TikTok interview questions

Showing 151–176 of 176 results

• SQL Queries and Analysis on Bad AdvertisersMedium

  This question evaluates SQL query writing, metric definition and normalization, ranking/aggregation techniques, and analytical reasoning for identifying problematic advertisers.

  TikTokData ScientistData Manipulation (SQL/Python)Technical Screen
• Schedule Seller Tasks with Tier-Weighted Round RobinHard

  Design a task scheduler that dispenses seller tasks using tier-weighted round-robin across sellers while strictly preserving per-seller priority and FIFO order.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsOnsite
• Select max-discount product per categoryMedium

  This question evaluates proficiency in data manipulation and SQL querying—specifically use of window functions versus set-based alternatives, group-level ranking and tie-breaking, NULL-aware expressions, and numeric precision when computing discounts within the Data Manipulation (SQL/Python) domain.

  TikTokData ScientistData Manipulation (SQL/Python)Online Assessment
• Solve array and tree algorithm challengesMedium

  This question evaluates algorithmic problem-solving skills across array, heap, and tree data structures, testing competencies in duplicate handling, frequency aggregation, and balancing root-to-leaf path sums within the Coding & Algorithms domain.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsTechnical Screen
• Solve common string/DP/stack problemsMedium

  This problem tests your ability to identify and implement an efficient solution for finding the longest substring that satisfies specific constraints, requiring a sliding window approach.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsTechnical Screen
• Solve four OA algorithm problemsHard

  This problem tests your ability to optimize string manipulation using greedy approaches and Fenwick trees to count minimum adjacent swaps required to transform a string into a palindrome.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsTechnical Screen
• Solve four algorithm design tasksMedium

  This multi-part question evaluates algorithm design and data-structure competencies including wildcard string pattern matching and trade-offs between dynamic programming and greedy strategies, dynamic pair-sum maintenance under frequent updates, O(1) LRU cache design, and scheduling/ordering for time-constrained threat neutralization.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsOnline Assessment
• Solve intervals and distinct islandsMedium

  This question evaluates skills in interval manipulation and identification of distinct connected components in grids, testing competencies in data structure usage, algorithmic reasoning, and spatial pattern recognition within the Coding & Algorithms domain.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsOnsite
• Solve linked list, string filtering, and puzzleMedium

  This problem tests your ability to manipulate linked list pointers in-place, apply conditional string filtering with index tracking, and solve a greedy resource partitioning puzzle.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsTechnical Screen
• Solve message splitting and board crushingMedium

  These problems evaluate string manipulation and numeric reasoning for variable-length metadata alongside grid simulation with pattern detection and gravity effects, testing skills such as careful edge-case handling, iterative state updates, and complexity analysis.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsTechnical Screen
• Solve three algorithm tasksMedium

  This multi-part question evaluates algorithmic problem-solving across string processing (text justification), handling ambiguous state in sequence validation (parentheses with wildcards), and grid graph traversal with path reconstruction, testing competencies in formatting and spacing logic, state-tracking for correctness under uncertainty, and shortest-path search and reconstruction. It is commonly asked in Coding & Algorithms interviews to assess correctness under edge cases, ability to reason about trade-offs and invariants, and the analysis of time and space complexity, requiring both conceptual understanding and practical implementation skills.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsTechnical Screen
• Solve three string/stack/backtracking problemsHard

  This problem tests your ability to use a monotonic stack to determine visibility in a 2D line and backtracking to generate valid structural sequences.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsTechnical Screen
• Solve top-K and string rotation matchMedium

  Solve top-K and string rotation match evaluates algorithm design, data structures, correctness, complexity, edge cases, and implementation details in a realistic interview setting. A strong answer states assumptions, handles edge cases, explains trade-offs, and shows how to validate the result clearly.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerCoding & AlgorithmsTechnical Screen
• Test 15s to 60s video length changeHard

  This question evaluates a data scientist's competency in experimental design, causal inference, metric definition and instrumentation, power/MDE calculations, interference and contamination handling on multi‑sided platforms, and rollout planning.

