Software Engineer · Phone Screen · Coding

Netflix — Software Engineer ❌ Failed

Level: Mid-Level · L4

Round: Phone Screen · Type: Coding · Difficulty: 6/10 · Duration: 60 min · Interviewer: Unfriendly

Topics: Data Structures, Algorithms

Location: Los Gatos, CA

Interview date: 2026-01-09

Got offer: False

Summary

I had a technical phone screen where I was asked to implement a music playlist with add, remove, and shuffle functionalities. I was required to write bug-free code and run tests live. Despite completing the task, I was rejected.

Details

The coding question involved implementing a music playlist with the following features:

• Add songs
• Remove songs
• Shuffle songs

I needed to ensure the code was bug-free and to demonstrate its functionality with live tests.

My approach:

1. I started by outlining the basic data structures I would need, such as using a list or array to store the songs.
2. Then, I implemented the add, remove, and shuffle functions, ensuring to handle edge cases.
3. I focused on writing clear and efficient code, keeping in mind the need for live testing.

Key insights:

• Testing the code live under pressure is crucial. Make sure to practice with live coding environments.
• Handling edge cases and ensuring bug-free code is essential for passing the interview.