strong problem-solving skills. Emotional intelligence is a vital component here, as it allows you to navigate emotionally-charged situations with a clear head.

To respond effectively, showcase a methodical approach to problem-solving that includes gathering information, weighing options, considering the consequences, and consulting with relevant stakeholders if necessary. Provide a specific example where you successfully handled an emotionally-charged problem by focusing on the facts and the bigger picture, demonstrating your emotional intelligence and commitment to fairness. Emphasize your ability to stay calm, your use of strategies to mitigate emotional influences (such as taking a step back or seeking a second opinion), and your commitment to achieving the best outcome for all parties involved.

Example: “ In situations where emotions run high, I prioritize maintaining a clear, analytical mindset. For instance, when faced with a problem that stirred significant emotional response among team members, I initiated a structured problem-solving process. This began with gathering comprehensive data and insights to ensure decisions were grounded in facts rather than feelings. I then methodically evaluated the potential impact of various solutions, considering both short-term and long-term consequences for all stakeholders involved.

To ensure objectivity, I actively sought diverse perspectives, which included consulting with individuals both inside and outside the immediate team to counteract any emotional bias. By creating a decision matrix that quantified the pros and cons of each option, I was able to present a well-reasoned recommendation. This approach not only facilitated a fair resolution but also demonstrated my commitment to impartiality and rational decision-making, even when navigating the complexities of emotionally-charged situations.”

12. Tell us about a time when you had to convince stakeholders to adopt an unconventional problem-solving approach.

Thinking outside the box is often required when conventional methods fail to yield results. This question assesses whether you are not only innovative and confident in your problem-solving skills but also persuasive and adept at managing change.

When responding, it’s crucial to outline a clear scenario where you identified a unique problem that warranted an unorthodox solution. Walk the interviewer through your thought process, emphasizing how you evaluated the risks and benefits of your approach. Describe the steps you took to gain buy-in from stakeholders, such as leveraging data, aligning with overarching goals, or showcasing small wins. Conclude by sharing the impact of your solution, reinforcing how your ability to think creatively and communicate effectively led to a positive change within the organization.

Example: “ In a project where traditional strategies were failing to resolve a persistent quality control issue, I recognized that a radical shift in our approach was necessary. After a thorough analysis, I proposed the integration of a machine learning algorithm to predict and identify defects, which was unconventional within our industry at the time. Understanding the skepticism it might evoke, I conducted a small-scale pilot study, meticulously documenting the algorithm’s predictive accuracy compared to our existing methods.

To convince stakeholders, I presented a comprehensive comparison of the pilot results with our historical data, clearly demonstrating a significant reduction in defect rates and an increase in detection efficiency. I aligned my presentation with the company’s strategic objectives, highlighting potential cost savings, improved customer satisfaction, and a strengthened market position. By focusing on tangible outcomes and strategic alignment, I was able to secure the necessary support to implement the solution organization-wide.

The adoption of this innovative approach not only resolved the quality issue but also positioned us as a forward-thinking leader in our field. The success of this initiative was evident in the enhanced product quality, reduced waste, and positive feedback from clients, which ultimately contributed to an increase in market share. This experience underscored the value of embracing unconventional problem-solving techniques and the importance of effective stakeholder communication in driving organizational innovation.”

13. How do you balance speed and accuracy when resolving urgent issues?

Maintaining a delicate equilibrium between rapid response and meticulous attention to detail is a reflection of effective problem-solving skills. In high-stakes environments, the ability to act swiftly without sacrificing the quality of the work can be crucial.

When responding to this question, candidates should demonstrate their methodical approach to problem-solving. They could share a specific example where they successfully managed a time-sensitive issue, outlining the steps they took to assess the situation, prioritize actions, and ensure the accuracy of their work. It’s also beneficial to mention any tools or techniques employed to streamline the process, such as checklists or collaboration with team members, to maintain both speed and precision.

