Databricks: interviewer not understanding the solution

Apr 14, 2020 12 Comments

I heard databricks has pretty high bar and very good engineers and decided to interview there. One of the interview questions involves designing a single node key-value store. I ended up explaining level db and implemented much of it. The feedback was that my solution was too complex and I didn't pass this round (I passed all other rounds though).

I have a strong feeling the interviewer didn't understand the solution or why it's good at all. This happens but if you are asking a pretty popular question are you supposed to at least understand the most widely used solution?

Anyway moving on and felt like I dodged a bullet

#databricks

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 12 Comments
  • Uber
    randombli

    Go to company page Uber

    randombli
    They just want the solution that writes data to a file for backup and do the compaction in the background. The interviewer is pretty junior and it’s hit or miss depend on whether your answer is aligned with what’s in his mind. No, their bar is not high, they “believe” their bar is high. Not worth it to jump from FB
    Apr 14, 2020 3
    • Google
      acturnips

      Go to company page Google

      acturnips
      Inexperienced or not, as an interviewer, you gotta make sure the interview question you pick has a scope that you can manage to make it a good experience for you and the interviewee.
      Apr 15, 2020
    • Argo AI
      moreaiu

      Go to company page Argo AI

      moreaiu
      I'm not disagreeing with you, all I'm saying is that every company is guilty of doing this.
      Apr 15, 2020
  • Had similar experience. I had all positive feedbacks from coding round.

    For system design, if you are not answer the way they are thinking then they consider that you are wrong. I do not think there is right or wrong in terms of the system design. It is more of a open ended question....

    It is a waste of time interview at databricks... It ended up taking me almost 2 months for entire interview process.
    Apr 19, 2020 0
  • Uber
    9oxjdn

    Go to company page Uber

    9oxjdn
    This is possible.
    Had similar experience.

    Read Glassdoor reviews for Databricks
    Apr 14, 2020 0
  • Cruise
    dolboeb

    Go to company page Cruise

    dolboeb
    Why was leveldb necessary for simple key value store?
    Apr 14, 2020 1
  • Argo AI
    moreaiu

    Go to company page Argo AI

    moreaiu
    Design interviews are even more random and subjective than white boarding. Could just be that interviewer, either way move on
    Apr 14, 2020 0