Thomson Reuters Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2024

Thomson Reuters is a global leader that provides intelligent information to businesses and professionals. Known for its contributions to the legal, tax, accounting, and compliance sectors and its prestigious news service Reuters, the company holds a reputable position worldwide.

As a Software Engineer at Thomson Reuters, you’ll work on cutting-edge technology projects that have a meaningful impact on the global stage. The role involves developing, maintaining, and enhancing various software applications using modern technologies.

In this guide, we will walk you through the application and interview process, the commonly asked Thomson Reuters software engineer interview questions, and insights and tips to help you prepare. Let’s get started!

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV is among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the Thomson Reuters Talent Acquisition Team will contact you and verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be part of the screening process.

Sometimes, the Thomson Reuters Software Engineer hiring manager stays present during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also indulge in surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.

The whole recruiter call should take about 30 minutes.

Coding Challenge (HackerRank)

If you successfully pass the recruiter screening, you will be given a Hackerrank challenge. The Hackerrank challenge usually consists of 1 or more algorithm and data structure problems. The difficulty level can vary, often including a mix of easy to medium-level questions.

Preparation for this stage is crucial, and it is recommended that problem-solving be practiced on platforms like LeetCode, Hackerrank, or CodeSignal.

Technical Virtual Interview

Successfully navigating the coding challenge stage will invite you to the technical virtual interview. Technical screening for the Thomson Reuters Software Engineer role is usually conducted virtually, including video conference and screen sharing. Questions in this one-hour interview may revolve around Java, C#, OOP principles, SQL queries, and basic programming concepts.

Your proficiency with web development technologies or any specific tech stack mentioned in the job description (like AWS, Python, or Angular) may also be assessed.

Onsite Interview Rounds

Followed by a second recruiter call outlining the next stage, you’ll be invited to attend the onsite interview loop. Multiple interview rounds, varying with the role, will be conducted during your day at the Thomson Reuters office. Your technical prowess, including programming and system design capabilities, will be evaluated against the finalized 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 Thomson Reuters.

The interview may also include Managerial rounds where problem-solving skills, project experiences, and technical depth will be further scrutinized.

Final Interview with Manager and HR

If you clear the technical interviews, the final stage of the interview process will involve discussions with the hiring manager. This round can include both technical and behavioral questions as well as a discussion about your salary expectations, potential start date, and other HR-related details.

Typically, interviews at Thomson Reuters vary by role and team, but commonly software engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

1. What are the drawbacks of the given data organization, and how would you reformat it for better analysis?

Assume you have data on student test scores in two different layouts. Identify the drawbacks of these layouts and suggest formatting changes to make the data more useful for analysis. Additionally, describe common problems seen in “messy” datasets.

2. How would you locate a mouse in a 4x4 grid using the fewest scans?

You have a 4x4 grid with a mouse trapped in one of the cells. You can scan subsets of cells to know if the mouse is within that subset. Describe a strategy to find the mouse using the fewest number of scans.

3. How would you select Dashers for Doordash deliveries in NYC and Charlotte?

Doordash is launching delivery services in New York City and Charlotte and needs a process for selecting dashers. Describe how you would decide which Dashers do these deliveries and whether the criteria for selection would be the same for both cities.

4. What factors could bias Jetco’s study on boarding times, and what would you investigate?

Jetco, a new airline, had a study showing it has the fastest average boarding times. Identify factors that could have biased this result and what you would look into to verify the study’s accuracy.

5.How would you design an A/B test to evaluate a pricing increase for a B2B SAAS company?

A B2B SAAS company wants to test different subscription pricing levels. Describe how you would design a two-week-long A/B test to evaluate a pricing increase and determine if it is a good business decision.

6. Write a SQL query to select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department.

Write a SQL query to select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department. If more than one person shares the highest salary, the query should select the next highest salary.

7. Write a function to find the maximum number in a list of integers.

Given a list of integers, write a function that returns the maximum number in the list. If the list is empty, return None.

