TikTok Software Engineer interview questions

2 coding + 1 bg + 1 bg from another team. Coding is regular LC question. BG is kind of random chatting, guess it was why I failed. The last 1 extra BG, they said I seems to be more fit to another team, thus one more round. but failed anyway.

1. Application & Recruiter Screening You apply via TikTok/ByteDance’s career site, LinkedIn, or a referral. A recruiter contacts you for an initial phone screening (~30 mins) to discuss: Your background & experience Why you’re interested in TikTok/ByteDance Role expectations & compensation 2. Technical/Role-Specific Assessments (Varies by Role) Engineering/Data Roles: Online Coding Test (LeetCode-style questions, often on platforms like HackerRank). Focus on algorithms, data structures, and system design (for senior roles). Product/Design/Marketing Roles: Case studies, product sense interviews, or portfolio reviews. 3. Technical/Team Interviews (3-5 Rounds) Interviews are typically conducted via video call and may include: Coding Interviews (Software Engineers, Data Scientists): 2-3 rounds of live coding (medium/hard LeetCode problems). Focus on optimization, scalability, and clean code. System Design (Senior Engineers): Behavioral & Cultural Fit: Questions about teamwork, fast-paced environments, and past challenges. TikTok values "ownership, agility, and innovation." Domain-Specific Knowledge: For non-engineering roles (e.g., marketing, content strategy), expect case studies or strategy discussions. 4. Hiring Manager/Leadership Round A deeper dive into your experience and how you align with TikTok’s goals. May include cross-functional collaboration scenarios.