The "Universal Filter" Reality
There is a fantasy that because AI is "advanced," companies will skip the basic coding tests. This is false.
According to a blunt discussion on r/leetcode, "Leetcode will never stop. It is the ultimate filter." Even if the job is 90% prompt engineering, the hiring manager uses LeetCode as a proxy for "general problem-solving ability" and "intelligence."
However, the balance is different for AI roles compared to Backend roles. You need a different study strategy.
Level 1: Data Fluency
Pandas, SQL, Transformations
Level 2: The Filter (DSA)
Arrays, Trees, Graphs
Level 3: The Offer
"Design YouTube Recs"
The AI Interview Hierarchy of Needs
The New Category: "ML Coding"
Beyond standard LeetCode, a new category of questions is emerging for Applied Scientist roles. As one Redditor noted: "My coding rounds... are all ML coding and actually related to what we may do at work."
What does "ML Coding" look like?
- Scratch Implementation: "Code Linear Regression or K-Means without using
sklearn." - Pipeline Design: "Write a Python class to clean, tokenize, and batch a 10GB text dataset efficiently."
- Vector Ops: "Implement Dot Product or Matrix Multiplication using NumPy."
Pro Tip: You can't pass the coding interview if your resume gets rejected first. Does your resume highlight your Engineering skills (Python, C++) or just your Research skills? Scan it now to see how recruiters categorize you.
Company-Specific Cheat Sheet
Based on crowdsourced data from r/cscareerquestions, here is how the giants interview:
G Google
Heavy LeetCode
"I have always grinded leetcode... it pays off." Expect Hard/Medium DP and Graph problems.
M Meta
Speed & Standard
Uses "standard SWE questions" but expects speed. Solving 2 Mediums in 45 mins is the norm.
M Microsoft
Practical/Language
Often leans towards practical, language-specific questions (e.g., JavaScript/Python nuances) over pure DSA.
Conclusion: Balance is Key
If the job description says "Research Scientist," study Math. If it says "AI Engineer," study LeetCode. The industry is biasing towards General Software Engineering (SWE) skills as AI becomes just another API in the stack.
Will Your Resume Even Get You to the LeetCode Round?
75% of resumes are rejected by ATS before a human ever sends a coding link. Check if your resume has the Engineering keywords that trigger the interview.