Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Samsung Electronics, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
After I passed a hackathon, I got invited along with a group of other people. The first stage ran in one day and was split into three separate interviews back-to-back. The first of those was technical, and it was basically LeetCode-style coding—one question involved linked lists and the other was a math-based problem. I felt it was fair overall.
My process started as a technical panel conversation with two engineers. The questions were asked in English, and I was allowed to answer in English as well, but the language barrier still kept pulling my attention away from the content. Even though I felt it was enjoyable in the sense that it turned into a discussion of my past work, I couldn’t fully relax because I kept second-guessing how I was phrasing things.
The interview process typically consists of multiple back-to-back segments, including HR screening, technical interviews, and personality assessments, often stretching over several hours in a single day. Candidates should be prepared for a long and structured evaluation process.
Candidates can expect a significant focus on technical skills, particularly through coding assessments that include LeetCode-style questions and core concepts in data structures and algorithms. Some interviews may require coding on paper rather than in a live coding environment.
Interviews often include behavioral questions aimed at assessing cultural fit and personal experiences, with a focus on how candidates connect their past work to the role. This part of the interview may involve discussions with managers about team dynamics and expectations.
For non-native English speakers, interviews may involve a language proficiency component, which could affect performance due to potential language barriers. Candidates should practice articulating their thoughts clearly in English to mitigate this challenge.
Some interviews prioritize discussions around candidates' previous projects and practical engineering knowledge over traditional coding problems, allowing candidates to showcase their understanding of software development and problem-solving in real-world contexts.
Candidates report a range of experiences from manageable to challenging, with some finding the process exhausting due to its length and intensity. It's important to prepare thoroughly and maintain consistency throughout the various interview segments.