Example: “ Balancing speed and accuracy is a critical aspect of problem-solving, especially when dealing with urgent issues. My approach is to first quickly assess the scope and impact of the problem to prioritize the necessary actions. I use a triage system to determine which aspects of the issue need immediate attention and which can be addressed after the immediate threat is mitigated. This allows for a rapid response without overlooking critical details that could lead to further complications.

Once priorities are set, I employ a combination of checklists and mental models to ensure accuracy while maintaining momentum. Checklists serve as a fail-safe to prevent oversight, while mental models like the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) help me to stay focused and adapt to new information as it arises. In situations where collaboration is key, I leverage the expertise of team members, ensuring that we work in parallel to address different facets of the issue efficiently. This systematic yet flexible approach ensures that solutions are both swift and sound.”

14. What measures do you take to ensure long-term success rather than just quick fixes?

A strategic approach to problem-solving that encompasses both immediate and sustainable solutions is highly valued by employers. They look for candidates who demonstrate foresight that prioritizes long-term success and stability over temporary fixes.

When responding to this question, articulate your process for evaluating problems by considering the broader context and potential future implications. Discuss how you balance the need for immediate action with the goal of preventing recurrence. Share specific examples where you’ve successfully implemented a solution that addressed the root cause of a problem, and how you monitored its effectiveness over time. Highlight your commitment to continuous improvement and your understanding that true problem-solving is an ongoing process, not a one-time task.

Example: “ To ensure long-term success, I first conduct a thorough analysis to understand the underlying causes of a problem, rather than just addressing the symptoms. This involves gathering data, consulting with stakeholders, and examining the issue from multiple angles to identify systemic issues that could lead to recurrence. Once the root cause is identified, I develop a comprehensive solution that not only resolves the immediate problem but also strengthens the system against similar future challenges.

For instance, in a situation where a software application was experiencing repeated downtime, instead of just repeatedly patching it, I led a deep dive into the codebase and infrastructure. This revealed a scalability issue that was not immediately obvious. By redesigning a key component of the system to handle higher loads, we not only fixed the immediate crashes but also improved overall performance and reliability. To ensure the effectiveness of the solution, I implemented a monitoring system that provided real-time feedback and allowed for proactive adjustments, thus demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement and long-term resilience.”

15. How has your problem-solving technique evolved over the course of your career?

With experience, exposure to various challenges, and the acquisition of knowledge, problem-solving skills mature. Your adaptability and growth in your approach to tackling issues reveal how you learn from past experiences and refine your methods.

When responding, it’s important to give concrete examples that illustrate a progression in your problem-solving abilities. Start with an early career challenge, describe the approach taken then, and contrast it with a more recent problem and the evolved techniques used to solve it. Highlight any specific lessons learned, mentors who influenced your methods, or training that contributed to your development. This not only shows your problem-solving growth but also demonstrates self-reflection and a commitment to professional development.

Example: “ Early in my career, my problem-solving approach was primarily reactive and often relied on conventional wisdom. For instance, when faced with a challenging project, I would tackle issues as they arose, using established methods without much anticipation of potential complications. This sometimes led to inefficiencies and a piecemeal resolution of problems.

As I gained experience, I began to adopt a more proactive and systematic approach. I learned the importance of defining the problem accurately, gathering data, and analyzing it before jumping to solutions. For example, when a complex issue presented itself recently, I utilized root cause analysis to identify the underlying factors contributing to the problem. This allowed me to develop a comprehensive strategy that addressed the core of the issue rather than just its symptoms. I also started incorporating cross-disciplinary techniques, such as design thinking and agile methodologies, to foster creative solutions and adapt quickly to changing circumstances. This evolution in my problem-solving technique has resulted in more innovative and sustainable outcomes, as well as a significant reduction in the time and resources required to resolve issues.”

16. Describe an occasion where you identified a potential problem before it occurred and preemptively addressed it.

Strategic thinking and foresight are hallmarks of recognizing and mitigating potential problems before they manifest. Your ability to analyze situations, anticipate challenges, and take proactive measures is what this question aims to uncover.

