TikTok Software Development Engineer (SDE) Intern interview questions

Starting with an online coding assessment, followed by several technical interviews on algorithms, data structures, and system design. I also discussed my projects in depth and answered behavioral questions, demonstrating problem-solving ability, scalability thinking, and communication skills in a fast-paced environment.

The interview process consists of two main parts. The first 20 minutes are dedicated to Resume-based Questions, where the interviewer asks about my past experience, key projects, and technical contributions, particularly focusing on real-world problem-solving, system optimization, and collaboration in cross-functional teams. The next 40 minutes are focused on Object-Oriented Design (OOD). In this section, I'm typically presented with a high-level design problem I’m expected to clarify requirements, identify core components, define class responsibilities, relationships (like inheritance or composition), and explain design trade-offs such as extensibility, scalability, and maintainability. Diagrams and clear abstractions are often emphasized.