Upstart
San Mateo, CA • Fintech
Interview Questions
Interview Experience at Upstart
Asked at Upstart
behavioral
interview experience
system design
behavioral
Detailed account of the interview process at Upstart.
Interview Structure (Two Days):
Day One:
- Project Implementation
- Web application for surveys
- Frontend and backend development
- Tech stack: Java Spring Boot, MongoDB
- Key learning: Focus on both UI and API implementation
- Behavioral Questions
- Four STAR format questions in 30 minutes
- Design Round - Online Chess Service Requirements:
- Stateless backend for authentication and history
- Real-time competition using WebSockets
- Database design for game state
- Move validation and turn management
- Spectator system implementation
Follow-up Questions:
- Turn management
- Move validation
- Winner determination
- Spectator handling
Outcome: Process ended after first day
Key Takeaways:
- Prepare for full-stack implementation
- Focus on company's tech stack (Ruby on Rails + React)
- Balance UI and API development
- Clear communication is crucial