Airbnb — Machine Learning Engineer ❌ Failed
Level: Senior-Level · L5
Round: Full Journey · Type: Multiple Types · Difficulty: 6/10 · Duration: 300 min · Interviewer: Unfriendly
Topics: Algorithms, Data Structures, System Design, Behavioral Questions, Linked Lists, Communication, Problem Solving
Location: San Francisco, CA
Interview date: 2025-12-26
Got offer: False
Summary
Round 1: Phone Screen
Question: Classic Airbnb booking question, split stay. There were many similar questions available online.
Round 2: Coding
Question: LeetCode 337 (I misidentified the LeetCode problem number, but found a match based on description).
Round 3: Coding
Question: Given two linked lists (possibly with cycles), determine if the two linked lists have overlapping nodes.
Round 4: System Design
Question: Airbnb classic chat system design. High data schema requirements, with an additional requirement to optimize the top N group chats.
Round 5: Behavioral (Project Deep Dive)
Question: Deep dive into my resume projects.
Details
Preparation Tips & Key Takeaways
What I Learned
- In system design, I may have focused too much on the correctness of the design instead of focusing on communication and interaction with the interviewer.
- I should keep my project explanations concise, aiming for around 20 minutes per project.
- Complex projects are not necessarily better; the ability to abstract, simplify, and clearly explain the project in a short amount of time is more important.
Recommended Preparation
Coding Practice
- Practice classic algorithm and data structure problems.
- Focus on linked list problems.
System Design
- Study common system design patterns for chat applications.
- Review database schema design and optimization techniques.
Behavioral Questions
- Prepare to discuss projects in detail, but also be able to provide a high-level overview.
- Practice explaining complex topics clearly and concisely.
Resources I Recommend
- Review system design principles and case studies.
- Practice communication and whiteboarding skills.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don't get too focused on the details and forget to communicate effectively with the interviewer.
- Don't spend too long on one project during the resume review; be prepared to discuss multiple projects if possible.
LeetCode similar: LeetCode 337