When responding, outline a specific situation where you noticed warning signs or patterns that suggested a future issue. Detail the steps you took to evaluate the risk and the actions you implemented to prevent the problem. Be sure to highlight your thought process, the resources you utilized, and the outcome of your intervention. This will demonstrate not only your problem-solving skills but also your ability to act decisively and effectively under potential pressure.

Example: “ On one occasion, I recognized that a critical project was at risk due to potential supply chain disruptions. By analyzing vendor delivery patterns and global market trends, I identified a pattern of delays that could severely impact our timeline. To mitigate this risk, I proactively engaged with alternative suppliers and renegotiated terms with existing vendors to ensure priority delivery. Additionally, I implemented a real-time tracking system for supply chain management, allowing for immediate response to any logistical hiccups.

This preemptive strategy not only averted a bottleneck in our project but also strengthened our vendor relationships and improved our overall supply chain resilience. The project was completed ahead of schedule with cost savings from the more competitive supplier terms. This experience underscored the importance of vigilance and adaptability in preemptive problem-solving.”

17. When dealing with unknown variables, how do you proceed in formulating a solution?

Across all industries, problem-solving skills demonstrate an individual’s ability to adapt and find solutions in uncertain situations. Your critical thinking and analytical abilities, initiative, resourcefulness, and creativity are all assessed through this question.

When responding to this question, outline a structured approach that begins with identifying what is known and what is not. Discuss how you gather additional information, break down the problem into manageable parts, and prioritize the variables that will have the most significant impact on the solution. Mention any tools or techniques you use, such as root cause analysis or brainstorming sessions, and how you weigh potential outcomes to make informed decisions. It’s also beneficial to provide a specific example of a past situation where you successfully navigated through unknowns to resolve a problem.

Example: “ When confronted with unknown variables, my approach is to first delineate the boundaries of what is known and leverage that as a foundation. I systematically categorize the unknowns based on their potential impact and relevance to the problem at hand, prioritizing them to efficiently direct my research and analysis efforts. I employ tools such as root cause analysis to drill down into the underlying issues and utilize brainstorming sessions with stakeholders to explore diverse perspectives and solutions.

In a past situation, I was faced with a complex problem where the cause was obscured by several interacting unknown variables. By applying a combination of Pareto analysis and iterative hypothesis testing, I was able to isolate the most significant factors. This methodical approach allowed me to not only identify the root cause but also to develop a targeted solution that addressed the core of the problem rather than just its symptoms. The result was a sustainable resolution that prevented recurrence and optimized system performance.”

18. Can you recount a project where iterative problem-solving was crucial to success?

Recognizing when a problem is complex enough to require iterative techniques is a sign of effective problem-solving. This question delves into your endurance, adaptability, and analytical skills, as well as your willingness to engage in continuous improvement.

When responding, candidates should select a project that had multiple layers of complexity, requiring them to apply an iterative approach. It’s important to describe the initial problem, the steps taken to address it, and how feedback or results from each phase guided subsequent actions. Highlighting collaboration with team members and how their input shaped the evolving solution can demonstrate both teamwork and leadership skills. Remember to articulate the lessons learned and how the experience has honed your problem-solving abilities for future challenges.

Example: “ In a project aimed at optimizing a complex supply chain network, iterative problem-solving was essential due to the dynamic nature of logistics and varying market demands. The initial problem was a bottleneck in the distribution process, which led to delays and increased costs. The initial strategy involved analyzing the existing workflow and identifying key areas where efficiency could be improved. However, it quickly became apparent that the solution required a deeper, multi-stage approach.

The first iteration of the solution involved implementing a new inventory tracking system to provide real-time data on stock levels. While this improved visibility, it didn’t fully resolve the bottleneck. Feedback from this phase indicated that transportation scheduling was also a contributing factor. The second iteration focused on developing a more flexible scheduling system that could adapt to changing demands. This significantly reduced the delays, but there was still room for improvement. Further iterations involved cross-functional collaboration to refine the process, incorporating insights from the sales, procurement, and warehouse teams to align all aspects of the supply chain.

