IBM software engineer candidates describe an online coding assessment, a technical interview built around the resume and CS fundamentals, and a behavioral or manager conversation. Here is what they report and how to prepare.
$133K
Avg. Base Comp
$170K
Avg. Total Comp
Not reported
Typical Rounds
1 month
Process Length
Candidates who interviewed for IBM software engineering roles describe a loop that rewards solid fundamentals and clear explanations more than hard algorithm puzzles. Many start with an online assessment. Reported formats include:
Problems named include binary conversion and Roman numerals. One candidate also heard the process could include an English assessment and a group discussion.
The live technical round usually leans on the resume. Candidates report questions about the languages and frameworks they listed, including Java, Spring Boot, SQL, microservices and JavaScript's == versus ===. Others describe encapsulation, Java multithreading with synchronized versus Lock, operating systems and networking questions. Some also had small live coding tasks, such as implementing a reduce method. One candidate was asked to explain a real-time collaboration project in depth. Another was told the team wanted Next.js and unit testing experience beyond the React stack they had listed. Interviewers seemed to care whether you actually understand the tools you claim.
The last stage is typically a hiring manager, HR or behavioral conversation about past projects, teamwork, challenges and fit. One candidate also discussed salary expectations at this stage. Outcomes were mixed, with both offers and rejections reported, and the loop appeared to vary by team and role. One candidate said the process took about a month. Another said things slowed down considerably after the assessment.
Synthesized from 48 candidate reports by our editorial team.
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Featured question at Ibm
Given two sorted lists, write a function to merge them into one sorted list.
| Question | |
|---|---|
| Top 5 Turnover Risk | |
| Prime to N | |
| Largest Salary by Department | |
| Raining in Seattle | |
| Find the Missing Number | |
| P-value to a Layman | |
| The Brackets Problem | |
| New Resumes | |
| String Mapping | |
| Cyclic Detection | |
| Three Zebras | |
| Valid Anagram | |
| Flatten JSON | |
| Binary Tree Conversion | |
| Find Duplicate Numbers in a List | |
| Target Indices | |
| Hurdles In Data Projects | |
| Total Transactions | |
| Move Zeros Back | |
| Transformer Encoder Layer | |
| Equal Binary Subarrays | |
| Swap Variables | |
| Slow SQL Query | |
| Find Square Root | |
| Targeted sum | |
| String Palindromes | |
| Client Solution Pushback | |
| Stakeholder Communication | |
| Why Do You Want to Work With Us |
Synthesized from candidate reports. Individual experiences may vary.
Candidates report starting with an online assessment, often on HackerRank. Reported formats include one easy and one harder problem, two medium LeetCode-style array questions, and a one-hour test with a coding problem plus an API mini-project. Others had a 75-minute test with three string-focused problems, or an MCQ test. One candidate heard the process could also include an English assessment and group discussion.
Some candidates describe an early HR call or virtual screen. For one candidate, this call set up the interview flow. Another candidate's screen covered introductions, the team, their resume and soft skills, and a question about a disagreement with a coworker, then closed with a technical question. Whether this step appears seems to depend on the team and role.
Technical rounds focus on the stack listed on the resume, and one ran about 30 minutes. Questions mentioned include Java and OOP basics, encapsulation, synchronized versus Lock, Spring Boot, SQL, microservices, operating systems, networking, and JavaScript == versus ===. Live coding included implementing a reduce method and solving string problems. Some interviewers asked for project deep dives.
Candidates report a closing conversation with a hiring manager, HR, or both. Reported topics include past projects and challenges, how prior work relates to the role, teamwork, salary expectations and cultural fit. One candidate described a 30-minute manager round as friendly and brief. Another said the process slowed after the assessment.
