Sorenson Communications, LLC is a leading provider of communication solutions, focusing on serving the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. They leverage a combination of patented technology and human-centric solutions to enable greater communication accessibility. Their mission is to harness the power of language to connect diverse people and enrich human experiences.

As a Software Engineer II at Sorenson Communications, you will engage in developing innovative, high-quality communication services. This role, based onsite in Salt Lake City, Utah, requires proficiency in multiple programming languages and technologies such as C++, C#, JavaScript, and AWS. Responsibilities include developing system components, debugging, implementing standards-based communication protocols, and working with various AI and cloud computing technologies.

This guide will walk you through the interview process for the Software Engineer II position at Sorenson Communications and provide tips and insights to help you succeed. Let’s get started!

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit a compelling application that aligns with your technical skills and interest in joining Sorenson Communications as a Software Engineer II. Whether you were contacted by a Sorenson 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 mentions of your work experiences.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV happens to be among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the Sorenson 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 Sorenson Communications hiring manager stays present during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also engage 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 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 Sorenson’s technical stack, such as programming in C, C#, C++, React, and more.

In the context of software engineering roles, problem-solving assignments involving system design, coding, and debugging are incorporated. Your proficiency with algorithms, design patterns, and cloud computing 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 at Sorenson Communications' offices in Salt Lake City. Multiple interview rounds, varying with the role, will be conducted during your day at the office. Your technical prowess, including programming abilities and software engineering principles, will be evaluated against the shortlisted 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 Sorenson Communications.

Quick Tips For Sorenson Communications Software Engineer Interviews

You should plan to fortify your technical skills and try as many practice interview questions and mock interviews as possible. A few tips for acing your Sorenson Communications interview include:

• Master the Technologies: Sorenson Communications emphasizes a wide range of technologies from C, C#, C++, React, JavaScript, and cloud platforms like AWS and Azure. Be well-versed in the mentioned skill set and understand practical applications.
• Understanding Protocols and Security: Questions around authentication services using Auth0, OAuth 2.0, OICD, SAML standard for SSO, SIP/VOIP, and WebRTC are common. Brush up on your knowledge of these protocols and security standards.
• Embrace Agile Development: Sorenson values the use of agile and rapid application development processes. Demonstrate your experience and understanding of agile practices during the interviews.

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

• How would you use data to convince a fast-food franchise to purchase another custom Snapchat filter? Snapchat partnered with a fast-food franchise to create a custom filter available for a week. How would you use data from this campaign to persuade the franchise to buy another custom filter this year?

• Write a function missing_number to find the missing number in an array of integers. You have an array of integers, nums of length n spanning 0 to n with one missing. Write a function missing_number that returns the missing number in the array.

• Create a function first_uniq_char to find the first non-repeating character in a string. Given a string, find the first non-repeating character in it and return its index. If it doesn't exist, return -1.

• Write a function inject_frequency to add the frequency of each character in a string. Given a string sentence, return the same string with an addendum after each character of the number of occurrences a character appeared in the sentence. Do not treat spaces as characters and exclude characters in the discard_list.

• Create a query to find the number of rows resulting from different joins between ads and top_ads. Allstate is running N online ads. Create a subquery or common table expression named top_ads containing the top 3 ads by popularity and return the number of rows resulting from INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, RIGHT JOIN, and CROSS JOIN operations.

• How would you explain what a p-value is to someone who is not technical? Explain the concept of a p-value in simple terms to someone without a technical background. Use relatable examples to illustrate its significance in hypothesis testing.

• What is the difference between Logistic and Linear Regression? When would you use one instead of the other in practice? Describe the key differences between Logistic and Linear Regression. Provide practical scenarios where each type of regression would be appropriately applied.

• How would you build a fraud detection model with a text messaging service for transaction approval? You work at a bank that wants to detect fraud on its platform. The bank also wants to implement a text messaging service that will notify customers when a fraudulent transaction is detected, allowing them to approve or deny the transaction via text response. How would you build this model?

• What is the difference between Logistic and Linear Regression, and when would you use each? Explain the differences between Logistic and Linear Regression. Describe scenarios where you would use one instead of the other in practice.

• What does the backpropagation algorithm do in neural networks, and what is its intuition? Describe the role of the backpropagation algorithm in neural networks and provide an informal intuition behind it. Discuss some drawbacks of the algorithm compared to other optimization methods. Bonus: Formally derive the backpropagation algorithm and prove its claims.

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at Sorenson Communications?

Q: What is the mission and vision of Sorenson Communications?

Sorenson Communications aims to harness the power of language to connect diverse people and enrich the human experience. Our vision is to provide global language services that expand opportunities, nurture belonging, and enable people to connect beyond words.

Q: What are the primary responsibilities of a Software Engineer II at Sorenson Communications?

As a Software Engineer II, you will deliver high-quality industry-leading communication services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. This includes developing system components in C, C#, C++, and .NET, managing extensions for communication apps, and utilizing cloud computing services like AWS and Azure. You will also focus on implementing AI technologies, maintaining authentication services, and troubleshooting video call flows.

Q: What skills and technologies are essential for the Software Engineer II role?

Key skills include proficiency in advanced C#, C, C++, .NET, Java, TypeScript, React, and React Native. Experience with cloud computing (AWS, Azure), AI technologies (GPT-3.5, GPT-4.0), communication protocols (XML, JSON, HTTP, REST), and authentication services (Auth0, OAuth 2.0, OICD, SAML) is crucial. Knowledge of tools like Git, GitHub, and network analyzers like Wireshark is also essential.

Q: What benefits does Sorenson Communications offer to its employees?

Sorenson offers a range of benefits, including paid vacation and sick time, paid holidays, a 401k plan with a 6% match and immediate vesting, nationwide medical insurance plans, HSA company match, Employee Assistance Programs, and numerous learning and career development opportunities.

Q: How can I prepare for an interview at Sorenson Communications for the Software Engineer II position?

To prepare for an interview at Sorenson Communications, research the company’s mission and vision, understand the specific technical and interpersonal skills required for the role, and practice relevant technical questions. Platforms like Interview Query can help you practice common interview questions and refine your problem-solving skills.

If you're aiming to join Sorenson Communications as a Software Engineer, knowing the role demands a blend of advanced technical skills and a passion for serving the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities can be the edge you need. Be prepared to tackle a wide range of technologies from C# and React to AI and cloud computing. Your commitment to fostering accessible communication solutions and adhering to industry standards will align you with Sorenson's mission and values.

For an in-depth understanding of what to expect during your interview process, check out our Sorenson Communications Interview Guide. Here, you’ll find comprehensive resources and potential interview questions tailored for various roles, including the Software Engineer position. At Interview Query, we provide the essential tools and insights to empower you, boosting your confidence and strategic approach for the upcoming challenges.

You can also explore all our company interview guides for more in-depth preparation. If you have any queries, don't hesitate to reach out. Good luck with your interview!