Each phase of the solution was informed by the results and feedback of the previous one, leading to a comprehensive and adaptive system that significantly improved overall efficiency. This iterative approach not only resolved the immediate issue but also provided a framework for continuous improvement in the supply chain. The experience underscored the importance of flexibility, cross-functional collaboration, and the willingness to adapt solutions based on iterative feedback, all of which have become integral to my problem-solving toolkit.”

19. What role does customer feedback play in your problem-solving strategy?

Customer feedback is critical in understanding what is working well and what needs improvement from the user’s perspective. How you value direct input from users and integrate that information into a responsive and adaptive problem-solving process is what organizations look for.

To respond effectively, candidates should articulate a structured approach that showcases active listening, critical analysis of feedback, and integration of actionable insights into problem-solving efforts. They should give examples of how they have used customer feedback to identify the root cause of a problem, generate solutions, and measure the effectiveness of those solutions post-implementation. Additionally, candidates can discuss how they maintain a feedback loop with customers to ensure continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

Example: “ Customer feedback is integral to my problem-solving strategy as it provides direct insight into the user experience and highlights areas that may not align with our intended outcomes. By actively listening to feedback, I can identify patterns and specific pain points that customers face. This information is critical for root cause analysis, allowing me to pinpoint the underlying issues rather than just addressing surface-level symptoms.

Incorporating customer feedback, I prioritize issues based on their impact and frequency, developing solutions that are both effective and efficient. Post-implementation, I leverage feedback to assess the success of the solution, ensuring it meets customer expectations and resolves the identified problems. This creates a feedback loop that fosters continuous improvement and demonstrates to customers that their input is valued and drives change, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.”

20. How do you distinguish between symptoms and underlying causes when analyzing a problem?

Differentiating between what is immediately observable and the root issues that trigger these manifestations denotes a person’s analytical prowess and capacity for critical thinking. Your methodology in dissecting issues is tested, ensuring long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.

When responding, it’s essential to articulate a structured approach: start by describing how you gather and analyze information to identify patterns or commonalities that may point to underlying causes. Provide examples from past experiences where you successfully identified the root of a problem, perhaps by using specific tools or frameworks like the “5 Whys” method. Emphasize your attention to detail and your persistence in exploring beyond the obvious, highlighting how your approach led to effective and sustainable solutions.

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Student spotlight: Zoe Weinstein explores the problem-solving power of data science

Zoe Weinstein x’25 grew up on the outskirts of Silicon Valley, but her fascination with data science and technology didn’t emerge until she arrived in Wisconsin. And her decision to come to Madison in the first place was based on a fortuitous visit to another Midwest city, during which she learned some good news.

“I happened to find out I got into UW-Madison when I was visiting Chicago, and my mom asked me, ‘do you want to go drive up and check it out?’” Weinstein recalled. “When I got here, I absolutely fell in love with it—the city, the people, the campus. I knew I wanted to be here, even without looking at specific programs very thoroughly at first.”

But once she dove into possible majors, she discovered that UW-Madison had outstanding programs in two of her academic interests: data science and sociology. She decided to double major. Now a junior, Weinstein has embraced data science as more than just a major: she is on the executive board of DotData , the data science student club at UW-Madison, and has secured data-centric internships through the summer and fall.

Discovering data science

Weinstein hadn’t taken much interest in technology prior to college, but she knew she enjoyed and excelled at math. Even so, she was (at the time) unfamiliar with the formal discipline of data science.

“When I came here and found data science, it was something I had never heard of before,” she said. The Data Science major , established in 2020 within the Department of Statistics, teaches students how to apply computational and mathematical skills to data-centric problems in a variety of fields. Now three years into her studies, Weinstein said she particularly enjoys “ the problem-solving behind working with data and coding.”

