Zillow Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Zillow is a leading online real estate marketplace that helps people find homes, rentals, and real estate services through innovative technology and data insights.

The Software Engineer role at Zillow is critical to developing and enhancing the platforms that empower millions of users to make informed real estate decisions. Key responsibilities include designing, coding, and maintaining software applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to define and refine requirements, and troubleshooting and debugging applications to ensure optimal performance. Candidates should possess strong skills in data structures, algorithms, and system design, with proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or JavaScript. A great fit for this position embodies Zillow's core values, demonstrating a commitment to customer obsession, innovation, and collaboration.

This guide will provide aspiring candidates with tailored insights and preparation strategies to excel in their interviews at Zillow, ensuring they can effectively showcase their technical abilities and alignment with the company’s values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer position at Zillow is structured and typically consists of several key stages designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit.

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The process begins with a brief phone call with a recruiter, lasting around 30 minutes. This conversation serves as an introduction to the role and the company, where the recruiter will inquire about your background, experience, and what you are looking for in a position. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask any preliminary questions about the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Technical Screening

Following the initial call, candidates usually undergo a technical screening, which can be conducted via a coding platform like HackerRank or through a live coding session. This stage typically lasts about an hour and involves solving one or two coding problems that test your understanding of algorithms and data structures. The focus is on your problem-solving approach and coding proficiency, so be prepared for questions that may require you to explain your thought process as you work through the problems.

3. Onsite Interviews

The final stage of the interview process is the onsite interviews, which can last several hours and consist of multiple rounds. Candidates can expect to participate in 3 to 5 interviews, each lasting around 45 minutes to an hour. These interviews will include a mix of technical questions, system design challenges, and behavioral questions. Interviewers may assess your knowledge of design patterns, object-oriented programming, and your ability to work collaboratively. Additionally, there will be a strong emphasis on Zillow's core values, so be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company’s mission.

4. Hiring Manager Discussion

In some cases, there may be a final discussion with the hiring manager, which focuses on your fit within the team and the company culture. This conversation often includes behavioral questions and may touch on your previous experiences and how they relate to the role you are applying for.

As you prepare for your interviews, keep in mind that Zillow values not only technical expertise but also cultural fit, so be ready to demonstrate how you embody their core values throughout the process.

Next, let’s delve into the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during their interviews at Zillow.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

Zillow's interview process typically consists of multiple stages, including a recruiter phone screen, a technical phone interview, and an onsite interview that may involve several rounds with different team members. Familiarize yourself with this structure so you can prepare accordingly. Knowing what to expect at each stage will help you manage your time and energy effectively.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect a mix of coding challenges and system design questions during your interviews. While many candidates report that the coding questions are often of medium difficulty, it's crucial to practice a range of problems, especially those related to data structures and algorithms. Utilize platforms like LeetCode to hone your skills, focusing on common patterns and optimizing your solutions. Be ready to explain your thought process clearly, as interviewers appreciate candidates who can articulate their reasoning.

Emphasize Cultural Fit

Zillow places a strong emphasis on its core values, so be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company's mission. During behavioral interviews, expect questions that assess your teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability. Reflect on past experiences that demonstrate these qualities and be ready to share specific examples that highlight your fit within Zillow's culture.

Engage with Interviewers

Many candidates have noted that Zillow's interviewers are friendly and approachable. Use this to your advantage by engaging in a two-way conversation during your interviews. Don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions if you don’t understand something, and be open to feedback during coding challenges. This collaborative approach can help create a more positive interview experience and demonstrate your ability to work well with others.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

In addition to technical skills, Zillow values interpersonal skills. Prepare for behavioral questions that explore your past experiences and how you handle various situations. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you provide clear and concise answers that showcase your problem-solving abilities and teamwork.

Stay Calm and Collected

Interviews can be stressful, but maintaining a calm demeanor is essential. If you encounter a challenging question, take a moment to think through your approach before diving in. If you get stuck, communicate your thought process to the interviewer; they may provide hints or guidance. Remember, the interview is as much about assessing your problem-solving approach as it is about arriving at the correct answer.

