Apple·Software Engineer·Onsite - Multi Round·Intermediate

IntermediateRejected

Aug 2024Remote

Summary

Four rounds at Apple, reached out directly by a hiring manager after a year of silence everywhere else, and still managed to blow it. The first technical round had two estimation problems I've done a hundred times and I produced nothing. Two of the four rounds went well by my read, three rejections came back anyway.

Questions Asked (1)

Estimation / back-of-envelope problem (two were asked back to back at the end of a technical walkthrough).

Algorithms & Data StructuresProduct Analytics & Metrics

Author's notes

I have no good explanation for what happened.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Clarify the problem scope and assumptions before calculating, then break the estimation into logical components using round numbers and simple arithmetic. State your assumptions explicitly, show your work step-by-step, and sanity-check the final result against known benchmarks.

Pro tip: At Apple, interviewers value structured thinking and clear communication over precise numbers—narrate your reasoning and adjust assumptions if they seem off, showing adaptability and business acumen.

1. Clarify the Question

Ask clarifying questions to define the scope, constraints, and what exactly needs to be estimated (e.g., daily active users, storage needs). Confirm units and any given data.

2. State Assumptions

List all assumptions explicitly, using round numbers and logical reasoning. For example, assume a population size, penetration rate, or average usage per user.

3. Break Down the Problem

Decompose the estimation into smaller, manageable components. Use a tree or equation to structure the calculation, ensuring each part is independently estimable.

4. Calculate with Round Numbers

Perform the arithmetic using simplified numbers to keep mental math easy. Show each step clearly and keep track of units.

5. Sanity Check and Conclude

Validate the final estimate against known benchmarks or common sense. If it seems off, revisit assumptions and adjust. Summarize the answer concisely.

Key Points to Mention

Clarifying questions to narrow scope and avoid ambiguity
Explicit assumptions with justification (e.g., market size, user behavior)
Structured decomposition into sub-problems or a formula
Use of round numbers and mental math for simplicity
Sanity checks against real-world data or benchmarks
Clear communication of the reasoning process throughout

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.