I’ve systematized the Big Tech interview process into 4 phases and a single-page scorecard

Source: Dev.to

A successful technical interview is about demonstrating an engineering mindset, not just writing code. To stand out in Big Tech, your performance must be flawless. Use this four‑phase checklist to evaluate your interview discipline and ensure you meet the high standards of top‑tier companies.

Phase 1: Clarification

Signal deliberate engineering over impulsiveness

• I restated the problem in my own words
• I asked about at least 2 edge cases (null inputs, empty sets)
• I asked about technical constraints (input size)
• I walked through a concrete example out loud

Phase 2: Strategy

Signal architectural depth and cost‑awareness

• I started with a naive solution to set a baseline
• I proposed a more efficient approach
• I stated time and space complexity (O notation)
• I discussed trade‑offs (e.g., trading space for speed)
• I asked for approval before coding

Phase 3: Coding

Signal maintainability and production‑ready habits — “Would I be happy to review this person’s Pull Request (PR) every day?”

• I used meaningful variable names
• I handled the edge cases/guards discussed in Phase I
• I kept the logic clean / modular
• I explained my code as I wrote it

Phase 4: Verification

Signal reliability and professional self‑correction

• I walked through my code with a simple test case
• I tested the logic against specific edge cases
• I discussed potential optimizations for scale

Global Execution

• I never left the interviewer in silence for more than 30 seconds
• If I needed to think, I asked first: “I need a minute to think through this logic.”
• I treated the interview as a collaboration, not an exam