Applied via LinkedIn and received the same online coding challenge that most people received. A day after completing that, I was contacted directly by a recruiter. We had a chat over the phone to schedule my technical interview and go over any questions I had. They also asked me a bit about what I was looking for in my next role.

My interview was delayed a little bit due to many people being out of office for Thanksgiving, but it ended up working out better for me anyway. It was three rounds with three separate pairs of interviewers. My recruiter was super helpful and encouraging, which I really appreciated.

Questions included:

• One algorithm type question
• One system design question
• One database design question

For non-senior positions, focus mainly on good, concise communication and your ability to quickly respond to where their questions are leading without spelling it out for you entirely. If you can do that, you will do well. Come prepared with a few thoughtful questions to ask each set of interviewers as well. Your conversations with them are important for what kind of impression you make.

A few days later, my recruiter followed up and let me know that there may or may not be a position for me in 2020 because they were narrowing in on their headcount for the year. I was fine with it and waited 2-3 weeks to hear back.

My recruiter let me know at that time that a team wanted to extend a position to me after all. I took a week or two to think about it and eventually accepted it.

Design a URL shortener service.