Netflix — Software Engineer ❌ Failed
Level: Senior-Level
Round: Full Journey · Type: Multiple Types · Difficulty: 6/10 · Duration: 360 min · Interviewer: Unfriendly
Topics: Data Modeling, System Design, Rate Limiting, Redis, Kafka, Behavioral Questions, Data Logging, Data Processing
Location: Los Gatos, CA
Interview date: 2025-08-15
Got offer: False
Summary
Round 1: Technical Phone Screen
Question: Topological sort problem.
Round 2: Virtual Onsite - Ads Data Modeling
Question: Ads data modeling. I felt well-prepared due to my experience, but the interviewer seemed disengaged.
Round 3: Virtual Onsite - System Design
Question: Design an ads rate limiter. I prepared using ChatGPT. I couldn't write Redis and Kafka code on the spot.
Round 4: Virtual Onsite - Coding
Question: Another topological sort problem, simpler than the phone screen. I made a few small bugs that the interviewer pointed out.
Round 5: Virtual Onsite - Manager Interview
Question: Domain and product experience. I prepared for ads-related projects, but the interviewer focused on purely behavioral questions.
Round 6: Virtual Onsite - Culture Interview
Question: Initially technical questions about data logging and processing, then behavioral questions. The interviewer seemed critical of my answers.
Details
Preparation Tips & Key Takeaways
What I Learned
- It's important to be prepared for technical questions even in culture-focused interviews.
- Interviewers may have different expectations based on their specific domain.
- Even with experience, it's essential to review fundamental concepts and practice coding.
Recommended Preparation
Coding Practice
- Practice topological sort problems.
- Be prepared to debug code quickly during interviews.
System Design
- Study rate limiting techniques for ads systems.
- Review Redis and Kafka code implementation.
Behavioral Questions
- Prepare STAR stories for various projects and experiences.
- Practice answering questions about data logging and processing.
Resources I Recommend
- Review existing data models for ads systems from companies like Meta.
- Use ChatGPT to prepare answers for common system design questions.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don't assume that a culture interview will be purely behavioral.
- Be prepared to answer technical questions outside of your specific domain.
- Avoid making assumptions about the interviewer's expectations.