Fetch Rewards, Inc. Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Fetch Rewards, Inc. is a technology company dedicated to transforming the way consumers earn rewards through a user-friendly mobile application.

As a Software Engineer at Fetch Rewards, you will play a vital role in developing and maintaining robust software solutions that enhance the user experience and facilitate seamless interactions with the rewards platform. Key responsibilities include designing and implementing scalable APIs, collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, and writing clean, efficient code in languages such as Python, Java, or Scala. You will also be tasked with troubleshooting and debugging issues in existing applications, ensuring optimal performance, and contributing to ongoing software development lifecycle processes. A strong foundation in SQL for database management and data manipulation will be crucial, as will experience with cloud services and data pipeline management. Ideal candidates will exhibit problem-solving skills, a passion for user-centric design, and a willingness to engage in open communication and collaboration.

This guide will help you navigate the interview process at Fetch Rewards by outlining the expectations and typical questions, allowing you to demonstrate your technical proficiency and alignment with the company's values and processes.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Fetch Rewards is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically consists of several stages, each focusing on different aspects of the candidate's abilities and experiences.

1. Application and Initial Assessment

After submitting your application, candidates are often required to complete a take-home coding assessment. This assessment usually involves tasks related to data manipulation, API development, or SQL queries, and is expected to take a few hours to complete. While there is no strict deadline, candidates are encouraged to submit their work within 48 hours. This initial assessment serves as a filter to gauge the candidate's technical proficiency before moving forward in the process.

2. Technical Screening

Candidates who successfully complete the take-home assessment are typically invited to a technical screening interview. This interview is usually conducted via video call and lasts about an hour. During this session, candidates can expect to discuss their previous experiences, solve coding problems in real-time, and answer questions related to programming languages such as Python, SQL, and possibly others relevant to the role. Interviewers may also present case studies or hypothetical scenarios to evaluate problem-solving skills and technical reasoning.

3. Onsite or Final Interview

The final stage of the interview process often involves a more extensive onsite or virtual interview, which can last several hours. This round usually consists of multiple interviews with different team members, including hiring managers and technical leads. Candidates may be asked to tackle complex coding challenges, engage in system design discussions, and answer behavioral questions. The focus here is not only on technical skills but also on how candidates approach problem-solving and their ability to communicate effectively with team members.

4. Feedback and Decision

After the final interview, candidates typically receive feedback within a few business days. The decision-making process may involve discussions among the interviewers to evaluate the candidate's performance across all stages. Candidates may receive constructive feedback regardless of the outcome, which can be valuable for future interviews.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may arise during the process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Familiarize Yourself with the Fetch Rewards App

Before your interview, download and explore the Fetch Rewards app thoroughly. Understand its features, user experience, and any potential areas for improvement. This will not only show your genuine interest in the company but also prepare you for questions about the app and how you might enhance it. Interviewers often appreciate candidates who can provide constructive feedback based on their own experiences with the product.

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Expect a significant focus on technical skills, particularly in SQL, Python, and API development. Review common coding challenges and practice writing clean, efficient code. Be ready to explain your thought process and the rationale behind your coding decisions. Given the emphasis on technical assessments, ensure you are comfortable with data manipulation, database design, and problem-solving under time constraints.

Ask Clarifying Questions

During the interview, don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions, especially when given a coding challenge or a take-home assignment. This demonstrates your engagement and willingness to understand the requirements fully. However, be mindful of the balance; while asking questions is encouraged, ensure you are not overly reliant on the interviewers for guidance, as this may be perceived negatively.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

When discussing your past projects or during technical interviews, focus on your problem-solving approach. Highlight specific challenges you faced, how you addressed them, and the outcomes of your efforts. This will help interviewers see your analytical skills in action and understand how you can contribute to their team.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

While technical skills are crucial, Fetch Rewards also values cultural fit. Prepare for behavioral questions that assess your teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills. Reflect on past experiences where you demonstrated these qualities, and be ready to discuss them in detail. This will help you present yourself as a well-rounded candidate.

Manage Your Time Wisely

Given the feedback from candidates about the time-consuming nature of the interview process, be strategic about how you allocate your time for take-home assignments. While it’s important to deliver quality work, ensure you don’t spend excessive hours on a single task, especially if the guidelines are vague. Aim to complete assignments within a reasonable timeframe while maintaining quality.

