Software Engineer Interview Experience - Sydney, New South Wales
Process
The first round technical interview was a medium LeetCode problem done live. The answer involved turning a nested loop into a looped binary search.
We then moved on to a discussion of solving certain scaling and technical performance problems at the database and web layer.
Questions
Then we moved on to a discussion of "scaling" and how to solve performance issues. The example used involved how to support and fix database hotspots or the "celebrity problem" with spotty demand.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 3 interview experiences for the TikTok Software Engineer role in Sydney, New South Wales.
Success Rate
TikTok's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in Sydney, New South Wales is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Candidates reported having very good feelings for TikTok's Software Engineer interview process in Sydney, New South Wales.
TikTok Work Experiences
- 4.0Good Balance, Looks GoodSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeSydney, New South Wales, AustraliaNovember 17, 2025Pros: Good working environment. Good work-life balance.Cons: Everything just looks good.
- 5.0Massive Scale, High PressureSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeSydney, New South Wales, AustraliaOctober 21, 2025Pros: Strong technical capabilities TikTok has industry-leading recommendation algorithms and large-scale distributed systems. Global impact The product serves users in over 150 countries, solving engineering challenges at massive scale. Great career growth opportunities With diverse business lines (content, ads, live streaming, AI, trust & safety), there is room for internal mobility and professional development.Cons: Fast-paced and high-pressure culture. The company moves quickly and expects strong ownership and execution. Frequent organizational changes. Team structures and priorities can shift based on business direction, requiring adaptability.
- 5.0Good place, relatively chill environment.Software Engineer • Current EmployeeSydney, New South Wales, AustraliaJune 12, 2025Pros: - Chill environment depending on team. - Buffet for lunch.Cons: If you're uncomfortable with not everyone speaking English, that might be bad (most people could speak English).
TikTok Interview Questions
