Rei Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Rei is a leading outdoor retail company that focuses on providing high-quality gear and experiences for outdoor enthusiasts.

As a Software Engineer at Rei, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications that enhance the customer experience and support business operations. Key responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, writing efficient and maintainable code in languages such as .NET and JavaScript, and utilizing database technologies like SQL Server. You will also engage in problem-solving and analytical tasks, including algorithm design and potentially working with frameworks such as Entity Framework.

To excel in this role, you should possess a strong foundation in programming concepts, experience with web application development, and familiarity with software development lifecycle methodologies. Additionally, the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders is essential, as is a passion for outdoor activities that aligns with Rei's mission.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into common questions and expectations specific to the Software Engineer role at Rei, ultimately increasing your confidence and chances of success.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at REI is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process begins with an initial phone screen, usually lasting around 30 minutes. During this call, a recruiter will discuss the job requirements and your background. Expect to answer questions about your experience and technical skills, as well as your salary expectations. This stage is crucial for determining if you align with the company's values and if your skills match the role.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screen, candidates may be required to complete a technical assessment. This could involve an online coding test or a logic puzzle that evaluates your problem-solving abilities and understanding of programming concepts. The assessment is designed to gauge your proficiency in relevant technologies, such as .NET, SQL, and JavaScript, as well as your analytical thinking skills.

3. Technical Phone Interview

If you pass the technical assessment, the next step is a technical phone interview with a developer. This interview focuses on your technical knowledge and may include questions about specific programming languages, frameworks, and algorithms. Be prepared to discuss your past projects and how you applied your technical skills in real-world scenarios.

4. Onsite Interview

The onsite interview is a more in-depth evaluation and typically lasts around three hours. It consists of multiple rounds with different interviewers, including technical, analytical, and behavioral assessments. You will face questions that test your coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the team. Expect to engage in discussions about your previous work, as well as to solve practical problems and puzzles that reflect the challenges you may encounter in the role.

5. Final Interview

The final stage may involve a brief interview with a manager or HR representative. This conversation often focuses on your personality, work style, and how you would contribute to the team dynamics. It’s an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company culture and the team you would be joining.

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

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

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at REI typically includes an initial phone screen followed by an onsite interview that can last several hours. Be prepared for a mix of technical, analytical, and behavioral questions. Familiarize yourself with the technologies mentioned in your resume, as interviewers will likely ask you to elaborate on your experience with them. Knowing the structure will help you manage your time and energy effectively during the interview.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect to face a variety of technical questions that may include coding challenges, system design, and problem-solving scenarios. Brush up on your knowledge of .NET, SQL, and JavaScript, as these are commonly referenced technologies. Practice coding problems and be ready to explain your thought process clearly. Interviewers appreciate candidates who can articulate their reasoning and approach to solving problems.

Hone Your Analytical Skills

Analytical questions are a significant part of the interview process. You may encounter logic puzzles or scenario-based questions that test your critical thinking. Practice common analytical problems, such as those involving weights and balances or number guessing. Being able to think on your feet and demonstrate your analytical skills will set you apart from other candidates.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

REI values team fit and collaboration, so expect behavioral questions that assess your interpersonal skills and work ethic. Prepare examples from your past experiences that showcase your ability to work in a team, handle conflict, and adapt to challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you provide clear and concise answers.

Manage Salary Expectations Wisely

Salary discussions can be tricky, especially if the recruiter seems condescending or unprofessional. Approach this topic with confidence and do your research beforehand. Know the market rate for your role and experience level, and be prepared to discuss your expectations without feeling pressured. If the conversation becomes uncomfortable, it’s okay to redirect it back to your qualifications and fit for the role.

Communicate Effectively

Throughout the interview process, clear communication is key. If you encounter any unclear questions or if you need clarification, don’t hesitate to ask. This shows that you are engaged and willing to ensure mutual understanding. Additionally, maintain a positive demeanor, even if the interviewers seem less than ideal; professionalism can leave a lasting impression.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position. This not only demonstrates your professionalism but also keeps you on the interviewers' radar. If you don’t hear back in a reasonable timeframe, a polite follow-up can help you stay informed about your application status.

By preparing thoroughly and approaching the interview with confidence and professionalism, you can increase your chances of success at REI. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at REI. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the team. Be prepared to discuss your experience with relevant technologies, as well as demonstrate your analytical thinking through various scenarios.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the ASP.NET page life cycle?

Understanding the ASP.NET page life cycle is crucial for any developer working with this framework.

