KLDiscovery Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

KLDiscovery is a global leader in providing technology-enabled services and software solutions for electronic discovery, information governance, and data recovery.

The Software Engineer role at KLDiscovery involves collaborating with a team to develop and maintain software applications that support the company's diverse range of products and services. Key responsibilities include creating and automating software solutions for system upgrades, testing and refining applications, and providing technical support for production issues. A successful candidate will possess strong problem-solving skills, the ability to adapt to various programming languages like C# and SQL, and an understanding of client/server architectures. Additionally, familiarity with cloud platforms and container technologies may be beneficial but are not strictly required. This role is deeply aligned with KLDiscovery's values of being humble, hungry, and smart, as it requires teamwork, continuous learning, and effective communication.

This guide is designed to provide you with tailored insights and guidance to help you excel in your interview with KLDiscovery, ensuring you are well-prepared to demonstrate your fit for both the role and the company culture.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at KLDiscovery is structured yet can vary in execution, reflecting the company's dynamic environment. Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps involved:

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process usually begins with a phone interview conducted by a recruiter or talent representative. This initial call typically lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on your background, skills, and motivations for applying to KLDiscovery. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Coding Assignment

Following the initial screen, candidates are often required to complete a coding assignment. This task is designed to assess your programming skills and problem-solving abilities. You may be asked to submit a program that demonstrates your proficiency in relevant languages such as C# or SQL.

3. Technical Interviews

Candidates who successfully complete the coding assignment will move on to a series of technical interviews. These interviews may be conducted remotely and typically consist of multiple rounds, each lasting about 30 to 45 minutes. You will engage with various team members, including software engineers and possibly a team lead or manager. Expect to discuss your coding assignment, tackle technical questions, and solve problems in real-time.

4. Behavioral Interviews

In addition to technical assessments, behavioral interviews are a key component of the process. These interviews focus on your past experiences, teamwork, and how you align with KLDiscovery's cultural values. Questions may explore your approach to challenges, collaboration with team members, and your long-term career aspirations.

5. Final Interview

The final stage often involves a more in-depth discussion with higher-level management, such as a department head or director. This interview may cover both technical and behavioral aspects, allowing you to demonstrate your fit for the team and the company as a whole.

6. Follow-Up and Communication

After the interviews, candidates typically send a thank-you note to their interviewers. However, it’s worth noting that communication from KLDiscovery post-interview can be sporadic, and some candidates have reported not receiving feedback after their interviews.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise during this process.

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

Prepare for a Structured Process

KLDiscovery's interview process can be extensive, often involving multiple rounds with different team members. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the interviews, which may include a coding assignment followed by technical and behavioral interviews. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how they relate to the role. Given the feedback from previous candidates, it’s wise to prepare for both technical questions and discussions about your motivations for wanting to work at KLDiscovery.

Brush Up on Technical Skills

As a Software Engineer, you will likely be tested on your knowledge of programming languages such as C# and SQL. Make sure to practice coding challenges that reflect the types of problems you might encounter in the role. Additionally, understanding cloud platforms like Azure and container technologies like Docker can give you an edge, even if they are not strictly required. Be prepared to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your ability to write clean, efficient code.

Emphasize Team Collaboration

KLDiscovery values teamwork and collaboration, so be ready to discuss your experiences working in teams. Highlight instances where you contributed to group projects, resolved conflicts, or helped others succeed. Given the company's emphasis on humility, hunger, and smart collaboration, showcasing your ability to work well with others will resonate positively with interviewers.

Communicate Clearly and Effectively

During the interview, express your thoughts clearly and concisely. Given the technical nature of the role, you may need to explain complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Practice articulating your ideas in a way that is accessible to a broader audience. This skill will not only help you in the interview but will also be crucial in your day-to-day work at KLDiscovery.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After your interviews, send a personalized thank-you note to each interviewer. This is not only a courteous gesture but also an opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position and reflect on something specific you discussed during the interview. However, be mindful of the feedback regarding communication; while following up is important, avoid excessive persistence if you do not receive a response.

