Yelp Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Yelp is a well-known platform that connects users with local businesses, offering reviews and recommendations while fostering a collaborative environment for its employees.

As a Software Engineer at Yelp, you will play a crucial role in developing and maintaining the technology that powers the platform, ensuring a seamless experience for both users and businesses. Your key responsibilities will include writing clean and efficient code, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and implement new features, and optimizing existing systems for performance and scalability. The ideal candidate will possess strong problem-solving skills, a solid understanding of data structures and algorithms, and proficiency in modern programming languages such as Python, Ruby, Java, or Swift. You should also demonstrate an ability to work effectively in a team, communicate clearly, and contribute positively to Yelp’s values of collaboration, authenticity, and creativity in problem-solving.

This guide will provide you with insights into the interview expectations and help you prepare effectively for your role at Yelp, enhancing your confidence and readiness.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Yelp is structured and designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit. It typically consists of several stages, each focusing on different aspects of the candidate’s abilities and experiences.

1. Online Assessment

The first step in the interview process is an online coding challenge, usually conducted through HackerRank. This assessment typically lasts around 30 minutes and includes algorithmic problems that are generally categorized as easy to medium difficulty. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and coding proficiency during this timed challenge.

2. Technical Phone Interview

After successfully completing the online assessment, candidates are invited to a technical phone interview with an engineer. This interview usually lasts about 45 minutes and focuses on coding problems, as well as discussions about the candidate’s past projects and experiences. Candidates should be prepared to solve a coding problem live while explaining their thought process.

3. Onsite Interviews

The onsite interview consists of multiple rounds, typically four, and is conducted either in-person or virtually. These rounds include a mix of technical and behavioral interviews. Candidates can expect to face two technical interviews that cover data structures, algorithms, and system design. The system design interview may involve designing a feature relevant to Yelp’s platform, while the coding interviews often include practical problems that reflect real-world challenges faced by the engineering team.

In addition to the technical rounds, there are usually two behavioral interviews. These interviews assess the candidate’s soft skills, teamwork, and cultural fit within Yelp’s collaborative environment. Questions may revolve around past experiences, conflict resolution, and leadership examples.

4. Final Interview with Hiring Manager

The final stage often includes a conversation with the hiring manager. This interview focuses on the candidate’s alignment with Yelp’s values and their potential contributions to the team. It may also cover logistical aspects such as salary expectations and the candidate’s interest in the role.

Candidates should be prepared for a comprehensive evaluation throughout the process, as Yelp emphasizes both technical expertise and a strong cultural fit.

Next, let’s delve into the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

Yelp’s interview process typically includes an online coding challenge, followed by a technical interview and multiple rounds of onsite interviews. Familiarize yourself with this structure and prepare accordingly. Expect to face a mix of algorithmic problems, system design questions, and behavioral interviews. Knowing the format will help you manage your time and energy effectively during the interview.

Focus on Practical Coding Skills

The coding challenges at Yelp often revolve around LeetCode medium-level questions, particularly those involving data structures like hashmaps and linked lists. Practice coding problems that are relevant to Yelp’s business, such as filtering and sorting data, as well as designing features that could enhance the Yelp platform. Be prepared to explain your thought process and the trade-offs of your solutions, as interviewers are interested in your problem-solving approach.

Prepare for System Design Questions

During the onsite interviews, you may encounter system design questions that require you to think critically about how to build scalable and maintainable systems. Brush up on your knowledge of system architecture, APIs, and database design. Consider how you would design features specific to Yelp, such as a notification system or a user engagement dashboard. This will demonstrate your ability to apply technical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

Emphasize Team Collaboration and Culture Fit

Yelp values a cooperative team environment and individual authenticity. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences working in teams, how you handle conflicts, and your approach to fostering a positive team culture. Highlight any leadership experiences or mentorship roles you’ve had, as these align with Yelp’s emphasis on growth and collaboration.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of your interviews, you will likely have the opportunity to ask questions. Use this time to inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and how the engineering team contributes to Yelp’s overall mission. Asking thoughtful questions not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.

Stay Positive and Professional

While some candidates have reported negative experiences with the recruitment process, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor throughout your interviews is crucial. Focus on showcasing your skills and experiences, and be respectful in your interactions with interviewers and recruiters. This will leave a lasting impression and reflect well on your character.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can enhance your chances of success in the interview process at Yelp. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Yelp. The interview process will assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of data structures, algorithms, system design, and your past experiences in a collaborative environment.

Data Structures and Algorithms

1. Can you explain the difference between a linked list and an array?

Understanding the fundamental differences between data structures is crucial for problem-solving in software engineering.

How to Answer

Discuss the characteristics of both data structures, including their memory allocation, access time, and use cases.

Example

“A linked list allows for dynamic memory allocation and can easily grow or shrink in size, while an array has a fixed size and allows for faster access to elements due to contiguous memory allocation. This makes linked lists more suitable for scenarios where frequent insertions and deletions are required.”

2. How would you implement a hash map?

This question tests your understanding of hash tables and their implementation.

How to Answer

Explain the concept of hashing, collision resolution techniques, and how you would handle resizing.