Follow Up

After your interviews, consider sending a thank-you email to your interviewers. Express your appreciation for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. This small gesture can leave a positive impression and demonstrate your professionalism.

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

Coding and Algorithms

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

Understanding data structures is crucial for a software engineer role, and this question tests your foundational knowledge.

How to Answer

Discuss the key characteristics of both data structures, including their operations and use cases. Highlight scenarios where one might be preferred over the other.

Example

“A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) structure, where the last element added is the first to be removed. It’s useful for scenarios like function call management. A queue, on the other hand, follows a First In First Out (FIFO) principle, making it ideal for tasks like print job management where the first job submitted should be the first to be processed.”

2. Describe a time you optimized an algorithm. What was the original algorithm, and how did you improve it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to enhance performance.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the original algorithm, the inefficiencies you identified, and the optimizations you implemented.

Example

“In a project, I was tasked with sorting a large dataset. Initially, I used a simple bubble sort, which had a time complexity of O(n^2). I researched and implemented quicksort, reducing the time complexity to O(n log n), which significantly improved the performance of our application.”

3. How would you find the first non-repeating character in a string?

This question tests your ability to apply algorithms to solve common problems.

How to Answer

Outline your thought process, including any data structures you would use, and provide a brief explanation of your approach.

Example

“I would use a hash map to count the occurrences of each character in the string. Then, I would iterate through the string a second time to find the first character with a count of one. This approach ensures a time complexity of O(n).”

4. Can you explain how a binary search works?

Binary search is a fundamental algorithm, and understanding it is essential for any software engineer.

How to Answer

Describe the algorithm step-by-step, including its prerequisites and efficiency.

Example

“Binary search works on sorted arrays. It starts by comparing the target value to the middle element of the array. If they match, the search is complete. If the target is less than the middle element, the search continues in the left half; if greater, in the right half. This process repeats, halving the search space each time, resulting in a time complexity of O(log n).”

System Design

1. How would you design a URL shortening service like bit.ly?

This question evaluates your system design skills and ability to think through complex problems.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of the system, including database design, API endpoints, and scalability considerations.

Example

“I would start by creating a database to store the original URLs and their corresponding shortened versions. The API would have endpoints for creating a short URL and redirecting to the original URL. For scalability, I would implement a hashing algorithm to generate unique short URLs and consider using a distributed database to handle high traffic.”

2. Describe how you would design a search engine.

This question tests your ability to architect a complex system.

How to Answer

Outline the key components, such as web crawlers, indexing, and query processing.

Example

“I would design a search engine with a web crawler to gather data from the internet. The data would be indexed in a database for quick retrieval. When a user submits a query, the search engine would process it, retrieve relevant results from the index, and rank them based on relevance using algorithms like PageRank.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Why do you want to work at Zillow?

This question assesses your motivation and cultural fit within the company.

How to Answer

Express your enthusiasm for the company’s mission and how your values align with theirs.

Example

“I admire Zillow’s commitment to innovation in the real estate market. I believe my passion for technology and my experience in software development can contribute to creating user-friendly solutions that help people find their dream homes.”

2. Describe a challenging project you worked on. What was your role, and what did you learn?

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and ability to work in a team.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing your contributions and the lessons learned.

Example

“I worked on a project to develop a mobile app for property listings. My role involved collaborating with designers and backend developers. We faced challenges with integrating real-time data, but through teamwork and iterative testing, we successfully launched the app. I learned the importance of clear communication and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.”

3. How do you handle tight deadlines?

This question assesses your time management and prioritization skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for managing time and ensuring quality work under pressure.

Example

“When faced with tight deadlines, I prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency. I break down larger tasks into manageable chunks and set mini-deadlines for each. This approach helps me stay focused and ensures that I deliver quality work on time.”

4. How do you ensure your code is maintainable and scalable?

This question evaluates your coding practices and understanding of software development principles.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to writing clean code, documentation, and testing.

Example

“I follow best practices such as writing modular code, using meaningful variable names, and including comments for clarity. I also implement unit tests to ensure functionality and maintainability. Regular code reviews with peers help identify potential issues early and promote knowledge sharing within the team.”