Snap

Snap Software Engineer (SWE) Interview Guide

Snap's interview loop is heavily technical, but you'll be asked behavioral questions throughout. 

Technical questions at Snap fall into 2 categories: coding and systems design. As we've mentioned, coding standards at Snap are quite high, so in addition to writing accurate, fast, bug-free code, you should showcase strong problem-solving skills and flexibility.

You'll want to study fundamentals like:
- **[Data Structures](https://www.tryexponent.com/courses/software-engineering/data-structures)**: Arrays, stacks and queues, linked lists, hash tables, etc. 
- **[Algorithms](https://www.tryexponent.com/courses/software-engineering/data-structures)**: BFS/DFS, searching and sorting algorithms, etc.

We recommend practicing at a Leetcode medium-hard level in a [simulated interview environment](https://www.tryexponent.com/practice) to make the most of your prep time. Many interviewees reported being asked infamously difficult **dynamic programming** questions, so be sure to study up! 

Interviewees reported technical questions having to do with:
- Recursive algorithms 
- Building a basic calculator
- 2D arrays
- Hash tables

Check out Exponent's [SWE interview question bank](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?page=1&role=swe) for more examples.

Recursion

Find Largest Smaller BST Key

Dynamic Programming

Technical: Coding

Systems design questions are more open-ended than coding questions and are designed to test your thought process as well as your knowledge of high-level technical concepts. If you can strike the right balance between structured thinking and creativity, your chances of acing these questions is good.

Some general example questions involve architecting a video distribution system or designing a mobile image search client, but Snap may ask you to work on a Snap product. For example, you may be asked to design a photo sharing service. Alternatively, your interviewers may choose to give you a problem from your domain - for example, if you worked on a payment system, they may ask you to design one.

The best way to prepare for system design interviews is to:
- [Review the fundamentals](https://www.tryexponent.com/courses/system-design-interview) including web protocols, API design, replication strategies, etc.
- Watch a few system design mock interviews such as ["Design TikTok."](https://www.tryexponent.com/courses/system-design-interview/system-design/design-tiktok)
- Try a few self-guided practice problems, like this one on [designing a web crawler](https://www.tryexponent.com/courses/system-design-interview/system-design/web-crawler). 
- When you're ready, [sign up](https://www.tryexponent.com/practice) for a peer-to-peer system design mock. 

Design TikTok

Design Netflix

Design Instagram

The System Design Interview

Technical: System Design

Snap's culture and values are important to the company, so you'll be asked behavioral questions throughout, as well as undergo a lunch "interview" with a cross-functional team member. Behavioral questions vary, but expect to be asked about: 
- Your background: Any experience listed on your resume is fair game. 
- Your impact: Specific examples and the resulting impact of previous work.
- Your ability to self-reflect and learn: What did you learn from past experiences? Successes? Failures? 
- Your motivations: Why engineering? Why Snap? 

To prepare, we recommend creating a story bank of stories and experiences that would be relevant to your Snap interview, based on their [company values](https://careers.snap.com/) which include: 
- **We Are Kind**: We operate with courage, show empathy, and instill trust through honesty and integrity.
- **We Are Smart**: We solve problems through action, make high-quality decisions, and think with a strategic mindset.
- **We Are Creative**: We gracefully manage ambiguity, cultivate innovation, and demonstrate an insatiable desire to learn.


You may also want to review Snap's *engineering* values [here](https://eng.snap.com/values): 
- **Customer Focus**: We do what is right for our customer, Snap, and our team, respectively. Positive and successful teams commit to the mission and to each other. Instead of serving themselves, they serve one another.
- **Execution**: We focus on the key inputs and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. We never settle. Ideas are easy, execution is everything.
- **Craftsmanship**: The care we put into our work is what delights our customers and makes them love Snap. Fast and good are not mutually exclusive. We are curious and always seek to learn and improve our skills.
- **Creativity**: Software engineering is a creative process. While our key metrics are vital in how we manage our business, sometimes the right solution can't be achieved just by optimizing metrics. We take risks and don't let setbacks derail our pursuit of innovation. We learn from our customers, iterate early and often and learn from our mistakes.
- **Accountability**: We understand how our work impacts others and we own our mistakes. We write code with the future reader and maintainer in mind and realize a project is not finished when shipped; 80% of execution happens post-launch.
- **Empathy**: We assume the most favorable interpretation and give the benefit of doubt, listening and seeking to understand why people have the positions they do in order to come to the best conclusions. When we disagree, we are respectful and humble towards each other. We create a safe and inclusive workplace and embrace different thoughts, people and backgrounds which allows each of us to be uniquely ourselves. Diversity makes us better.
- **Integrity**: We are consistent between our words and actions, regardless of the situation or audience. We are not afraid to speak up or disagree. Once the decision is made, we commit to its success fully even if the decision wasn't what we wanted.
- **Audacity**: Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. We create bold objectives that inspire results.

When answering questions, we always recommend using the [STAR format](https://www.tryexponent.com/courses/software-engineering/swe-behavioral/swe-star-framework) to avoid rambling. Of course, the best way to prepare is to [practice behavioral interview questions](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?page=1&type=behavioral).

Handling Failure

Creating Your Story Bank

Prioritizing Engineering Projects

Behavioral

# Tips and Strategies

The PM interview at Snap will test your ability to have product intuition, work with designers and data scientists, and be an excellent communicator. While the interviews will not be as technical as some other PM interviews, it can help to brush up on your mobile development and design knowledge.

