Cracking Expedia’s SDE 2 Interview: A Comprehensive Guide

Expedia, the travel technology giant, is a coveted destination for aspiring software developers. The SDE 2 (Software Development Engineer 2) role at Expedia is a mid-level position that demands a solid grasp of data structures, algorithms, system design, and problem-solving skills. In this article, we’ll delve into the interview process, types of questions you can expect, and provide you with valuable tips to help you ace the Expedia SDE 2 interview.

The Interview Process

Expedia’s interview process for SDE 2 typically consists of five stages:

1. Online Coding Assessment: This is a 90-minute assessment conducted on HackerRank, where you’ll be asked to solve three coding problems of medium difficulty, similar to LeetCode problems. The questions may cover topics such as strings, dynamic programming, and matrices/2D arrays.

2. Technical Interview Round 1 (Coding and DS/Algo): In this round, you’ll be asked to solve two coding problems on a collaborative platform like HackerRank or CoderPad. The interviewer may ask you to implement solutions for problems like “Find the longest substring with non-repeating characters” or “Implement an LRU Cache.”

3. Technical Interview Round 2 (Coding and Problem Solving): Similar to the previous round, you’ll be given two coding problems to solve. Additionally, you may be asked SQL-related questions or general problem-solving questions.

4. Technical Interview Round 3 (System Design): This round focuses on your system design skills. You may be asked to identify and solve problems in a given system, such as a grocery delivery app. Be prepared to discuss aspects like scalability, databases, caching, multithreading, and more. You may also be given a low-level design problem where you’ll need to write code for a specific system component.

5. Hiring Manager Interview Round: This is a cultural fit round where you’ll be evaluated based on Expedia’s values and your ability to handle hypothetical situations related to work ethics and team collaboration.

Commonly Asked Questions

Based on the experiences shared by candidates, here are some commonly asked questions in Expedia’s SDE 2 interview:

Coding and Data Structures/Algorithms

• Find the longest substring with non-repeating characters
• Implement an LRU Cache
• Remove duplicates from a linked list
• Zigzag traversal of a binary tree
• Reverse a linked list
• Implement a queue using two stacks
• Implement a stack using a linked list
• Implement a binary search tree (insertion, deletion, and search operations)
• Solve problems related to strings, arrays, linked lists, trees, and graphs

System Design

• Design a grocery delivery app
• Design a URL shortener service
• Design a distributed caching system
• Design a ride-sharing app
• Design a newsfeed system
• Design a distributed key-value store

SQL

• Write a query to find the employee with the 4th highest salary
• Join multiple tables and perform aggregations
• Understand SQL concepts like indexes, normalization, and transactions

General Problem-Solving

• Explain your approach to solving a problem
• Discuss time and space complexity of your solution
• Identify edge cases and handle them in your code

Tips for Acing the Interview

1. Practice, Practice, Practice: Prepare by solving coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and GeeksforGeeks. Focus on understanding data structures and algorithms thoroughly.

2. Brush up on System Design: Study system design concepts, principles, and common design patterns. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs, scalability, and other aspects of system design.

3. Think Out Loud: During the interview, verbalize your thought process as you approach and solve the problem. This will help the interviewer understand your problem-solving approach and provide feedback if needed.

4. Ask Clarifying Questions: Don’t make assumptions about the problem statement. Ask clarifying questions to ensure you understand the requirements and constraints correctly.

5. Discuss Edge Cases: Identify and discuss edge cases for your solutions, demonstrating your attention to detail and robustness of your approach.

6. Understand Time and Space Complexity: Be prepared to analyze and discuss the time and space complexity of your solutions, and explore alternative approaches if prompted.

7. Study Expedia’s Values and Culture: Research Expedia’s values, mission, and culture to better prepare for the cultural fit round and align your responses accordingly.

8. Practice Mock Interviews: Participate in mock interviews with friends, mentors, or online platforms to gain experience and receive feedback on your performance.

Remember, the key to success in any interview is not just technical knowledge but also effective communication, problem-solving abilities, and a genuine passion for the role and the company. With thorough preparation and a positive attitude, you can increase your chances of landing the coveted SDE 2 role at Expedia.