Agoda Data Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2024

Agoda is an online travel booking platform for accommodations, flights, and more. They build and deploy cutting-edge technology to connect travelers with over 3.6 million global accommodations.

Based in Asia and part of Booking Holdings, their 6,000+ employees from 90+ nationalities create a diverse, collaborative, and innovative work environment. They are driven by a culture of experimentation and ownership, making travel easy and rewarding for everyone.

In this guide, you’ll find valuable insights into the hiring process, common Agoda data engineer interview questions, and tips for success. Use this as a reference to enhance your preparation and increase your chances of landing the role!

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit a compelling application that reflects your technical skills and interest in joining Agoda as a Data Engineer or Development Manager. Whether you were contacted by an Agoda recruiter or have taken the initiative yourself, carefully review the job description and tailor your CV according to the prerequisites.

Tailoring your CV may include identifying specific keywords that the hiring manager might use to filter resumes and crafting a targeted cover letter. Furthermore, don’t forget to highlight relevant skills and mention your work experiences.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV is shortlisted, a recruiter from the Agoda Talent Acquisition Team will make contact to verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be a part of the screening process.

In some cases, the hiring manager may participate during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also indulge in surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.

The call typically lasts about 30 minutes.

Technical Virtual Interview

Successfully navigating the recruiter round will present you with an invitation for the technical screening round. Technical screening for a role at Agoda is usually conducted through virtual means, including video conference and screen sharing. Questions in these interviews can revolve around distributed computing, cloud computing, and specific frameworks like Hadoop, Spark, and Elasticsearch.

For more technical roles, there might be online coding assignments and take-home exercises relating to data architecture and system design. Your proficiency against topics such as multithreading, concurrency, data warehouse designs, and technical frameworks will be evaluated.

Depending on the seniority of the position, real-scenario problem-solving exercises and case studies might also be incorporated.

Onsite Interview Rounds

After a second recruiter call outlining the next stage, you’ll be invited to attend the onsite interview loop. Multiple interview rounds, varying with the role, will be conducted during your day at the Agoda office. Your technical prowess, including software development, big data technologies, and ML modeling capabilities, will be assessed.

If you were assigned take-home exercises, a presentation round may be part of your onsite interview.

Typically, interviews at Agoda vary by role and team, but commonly Data Engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

1. Write a function to return the sum of the elements in a matrix.

Suppose you are given a matrix of integers. Your task is to write a function that returns the sum of the elements in the matrix. The function should handle both positive and negative integers and return the sum as an integer.

Example 1:

Input:

matrix = [[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6], [7, 8, 9]]

Output:

matrix_sum(matrix) -> 45

Example 2:

Input:

matrix = [[-1, -2, -3], [-4, -5, -6], [-7, -8, -9]]

Output:

matrix_sum(matrix) -> -45

2. Create a function to add together all combinations of adjacent integers in a string of integers.

Write a Python function that adds together all combinations of adjacent integers of a given string of integers named int_str. The function should consider all possible combinations of adjacent integers in the string.

Example 1:

Input:

int_str = '12'

Output:

def int_str_addition -> 1 + 2 + 12 = 15

Example 2:

Input:

int_str = '123'

Output:

def int_str_addition(int_str) -> 1 + 2 + 3 + 12 + 23 + 123 = 164
# in this case, 13 is not part of our sum as 1 and 3 are not adjacent in '123'

4. How would you explain what a p-value is to someone who is not technical?

Explain the concept of a p-value in simple terms to a non-technical person. Use analogies or everyday examples to make the explanation clear and understandable.

5. When should you use regularization versus cross-validation in machine learning?

Regularization and cross-validation are techniques to improve machine learning algorithms. Explain when it is appropriate to use regularization and when to use cross-validation.

Make sure to follow these tips for preparing yourself adequately for the interview process at Agoda:

• Refine Your Technical Skills: Agoda places significant emphasis on technical knowledge, especially concerning big data technologies, machine learning frameworks, and distributed computing. Refresh your skills and practice relevant coding exercises.

• Understand Agoda’s Business Model: Study Agoda’s product offerings, their technological stack, and how they leverage data to enhance customer experience. This will help demonstrate your alignment with their goals.

• Behavioral Competencies: Agoda values diversity, creativity, and collaboration. Prepare to answer behavioral questions that reflect your adaptability, problem-solving capabilities, and ability to work in a team.

What is the average salary for a Data Engineer at Agoda?

What is the company culture like at Agoda?

Agoda fosters an inclusive, diverse, and innovative work environment. The company values creativity and collaboration and provides flexibility in working arrangements. They strive to make a positive impact and are committed to employee growth and a strong support system.

How can I prepare for the take-home assignment for the Data Engineer role at Agoda?

To prepare for the take-home assignment, focus on refining your data analysis and presentation skills. Make sure to understand the business context and be ready to discuss your approach and findings during the presentation. Practicing similar tasks on Interview Query can help build the necessary skills.

What are some common responsibilities for a Data Engineer at Agoda?

The role involves creating and managing scalable data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and working closely with data scientists and other teams on machine learning projects. Candidates need to have strong problem-solving skills, experience with cloud services, and proficiency in programming languages like Java, Scala, and Python.

Agoda seeks candidates who excel in both technical proficiency and leadership skills. Ideal candidates should be capable of understanding complex technical challenges and developing robust solutions, especially in an agile environment.

If you want more insights about the company, check out our main Agoda Interview Guide, where we have covered many interview questions that could be asked. Additionally, explore our interview guides for other roles such as software engineer to learn more about Agoda’s interview process for different positions.

Good luck with your interview!