Hey Shantanu, I have taken over 300+ interviews in product-based companies like Uber, Grab and Media.net. I have also given interviews for around 25 companies in my past. I think you can consider the following general format to get a good idea:

(Please read the last paragraph, as it really depends for which position you're applying)

Usually the interview rounds are:

Round 1 (Screening Round) - This round usually consists of giving an online coding test to make sure that you proficient in required competencies and suitable fit for the role.

Round 2 (Data Structures and Algorithms) - This round consists of questions around Data Structures and Algorithms. You can prepare these kind of questions using LeetCode platform.

Round 3 (Low Level Design) - In this round, you will be asked to design low level entities (classes, interfaces etc.) for a real-world like system. For example: Design ParkingLot. In this round, you'll have to show that you can write an extensible, bug-free, optimal code in an easy way. Basically this round grills you on your low-level designing knowledge of an application.

Round 4 (High Level System Design) - In this round, you will be asked to design the real-world systems using your knowledge. For example: Design Facebook or Design Netflix. You would need to learn various components in an architecture, various kind of databases etc. Please note that these kind of rounds require very high level of knowledge and deep-dive into a lot of technologies without which you won't be able to crack this round.

Round 5(Hiring Manager / Behavioural) - In this round, you will be having a call with your potential manager in the new company who will ask you some projects you have worked on in the past. They will probably ask you some behavioural questions as well to test if you're a good fit for the company's work culture for the position for which you're interviewing.

Now, depending upon your level of experience and the position for which you're applying, the above rounds might or might not be there for you. For example, if you're applying for SDE-1 position, you might not be asked High Level Design(HLD) rounds. But, if you're applying for SDE-3 or SDE-4 position, you might be facing multiple HLD rounds.

If you wish to know more, feel free to connect with me :)

Hi Shantanu,

Key Areas should be:

1. Data structures and algorithm: companies expect that tha candidate should be good with DS and algorithm.
2. Problem Solving: candidate should be good problem solver.
3. CS fundamentals: candidate shouls have good understanding of OS, network, DBMS concepts.
4. Projects: as a fresher, if you have contributed towards open source project or have made something from scratch that would give you an upper hand.