Apple Leisure Group (ALG) is North America's only vertically integrated travel, hospitality, and leisure management group. With a portfolio encompassing 14 prominent brands, ALG offers a unique opportunity to be involved in every facet of the travel experience. As a Senior Software Engineer within Trisept Solutions, one of ALG's leading brands, you will play a crucial role in shaping e-commerce solutions for the travel industry. This position demands a blend of technical prowess, leadership, and innovation to ensure top-notch software delivery. Let's dive into the Apple Leisure Group interview process and key insights for aspiring candidates.

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit a compelling application that reflects your technical skills and interest in joining Apple Leisure Group as a Software Engineer. Whether you were contacted by an ALG 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 happens to be among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the ALG Talent Acquisition Team will make contact and verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be a part of the screening process.

In some cases, the ALG software engineering hiring manager stays present 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 whole recruiter call should take 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 the ALG software engineer role usually is conducted through virtual means, including video conference and screen sharing. Questions in this 1-hour long interview stage may revolve around .NET development, SQL, and coding problems.

In the case of software engineering roles, take-home assignments regarding system design and coding challenges may be incorporated. Apart from these, your proficiency against data structures, algorithms, and software engineering fundamentals may also be assessed during the round.

Depending on the seniority of the position, case studies and similar real-scenario problems may also be assigned.

Onsite Interview Rounds

Following 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 ALG office. Your technical prowess, including .NET framework development and SQL expertise, will be evaluated against the finalized candidates throughout these interviews.

If you were assigned take-home exercises, a presentation round may also await you during the onsite interview for the software engineer role at ALG.

Quick Tips For Apple Leisure Group Software Engineer Interviews

• Brush Up on .NET Framework: Apple Leisure Group relies heavily on .NET technologies. Ensure you are well-acquainted with VB/C#, .NET Framework, and related development practices.
• Familiarize Yourself with Relational Databases: Roles at ALG require strong database experience, including SQL and T-SQL. Proving your proficiency in these areas can significantly improve your chances.
• Understand Agile Environment Practices: Demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced agile environment. Emphasize your experience with team collaboration and versatile roles within project teams.

Typically, interviews at Apple Leisure Group vary by role and team, but commonly Software Engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

• What retention rate is needed for Smart Sales Incorporated to break even with a two-year contract? Smart Sales Incorporated is considering a subscription model for its POS systems. Given a two-year contract duration, calculate the retention rate required to break even with the traditional one-time sale model.

• What retention rate is needed to break even in four and six years if the two-year target is missed? If the company does not break even within the initial two-year contract period, determine the retention rate required to break even in the subsequent four years and in the next six years. Assume the costs for subscription and one-time sales are equivalent.

• What retention rate is needed for Smart Sales Incorporated to break even with a two-year contract? Smart Sales Incorporated is considering a subscription model for its POS systems. Given a two-year contract duration, calculate the retention rate required to break even with the traditional one-time sale model.

• What retention rate is needed to break even in four and six years if the two-year target is missed? If the company does not break even within the initial two-year contract period, determine the retention rate required to break even in the subsequent four years and in the next six years. Assume the cost for subscription and one-time sales are equivalent.

• Write a SQL query to select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department. Write a SQL query to select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department. If more than one person shares the highest salary, the query should select the next highest salary.

• How do we deal with missing square footage data to construct a housing price prediction model? You have scraped 100K sold listings in Seattle over the past three years, but 20% of the listings are missing square footage data. How would you handle this missing data to build an accurate housing price prediction model?

• What kind of model and features would you use to predict restaurant food preparation time? You want to predict the time it takes for a restaurant to prepare food from the moment an order is received until it is ready. What type of model would you build, and what features would you consider using?

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at Apple Leisure Group?

Q: What does the role of Sr. Software Engineer at Apple Leisure Group entail? As a Sr. Software Engineer at Apple Leisure Group, you will lead, instruct, and review the work of other analysts and developers. You will perform as a team technical lead, interacting with all technical staff, clients, and vendors to ensure top-notch e-commerce solutions for the travel industry. Responsibilities include formulating and defining system scopes, designing complex data structures, analyzing and revising existing logic, acting as a project leader, and mentoring team members.

Q: What qualifications are required for the Sr. Software Engineer position? Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, MIS, or a related field, along with a minimum of 6 years’ experience or equivalent demonstrated knowledge. Strong Back End .NET development experience (VB/C#, .NET Framework), proficiency in two or more high-level programming languages, and a solid background in SQL, TSQL, and MSSQL are essential. Candidates must enjoy working in a fast-paced agile environment, have excellent problem-solving skills, and be adept in innovative software engineering practices.

Q: What is Apple Leisure Group's company culture like? Apple Leisure Group (ALG) values its employees, referring to them as "Colleagues". The company culture is built around core values like Empathy, Integrity, Respect, Inclusion, Experimentation, and Well-Being. ALG promotes a team-oriented environment where employees work toward common mission and vision. The company encourages growth from within and offers a supportive, inclusive, and innovative work atmosphere.

Q: What benefits does Apple Leisure Group offer? ALG provides competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package which includes Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Basic Life Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, Paid Parental Leave, Corporate Wellness Programs, Travel Discounts & Deals, Paid Time Off & Holidays, and a 401(k) Plan with Company Match. The company also promotes growth through the latest cutting-edge technologies and upgrades to any legacy systems.

Q: How can I prepare for an interview at Apple Leisure Group? To prepare for an interview at ALG, thoroughly research the company and its brands. Brush up on your technical skills, particularly in .NET development and SQL databases. Practice common interview questions and review your past project experiences. Make sure to showcase your innovative problem-solving abilities and your capability to thrive in a fast-paced, agile environment. Utilize resources like Interview Query to practice technical questions and scenarios.

If you're eager to become an integral part of a team that turns vacation dreams into life-long memories, Apple Leisure Group (ALG) is the place for you. As a Sr. Software Engineer within Trisept Solutions, you'll lead, mentor, and innovate within a fast-paced, agile environment that thrives on collaboration and cutting-edge technology. This role offers the perfect blend of technical leadership and hands-on development with opportunities to impact a variety of high-profile e-commerce projects in the travel industry.

To know more about what to expect from an interview with Apple Leisure Group, check out our main Apple Leisure Group Interview Guide, packed with insightful questions and detailed tips. At Interview Query, we're committed to empowering you with the knowledge, confidence, and strategy needed to excel in your interview journey.

Explore our company interview guides to prepare comprehensively. Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Good luck with your interview!