Latest TikTok Interview Questions
Byte Interview FAQs
What is the daily routine of a TikTok engineer like?
The day-to-day work of a TikTok Engineer typically involves designing, developing, testing, and deploying scalable systems and applications to support TikTok's large user base and evolving functionality. This can involve back-end services, front-end interfaces, data platforms, recommendation algorithms, infrastructure, and many other aspects. They also often need to work closely with other teams (e.g. product, design, operations) to ensure smooth releases and high quality operations.
What are the core skills needed to be an engineer at TikTok?
Core skills depend on the specific orientation of the position, but in general, a solid foundation in computer science is a must, including data structures, algorithms, operating systems, and computer networks. In addition, depending on the nature of the position, the following skills may be required:
Back-end development: Java, Go, Python, C++, Distributed Systems, Database (SQL/NoSQL)
Front-end development: JavaScript (React/Vue/Angular), HTML, CSS, Mobile Development (iOS/Android)
Data Science/Machine Learning: Python, R, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Statistics, Machine Learning Algorithms
Big Data: Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, Flink
Infrastructure/SRE: Linux, Cloud (AWS/GCP/Azure), Docker, Kubernetes, Automation Ops
What is the career path for TikTok Engineers?
TikTok offers multiple career paths. Engineers can follow the technologist route and become senior engineers, chief engineers, or technical leaders, delving deeper into specific technical areas, or move into management roles such as engineering managers and technical directors. Engineers can also move into management roles as Engineering Managers, Technical Directors, etc., where they are responsible for team management and project planning, and TikTok often encourages internal promotions and cross-team learning.
Is working at TikTok stressful?
As a fast-growing global company, work at TikTok is typically fast-paced and can be relatively stressful. Engineers need to adapt to fast-paced iterations and changes, and respond positively to challenges. However, the company also typically offers competitive compensation packages and career development opportunities to balance this stress. The specific work stress experience also depends on the team and project the individual is working on.
Is there a chance of getting into TikTok as an engineer without relevant industry experience?
For fresh graduates, TikTok usually has a dedicated school recruiting program that focuses on a solid foundation in computer science, good programming skills and learning potential. For social recruiting, while relevant industry experience would be a plus, if an individual's technical strengths are outstanding and highly compatible with the job requirements, there are opportunities even without direct industry experience. The key is to demonstrate the ability to solve complex problems and learn quickly.
What kind of training and support does TikTok have for new engineers?
TikTok typically provides new engineers with a comprehensive onboarding program to help them understand the company culture, workflows, and technology stack. New hires are often assigned mentors who provide technical guidance and career development advice. Additionally, the company offers a variety of internal technology sharing, workshops, and online learning resources to encourage continuous learning and growth.
