EasyTechnical screen5 min to answer

Explain how retrieval-augmented generation works.

1Give yourself 5 minutes

2Answer out loud, not in your head

3Then compare with the answer below

Stuck? Show a way to structure it+

01Clarify the objective, user, constraints, and acceptable failure modes.
02Structure the response around retrieval pipeline, grounded generation, citations, failure modes.
03Compare credible alternatives and state the decision criteria.
04Finish with validation, monitoring, and what would change the decision.

Reference answer

strong answer

I would first define the outcome and acceptable error boundary. I would explicitly cover retrieval pipeline, grounded generation, citations, failure modes. I would select an approach only after comparing quality, latency, cost, safety, and operational complexity, then validate it with representative cases and production monitoring.

retrieval pipeline
grounded generation
citations
failure modes

Must be adapted to the interviewer’s scenario
Would benefit from concrete numbers and personal examples

alternative answer

A second valid approach is to begin with the highest-risk assumption and test it cheaply. I would explicitly cover retrieval pipeline, grounded generation, citations, failure modes. I would select an approach only after comparing quality, latency, cost, safety, and operational complexity, then validate it with representative cases and production monitoring.

retrieval pipeline
grounded generation
citations
failure modes

Must be adapted to the interviewer’s scenario
Would benefit from concrete numbers and personal examples

Grade yourself

retrieval pipeline

weight 30%

StrongExplains retrieval pipeline concretely and ties it to a decision or measurable outcome.

WeakMentions retrieval pipeline without implications, trade-offs, or evidence.

grounded generation

weight 25%

StrongExplains grounded generation concretely and ties it to a decision or measurable outcome.

WeakMentions grounded generation without implications, trade-offs, or evidence.

citations

weight 25%

StrongExplains citations concretely and ties it to a decision or measurable outcome.

WeakMentions citations without implications, trade-offs, or evidence.

failure modes

weight 20%

StrongExplains failure modes concretely and ties it to a decision or measurable outcome.

WeakMentions failure modes without implications, trade-offs, or evidence.

Then expect these follow-ups

How would you measure retrieval separately from generation?
Tests: depth
When would reranking help?
Tests: adaptability
How would you handle stale documents?
Tests: adaptability

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