How long are software interviews?

The length of software interviews can vary depending on the stage of the process, the company, and the role you’re applying for. Here's an overview of typical durations for each stage:

1. Initial Phone/Screening Interview

• Duration: 30 to 60 minutes.
• Purpose: Assess basic qualifications, technical skills, and cultural fit.
• What to Expect:
  • Brief technical questions or a coding challenge.
  • Discussion about your resume and experiences.
  • Questions about your interest in the company.

2. Technical Coding Interview

• Duration: 45 to 90 minutes per session.
• Purpose: Test your problem-solving, coding, and algorithmic skills.
• What to Expect:
  • Solving problems on platforms like CoderPad, HackerRank, or a shared IDE.
  • Questions focusing on data structures, algorithms, or specific programming languages.

Preparation with resources like Grokking the Coding Interview can help streamline this stage.

3. Onsite Interview (or Virtual Equivalent)

• Duration: 3 to 6 hours (including breaks).
• Purpose: Comprehensive assessment across multiple dimensions (coding, system design, behavioral).
• What to Expect:
  • Coding Rounds: 1-2 sessions, 45-60 minutes each.
  • System Design: 1 session, 60 minutes, for mid-to-senior roles.
  • Behavioral Interview: 30-60 minutes to evaluate cultural fit.
  • Lunch/Team Chat: Informal session to meet team members (non-evaluative at most companies).

For system design prep, Grokking the System Design Interview is a highly recommended resource.

4. Final Round (Decision Round)

• Duration: 30 to 90 minutes.
• Purpose: Final evaluation by senior managers or executives.
• What to Expect:
  • Discussions about the role, expectations, and alignment with company goals.
  • Opportunity for you to ask questions.

5. Mock Interviews or Practice

If you're preparing for real interviews, sessions like DesignGurus.io mock interviews typically last about 1 hour and simulate real-world scenarios.

Key Considerations

• Breaks: Onsite interviews often include breaks between sessions.
• Multiple Days: Larger companies might spread interviews over several days.
• Remote Adjustments: Virtual interviews may have shorter sessions to accommodate attention spans.

Final Thoughts

On average, a full software engineering interview process spans multiple stages over several days or weeks, with individual sessions lasting from 30 minutes to several hours. Preparing efficiently with resources like Grokking Data Structures & Algorithms and mock interviews can help you stay confident and organized throughout.