Interview Preparation Notes - Data Scientist at Expedia

Round 1 - HR Screening

1. Why do you want to work for Expedia?
2. What experience do you have in data science?
3. Give an example of a project you worked on that involved data analysis.
4. How do you stay current with advancements in the data science field?
5. Tell us about a time when you had to solve a complex problem.
6. What do you consider to be your biggest strength when working with data?
7. How comfortable are you with presenting your findings to non-technical stakeholders?
8. What kind of team environment do you thrive in?
9. What are your salary expectations?
10. Do you have any questions for us?

Round 2 - Behavioral Interview

Note: Answers to these questions should be in STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

1. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult team member.
2. Tell us about a project that did not go according to plan. What did you do to adjust?
3. Have you ever disagreed with a manager's decision? How did you handle it?
4. Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision with incomplete data.
5. Give an example of a time when you had to think creatively to solve a problem.
6. Tell us about a time when you had to work under a tight deadline.
7. Have you ever had to explain a technical concept to a non-technical person?
8. How do you handle multiple priorities and deadlines?
9. Describe a time when you had to take a risk.
10. Tell us about a project you are particularly proud of. What was your role and what was the outcome?

Round 3 - Technical Interview (Coding)

Note: These questions will test your coding skills and understanding of time and space complexity.

1. Write a function to check if a string is a palindrome.
2. Why is quicksort faster than mergesort in practice, even though their theoretical complexity is the same?
3. Given a list of integers, write a function to find the maximum product of three numbers.
4. What is the time complexity of adding an element to a heap? How about removing the minimum element?
5. Implement binary search.
6. What is the difference between a linked list and an array?
7. What is the difference between depth-first search and breadth-first search?
8. Write a function to convert a decimal number to binary.
9. What is the time complexity of inserting an element into a binary search tree?
10. Explain the difference between a stack and a queue.

Round 4 - Technical Interview (Design)

Note: These questions will test your ability to design scalable and efficient systems.

1. Design a system to store and analyze user data for a mobile app.
2. How would you design a recommendation engine for an online marketplace?
3. Design a search engine for a large database of products.
4. What are some considerations when designing a distributed system?
5. How would you design a real-time data processing system?
6. Design a system to handle a large volume of image uploads.
7. What are some strategies for optimizing database performance?
8. Design a system to handle a high-traffic web application.
9. How would you design a system to handle a large number of concurrent user requests?
10. Design a system to coordinate an autonomous fleet of delivery vehicles.

Resume Content Based Answers

Note: These answers are based on the provided resume content.

Why do you want to work for Expedia?

I am drawn to Expedia's reputation as a tech-focused company that is constantly innovating to provide excellent experiences for its customers. As someone with a strong interest in data science, I am excited about the opportunity to work with Expedia's vast data sets and to help improve the company's products and services.

What experience do you have in data science?

As a mechanical engineering student, I have taken coursework in statistics and data analysis, and I am proficient in tools like JMP and Minitab. I have also completed a certification in LabVIEW and have hands-on experience analyzing and interpreting data from medical devices during my internship at ABC Solutions. In addition, I have worked on group projects that involved data analysis, such as designing a custom hand cycle and developing a mouse-like device for quadriplegic patients.

Describe a time when you had to solve a complex problem.

During my internship at ABC Solutions, I was tasked with qualifying relocated test and packaging equipment for a medical device manufacturing facility. This involved applying measurement system analysis and creating technical reports that followed IQOQPQ guides. I encountered several complex problems during this project, such as identifying the root cause of measurement system variation and devising a plan to address it effectively. To solve these problems, I conducted thorough research, consulted with experts in the field, and broke down the problem into smaller, more manageable components. I was able to successfully complete the project on time and within budget.

What do you consider to be your biggest strength when working with data?

I believe my biggest strength is my ability to see the big picture while also paying attention to details. When working with data, it's important to be able to take a step back and look at the overall trends and patterns, but it's also critical to be meticulous and exacting when analyzing data and drawing conclusions. I excel at both of these skills, which allows me to make sound recommendations and decisions based on data analysis.

Describe a time when you had to make a tough decision with incomplete data.

During a group project in which we were developing a mouse-like device for quadriplegic patients, I had to make a tough decision about the feasibility of a particular approach we were considering. We had limited data on the range of motion of the patients we were designing for, and I was unsure if our proposed method would be practical. To make the decision, I consulted with our team and did additional research to gather more information. Ultimately, I decided that the approach we were considering was too risky and proposed an alternative solution. This decision turned out to be the right one, as it led to a successful project outcome.

Tell us about a project you are particularly proud of. What was your role and what was the outcome?

I am particularly proud of the Hand Cycle for Polio Victims project that I worked on in a team of three. Our task was to design a custom hand cycle for people with polio so that they could participate in competitive races. I was responsible for developing the team schedule, ensuring compliance with Design Control Procedures according to Code of Federal Regulations, and leading the presentation of our final product. The outcome of the project was a successful prototype that was recognized by the faculty audience as the "Best Presentation" out of 15 teams. This experience taught me valuable leadership skills and the importance of collaboration in achieving successful project outcomes.