Coursera Interview Questions: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Coursera Interview Process

Coursera, a pioneering online learning platform, offers accessible education from top institutions worldwide, significantly impacting the ed-tech industry. For software engineers applying, it's beneficial to familiarize yourself with Coursera's technologies like their use of cloud services and machine learning to personalize learning experiences. Demonstrating knowledge in these areas can help you stand out during the application process.

Coursera's interview process for software engineers starts with resume screening, followed by one or more online assessments (OA) focusing on coding and problem-solving skills. This step is crucial as it weeds out candidates who may not meet the technical requirements of the position.

Candidates who pass the OA are invited for typically two to three phone screen interviews, which delve deeper into coding expertise and system design questions. The process culminates with an onsite interview consisting of multiple rounds, including technical evaluations and behavioral discussions, known for being quite challenging. The overall difficulty level is considered to be on par with other major tech companies.

Initial Screen

Coursera’s initial screening involves meticulous resume scrutiny, primarily focusing on your tech skills and relevant project experience. The company specifically looks for candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to educational technology.

Following the resume review, selected candidates are often required to undertake an online assessment (OA). This typically includes problem-solving tasks relevant to software development, testing fundamental competencies in coding and logic.

Phone Screen

Coursera typically includes a phone screen as part of its software engineering interview process. This initial call mainly focuses on background experience, technical skills, and cultural fit. It’s a crucial step to move forward in the hiring process.

Candidates might encounter just one phone screen, but it's comprehensive. Expect questions that assess both technical acumen and problem-solving capabilities, as well as a discussion about past projects and roles.

Onsite Rounds

At Coursera, onsite rounds are a crucial component of the interview process for software engineers. Typically, candidates go through three to four interviews focusing on coding, system design, and behavioral skills. Each session is meticulously structured to assess both technical abilities and cultural fit.

These interviews are usually conducted back-to-back and can last an entire day. While coding tests assess problem-solving skills, system design questions evaluate your ability to architect scalable systems. The behavioral interview aims to understand your teamwork and communication skills. Prepare to discuss your past experiences and how they align with Coursera’s values.

Final Rounds, Negotiation, Offer

After completing the interview rounds at Courserendo, candidates may undergo a final meeting with senior executives. This stage often involves team matching and negotiating the terms of the job offer.

Coursera Technical Interview Questions and Patterns

The coding interview at Coursera requires candidates to study a standard range and distribution of coding patterns that include significant topics such as Basic Data Structures and Algorithms, Two Pointers, Depth-First Search (DFS) and Breadth-First Search (BFS). Start learning today with AlgoMonster's page on getting started, and also about other company patterns.

Sample Classical Behavioral Questions and Answers

Describe a time when you had to use your programming skills to solve a problem quickly.

• Highlight your ability to code under pressure. Discuss the problem, your approach, the technologies you used, and the outcome. Emphasize how your solution was both efficient and effective, aligning with best practices in software development.

Tell me about a project where you had to learn a new technology to deliver on your objectives.

• Show your willingness and ability to learn quickly. Explain why learning the new technology was necessary, how you went about it, and how this knowledge contributed to the success of the project.

Can you provide an example of a time when you had conflict in your development team? How did you handle it?

• Focus on your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve disagreements. Detail the nature of the conflict, how you intervened or participated in the resolution, and what the outcomes were, particularly in terms of team cohesion and project progression.

Explain a situation where you improved the performance of a software application.

• Describe the specific performance issues, the analysis and optimization techniques you employed, and the results achieved. Emphasizing the impact of these improvements on the overall project or business can make your answer stronger.

How have you ensured the quality of your code in past projects?

• Discuss your use of testing frameworks, peer code reviews, and perhaps continuous integration systems. Mention any practices you adhere to like TDD (Test-Driven Development) or BDD (Behavior-Driven Development) to underline your commitment to high-quality software development.

Sample Teamwork Behavioral Questions and Answers

Describe a time when you had to collaborate with a team to solve a complex problem.

• Focus on a specific example where collaboration directly impacted solution quality. Highlight your communication skills, your role in the team, and the outcome. Mention any innovative or efficient methods used in collaboration.

Explain a situation where you disagreed with a team member on a project. How did you handle it?

• Emphasize diplomacy and the ability to constructively navigate conflict. Discuss how you listened, negotiated, and ultimately how the disagreement was resolved to enhance the project's outcome.

Can you discuss a project you worked on that did not meet its initial goals? What role did teamwork play in addressing the issues?

• Reflect on a specific project where the initial targets were missed. Describe how the team regrouped, the role you played in the recovery process, and the lessons learned from the experience.

Recall a time when you helped a team member who was struggling.

• Illustrate your ability to be empathetic and supportive in a team setting. Showcase how your intervention helped improve the team member's performance or morale, also highlighting the benefit to the overall project.

Coursera is committed to transforming lives through learning. Tell us about a time when you were part of a team that had to implement a project that would significantly impact users.

• Discuss a project where the stakes were high and the impact on users was significant. Explain your team’s approach, your specific contributions, and the outcomes, particularly how it improved user experience or satisfaction.

Sample Role Specifc Behavioral Questions and Answers

Tell me about a time when you had to learn a new programming language or technology to complete a project. How did you ensure your success?

• Focus on highlighting your ability to adapt and learn quickly. Detail the resources used, such as online courses or books, and discuss how you measured your understanding and success in the project.

Describe a challenging problem you solved at your last job. What was the problem, and what was your solution?

• Emphasize your problem-solving skills by explaining the problem clearly and detailing the steps you took to develop the solution. Mention any specific technologies or methodologies you applied.

Can you describe a project where you had to collaborate with multiple teams? How did you handle the coordination and communication?

• Illustrate your communication and collaborative skills. Discuss how you ensured clear, ongoing communication, the tools or methods used for coordination, and any challenges faced during the collaboration.

How would you approach debugging a system that is underperforming, where the issues are not immediately obvious?

• Demonstrate your analytical and systematic approach to problem-solving. Talk about how you would isolate the problem, the tools and techniques you would use to diagnose the issues, and how you prioritize fixes.

Coursera values innovation to enhance learning experiences. Can you discuss a situation where you innovated to improve a product or process?

• Discuss your creativity and innovation, giving an example where you identified a problem or opportunity for improvement and the unique solution you implemented. Highlight the impact of your innovation on the project or the organization.