The Software Engineer II interview at Nordstrom is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. It typically involves multiple rounds, including technical assessments, behavioral interviews, and a final discussion with a hiring manager.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·2 - 5 yrs
Comp band·US$95000 - US$130000
Interview time·180 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 03 phases
01 / 03Phase 01 of 03
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms fundamentals. Practice coding.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, recursion). Practice implementing these in your preferred language. Review Big O notation for time and space complexity.
Phase 02 of 03
Week 3: System Design concepts. Scalability, databases, caching.
Week 3: Concentrate on system design concepts. Study topics like scalability, availability, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), caching, load balancing, and API design. Work through common system design interview questions.
Phase 03 of 03
Week 4: Behavioral questions preparation. STAR method. Nordstrom values.
Week 4: Prepare for behavioral questions. Reflect on your past experiences and identify examples that demonstrate key competencies such as teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and handling challenges. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Research Nordstrom's values and mission.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 02 locations
01 / 02Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
Technical Screening · 45 min · Software Engineer / Technical Screener
This initial technical screening round focuses on assessing your foundational programming skills. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will evaluate your ability to write clean, efficient, and correct code, as well as your approach to problem-solving and your communication of your thought process.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.
Implement a function to find the kth smallest element in an unsorted array.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Architect
This round evaluates your ability to design scalable and robust software systems. You will be presented with a high-level problem and asked to design a system to solve it. This involves discussing components, data models, APIs, trade-offs, and potential bottlenecks. The focus is on your architectural thinking and ability to handle complexity.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system like Instagram.
Design a rate limiter.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Senior Team Member
This round focuses on your past experiences, behavioral competencies, and how well you align with Nordstrom's culture and values. You'll be asked questions about your career, how you handle specific situations, and your motivations. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is highly recommended for structuring your answers.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned from it.
Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member.
Why are you interested in Nordstrom?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Hiring Manager Discussion · 30 min · Hiring Manager
This is typically the final round where you meet with the hiring manager. It's an opportunity to discuss your fit for the team, your career aspirations, and for you to ask any remaining questions about the role, team, or company. The hiring manager will assess your overall suitability and alignment with the team's goals.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What are your salary expectations?
Do you have any questions for me?
What are your long-term career goals?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Nordstrom loops
Other guides
