Facebook's Three-Track Interview

Facebook's interview process focuses on practical problem-solving abilities through real-world scenarios. Here's how they structure their technical interviews.

Interview Structure

• Three different tracks/types of interviews
• Emphasis on practical, real-world problem-solving scenarios
• Different from traditional behavioral or abstract puzzle questions

Key Interview Scenario Example

• Presents data-driven situations like:

  • "Feature usage drops off a cliff"
  • Changes affecting adjacent features
  • Unexpected traffic pattern changes

• Evaluates candidate's problem-solving approach:

  • How they analyze the situation
  • What questions they ask
  • Their step-by-step thinking process

What Makes It Effective

• Tests real job scenarios vs theoretical problems
• Not focused on:
  • Abstract riddles (like "how many toilet seats in Bay Area")
  • Canned character questions ("tell me about a time...")
• Evaluates actual problem-solving capabilities in context

Interview Success Factors

• Clear, straightforward communication
• Logical problem-solving approach
• Ability to break down complex problems
• Understanding of data analysis
• Comfort with ambiguity
• Systematic thinking process

Interviewer Perspective

• Interviewers conduct 100+ interviews over 18 months
• Look for:
  • Direct communication
  • Clear thinking process
  • Understanding of team dynamics
  • Ability to handle pressure
• Value candidates who consider team communication first in crisis situations

Note: Based on insights from Anthony Pompliano's experience as both an interviewer and interviewee at Facebook.