LearnByShortsModern Interview Lab Build my plan →
← All learning paths

Free readiness lab

The modern interview is a signal stack.

Algorithms still matter—but engineering teams also evaluate how you debug, design, communicate tradeoffs, explain past impact, and use modern tools with judgment.

Take the 3-minute diagnostic See the course map
  • Local-only answers
  • Role-aware plan
  • No signup
01Problem solvingLive coding + communication
02Engineering judgmentDebugging + code review
03ArchitectureSystems + tradeoffs
04ImpactBehavioral + project depth
Strong hire signalClear thinking under ambiguity
Important: Interview processes vary by role, level, location, and company—and they change. Use this as a skills map, then confirm the current process with your recruiter.

What teams evaluate

Prepare for the whole job.

A strong candidate does more than reach an answer. They make their reasoning observable, test assumptions, and respond well when the problem changes.

01

Live coding

Clarify the problem, choose a data structure, implement cleanly, test aloud, and improve complexity.

Algorithms · data structures · testing
02

Debugging & review

Read unfamiliar code, form hypotheses, isolate the defect, explain risk, and propose a maintainable fix.

Diagnosis · code quality · collaboration
03

System design

Move from requirements to interfaces, data models, scale, failure modes, observability, and tradeoffs.

Architecture · reliability · judgment
04

Behavioral impact

Tell evidence-rich stories about ownership, conflict, decisions, failures, learning, and measurable results.

Leadership · communication · reflection
05

Project deep-dive

Defend what you built: constraints, alternatives, your contribution, the hardest failure, and what changed afterward.

Depth · credibility · product thinking
06

AI-assisted judgment

When tools are allowed, show that you can verify output, protect data, catch subtle errors, and remain accountable.

Verification · security · responsible use

Official company signals

Different loops. Shared fundamentals.

This comparison is distilled from public company interview guidance. Follow the source links and your recruiter's instructions for the current role.

CompanyPublicly emphasized formatsPreparation focusOfficial guide
AmazonOnline assessment, technical interviews, behavioral evaluationCoding, system design where relevant, Leadership PrinciplesAmazon Jobs ↗
MetaCoding, design, behavioral conversationsProblem solving, system/product design, impact storiesMeta Careers ↗
MicrosoftTechnical problem solving and role-related discussionDesign, coding, testing, technical depth, past experienceMicrosoft Careers ↗
OpenAIRole-dependent skills assessments and structured interviewsDeep role skills, collaboration, mission and valuesOpenAI guide ↗
AnthropicLive coding for technical roles plus experience and motivation discussionsTechnical fluency, clear thinking, mission context, candidate questionsAnthropic Careers ↗

Six-module course map

Train signals, not trivia.

Use the diagnostic to choose a starting point, then move through a repeatable cycle: learn the rubric, attempt under constraints, review the evidence, and repeat.

Find my starting module
  1. 01
    Observable problem solving

    Clarification, examples, solution search, implementation, testing, and complexity.

    4 sessions
  2. 02
    Debugging unfamiliar systems

    Hypothesis trees, log reading, code review, risk assessment, and concise fixes.

    3 sessions
  3. 03
    System design from requirements

    APIs, data, scale, reliability, security, observability, and explicit tradeoffs.

    4 sessions
  4. 04
    Impact stories with evidence

    Situation, decision, action, measurable result, conflict, failure, and learning.

    2 sessions
  5. 05
    Project defense

    Architecture narrative, personal contribution, alternatives, incidents, and outcomes.

    2 sessions
  6. 06
    Responsible AI collaboration

    Tool policy, prompt intent, verification, privacy, attribution, and final accountability.

    2 sessions

Private readiness diagnostic

Where should you practice first?

Rate your current confidence. Answers stay in this browser and generate a focused two-week starting plan.

01Live codingI can clarify, implement, test, and discuss complexity while thinking aloud.
02Debugging & reviewI can diagnose unfamiliar code and explain a safe, maintainable fix.
03System designI can turn ambiguous requirements into an architecture and defend tradeoffs.
04Behavioral impactI have concise stories with specific decisions, actions, and measurable results.
05Project deep-diveI can defend my architecture, contribution, failures, and lessons in depth.
06AI-assisted judgmentI can follow tool rules, verify output, protect data, and remain accountable.
Build the full foundation

Practice the skill, then practice explaining it.

Explore all courses →