Interview
Questions

Netflix gives engineers significant freedom with the expectation of responsibility. Describe a time when you had complete ownership of a technical decision. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?

Netflix believes in building a "dream team" of exceptional performers. Tell me about a time you raised the bar for your team or helped a teammate significantly improve their performance.

Netflix values radical candor and direct feedback. Describe a situation where you gave difficult but honest feedback to a colleague. How did you deliver it, and what happened afterward?

Netflix operates on "context, not control" - leaders provide context and trust engineers to make good decisions. Tell me about a time when you made a significant technical decision without explicit approval. What context did you rely on?

Netflix encourages people to disagree openly, then commit fully once a decision is made. Describe a time when you disagreed with a technical direction but committed to it anyway. How did you handle it?

Netflix streams to over 200 million subscribers worldwide. Tell me about a time you designed or worked on a system that had to handle significant scale. What trade-offs did you consider?

Netflix values good judgment over rigid processes. Tell me about a time when you bent or broke a rule or process because you believed it was the right thing to do. What was the situation and outcome?

At Netflix, feedback flows in all directions. Describe a time you received critical feedback that was hard to hear. How did you respond, and did it change your behavior?

Netflix pays top of market because they expect exceptional impact. What is the most significant impact you have had as an engineer, and how would you measure it?

Netflix looks for engineers with deep curiosity. Tell me about a technical topic you recently dove into on your own. What sparked your interest and what did you learn?

Netflix values people who put the team first. Describe a situation where you sacrificed personal recognition or took on unglamorous work for the good of your team or project.

Netflix encourages smart risk-taking and innovation. Tell me about a time you proposed or implemented an unconventional solution. What made you confident enough to try it?

What aspects of Netflix's technical challenges (video encoding, personalization, streaming reliability, content delivery) interest you most? Why?

Netflix's culture memo emphasizes inclusion and creating space for different perspectives. Tell me about a time you actively sought out or championed a viewpoint different from your own.

Netflix managers ask themselves: "Would I fight to keep this person?" What unique strengths would make your manager fight to keep you on their team?