How a Tech Interview Is Set Up

Interview format is the structure of the rounds in a hiring process. It usually starts with a short screen and ends with a final decision.

Rounds in order

The rounds below run in order from first to last.

rounds = ["Screen", "Coding", "Planning", "Behavioral", "Decision"]
for i in range(len(rounds)):
    print(str(i + 1) + " " + rounds[i])

A sample schedule

Each round gets a block of minutes in the sample below.

schedule = [("Screen", 30), ("Coding", 45), ("Planning", 45), ("Behavioral", 30)]
for name, minutes in schedule:
    print(name + " " + str(minutes) + " minutes")

A preparation checklist

A checklist turns preparation into small finished tasks.

checks = ["Review the job description", "Prepare one project story", "Practice one small problem", "Prepare two questions"]
for item in checks:
    print("Check " + item)

Example

plan = [("Screen", 30), ("Coding", 45), ("Behavioral", 30)]
total = 0
for name, minutes in plan:
    print(name + " " + str(minutes))
    total = total + minutes
print("Total " + str(total))

Key points

Interview format lists the rounds in order.
A screening round checks basic fit and basic skills.
A coding round asks for a working solution to a small problem.
A planning round asks for a plan for a larger product.
A behavioral round asks about past work and teamwork.
Formats can vary between companies.

The program stores each round with its minutes. It prints each round and adds the minutes to a total. The final line shows the total time for the three rounds.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Python Playground

plan = [("Screen", 30), ("Coding", 45), ("Behavioral", 30)]
total = 0
for name, minutes in plan:
    print(name + " " + str(minutes))
    total = total + minutes
print("Total " + str(total))

Exercise

Which round usually comes first in a tech interview?

A short screening round A final decision meeting A behavioral round about past work A planning round for a large product