Coding interview: joining the Uber Engineering team in Latin America

Written by Gisela Bobato, Brazil Tech Center Site Program Manager

Between application and offer, candidates go through several stages, among them the coding interview focused on algorithms. To help, we gathered insights and tips from the people on the other side of the process, our Engineering team.

In the coding algorithm stage, candidates go through a coding interview with an Uber engineer using CodeSignal. After choosing a programming language, candidates solve a problem using algorithms and data structures. Spoiler alert! Be ready to use Binary Search and to define BigO.

Our Brazil Tech Center recently hosted a meetup series called “Joining the Uber Engineering team in Latin America” that focused on preparation for both coding and system design + architecture interviews. 

Explore what happened during our first meetup hosted by Uber Software Engineers, Flavia Rangel, Delio Tomaz, and Felipe Shiba ->

Delio Tomaz and Felipe Shiba, part of our interviewing team in Brazil, prepared a mock interview focused on algorithms. In this simulation, Delio played the role of the interviewee, while Felipe acted as the Uber interviewer.

Flavia Rangel, one of the most experienced interviewers in the Brazil Tech Center also prepared a few tips and insights for the Engineers who might follow the hiring process at Uber.

Flavia Rangel advises: “Use the tools with wisdom and in your own favor.” That is, learn how to use CodeSignal in advance and get familiar with data structures and algorithms. Also, make sure you master your chosen language for the interview.

According to Flavia, asking is never enough. Because of that, make sure you understood the presented problem, and consider different inputs and also edge cases. “Don’t just consider only the input example in the statement and validate your solution as soon as possible,” Flavia comments.

Yes, you should share your thoughts during the whole interview and show you understood the problem. If you don’t understand it, the interviewer can help you. “Besides, share the approach you chose for the problem’s resolution before implementing the solution,” said Flavia.

Flavia’s tips are simple and clear: “execute your solution from the beginning, even if you are not finished.”

Communication skills can be applied to code too. To communicate well while writing your code “simply give meaningful names to your variables and methods, apart from organizing your solution,” details Flavia. 

“Get familiar with the concepts of space and time, and don’t forget to consider them while developing your solution,” finishes Flavia.

And of course, don’t forget that studying and practicing in advance is essential to nail your interview. Get your hands dirty, practice time management, and pair programming with someone you know.

Now that you know how the coding interview works at Uber, what about applying to one of our open roles? Learn more about our job openings ->