Stay Positive and Professional

Throughout the interview process, maintain a positive and professional demeanor, even if you encounter challenges or unprofessional behavior from interviewers. Your ability to remain composed and focused under pressure can set you apart from other candidates. Remember, the interview is as much about assessing fit for you as it is for them.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After your interview, consider sending a thoughtful follow-up email thanking your interviewers for their time and reiterating your interest in the position. This not only shows your professionalism but also keeps you on their radar as they make their decisions.

By following these tips, you can navigate the interview process at Fetch Rewards with confidence and clarity, positioning yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role. Good luck!

Technical Skills

1. Describe your experience with SQL and how you have used it in past projects.

This question assesses your familiarity with SQL, which is crucial for data manipulation and retrieval in software engineering roles.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you utilized SQL, focusing on the complexity of the queries you wrote and the outcomes of your work.

Example

“In my previous role, I developed complex SQL queries to extract and analyze user behavior data from our database. This involved writing joins and subqueries to gather insights that informed our product development strategy, ultimately leading to a 15% increase in user engagement.”

2. Can you explain the difference between a primary key and a foreign key?

Understanding database relationships is fundamental for a software engineer, especially in roles involving data management.

How to Answer

Clearly define both terms and provide an example of how they are used in a database schema.

Example

“A primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table, while a foreign key is a field that links to the primary key of another table. For instance, in a user database, the user ID could be a primary key, while the order table might use the user ID as a foreign key to associate orders with users.”

3. What is your experience with Python, and how have you applied it in your projects?

Python is often a key language for software engineers, especially in data processing and automation tasks.

How to Answer

Highlight specific projects where you used Python, focusing on libraries or frameworks that are relevant to the role.

Example

“I have used Python extensively for data analysis and automation tasks. For example, I developed a script using Pandas to clean and analyze large datasets, which helped our team identify trends and make data-driven decisions.”

4. Describe a challenging coding problem you faced and how you solved it.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and coding proficiency.

How to Answer

Choose a specific problem, explain the context, the steps you took to resolve it, and the final outcome.

Example

“I once faced a challenge where a data processing script was running significantly slower than expected. I profiled the code and discovered that a nested loop was causing inefficiencies. By refactoring the code to use a more efficient algorithm, I reduced the processing time by over 50%.”

5. How do you ensure the quality of your code?

Quality assurance is critical in software development, and this question assesses your coding standards and practices.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to testing, code reviews, and any tools you use to maintain code quality.

Example

“I follow best practices by writing unit tests for my code and using tools like linters to catch potential issues early. Additionally, I participate in code reviews to gain feedback and ensure that my code meets the team’s standards.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, focusing on your approach to resolving the conflict and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, I worked with a team member who was resistant to feedback. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to discuss our differences and actively listened to their concerns. By finding common ground and establishing open communication, we were able to collaborate more effectively and complete the project successfully.”

2. How do you prioritize your tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Explain your method for prioritizing tasks, including any tools or techniques you use.

Example

“I use a combination of task management tools and the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize my work. I categorize tasks based on urgency and importance, which helps me focus on high-impact activities while ensuring that deadlines are met.”

3. Describe a project where you had to learn a new technology quickly. How did you approach it?

This question assesses your adaptability and willingness to learn.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific instance where you had to learn a new technology, your learning process, and how you applied it.

Example

“When I was tasked with implementing a new API, I had to quickly learn about RESTful services. I dedicated time to online courses and documentation, and I built a small prototype to practice. This hands-on experience allowed me to successfully integrate the API into our application within a tight deadline.”

4. What motivates you to perform well in your job?

Understanding your motivation helps interviewers gauge your fit within the company culture.

How to Answer

Share what drives you professionally, whether it’s problem-solving, collaboration, or achieving results.

Example

“I am motivated by the challenge of solving complex problems and the opportunity to make a tangible impact through my work. Seeing my contributions lead to improved user experiences or increased efficiency is incredibly rewarding.”

5. Why do you want to work at Fetch Rewards?

This question assesses your interest in the company and alignment with its values.

How to Answer

Research the company’s mission and values, and explain how they resonate with you.

Example

“I admire Fetch Rewards’ commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. I believe that my skills in software development can contribute to creating engaging user experiences, and I am excited about the opportunity to be part of a team that values creativity and collaboration.”