  TikTokData ScientistAnalytics & ExperimentationOnsite
• Test Billboard Campaign Conversion Rate Exceeds 60%Easy

  Evaluates one-sample proportion testing for a billboard conversion rate with 65 conversions out of 100 users. Strong answers state one-sided hypotheses, compute the standard error and confidence interval, run the correct z test against 60%, and interpret why statistical evidence may be insufficient.

  TikTokData ScientistStatistics & MathOnsite
• TikTok Product Strategy & Case DesignHard

  Practice TikTok PM product decision-making across feature selection, prioritization, Stories strategy, and VR app store design. The solution covers strategy, user problems, RICE-style prioritization, TikTok-native ephemeral content trade-offs, MVP metrics, and immersive VR discovery, safety, and developer tooling.

  TikTokProduct ManagerProduct / Decision MakingOther
• Trace Source Code to an ExecutableEasy

  This question tests the candidate's understanding of the C/C++ compilation pipeline, focusing on how source code is transformed into a runnable binary and the role of different build artifacts.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerSoftware Engineering FundamentalsTechnical Screen
• Use DiD for staggered treatment adoptionHard

  This question evaluates proficiency in causal inference for panel data, specifically difference-in-differences with staggered adoption, heterogeneous and dynamic treatment effects, event-study design, pre-trend diagnostics, cluster-robust inference, and comparison with propensity-score matching.

  TikTokData ScientistStatistics & MathTechnical Screen
• Walk through resume and resolve conflictsMedium

  Walk through resume and resolve conflicts evaluates behavioral evidence, ownership, communication, trade-offs, and measurable outcomes in a realistic interview setting. A strong answer states assumptions, handles edge cases, explains trade-offs, and shows how to validate the result clearly.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerBehavioral & LeadershipTechnical Screen
• Walk through resume under pressure and critiqueHard

  A TikTok machine-learning-engineer onsite behavioral & leadership question: walk through four resume projects — problem and constraints, your ownership, architecture and key decisions, alternatives and trade-offs, measurable outcomes, and the hardest challenge — then defend your trade-offs under pushback, respond to blunt feedback, and adapt your communication to a different language or style. It evaluates technical ownership, systems thinking, experimental rigor, and composed, data-first communication under pressure.

  TikTokMachine Learning EngineerBehavioral & LeadershipOnsite
• When prioritize precision vs recallEasy

  This question evaluates a data scientist's competency with binary classification metrics (precision and recall), cost-sensitive decision-making, and operating-threshold selection for productized models in the Machine Learning domain.

  TikTokData ScientistMachine LearningTechnical Screen
• Write SQL for 7-day geo-localized revenue dashboardMedium

  This question evaluates SQL skills in time-zone aware local-date aggregation, idempotent event deduplication, cohorting for new versus returning users, calculation of revenue and conversion metrics, and anomaly detection via median-based drop flags.

  TikTokData ScientistData Manipulation (SQL/Python)HR Screen
• Write SQL for TikTok Live creator metricsEasy

  This question evaluates SQL data-manipulation competencies such as joins, aggregations, group-by and window functions, handling missing activity rows, date-range filtering, country partitioning, and deterministic tie-breaking for top-k metrics.

  TikTokData ScientistData Manipulation (SQL/Python)Technical Screen
• Write SQL for geo posting-frequency dropsMedium

  This question evaluates proficiency in SQL-based time-series data manipulation, including time zone–aware date normalization, window functions, aggregation, filtering and median computations within the Data Manipulation (SQL/Python) domain.

  TikTokData ScientistData Manipulation (SQL/Python)Onsite
• Write SQL for last-7-day metrics without windowsMedium

  This question evaluates proficiency in ANSI SQL data manipulation, including aggregation, de-duplication, date arithmetic, joins and subqueries, GROUP BY/HAVING usage, and cohort/retention and conversion calculations performed without window functions.

  TikTokData ScientistData Manipulation (SQL/Python)Technical Screen
• Write complex SQL for cohorts and retentionMedium

  This question evaluates advanced SQL and data-engineering competencies such as cohort and retention analysis, deduplication, timezone normalization, last-touch attribution, aggregate revenue calculations, and effective use of window functions in the Data Manipulation (SQL/Python) domain.

  TikTokSoftware EngineerData Manipulation (SQL/Python)Technical Screen