September 9, 2025

Software Developer Interview Experience

Have you ever wondered what kind of questions come up in a real software developer interview? You may have solved coding problems, but the actual process feels different.

As a candidate, you face multiple rounds that test coding skills, problem solving, and communication. It can be challenging when you do not know what to expect.

In this blog, you will read real interview experiences from software developer candidates. You will also find common questions and preparation tips to help you plan effectively.

Real Candidate Interview Experiences

1. Software Development Engineer II Interview at Google

This interview experience is from Venkatesh Dhongadi, who interviewed for the Software Development Engineer II (L3) role at Google. The process took several months and included multiple technical and behavioral assessments.

Candidate Background:

Experienced candidate with strong skills in data structures, algorithms, and system design.
Comfortable with frontend, backend, and infrastructure concepts.

Interview Process They Faced:

Phase 1: Screening call with recruiter about background, skills, salary expectations, and preparation.
Phase 2: Phone screen elimination round, testing graph traversal optimization.
Phase 3: Four virtual onsite rounds: three technical coding rounds and one behavioral round.
Phase 4: Team matching with a hiring manager.
Phase 5: Offer received.

Questions Asked:

Coding / Algorithms: Graph traversal optimization with O(1) space, string manipulation and state transitions, data structure design for efficient sorting and retrieval, array manipulation with range queries and binary search follow-ups.
System / Case Study: Team matching discussion about backend and frontend balance, developer tools, and problem-solving in projects.
Behavioral: Motivation to join Google, collaboration and conflict resolution, career goals, ownership, and initiative examples.

Outcome & Difficulty Level:

The candidate cleared all rounds and received an offer for SDE-2 at Google. Difficulty was high, with heavy focus on algorithms, problem-solving, and cultural fit.

2. Software Development Engineer I Interview at Amazon

This interview experience is from Shiwangi Kumari, who interviewed for the Software Development Engineer I role at Amazon. The process included an online assessment and four interview rounds.

Candidate Background:

Experienced candidate working as a software engineer at a startup. Skills included data structures and algorithms, problem-solving, and system design. Education was not specified.

Interview Process They Faced:

Application: Applied through the Amazon Careers Portal under University Talent Acquisition.
Online Assessment: Included two DSA problems, work simulation with real-world problem solving, and behavioral scenario-based questions.
Round 1: DSA round on graphs.
Round 2: DSA round on hash maps.
Round 3: System design round and project discussion.
Round 4: Mixed technical and deep-dive round with work discussion and a sliding window problem.

Questions Asked:

Coding / DSA: Graph problem (currency converter), hash map-based problem, sliding window problem.
System Design: Bookstore system to count word occurrences in specific books.
Case Study / Work Simulation: Debugging product page not loading, email handling, and leadership principle-based decisions.
Behavioral: Scenarios in OA and deep-dive questions about past projects.

Outcome & Difficulty Level:

The candidate cleared the process and received an offer to join Amazon as an SDE-1.
The difficulty was moderate to high, with strong emphasis on DSA, system design, and deep project discussions.

Common Software Developer Interview Questions

Software developer interviews usually test your ability to solve coding problems, design systems, and communicate clearly. Below is a list of commonly asked questions.

Data Structures & Algorithms

Optimize graph traversal to reduce space usage.
Solve string manipulation problems with state transitions.
Design data structures for efficient sorting and retrieval.
Implement sliding window algorithms for medium-level problems.
Work with array manipulation and range queries.

System Design

Design a bookstore system with word frequency search.
Create a scalable model deployment system.
Define classes and methods for handling large datasets.

Coding (General)

Implement graph traversal algorithms.
Manage hash map based problems efficiently.
Solve problems similar to LeetCode 347 or 777.

Case Study / Applied

Debug a product page that fails to load.
Analyze trade-offs between O(N) and O(1) space in algorithms.
Structure a project walkthrough with design and impact.

HR / Behavioural

Why do you want to work at this company?
How do you handle disagreements with senior teammates?
Describe a situation where you took ownership of a project.
Share a time when you managed dependencies across teams.

Preparation Tips for Software Developer Interviews

Consistent preparation across coding, design, and communication helps you succeed in software developer interviews.

Focus on DSA: Practice problems in arrays, graphs, strings, and dynamic programming. These form the core of most technical interviews.
Practice Coding Platforms: Use sites like PlacementPreparation, LeetCode and HackerRank. Focus on writing efficient, bug-free code under time constraints.
Strengthen System Design: Review the basics of system design. Practice explaining your design choices with clarity and trade-offs.
Revise Projects: Be ready to discuss your work in detail, including architecture, challenges, and results. Interviewers often go deep into past contributions.
Prepare Behavioral Answers: Use the STAR method to structure responses. Focus on teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Mock Interviews: Simulate interviews with peers or tools. Practicing aloud helps build confidence and improve communication.
Stay Calm and Clear: Explain your thought process step by step. Clear reasoning matters as much as reaching the right solution.

Final Words

Software developer interviews test problem-solving, coding, and design abilities. Learning from real experiences and practicing common questions helps you prepare more effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can software developer interview experiences help in preparation?

Software developer interview experiences help by showing real processes, common questions, and expectations, making preparation more practical.

2. What topics are frequently covered in software developer interviews?

Software developer interviews frequently cover data structures, algorithms, system design, coding, and behavioral problem-solving.

3. What is the usual duration of the software developer hiring process?

The usual duration of the software developer hiring process is two to six weeks, depending on the company.

4. Which software developer roles have the toughest interview rounds?

Senior software engineers and specialized backend roles usually have the toughest interview rounds.

5. How do freshers prepare for software developer interviews?

Freshers prepare by practicing DSA problems, learning system design basics, and revising projects for discussion.

6. Do software developer interviews focus more on concepts or coding?

Software developer interviews focus on both coding and concepts, testing practical application, and theoretical knowledge.

7. Do all companies follow the same process for software developer interviews?

Software developer interviews focus on both coding and concepts, testing practical application, and theoretical knowledge.

Thirumoorthy

Thirumoorthy serves as a teacher and coach. He obtained a 99 percentile on the CAT. He cleared numerous IT jobs and public sector job interviews, but he still decided to pursue a career in education. He desires to elevate the underprivileged sections of society through education