Blog
Mar 22, 2026
Kafka vs RabbitMQ: How to know which one to use
Kafka and RabbitMQ solve different problems. One is a message broker, the other is a distributed log. Here's how to decide which one your system actually needs.
Feb 19, 2026
LinkedIn's AI-Enabled Coding Interview: How to Prepare
LinkedIn runs an AI-enabled coding round in their onsite loop using CoderPad. The problems are familiar but the follow-ups on concurrency and production-readiness are where the real evaluation happens.
Feb 19, 2026
Shopify's AI Coding Interview: How to Prepare
Shopify runs two AI coding rounds where you bring your own IDE and build from an empty repo. Here's everything we've learned from candidates about the format, the problems, and how to prepare.
Feb 16, 2026
Meta's AI-Enabled Coding Interview: How to Prepare
Meta is actively piloting a new interview type called AI-enabled coding. In this blog we breakdown everything we know about the new format so you can be better prepared.
Jan 13, 2026
How to Prepare for a Low-Level Design Interview
A step-by-step guide to mastering low-level design interviews—from principles to patterns to practice problems—by a former FAANG interviewer.
Dec 17, 2025
14 Lessons from Building Hello Interview
Real lessons from building Hello Interview with a 3-person team. Managing LLM sprawl, microservices, type-safety, and the tradeoffs that actually matter.
Nov 21, 2025
OpenAI Coding Interviews 2025: Real Questions from Real Candidates
OpenAI is one of the companies that has made a deliberate shift away from standard LeetCode-style questions. Learn what real candidates faced: practical problems, production-quality expectations, and the questions you need to prepare for.
Oct 14, 2025
How to Handle Bad Interviewers
Practical tactics for surviving ego-driven or inexperienced interviewers so you can keep the process on track.
Sep 30, 2025
What Happens After the Interview?
A former FAANG interviewer reveals what actually happens behind the scenes after your interview ends - from feedback forms to hiring committees to the final decision.
Sep 2, 2025
Team Match Survival Guide
How to navigate team match interviews and make sure you get the offer you want.
Aug 19, 2025
The 7 Must Know Patterns for System Design Interviews
Patterns are the unit of leverage in system design interviews. Learning the top 7 equip candidates with the skills to solve most system design problem.
Jul 21, 2025
SQL vs NoSQL: How to Answer This Interview Question in 2025
The classic database interview question has evolved. Learn how to navigate SQL vs NoSQL discussions with modern context, avoiding outdated talking points while demonstrating real understanding of database tradeoffs.
Jul 8, 2025
When to Use Event Driven Architecture In System Design Interviews
When to Use Event Driven Architecture In System Design Interviews and when not to.
Jun 25, 2025
How to Ramp Up Like a Pro: Your First 90 Days Matter More Than You Think
How to Ramp Up Like a Pro: Your First 90 Days Matter More Than You Think.
Jun 11, 2025
"Should I join a start up or Big Tech?"
Navigate the evolving tech landscape between AI startups and Big Tech companies. Compare compensation structures, growth opportunities, and risk factors to make an informed career choice. Learn how to evaluate offers beyond surface metrics, ask the right questions in interviews, and create a decision framework aligned with your long-term goals. Essential guidance for engineers weighing startup potential against Big Tech stability in today's market.
May 28, 2025
How Behavioral Interviews Really Work
Mastering the neglected interview type. A Guide for SWEs and Engineering Managers.
May 14, 2025
How I'd Prepare for a System Design Interview if I Were Starting From Scratch
A step-by-step guide to mastering system design interviews—from fundamentals to building patterns—by a former FAANG interviewer.
May 14, 2025
System Design Trackers from Netflix's Ad Tracking Launch
Learn from Netflix's real-world engineering challenge: building ad tracking for 270+ million global viewers. Discover four key system design lessons on starting simple, using indirection, unifying data collection, and building specialized components with common foundations.
Mar 26, 2025
Counting Events at Scale: Netflix's Counter Abstraction
Netflix's counter abstraction spans fast regional counters, eventually consistent global counters, and accurate global reads—three models to discuss in system design interviews.
Mar 5, 2025
Stop memorizing, start pattern matching
As interviewers, we can tell when you've memorized something. Trust me.
Feb 26, 2025
3 Networking Tricks to Level-Up Your System Design Interview
Show off deeper system design skills with three underused networking techniques: client-side load balancing, Server-Sent Events, and circuit breakers.
Jan 29, 2025
Over-engineering is getting you down-levelled
Learn why over-engineering in system design interviews leads to down-leveling and how to avoid this common mistake. Discover strategies for simplifying your designs, researching technology downsides, and demonstrating the depth of knowledge that senior engineers expect.
Sep 8, 2024
5 Keys to Staff-Level System Design Interviews
Keys to success in system design interviews at the staff level from a senior manager.
Sep 5, 2024
Google Interview Process: A Comprehensive Insider's Guide
An insider's perspective on Google's interview process, written by a current Google Sr. Manager and Hello Interview coach.
May 23, 2024
Understanding the Differences between Meta's SWE Product Architecture and System Design Interviews
Explore the key differences between System and Product Architecture interviews at Meta, and learn which type aligns best with your skills as a SWE candidate.
Apr 30, 2024
Meta's Product Architecture Interview: How to Prepare
Optimize your preparation for Meta's Product Architecture interview with our expert guide by Evan, co-founder of Hello Interview and former Staff Engineer at Meta.
Feb 14, 2024
Meta People Management Interviews Explained by a Former Meta Interviewer
Prepare for Meta's People Management interview, a crucial 45-minute session aimed at assessing your ability to manage and support a team effectively.
Feb 11, 2024
Tips for Meta EM Interviews
Learn key strategies for aligning with Meta's leadership philosophies, understand the unique roles of Org Leader and TLM tracks, and navigate Meta's culture effectively.
Jan 23, 2024
System Design Requirements Gathering
Mastering System Design Interviews: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them - This insightful blog post delves into the crucial first steps of system design interviews.
Nov 29, 2023
The System Design Interview: What is Expected at Each Level
Gain insights on system design interview preparation for SWE candidates at different career levels.
Nov 1, 2023
System Design Interview Fundamentals: Mastering Estimation
Enhance your system design interview skills with essential back-of-the-envelope estimation techniques.
Oct 31, 2023
Understanding Job Levels at FAANG Companies
Explore software engineer career paths at FAANG companies with this guide detailing job levels, salaries, years of experience (YoE), and advancement options.
Oct 15, 2023
Story Crafting 101: Constructing Engaging Behavioral Interview Stories
Master storytelling in FAANG interviews with insights from a former Meta interviewer.
Oct 2, 2023
SWE Interviews at Meta Explained by Former Meta Interviewer
Uncover the step-by-step process of applying for a software engineering (SWE) position at Meta with this comprehensive guide.
Sep 26, 2023
The Top 20 Companies Hiring Without LeetCode-Style Question
Discover alternative software engineer interview experiences at 20 top US-based tech companies, where the focus shifts from LeetCode-style challenges to practical coding skills.
Aug 9, 2023
The Role of Soft Skills in a Software Engineering Interview
Learn about active listening, understanding verbal and non-verbal cues, and effective communication techniques to impress your interviewer.
Jul 4, 2023
Interviewing as an Experienced SWE
Discover how to efficiently prepare in four key areas: coding, behavioral interviewing, system design, and company-specific prep.
May 8, 2023
The Art of the Example: Nailing Your FAANG Behavioral Interview
Discover the importance of tailoring responses to the specific level you're interviewing for.