8. Create a function convert_to_bst to convert a sorted list into a balanced binary tree.

Given a sorted list, create a function convert_to_bst that converts the list into a balanced binary tree. The output binary tree should be balanced, meaning the height difference between the left and right subtree of all the nodes should be at most one.

9. Write a function to simulate drawing balls from a jar.

Write a function to simulate drawing balls from a jar. The colors of the balls are stored in a list named jar, with corresponding counts of the balls stored in the same index in a list called n_balls.

10. Develop a function can_shift to determine if one string can be shifted to become another.

Given two strings A and B, write a function can_shift to return whether or not A can be shifted some number of places to get B.

11. How would you explain linear regression to a child, a first-year college student, and a seasoned mathematician?

Explain the concept of linear regression to three different audiences: a child, a first-year college student, and a seasoned mathematician, tailoring your explanations to their understanding levels.

11. Given a dataset of perfectly linearly separable data, describe the outcome when logistic regression is applied.How would you evaluate and deploy a decision tree model for loan repayment prediction?

As a data scientist at a bank, you need to build a decision tree model to predict loan repayment. Explain how you would evaluate if a decision tree is the right model and how you would assess its performance before and after deployment.

12. How would you justify using a neural network model to non-technical stakeholders?

If tasked with building a neural network model to solve a business problem, explain how you would justify the model’s complexity and explain its predictions to non-technical stakeholders.

13. How does random forest generate the forest and why use it over logistic regression?

Describe the process by which random forest generates its forest and explain why it might be preferred over logistic regression for certain problems.

14. How much should we budget for the coupon initiative in total?

A ride-sharing app has a probability (p) of dispensing a $5 coupon to a rider. The app services (N) riders. Calculate the total budget needed for the coupon initiative.

15. What is the probability of both riders getting the coupon?

A driver using the app picks up two passengers. Determine the probability that both riders will receive the coupon.

16. What is the probability that only one of them will get the coupon?

A driver using the app picks up two passengers. Determine the probability that only one of the riders will receive the coupon.

17. What is a confidence interval for a statistic, and why is it useful?

Explain what a confidence interval is, why it is useful to know the confidence interval for a statistic, and how to calculate it.

18. What is the probability that item X would be found on Amazon’s website?

Amazon has a warehouse system where items are located at different distribution centers. In one city, the probability that item X is available at warehouse A is 0.6 and at warehouse B is 0.8. Calculate the probability that item X would be found on Amazon’s website.

19. Is this a fair coin?

You flip a coin 10 times, and it comes up tails 8 times and heads twice. Determine if the coin is fair.

20. What are time series models, and why do we need them?

Describe what time series models are and explain why they are needed when we have less complicated regression models.

Here are some quick tips to help you excel in your upcoming Thomson Reuters software engineer interview:

• Revise Core Concepts: Brush up on core concepts of programming, OOP principles, SQL queries, and data structures. Ensure you can communicate your past project experiences clearly and effectively, or you can practice with our AI interviewer to improve explaining technical concepts.
• Prepare for the HackerRank Challenge: Practice algorithm and data structure problems challenges to help you prepare for the technical assessment.
• Be Technically Versatile: Be prepared to discuss various technical topics and tools, especially those mentioned in the job description, like AWS, Java, Python, Angular, etc.

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at Thomson Reuters?

What should I expect in terms of work culture at Thomson Reuters?

Thomson Reuters prides itself on an inclusive, diverse, and supportive work environment. The company offers flexible working arrangements, continuous learning opportunities, and mental and physical well-being programs. The culture emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.

Are there any available openings at Thomson Reuters?

Check out our Job Board to see if Thomson Reuters has any current openings for the software engineer position.

Thomson Reuters stands as a beacon of opportunity for those looking to propel their careers in software engineering. With a rich history of almost 160 years, the company continuously seeks talented individuals who are passionate about solving complex problems and driving innovation.

By preparing thoroughly, showcasing your practical knowledge, and leveraging resources, you can excel in the interview process.

Good luck with your interview!