Sojern Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Sojern is a leading travel marketing platform that harnesses data to deliver targeted advertising solutions for brands to connect with travelers worldwide.

The Software Engineer role at Sojern involves designing, developing, and maintaining software applications that optimize the travel marketing process. Key responsibilities include writing clean, efficient code, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software solutions, and troubleshooting software issues as they arise. Candidates should possess strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript, as well as experience with SQL and web technologies like React.js. A successful engineer at Sojern demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as a passion for problem-solving and continuous learning. Understanding the intricacies of the travel industry and data-driven marketing will be advantageous in this role.

This guide will provide you with insights into the skills and experiences to highlight during your interview, as well as the types of questions you may encounter, helping you to stand out as a candidate.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Sojern is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically consists of several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, which usually involves a phone interview with a recruiter. This conversation is designed to gauge your interest in the role and the company, as well as to discuss your background, skills, and career aspirations. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and what it’s like to work at Sojern.

2. Technical Screening

Following the initial screening, candidates typically undergo a technical screening. This may be conducted via video call and focuses on assessing your coding abilities and problem-solving skills. Expect to tackle questions related to programming languages such as Python and SQL, as well as design-level questions that evaluate your understanding of software architecture and development principles.

3. Onsite Interviews

The onsite interview process generally consists of multiple rounds, often totaling around five interviews, each lasting approximately 45 minutes. These interviews are primarily technical in nature and may include coding challenges, system design questions, and discussions about your previous projects and experiences. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency in relevant technologies, including React.js, and to articulate their thought processes clearly.

4. Behavioral Assessment

In addition to technical evaluations, there is often a behavioral component to the interviews. This part assesses how well you align with Sojern's values and culture. Be ready to share personal stories that highlight your teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability in various situations.

As you prepare for your interviews, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during this process.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Sojern emphasizes a friendly and collaborative work environment, but it's essential to be aware of the diversity challenges mentioned in employee experiences. Approach the interview with an open mind and a focus on how you can contribute to a more inclusive culture. Be prepared to discuss your views on diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, and how you can help foster a more welcoming environment.

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Expect a rigorous technical interview process that includes multiple rounds of coding challenges and design questions. Brush up on your skills in SQL, Python, and React.js, as these are commonly tested. Practice coding problems on platforms like CoderPad or LeetCode, focusing on easy to medium-level challenges. Familiarize yourself with common algorithms and data structures, as well as system design principles, to ensure you can tackle a variety of technical questions.

Craft Your Personal Stories

Given the subjective nature of the decision-making process, having well-prepared personal stories can set you apart. Reflect on your past experiences, particularly those that showcase your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, making it easier for interviewers to understand your contributions and impact.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Sojern's interview process includes behavioral questions that assess your fit within the team. Prepare to discuss your motivations, challenges you've faced, and how you handle conflict or collaboration. Highlight your ability to work in a team and your approach to overcoming obstacles, as these traits are valued in their work culture.

Stay Positive and Engaged

While some candidates have reported a less-than-ideal experience, maintaining a positive attitude during your interview can make a significant difference. Engage with your interviewers, ask thoughtful questions about the team and projects, and express genuine interest in the role. This approach not only reflects well on you but also helps you gauge if Sojern is the right fit for your career aspirations.

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

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Sojern. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and your capacity to work collaboratively within a team. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge in programming languages, algorithms, and system design, as well as your understanding of software development principles.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between a stack and a queue?

Understanding data structures is fundamental for any software engineer, and this question tests your grasp of basic concepts.

How to Answer

Discuss the definitions of both data structures, their characteristics, and typical use cases. Highlight the key differences in how they manage data.

Example

“A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) structure, where the last element added is the first to be removed, like a stack of plates. A queue, on the other hand, is a First In First Out (FIFO) structure, where the first element added is the first to be removed, similar to a line of people waiting for service.”

2. Describe a situation where you had to debug a complex issue in your code.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and your approach to debugging.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a challenging bug you encountered, the steps you took to identify and resolve it, and what you learned from the experience.

Example

“I once faced a memory leak issue in a web application. I used profiling tools to monitor memory usage and identified that certain objects were not being released. After tracing the code, I found that event listeners were not being removed properly. I refactored the code to ensure proper cleanup, which resolved the issue and improved performance.”

3. What is your experience with SQL and how do you optimize queries?

SQL proficiency is crucial for many software engineering roles, especially in data-driven environments.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with SQL, including specific functions or techniques you use to optimize queries, such as indexing or query restructuring.

Example

“I have extensive experience with SQL, particularly in optimizing queries for performance. I often use indexing to speed up data retrieval and analyze query execution plans to identify bottlenecks. For instance, in a recent project, I optimized a slow-running report query by adding indexes on frequently queried columns, which reduced execution time by over 50%.”

Programming Languages

4. How do you handle version control in your projects?

This question evaluates your familiarity with version control systems, which are essential for collaborative software development.

How to Answer

Explain your experience with version control systems, particularly Git, and how you use them to manage code changes and collaborate with others.

Example

“I use Git for version control in all my projects. I follow a branching strategy where I create feature branches for new developments and regularly merge changes back to the main branch after thorough code reviews. This approach helps maintain a clean project history and facilitates collaboration with my team.”

5. Can you describe a project where you used React.js?

This question assesses your experience with front-end frameworks, particularly React.js, which is commonly used in modern web applications.

How to Answer

Share details about a specific project where you utilized React.js, focusing on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example

“In a recent project, I developed a single-page application using React.js. I faced challenges with state management, so I implemented Redux to manage the application state more effectively. This allowed for better scalability and maintainability, and the project was well-received by users for its responsiveness.”

System Design

6. How would you design a scalable web application?

This question tests your understanding of system architecture and scalability principles.

How to Answer

Outline the key components of a scalable web application, including considerations for load balancing, database design, and caching strategies.

Example

“To design a scalable web application, I would start by using a microservices architecture to separate different functionalities. I would implement load balancers to distribute traffic evenly across servers and use a NoSQL database for horizontal scalability. Additionally, I would incorporate caching mechanisms like Redis to reduce database load and improve response times.”

7. What strategies would you use to ensure code quality in your projects?

This question evaluates your commitment to maintaining high standards in software development.

How to Answer

Discuss the practices you follow to ensure code quality, such as code reviews, automated testing, and adherence to coding standards.

Example

“I prioritize code quality by implementing a robust code review process where peers review each other’s work. I also write unit tests and integration tests to catch issues early in the development cycle. Additionally, I adhere to coding standards and use linters to maintain consistency across the codebase.”