How to Answer

Discuss the various stages of the page life cycle, including initialization, loading, postback event handling, rendering, and unloading. Highlight how each stage impacts the overall performance and behavior of the application.

Example

“The ASP.NET page life cycle consists of several stages: initialization, where controls are created; loading, where the page and its controls are loaded with data; postback event handling, where events are processed; rendering, where the page is prepared for display; and unloading, where cleanup occurs. Understanding this cycle helps in optimizing performance and managing state effectively.”

2. What are closures in JavaScript?

Closures are a fundamental concept in JavaScript that can be pivotal in many coding scenarios.

How to Answer

Explain that a closure is a function that retains access to its lexical scope, even when the function is executed outside that scope. Provide a brief example to illustrate your point.

Example

“A closure is created when a function is defined within another function, allowing the inner function to access variables from the outer function. For instance, if I have a function that returns another function, the returned function can still access the variables of the outer function, even after the outer function has completed execution.”

3. Write a SQL query to retrieve specific data from a table.

SQL proficiency is often tested in software engineering interviews, especially for roles involving database interactions.

How to Answer

Be prepared to write a query based on a given scenario. Explain your thought process as you construct the query.

Example

“To retrieve the names of all employees in the 'Sales' department, I would write: SELECT name FROM employees WHERE department = 'Sales';. This query selects the 'name' column from the 'employees' table where the department matches 'Sales'.”

4. Explain the difference between instantiate and initiate.

Understanding terminology is important, especially in a technical context.

How to Answer

Clarify the definitions of both terms and how they are used in programming.

Example

“To instantiate means to create an instance of a class, while to initiate refers to the process of starting or beginning something. For example, when I instantiate a class, I create an object from it, whereas initiating might refer to starting a process or function.”

5. Can you describe the concept of prototypal inheritance in JavaScript?

Prototypal inheritance is a key feature of JavaScript that distinguishes it from other programming languages.

How to Answer

Discuss how objects can inherit properties and methods from other objects through the prototype chain.

Example

“Prototypal inheritance allows an object to inherit properties and methods from another object. In JavaScript, every object has a prototype, and when a property is not found on the object itself, the JavaScript engine looks up the prototype chain until it finds the property or reaches the end of the chain.”

Analytical Skills

1. How would you solve a problem where you need to find a light coin among nine coins using a balance scale?

Analytical questions often test your problem-solving skills and logical reasoning.

How to Answer

Outline your approach step-by-step, demonstrating your logical reasoning.

Example

“To find the light coin among nine coins using a balance scale, I would first divide the coins into three groups of three. I would weigh two of the groups against each other. If one group is lighter, I would take those three coins and weigh two of them against each other. The lighter one will be the light coin, or if they balance, the third coin is the light one.”

2. Describe a time when you had to solve a complex problem under pressure.

Behavioral questions assess how you handle stress and challenges.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, focusing on the problem, your approach, and the outcome.

Example

“During a critical project deadline, we encountered a major bug that threatened our release. I quickly organized a team meeting to brainstorm solutions, delegated tasks based on each member's strengths, and we worked collaboratively to identify and fix the issue within hours, allowing us to meet our deadline.”

3. If you have three light bulbs in a room with three switches outside, how would you determine which switch controls which bulb?

This classic puzzle tests your logical thinking.

How to Answer

Explain your thought process clearly and methodically.

Example

“I would turn on the first switch and leave it on for a few minutes. Then, I would turn it off and turn on the second switch. When I enter the room, the bulb that is on corresponds to the second switch. The bulb that is off but warm corresponds to the first switch, and the bulb that is off and cold corresponds to the third switch.”

4. How would you approach a problem where you need to balance two ropes that burn at different rates?

This question tests your ability to think critically and creatively.

How to Answer

Outline your strategy for solving the problem, emphasizing your analytical skills.

Example

“To solve the problem of burning two ropes to measure a specific time, I would light one end of the first rope and both ends of the second rope simultaneously. The second rope will burn completely in 30 minutes, while the first rope will take an hour. When the second rope is done, I would then light the other end of the first rope, which will take an additional 15 minutes to burn completely, giving me a total of 45 minutes.”

5. Can you explain the concept of isolation levels in database transactions?

Understanding database transactions is essential for software engineers.

How to Answer

Discuss the different isolation levels and their implications on data consistency and concurrency.

Example

“Isolation levels in database transactions define how transaction integrity is visible to other transactions. The four main levels are Read Uncommitted, Read Committed, Repeatable Read, and Serializable. Each level balances the trade-off between data consistency and performance, with Serializable providing the highest level of isolation but potentially leading to decreased performance due to locking.”