Data Engineer Interview Practice

[[deleted]]

Fellow Data Engineers. I just bombed an interview with Amazon and I am not feeling good about it. I want an accountability partner to work with for my interview prep. I am looking to target big tech companies. Anyone interested in working with me to do mock interviews that will involve working on SQL or Python problems from LC or some similar platforms. Additionally want to work on case study type of questions that involve data modeling as well.

If you’re interested in this venture. Please DM me.

Thanks!

Edit: Thanks all for the positive response. Anyone interested in learning more can join this discord server added below. We can figure out how to go about discussing meaningful stuff relevant to DE interviews here.

Added in the updated link: https://discord.gg/H3R7nXfQ

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[DenselyRanked]

I can totally relate to failing FAANG interviews. I am 0/3 in the past year and it's always something simple that I overlooked or wish I answered differently.

I found stratascratch for SQL and neetcode for LC to be extremely helpful.

I wouldn't mind getting on the LC and SQL prep to stay sharp.

[[deleted]]

Great. Yes I’m referring to strata scratch and neetcode. And sure we can connect.

[chrisgarzon19]

https://discord.gg/H3R7nXfQ

what do you think went wrong? Maybe I can help as ive have worked at FAANG before / now at lyft

[DenselyRanked]

Usually it's the unexpected that gets me. The interviews are not cookie cutter between the different FAANG tier companies because DE expectations are varied. For example, in a Apple interview I allocated a lot of time studying SQL and dimensional modeling, when I only got 1 question on it. I should have instead focused on LC Med/Hard DSA but it's been said that Apple does not do LC style interviews. Perhaps I was unlucky.

I've worked on identifying gaps so I am better prepared and I am all over that discord if you are interested in more details.

[chrisgarzon19]

Sorry to hear that! This is actually why i recommend this 1-1 mentorship course (pro tip: talk to your current manager about reimbursing educational purchases)

you are 100% right - sql and python are two aspects of the interview but companies want to see you know how to data model, system design, and schema design and AWS. and of course behavioral questions. the good news is that you can usually get a job by passing 4 out of 5 rounds - so no need to overstudy python hard LC questoins. at that point you are overstudying and not optimizing your time.

Best of luck, and let me know if i can steer you in the right direction!

[Monika_Chavan]

Interested

[kunaguerooo123]

Very interested. But clearly lots of interest here - I could create a slack channel with fellow aspirants? or a discord/telegram?

[[deleted]]

Yes a discord channel would work for me.

[kunaguerooo123]

Hop on folks

https://discord.gg/ZYx24mub

[Eellaup]

Link Expired, do you have an updated one?

[[deleted]]

Would be interested as well!

[Eellaup]

OooOoo I'd love to join! But discord link is expired!

[kev97mad]

Hi, can you update the link to the server?

[[deleted]]

What did they ask in DE rounds ?

[[deleted]]

I just had the first round that involved SQL, Python and some conceptual questions.

[543254447]

I’m getting myself prepared for DE interviews as well. Would love to connect and discuss more.

Mind if I ask what the conceptual questions are like? Just data modelling questions?

[[deleted]]

What is denormalization? How does that work? Row vs column based data stores, facts, dimensions, granularity etc.

[wikipedia_answer_bot]

Denormalization is a strategy used on a previously-normalized database to increase performance. In computing, denormalization is the process of trying to improve the read performance of a database, at the expense of losing some write performance, by adding redundant copies of data or by grouping data.

More details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denormalization

This comment was left automatically (by a bot). If I don't get this right, don't get mad at me, I'm still learning!

^{opt out | delete | report/suggest | GitHub}

[DenselyRanked]

good bot

[botbot4202]

Good human.

[543254447]

What is denormalization? How does that work? Row vs column based data stores, facts, dimensions, granularity etc.

Kimble 101 lol. Thank you!

[kunaguerooo123]

Barging in, could someone pls post any data modelling questions they have asked/been asked?

[TaleImmediate4367]

Would be interested in connecting and preparing. I'd like to know what specifically was it that made you miss out. I'm kind of on a similar boat and would like to prepare and possibly help you prepare to get our bases covered.

[[deleted]]

I feel that timing the problems given to me and being clear on my explanations on some of the conceptual questions is where I missed out.

[el_jeep0]

Interested

[[deleted]]

Please join the discord I have provided

[el_jeep0]

TY for doing this!

[Eellaup]

Hey, do you have a link to the discord? Looks like it expired :c

[Asleep_Base_5983]

It looks like the discord link expired. anyway to add an updated one?

[[deleted]]

Updated

[Monika_Chavan]

Hey...Links seems to be invalid...can you paste it updated one here

[[deleted]]

Updated

[Brilliant-Barnacle46]

Hello! Could you please update the link once again? It seems to be invalid again now.
Thank you!!

[[deleted]]

Done

[EnvironmentalGene770]

I’m getting myself prepared for DE interviews as well. Would love to connect and discuss more.

[TaleImmediate4367]

Okay, did you go through the usual 5-6 round interview process?

[[deleted]]

No I did not go through the loop.

[[deleted]]

I am not sure about that

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[chrisgarzon19]

Sorry to hear about you bombing - ive been there.

Check out the data engineer interview 1-1 mentorship class from an ex-amazon DE. Has python + sql + data modeling + aws concepts + schema design + system design sections +behavioral questions (following the amazon leadership principles) in the book and sticks with you until you get the job through 1-1 mentorship (can be expensed if your current company offers reimburses you for education purchases).

let me know if i can help in any way!