Be Adaptable and Open-Minded

Given the dynamic nature of KLDiscovery's work environment, demonstrating your adaptability is key. Be prepared to discuss how you handle change and uncertainty, as well as your willingness to learn new technologies and processes. This aligns with the company’s culture of continuous improvement and personal development.

Stay Positive and Professional

While some candidates have reported a chaotic interview process, maintaining a positive attitude throughout your interactions can set you apart. Approach each stage of the interview with professionalism, and remember that your demeanor can influence how interviewers perceive you. Show enthusiasm for the role and the company, and be genuine in your responses.

By following these tailored tips, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at KLDiscovery. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at KLDiscovery. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, coding practices, and how you approach teamwork and challenges.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between a class and an object in C#?

Understanding object-oriented programming is crucial for this role, and this question tests your foundational knowledge.

How to Answer

Discuss the concepts of classes as blueprints for creating objects and how objects are instances of classes that hold data and methods.

Example

“A class in C# is a template that defines the properties and behaviors of an object, while an object is an instance of that class. For example, if we have a class called 'Car', an object would be a specific car like 'myHondaCivic' that has its own attributes like color and model.”

2. How do you handle exceptions in your code?

This question assesses your understanding of error handling and robustness in software development.

How to Answer

Explain the use of try-catch blocks and how you ensure that your application can gracefully handle unexpected situations.

Example

“I use try-catch blocks to handle exceptions in my code. For instance, when accessing a database, I wrap the call in a try block and catch any exceptions to log the error and provide a user-friendly message, ensuring the application remains stable.”

3. Describe your experience with SQL and how you optimize queries.

Since SQL is a key part of the role, this question evaluates your database management skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with SQL, common optimization techniques, and any specific experiences you have had with performance tuning.

Example

“I have extensive experience with SQL, including writing complex queries and optimizing them using indexing and query restructuring. For example, I once improved a slow-running report by analyzing the execution plan and adding appropriate indexes, which reduced the query time by over 50%.”

4. What is your approach to writing unit tests?

This question gauges your commitment to quality assurance and testing practices.

How to Answer

Explain the importance of unit tests and your methodology for writing them, including any frameworks you use.

Example

“I believe unit tests are essential for maintaining code quality. I typically use NUnit for C# projects, writing tests for each method to ensure they perform as expected. I also follow the Arrange-Act-Assert pattern to structure my tests clearly.”

5. Can you describe a challenging bug you encountered and how you resolved it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Share a specific example of a bug, the steps you took to identify and fix it, and what you learned from the experience.

Example

“I once faced a bug where a web application would crash under heavy load. I used logging to trace the issue back to a memory leak in a specific module. After identifying the problem, I refactored the code to manage resources more efficiently, which resolved the issue and improved performance.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Why do you want to work at KLDiscovery?

This question helps the interviewer understand your motivation and alignment with the company’s values.

How to Answer

Discuss what attracts you to KLDiscovery, such as its culture, mission, or specific projects.

Example

“I am drawn to KLDiscovery because of its commitment to innovation in data recovery and eDiscovery. I admire the company’s focus on employee development and its collaborative culture, which I believe aligns with my values and work style.”

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

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, including any tools or methods you use to manage your workload.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and project impact. I use tools like Trello to visualize my workload and ensure I’m focusing on high-impact tasks first. Regular check-ins with my team also help me stay aligned with project goals.”

3. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate team dynamics.

How to Answer

Share a specific situation, 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 openly, focusing on our shared goals. This helped us find common ground and improved our collaboration moving forward.”

4. How do you stay current with industry trends and technologies?

This question gauges your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to keep up with industry changes, such as blogs, courses, or networking.

Example

“I regularly read tech blogs like TechCrunch and follow industry leaders on LinkedIn. I also participate in online courses and webinars to learn about new technologies, ensuring I stay updated with the latest trends in software development.”

5. What is one way you solved or overcame an obstacle in your life?

This question allows you to showcase your problem-solving skills in a personal context.

How to Answer

Share a specific challenge you faced, the steps you took to overcome it, and what you learned from the experience.

Example

“When I was balancing my studies with a part-time job, I struggled to manage my time effectively. I created a detailed schedule that allocated specific hours for studying and work, which helped me stay organized and ultimately led to my academic success.”