According to Weinstein, becoming adept at coding in Python has been especially rewarding and useful.

“I never felt like I was great at learning new languages like Spanish in high school, but learning Python just felt so natural to me. The code read like English in my mind, and it helped me solve real problems.” -Zoe Weinstein

Weinstein highlighted a few memorable courses and instructors that have shaped her experience at UW-Madison. She said COMP SCI 220, Data Science Programming I, helped her grasp the foundations of coding for data scientists, especially in Python. Meanwhile, LIS 440, Navigating the Data Revolution, got Weinstein “super interested in data ethics and the almost philosophical side of data, she said.”

In addition, Weinstein said, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI), COMP SCI 540, which she is taking this spring, is “absolutely one of my favorite classes.” Taught by Assistant Professor Frederic Sala , the course delves into AI-related concepts like machine learning and probabilistic reasoning with applications for data mining, natural language processing, and more.

“Fred Sala is an amazing professor,” Weinstein said. “I could not recommend his class more.”

On top of technical data- and computing-focused courses, Weinstein’s sociology major has enabled her to explore social and cultural issues through a data-centric lens. After taking SOC 120: Marriage and the Family, Weinstein said, “I was absolutely hooked.” Since then, she noted, “I’ve had the opportunity to use data science and analytical skills in my sociology classes, which has honestly been a huge advantage for me. In that way, the two majors definitely complement each other.”

DotData: a student community

After finding DotData through the Wisconsin Involvement Network, Weinstein decided to try it out. “I started going to some of the meetings and met a new friend, who was on the board. That kept me coming back, knowing there are people here that are friendly and familiar,” she said. When some of the board members announced they would be studying abroad this spring, spots opened up for new board members. She applied and won the position of secretary on the executive board, beginning her term over the winter break.

“I have learned so much about the club and about data science, and I’ve met so many of my peers who are Data Science or Computer Sciences majors,” Weinstein said. “It has been an amazing experience.”

In the secretary role, Weinstein produces the club’s newsletter, which keeps members apprised of meeting topics and other events, including their annual MadData Hackathon . “One of my favorite things about DotData is the annual hackathon,” she said. “This year we had more than 200 participants sign up and 35 projects submitted at the end of the day-long event,” which took place in February.

Participants in MadData work in groups to solve any problem they choose using real-world data. “It was very cool to see how many people are interested in data science and what kinds of ideas people were able to come up with,” Weinstein said, “We had groups of freshmen who have never coded before meeting people who are expert coders and creating the most amazing projects.” The winning project, Tech Trends , was created by students Shlok Desai and Muthu Ramnarayanan. Inspired by the challenge of navigating large amounts of technology news online, Tech Trends is a platform that uses AI-driven personalization to enable users to navigate the online technology news landscape with ease and enjoyment.

During the fall 2023 semester, Weinstein said she applied to “somewhere between 60 and 80 internships.” The first company to invite her to an in-person interview was Chicago-based CNA , one of the largest commercial property and casualty insurance companies in the country. CNA ultimately offered Weinstein a role as a Data Engineering Intern this coming summer. After that internship ends, she will transition to a role as Data Analytics Intern for the Wisconsin School of Business (WSB), where she will use her data and coding skill sets to uncover useful insights in the School’s datasets.

Looking ahead to after graduation, Weinstein is open to multiple potential paths. “I’ve always wanted to leverage my data science skills to make an impact,” she said, “whether I end up staying in industry or pursuing a career in social science research.” She is hopeful that her upcoming internships will help her discover which aspects of being a data professional she enjoys most.

Zoe Weinstein’s story illustrates how data science enables students to engage in interdisciplinary problem-solving. Through the Data Science major and the DotData club, Weinstein—along with hundreds of fellow students, faculty, and staff—is an active participant in the fast-growing UW-Madison data science community.

To learn more about the Data Science major, visit its website .

For more information about DotData, visit its website .