Example

“I would implement a hash map using an array of linked lists to handle collisions through chaining. When inserting a key-value pair, I would compute the hash of the key to find the appropriate index and then add the pair to the linked list at that index. If the load factor exceeds a certain threshold, I would resize the array and rehash the existing entries.”

3. Describe how you would traverse a binary tree.

Traversal techniques are fundamental in understanding tree data structures.

How to Answer

Discuss the different traversal methods (in-order, pre-order, post-order) and their applications.

Example

“To traverse a binary tree, I would use in-order traversal, which visits the left subtree, the root, and then the right subtree. This method is useful for retrieving values in sorted order. I would implement this recursively or iteratively using a stack.”

4. What is the time complexity of quicksort?

Understanding algorithm efficiency is key in software engineering.

How to Answer

Explain the average and worst-case time complexities of quicksort and when it is appropriate to use.

Example

“The average time complexity of quicksort is O(n log n), while the worst-case is O(n^2) when the pivot is the smallest or largest element. It is efficient for large datasets and is often preferred due to its cache performance.”

5. How would you find the longest substring without repeating characters?

This is a common problem that tests your ability to manipulate strings and use data structures effectively.

How to Answer

Outline your approach using a sliding window technique and a hash map to track characters.

Example

“I would use a sliding window approach with two pointers to maintain the current substring. As I iterate through the string, I would use a hash map to track the last index of each character. If a character repeats, I would move the left pointer to the right of the last occurrence of that character, ensuring the substring remains unique.”

System Design

1. Design a notification system for Yelp.

This question assesses your ability to design scalable systems.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of the system, including data storage, message queues, and user interfaces.

Example

“I would design a notification system that uses a message queue to handle incoming notifications asynchronously. The system would store user preferences in a database to determine how and when to send notifications. I would also implement a service to aggregate notifications and deliver them in batches to reduce load.”

2. How would you design a feature to download all user-generated content on Yelp?

This question tests your ability to think through user requirements and system architecture.

How to Answer

Outline the steps involved in the design, including data retrieval, processing, and user experience.

Example

“I would create an API endpoint that allows users to request their content. The backend would query the database for all relevant entries, format the data into a downloadable file (e.g., CSV or JSON), and send it to the user. I would also implement pagination to handle large datasets efficiently.”

3. What considerations would you take into account when designing a scalable web application?

This question evaluates your understanding of scalability and performance.

How to Answer

Discuss factors such as load balancing, database optimization, and caching strategies.

Example

“When designing a scalable web application, I would consider using load balancers to distribute traffic across multiple servers, implementing caching mechanisms to reduce database load, and optimizing database queries to ensure quick data retrieval. Additionally, I would design the application to be stateless to facilitate horizontal scaling.”

4. How would you handle data consistency in a distributed system?

This question tests your knowledge of distributed systems and data integrity.

How to Answer

Explain concepts like eventual consistency, CAP theorem, and strategies for maintaining consistency.

Example

“In a distributed system, I would implement eventual consistency to allow for high availability while ensuring that all nodes eventually converge to the same state. I would use techniques like versioning and conflict resolution to manage data integrity across nodes.”

5. Describe how you would design the Yelp homepage.

This question assesses your ability to think about user experience and system architecture.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of the homepage, including user interactions, data retrieval, and performance considerations.

Example

“I would design the Yelp homepage to display personalized recommendations based on user preferences and location. The backend would retrieve data from a database and use caching to improve load times. I would also implement a responsive design to ensure a seamless experience across devices.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time you faced a conflict with a colleague.

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and conflict resolution abilities.

How to Answer

Describe the situation, your actions, and the outcome, focusing on your communication and problem-solving skills.

Example

“In a previous project, I disagreed with a colleague about the best approach to implement a feature. I scheduled a meeting to discuss our perspectives and listened to their concerns. We ultimately found a compromise that combined both of our ideas, leading to a successful implementation.”

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

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including tools and techniques you use.

Example

“I prioritize tasks by assessing their urgency and impact on the project. I use tools like Trello to visualize my workload and set deadlines. I also communicate with my team to ensure alignment on priorities and adjust as needed based on project requirements.”

3. Describe a project you worked on that you are particularly proud of.

This question allows you to showcase your achievements and technical skills.

How to Answer

Highlight the project’s goals, your contributions, and the impact it had.

Example

“I am particularly proud of a project where I developed a feature that improved user engagement by 30%. I led the design and implementation, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure it met user needs. The positive feedback from users validated our efforts and motivated the team.”

4. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

This question evaluates your openness to growth and learning.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to receiving feedback and how you use it to improve.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. When I receive criticism, I take the time to reflect on it and identify areas for improvement. I appreciate constructive feedback and often seek it from peers to enhance my skills and performance.”

5. Why do you want to work at Yelp?

This question assesses your motivation and cultural fit.

How to Answer

Express your interest in the company’s mission, values, and the role itself.

Example

“I want to work at Yelp because I admire its commitment to helping users find great local businesses. I appreciate the collaborative culture and the emphasis on individual authenticity. I believe my skills and values align well with Yelp’s mission, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to such a dynamic team.”