Software Engineer (Internship) Interview Experience - San Jose, California
March 24, 2026
Positive ExperienceNo Offer
Process
The process was OA, VO1, and VO2.
- OA: This included four easy-to-medium LeetCode problems.
- VO1: We discussed personal experience first, then an easy-to-medium LeetCode problem with a special background. The best solution is prefix sum.
- VO2: We discussed personal experience first, then a medium LeetCode problem. The best solution is backtracking.
Questions
What test cases will you use to test your solution?
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 30 interview experiences for the TikTok Software Engineer (Internship) role in San Jose, California.
Success Rate
13%
Pass Rate
TikTok's interview process for their Software Engineer (Internship) roles in San Jose, California is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive43%
Neutral57%
Negative0%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for TikTok's Software Engineer (Internship) interview process in San Jose, California.
TikTok Work Experiences
2.0
Good for new grads, but worst culture
Machine Learning Engineer • Current Employee
San Jose, California, United States
November 14, 2024
Pros: You will learn rocket-fast because you are always pushed by overloaded tasks. A fresh NG will handle several senior-level jobs under limited guidance.
Cons: 0 work-life balance. Work, work, work if you are a Chinese speaker. You will be working with people in China during the night for sure.
But for non-Chinese speakers, your life will be much better because the leadership will have 0 expectations from you. You can basically chill all day.
4.0
Good Pay, Okay Wlb
Software Development Engineer In Test (SDET) • Current Employee
San Jose, California, United States
April 8, 2024
Pros: The pay is good, and the people there are all Chinese.
Cons: The WLB is not so good; I prefer more flexible time.
2.0
Toxic environment, bad work-life balance
Frontend Engineer • Former Employee
San Jose, California, United States
November 12, 2024
Pros: - Fast pace, can learn new things
- Have some good colleagues
Cons: - Bad work-life balance.
- Lots of evening calls and meetings.
- Toxic environment.
- No job security.
- 2.0Good for new grads, but worst cultureMachine Learning Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Jose, California, United StatesNovember 14, 2024Pros: You will learn rocket-fast because you are always pushed by overloaded tasks. A fresh NG will handle several senior-level jobs under limited guidance.Cons: 0 work-life balance. Work, work, work if you are a Chinese speaker. You will be working with people in China during the night for sure. But for non-Chinese speakers, your life will be much better because the leadership will have 0 expectations from you. You can basically chill all day.
- 4.0Good Pay, Okay WlbSoftware Development Engineer In Test (SDET) • Current EmployeeSan Jose, California, United StatesApril 8, 2024Pros: The pay is good, and the people there are all Chinese.Cons: The WLB is not so good; I prefer more flexible time.
- 2.0Toxic environment, bad work-life balanceFrontend Engineer • Former EmployeeSan Jose, California, United StatesNovember 12, 2024Pros: - Fast pace, can learn new things - Have some good colleaguesCons: - Bad work-life balance. - Lots of evening calls and meetings. - Toxic environment. - No job security.
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