Adobe Interview Questions and How to Answer them

The Hiring Process

Adobe interview questions are not only tough. Some applicants had to survive seven rounds. But four rounds are more common.
Adobe does not hesitate to headhunt students. You have to be in the top 5% to jump in the recruitment process directly. Otherwise, you still can try to convince Adobe by passing a pre-selection online test.
During the hiring process, you will confront with both theoretical and practical tasks. For the last ones, you can use your favorite programming language to solve it. Indeed, Adobe is mostly interested in C languages, Java, and Python.
Therefore, Adobe interview questions are technically oriented.

1. Logical Puzzles

This is a kind of task you may have seen or even solved … in a science museum for kids! It requires only a primary school knowledge of algebra, but you can get stuck here seriously.
A typical puzzle would ask you to identify the heaviest ball in a set of balls without weighing each of them. Some candidates had to deliver a verbal solution. The others had to write an algorithm for that.
Since the application process goes through so many rounds, you may have to solve multiple puzzles. Their complexity will rise with each next round.
When you approach a logical task, remember, that in 100% of the cases the solution is simple and elegant. As soon as you’ve noticed that you’ve already made a lot of turns, you are on the wrong path. Stop and try another one.
Look for logical puzzles on the web or in a book store. They are also called brain teasers or riddles. Practice some of them here.

2. Advanced Logical Puzzles

Here the solution is already known, but only a person with a strong natural science background is capable of explaining it. It can involve writing an algorithm or applying some advanced math.
One of these puzzles is the Convex Hull problem. You have a set of points, and you need to produce a code that can draw a hull around them in the quickest way.
Different approaches to solving this problem exist. The puzzle tests your understanding of what optimization through sorting is.
Alongside with the Convex Hull problem, you may be asked to write an algorithm that creates the Pascal’s triangle. Another example of an Adobe interview question from the logical part is trapping rainwater. Given an elevation map, you’ll have to program an algorithm that calculates the volume of the trapped water.
The Adobe recruitment process sounds like real fun, doesn’t it?

The best way to practice these questions is to start an interview right now!

3. Data Structures

A lot of jobs require logical thinking, but why Adobe needs you to solve so many puzzles?
Logical thinking is a prerequisite for understanding data structures. This particular skill qualifies you for a programming job.
Most of the tasks in this section have to do with sorting. You will be given a very specific rule to pick up a few values from a data structure. The last one can vary from a simple list or array to some complicated structures like a binary tree.
Indeed, an answer supposes writing a code. You will code a lot during the application process. Adobe interview questions are tailored for people absolutely fluent in programming.
To prepare for this part, go through all existing data structures. Find a few practical tasks on the Internet. Developers forums and blogs can be of a great help.
Alternatively, and if you have a programming job, look around and “invent” a task based on the data you have at your disposal. Try to practice after your main work is done.

4. Algorithms

If you say “code” or “program”, you actually mean exactly this: writing an algorithm. Thus, we were implicitly talking about algorithms in all previous sections, too. Nonetheless, Adobe interview questions aim to select only the best in creating them.g them.
A perfect algorithm is built upon a perfect logic. You reduce the number of steps to the sufficient minimum. This makes the software that you design working fast and without any errors or gaps.
The code is a manifestation of the algorithm.
The other side of being the best programmer is the ability to write a clean code. You can read a lot about it. Clean coding has developed into a whole new philosophy. It implies that you make your code slim and well-readable, comprehensive for any other programmer, and scalable.
For this kind of task, you will be typically given a use case to write a small program for. For instance, organizing a telephone book in alignment with a specific need.
In some rounds, you’ll have the right to decide upon the appropriate code on your own. Whereas, in a few rounds, you will be given more narrow instructions. They refer to the usage of particular classes and functions.

5. Operating Systems

Since Adobe’s products are being developed for all existing operating systems, you have to demonstrate a solid knowledge of them. Not an extensive knowledge of any particular one, but a clear understanding of what an operating system is and what it is for.
One example from the Adobe interview questions will ask you to solve the problem of loading a very big file under the condition of not enough RAM. You will need to explain a workaround of loading the file in bunches.
Depending on the complexity, a verbal solution may suffice. If the task is quite tricky, then explaining your approach to it may require you to write some notes, or even code the whole solution.
A couple of theoretical questions may follow, like what virtual functions are, and which types of fragmentation you know.

6. Your Previous Projects

If the interviewers show interest in your previous work, this is a very good sign! It means you’ve managed to impress them in the preceding rounds, and you have their trust.
Adobe interview questions are not different for either a student or professional. The company hires talented students somewhat “in bulk.” They get assigned to a team after they’ve already received an offer. This is one of the reasons why the previous projects may be given a lot of attention.
This round is also needed to discover your personal and professional preferences. So, think them well over and just stay honest.

7. HR Round: Motivation, Personality, etc.

Many companies prefer to start with it, but Adobe does not overrate it. Still, if an HR manager reveals something really spooky in your character, you can get rejected after this last round.
For the students, this round is aimed to make their assignment to a team easier and to talk about the Adobe corporate culture.
Experienced professionals may go through some totally unsurprising questions like “Why Adobe?” and so on. Many good candidates, who manage till this last round, already have other job offers as well, including those from other IT giants like Amazon and Microsoft. An HR manager may want to know that money is not the only motivation.
Although, many say that the salary ranges are very convincing.

Start practicing these questions now!

Final Notes

The inventor of the PDF file format permanently hires software developers. Since Adobe Inc. is a popular destination for job applications, the process could last a bit.
Students tend to get their offers quite quickly, whereas professionals may have to wait a couple of weeks.
As you may have noticed, the level of expectations is very high. Adobe interview questions will leave only the best ones. If Adobe is your dream, make sure you have enough interesting projects in your portfolio. Not because they make your CV look great, but because you can learn from them.
Refresh your theoretical knowledge and join a clean code session in a nearby location. Eventually, just press the “Send” button to deliver your application!

If you are looking for more interview questions make sure to visit some of our most visited blog posts here. We made sure to include companies like Google, Apple, Facebook, and others.