Senior Staff Software Engineer, Full Stack, Google Ads

Google

You are given a singly linked list. How do you traverse it in reverse order using O(1) memory? For example, given the list 1 -> 2 -> 3 -> 4 -> null, your traversal should output 4, 3, 2, 1. Explain your approach and provide a code example. Consider the constraints of not modifying the linked list structure itself. Can you adapt your approach if modifying the list structure is permitted, and what would be the trade-offs?

Google

Let's discuss Access Control Lists (ACLs). Imagine you're designing a system where you need to control access to various resources. How would you approach assigning ACLs to users and groups? Be specific. For example, consider a scenario with files, directories, and applications. How would you define permissions (read, write, execute, delete) and associate them with individual users (like 'john.doe') or groups (like 'developers' or 'administrators')? What different strategies would you evaluate for managing ACLs, and what are the tradeoffs between them in terms of security, performance, and ease of administration? For example, would you use an identity-based approach, a role-based approach, or a combination of both? Consider also how you would handle inheritance of ACLs in a hierarchical structure, such as a file system. How would you prevent privilege escalation and ensure that users only have the access they need? Finally, how would you audit ACL changes and monitor access attempts to detect potential security breaches?

Google

Can you describe a time you had to work with a difficult team member and how you handled the situation? This is a common behavioral interview question designed to assess your interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and ability to work effectively in a team environment, even when faced with challenges. When answering this question, it's crucial to provide a specific example, detailing the situation, your actions, and the resulting outcome. This allows the interviewer to understand your approach and evaluate your effectiveness. For instance, you might discuss a project where a team member consistently missed deadlines, hindering the team's progress. In your response, you should: Describe the Situation: Clearly outline the project, the team member's role, and the specific behaviors that made them difficult to work with (e.g., missed deadlines, lack of communication, negative attitude). Be objective and avoid accusatory language. Explain Your Actions: Detail the steps you took to address the situation. Did you have a one-on-one conversation with the team member? Did you involve a supervisor or mentor? Did you try to understand the reasons behind their behavior? Did you adjust your own approach to accommodate their needs? Highlight the Result: Explain the outcome of your actions. Were you able to resolve the issue? Did the team member improve their performance? What did you learn from the experience? Even if the outcome wasn't ideal, focus on the lessons learned and how you would approach a similar situation in the future. Remember, the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can be a helpful framework for structuring your answer. The interviewer wants to see that you can navigate challenging interpersonal dynamics professionally and contribute to a positive team environment.