Everything you need to feel ready and confident before your interview.
Interview Overview
Who is Karat?
Karat partners with leading companies to design and conduct standardized, live technical interviews. Our goal is to provide a consistent, objective, and fair interview experience that gives every candidate the best chance to showcase their skills.
Our technical interviews are structured, resume-blind, and conducted by experienced engineers from Karat's expert interviewer network. The interview content and evaluation criteria are set in partnership with the employer, ensuring every candidate for this role has the same assessment experience. Karat handles the interview; the company reviews your results and decides on next steps.
About Your Interview
This is a live, 1:1 technical interview focused on AI-enabled programming conducted virtually by a Karat Interview Engineer. Here's what to expect:
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Live & On Camera — You'll be on camera and screen-sharing for the full session with your interviewer.
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Modern Tooling — You'll use a web-based IDE and an integrated AI assistant to work in a multi-file codebase.
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Leveraging the AI — You'll be expected to use the AI assistant to navigate, edit, and speed up your work throughout the interview.
- Collaborative By Design — Your interviewer will actively engage and ask questions throughout the session.
If you are looking for more, watch this video to get a feel for the interview experience.
How the Interview Runs
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Introduction | 2–3 minutes
Your interviewer will introduce themselves, explain the format, and ask you for a brief overview of your technical background.
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The Environment | 2–3 minutes
Your interviewer will introduce the IDE and the codebase and allow you to test out the AI assistant.
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Technical Problem Solving | 50 minutes
You'll work through a series of real-world, project-based problems in a multi-file codebase. The interviewer will guide you through the tasks, provide support as needed, and ask questions along the way. You are not expected to complete every question.
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Closing | 2–3 minutes
The interviewer will provide final comments and answer any questions before wrapping things up.
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After the Interview
Your results go to the company you applied to. They own all decisions about next steps and timing. Your recruiter will typically be in touch within a few business days.
What Interviewers Look For
Interviewers are not just checking whether you get the right answer. They're paying attention to how you think, how you communicate, and how you work through problems you haven't seen before. A strong interview often feels like a working session.
How to Prepare
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Practice thinking out loud. Interviewers evaluate your approach, logic, and ability to demonstrate understanding; narrating your reasoning matters.
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Practice using AI tooling as a collaborator. You'll be expected to use the integrated AI assistant actively throughout the interview to accelerate your progress.
- Be ready to ask clarifying questions. This is a conversational format, so don't hesitate to ask questions or seek information. It's expected and encouraged.
The Interview Environment
Your interview will take place in a web-based IDE attached to a large, multi-file codebase. The interface is designed to be familiar to developers, especially those who have used VS Code.
About Your Integrated AI Coding Assistant
An integrated AI coding assistant is available during your interview. Depending on your interview, the capabilities available to you may vary. If you're unsure which experience applies to you, your interview details will reflect this.
The integrated AI Assistant can be used to:
- Generate code
- Ask questions about the codebase
- Get hints or clarifications
- Discuss logic or syntax issues
Depending on your interview, you may also have access to:
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Review before any code is modified: The assistant proposes a plan first, so you can see exactly what will change before anything is applied.
- One-click code application: Apply changes directly to your codebase with a single click, no manual copy and paste required.
Key Features:
- File Explorer — Browse and open multiple files in the codebase
- Editor Tabs — Work on multiple files at once, just like VS Code
- Syntax Highlighting and Autocomplete — The IDE provides helpful code hints and formatting
- Terminal — A built-in terminal is available for running commands or tests
- Search and Replace — Quickly locate symbols, functions, or text across the project
- Run and Debug — Execute code and debug directly in the IDE
Tips for candidates:
- Familiarize yourself with VS Code shortcuts as many will work in the interview IDE.
- Don’t worry if you haven’t used the exact IDE before; it is designed to be intuitive.
- Use the AI assistant strategically. It’s there to help, not to replace your problem-solving.
- Keep code organized and modular if the task spans multiple files.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Karat interviewing me?
You've applied to a company that partners with Karat to help conduct standardized technical interviews. This helps ensure consistency, fairness, and a positive experience for every candidate.
Who will conduct my interview?
Your interview will be conducted by a seasoned Karat Interview Engineer (IVE). Every IVE is an experienced software developer who has completed a thorough screening and training process.
Where does the interview take place?
This is a live, virtual interview conducted remotely via the Karat platform. You will be expected to be on camera, facing the camera, and share your screen throughout the interview.
Can I Test Out the IDE?
Yes, you can. A demo environment is available up to 48 hours before your interview start time. Please keep in mind that this demo environment is intended only for you to get familiar with the environment, changes to the environment settings or any files you create will not carry over to your interview environment. You can access the demo environment through the interview waiting room.
Note: It may take several minutes for the demo IDE to spin up. During your actual interview, you'll be able to jump right in without delay.
What kinds of questions will I be asked?
You'll work through real-world, project-based technical problems within a multi-file codebase. You'll be expected to explain your approach, discuss tradeoffs, and solve problems relevant to the role.
Will the Interview Engineer help if I get stuck?
Yes, they'll answer clarifying questions and provide incremental hints if needed, while giving you space to solve problems on your own.
Can I use Google, StackOverflow, or other outside resources?
No. You will have access to an integrated AI assistant within the interview platform. You will not be permitted to use resources or tools outside of the interview environment.
Can I use ChatGPT or other external AI tools?
No. You will have access to an integrated AI assistant within the interview platform. You will not be permitted to use AI tools or assistants outside of the interview environment.
What programming languages are supported?
For this interview, we support: Python, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, and Ruby.
What if I need accommodations?
Contact us as soon as possible at support@karat.io with your request. We’re happy to help.
Will I receive my interview results?
Karat does not share interview results directly with candidates. Your recruiter or hiring team will contact you with feedback and next steps, typically within a few business days.
What tech setup do I need?
We recommend that you run a tech setup check before the day of your interview. Here's what you'll need:
- Reliable internet in a quiet, well-lit space (recommended speed: 15 Mbps or higher)
- Working webcam and microphone (headphones recommended)
- Chrome or Firefox on a laptop or desktop (phones and tablets are not supported)
Accommodations, Rescheduling, & Support
Need accommodations?
Contact us as early as possible at support@karat.io and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Need to cancel or reschedule?
Use the link in your email to make changes at least 24 hours prior to your start time.
Any other questions?
Reply to your scheduling emails or email support@karat.io and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.