Frontend Engineer at Topsort - Interview Preparation Plan | RealPrep

Frontend Engineer at Topsort - Interview Preparation Plan | RealPrep

Topsort - What You Should Know

Topsort is an AI and machine learning-based technology company revolutionizing the advertising industry with its clean advertising platform. They are dedicated to moving away from privacy-invasive, third-party cookie tracking towards a more transparent and democratized advertising ecosystem. Founded in 2021, Topsort aims to make auction-based advertising technology accessible to businesses of all sizes, challenging the dominance of tech giants like Google and Amazon. The company fosters a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and a forward-thinking approach to advertising technology. Their unique approach emphasizes clean advertising, respecting user privacy while delivering effective advertising solutions. Topsort is built on a foundation of strong economic principles, with co-founders including a Stanford professor renowned for their work in auction theory and marketplace design. Topsort has garnered significant attention and funding, recently closing a $20 million Series A round, valuing the company at $150 million. This investment is fueling their mission to scale their platform and continue developing AI-driven solutions for the evolving advertising landscape, particularly in the post-cookie era. They are actively expanding their reach and impact through strategic partnerships with major retailers and industry players.

Core Values

Innovation in AI and Machine Learning for advertising.Democratizing advertising technology for all businesses.Commitment to clean, privacy-respecting advertising.Engineering-first approach with a focus on scalable solutions.Transparency and efficiency in the advertising ecosystem.

Recent News & Developments

Topsort secured $20 million in Series A funding, with the company valued at $150 million, to scale its clean advertising platform. (March 2024)
Topsort has partnered with Skai to allow advertisers to buy ads on retail media networks through Skai's platform. (Date not specified, but mentioned in news)
Topsort announced the appointment of Ricardo Zilleruelo as Principal Engineer, reinforcing their commitment to in-house ad tech development and AI innovation. (Date not specified, but mentioned in news)

Interview Process

Topsort's interview process is structured to evaluate candidates across technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. It typically involves multiple stages, starting with a resume review and progressing through recruiter screenings, technical assessments, behavioral interviews, and a final onsite (or virtual equivalent) round. The company emphasizes a thorough evaluation to ensure alignment with their team and values.

Expected Timeline: The typical interview process at Topsort spans 3-4 weeks from application to offer. Some candidates with strong backgrounds may experience a faster timeline of around two weeks. Rounds are usually scheduled 5-7 days apart.

Application & Resume Review

N/A

Initial screening of applications and resumes by the recruiting team to identify candidates with relevant experience and skills.

What to expect: Ensure your resume highlights relevant technical skills, project experience, and any contributions to modern web development.

Recruiter Screen

20-30 minutes

A brief introductory call with a recruiter to discuss your background, interest in the role, and basic qualifications.

What to expect: Be prepared to talk about your career goals, why you're interested in Topsort, and your understanding of the role.

Technical/Case/Skills Round

Varies (take-home assignments typically have a 2-3 day turnaround)

A more in-depth technical assessment, potentially including a take-home assignment, to evaluate your proficiency in relevant frontend technologies and problem-solving abilities.

What to expect: Expect questions related to JavaScript, framework specifics, performance optimization, and coding challenges. A take-home assignment might be given to assess practical application of skills.

Behavioral Interview

N/A

Focuses on your past experiences, how you handle work situations, and your alignment with company values.

What to expect: Prepare to discuss your teamwork, problem-solving approach, and how you've handled challenges in previous roles using the STAR method.

Final/Onsite Round

N/A

The final stage, often involving interviews with multiple stakeholders, including potential team members and hiring managers. This round assesses overall fit and may include more complex problem-solving or system design discussions.

What to expect: This is an opportunity to ask deeper questions and for the company to assess your comprehensive fit. Be ready to discuss your projects, technical approach, and how you align with Topsort's culture.

Offer & Negotiation

N/A

If successful, you will receive an offer, followed by discussions regarding compensation, benefits, and start date.

What to expect: Be prepared to discuss your salary expectations and any other terms of employment.

Interview Types & Description

Technical Interview

Assesses your proficiency in frontend technologies, including JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and relevant frameworks. It may involve coding challenges, debugging scenarios, and discussions about best practices in web development.

Preparation Tips

Practice coding problems focusing on JavaScript fundamentals, data structures, and algorithms relevant to frontend development.
Review modern JavaScript features (ES6+) and common framework patterns.
Be prepared to discuss your approach to building performant and responsive user interfaces.

Sample Questions

Explain the critical rendering path and how to optimize it.
Describe your experience with [specific framework, e.g., React, Vue]. How would you handle state management in a large application?
How would you approach debugging a performance issue in a complex frontend application?
What are some best practices for web performance optimization?

Quick Practice - Technical Interview

Behavioral Interview

Evaluates your soft skills, work ethic, and how you handle various workplace situations. Questions often relate to teamwork, problem-solving, and handling challenges.

Preparation Tips

Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for common behavioral questions.
Reflect on your past projects and experiences to showcase leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Be ready to discuss your motivation for applying to Topsort and how your values align with theirs.

Sample Questions

Tell me about a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame the obstacles.
Describe a time you had a disagreement with a team member. How did you resolve it?

Culture Fit / Final Round

Assesses your alignment with Topsort's company culture, values, and team dynamics. This round helps determine if you would thrive in their work environment.

Preparation Tips

Research Topsort's mission, values, and recent news to understand their direction and culture.
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the team, work environment, and company culture.
Demonstrate enthusiasm and a proactive attitude, showing how you can contribute positively to the team.

Sample Questions

What characteristics do you look for in a company culture?
How do you contribute to a positive team environment?