If you are not already a Snapchat user, download the app and play around with it. Understand why the first screen you see is the camera. How many other screens do you see when you swipe left and right? How about up and down? While being a user of the app is not a requisite to be a PM at Snap, it can certainly help you understand some of the product decisions that went into the app.

If you have time, a good overview of the Snapchat story can be found in [Billy Gallagher's book "How to Turn Down a Billion Dollars".](https://amzn.to/31X0ZXR) This book paints a picture of what Snapchat is, how it is different from other social platforms, and how it evolved to become the app it is today.

Tips and Strategies

Snap PM (Product Manager) Interview Guide

With [behavioral questions](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?role=pm&type=behavioral), it is important to show that you will work well with everyone: product managers, engineers, designers, sales, and legal. Focus on communicating well: enunciate, speak slowly, and speak with meaning.

Prepare a good talk through of your resume. Have a “60 seconds to wow” pitch and be prepared to provide clear and in-depth explanations of each of your experiences that you’d want to highlight. These experiences can include previous work experience, side projects, classes, or even hobbies. Think about not only what you’ve achieved, but also what you learned, the challenges you faced, and the strategies you used to succeed. 

Prepare real anecdotes so you can use specific examples. Your interviewer already has your resume so those anecdotes will add a more human touch to your application, making you more memorable. Think about anecdotes that show off how you were customer-obsessed, dealt with ambiguity, and had a growth mindset in approaching the task at hand.

Why do you want to work here? Why this role and team? Think carefully about why you are applying for this role, and why this team specifically. It helps to know as much about the role and team that you’re applying for. Try to watch tech talks or conference keynote speeches from the team online. It will also leave a good impression if you have previously used a feature of the team and can speak to it. At that point, the interviewer will likely probe you for feedback on the product. Use this opportunity to show how you would converse and work with your interviewer as if you are already a member of the team.


Deliver Results: Tell me about your proudest project

Behavioral Interviews: Creating Your Story Bank

Tell me about a time you had a conflict with someone. How did you resolve it?

How to Pause

[Product design](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?role=pm&type=product-design) questions test your ability to design a new product or improve an existing one. Be user-focused. The key is to ensure you're organized with your thoughts and have a clear goal in mind that will solve the user's problem(s).

One of the best frameworks is to [go "broad then deep"](/courses/pm/broad-then-deep). First, "go broad" by listing all the ideas and solutions that come to mind. Then, pick one to "go deep" on and explain why that is the solution you chose.

Another approach we see candidates have success with is [The Triangle Method](/courses/pm/the-triangle-method). This framework will help you articulate your thoughts and help nail your points into the interviewer's mind. To accomplish this, first list three points. Then, dive into each point. Finally, summarize your three points at the end. This will help you articulate your points and subpoints.

Be sure to demonstrate competency in defining metrics as well as understanding what to do when metrics change. Be methodical and show that you make data-driven decisions.


PM Product Mock Video: Design Smart Shoe

Favorite Product: Google Home Hub

How to Answer the Product Design Question

Product Design

[Strategy questions](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?role=pm&type=product-strategy) assess your ability to reason about competitive landscapes and high-level product direction decisions. The key to success in these interviews is starting at a high-level with the goals of the product, and then drilling deeper into actions and metrics. 

With regards to metrics, we recommend employing the GAME framework, [as demonstrated in this PM lesson](/courses/pm/youtube-metrics).

Be methodical and show that you make data-driven decisions.


How to Answer Product Strategy Questions

Flip Phones

Facebook Dating Platform Launch Decision

Mock Product Manager Interview (Google PM): Uber Rides / Uber Eats Strategy

Strategy

With [analytical or data questions](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?role=pm&type=analytical), you will be presented with a situation and asked to provide some analysis. Here, the interviewer wants to see how you reason with metrics and how you can think critically about user feedback and bugs.

Be prepared to face pushback on any assumptions you make. Don't immediately start answering. Have a structure. Successful candidates consider all variables and scenarios before diving into the nitty-gritty details.


Uber ETA

Mock Execution Interview Simulator

Pick YouTube's Key Metrics

Facebook Marketplaces Goals

Analytical (Data)

With [technical questions](https://www.tryexponent.com/questions?role=pm&type=technical), you do not need to know how to complete Leetcode-style coding questions. However, you should understand broad principles of software engineering. Snap's main product, Snapchat, is a mobile application on iOS and Android. It is important to understand the nuances of mobile development and any considerations when designing and building for smaller screen sizes. 

Also, be familiar with high-level system design and tradeoffs for the popular data structures and algorithms (including time and space complexity). Solutions should be scalable, reliable, and efficient. Always consider reality and the laws of physics.


Design a URL Shortener

How are Chromecasts Implemented?

How Does Google Docs Work?

Technical

Amazon

Apple

Facebook (Meta)

Rakuten

Tell me about a situation where you had to solve a difficult problem.

How would you use data to help Snap engineering measure, evaluate and improve phone camera speed?

How would you measure the success of Snap Map? 

Given a list of integers, return a 1 if the number is a power of 2 and a 0 if the number isn't a power of 2. 

How do you think TikTok should monetize?

How would you improve the Spotlight at Snapchat?

How many windows are there in Tehran?

What should America do about TikTok?

How would Snapchat expand into Indonesia?

Given a list of conversion items between different symbols, write an algorithm that returns the conversion ratio value for each pair of symbols.

Snap

Interview Guides

Software Engineer

Product Manager

Need a Snap job referral?

Interview Questions

Tell me about a situation where you had to solve a difficult problem.

How would you use data to help Snap engineering measure, evaluate and improve phone camera speed?

How would you measure the success of Snap Map?