Visa · Primly Community

Visa new grad and entry level SWE interview: how to prep and what the process looks like

bootcamp_bri · 5 replies

I went through the Visa new grad interview process last fall, straight out of a bootcamp (I know, not the typical profile). I want to write up everything because when I was searching, the info for new grads specifically was sparse.

First, Visa does hire new grads and early-career engineers, especially for their Technology Leadership Program (TLP). The TLP is a structured rotational program for new grad SWEs and it's worth applying to if you're fresh out of school or a bootcamp.

Here's what the process looked like for me:

Online assessment. HackerRank, two problems, 90 minutes. One easy-medium array problem and one graph problem that was closer to medium. I had done maybe 60 LeetCode problems at this point. I passed on the first try. So no, you don't need 300 mediums under your belt. But you need to know arrays, hashmaps, BFS/DFS, and basic dynamic programming.

Recruiter screen. 30 minutes. Background questions, why Visa, salary expectations (for California roles, they'll discuss a range), logistics.

Technical phone screen. One coding problem live with an engineer. Mine was a medium difficulty problem involving two-pointer technique. The interviewer was patient and gave hints when I was stuck. For new grads, they know you're earlier in your journey and calibrate a bit.

Virtual onsite. For the TLP specifically: two coding rounds, one system design (lighter than senior-level, more "design a basic URL shortener" than "design Visa's payment network"), and one behavioral.

Prep advice for new grads: Grind mediums on LeetCode, aim for 80-100 before the onsite Know your arrays, strings, trees, graphs For the lighter system design, just understand databases, APIs, and basic scalability concepts Have 3-4 solid STAR stories ready

Visa is not the hardest tech interview out there. If you're methodical about prep and can talk through your thinking clearly, this is an achievable loop.

5 replies

pivot_pat

Bootcamp background and passed the OA on the first try. This is honestly really encouraging to see. I've been worried that Visa only wants CS degrees.

visa_vik

Does the TLP program offer H1B sponsorship for new grads? That's usually my first question before investing prep time anywhere.

bootcamp_bri

I'm not on a visa so I can't say for sure. But from what I saw on the Visa careers page and a couple of forums, they do sponsor. Still worth confirming with the recruiter directly on the phone screen.

mobile_mara

The lighter system design framing for new grads is standard and sensible. A URL shortener or basic key-value store is about testing whether you understand why we have separate components, not whether you can architect at Netflix scale. Study the concepts, not the complexity.

ae_andre

Good writeup. The part about talking through your thinking matters even more for new grads than senior folks. Interviewers calibrating for potential, not track record. Process visibility is everything.