What is the interview process for Software Engineer at Zalando?

The Junior Software Engineer (C5) interview at Zalando is designed to assess foundational programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit for early-career professionals. It focuses on understanding core computer science concepts and the candidate's potential to grow within the company.

How many interview rounds does Zalando have for Software Engineer?

Zalando has 4 interview rounds for the Software Engineer position: HR Screening Call, Technical Coding Challenge, System Design Fundamentals, Hiring Manager Interview.

Junior Software Engineer (C5) at Zalando - Interview Guide

Evaluation

What they measure.

Problem-solving approach
Code quality and efficiency
Understanding of fundamental algorithms and data structures
Communication skills
Enthusiasm and willingness to learn
Cultural fit with Zalando's values

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, recursion, dynamic programming).
Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Codewars, focusing on easy to medium difficulty.
Understand basic object-oriented programming (OOP) principles.
Prepare to discuss your past projects, highlighting your contributions and challenges.
Research Zalando's company culture, values, and recent news.
Think about common behavioral questions and prepare STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) answers.
Be ready to explain your thought process clearly during coding exercises.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04

01

Phase 01 of 04

Data Structures Fundamentals

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Hash Maps) & Big O.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, and hash maps. Practice implementing them and solving problems involving their efficient use. Understand time and space complexity (Big O notation).

Questions

Commonly asked.

Write a function to reverse a string.
Given an array of integers, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.
Explain the difference between a process and a thread.
Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with a difficult team member.
What interests you about working at Zalando?
How would you debug a program that is not working as expected?
Can you explain the concept of recursion with an example?
What are the advantages of using a hash map?
Tell me about a project you are proud of.

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

Berlin

Interview focus

Adaptability to Zalando's tech stack.Understanding of local tech community trends.Familiarity with European market nuances.

Common questions

Describe a challenging bug you fixed in a personal project.
How do you approach learning a new programming language or framework?
What are your favorite data structures and why?

Tips

Research Zalando's presence and impact in the specific region.
Be prepared to discuss projects relevant to the local market.
Highlight any experience with cross-cultural collaboration.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.

Easy

HR Screening · 45 min · Recruiter/HR

This initial round is conducted by an HR representative or a recruiter. The primary goal is to assess your basic qualifications, understand your motivation for applying to Zalando, and gauge your cultural fit. You'll be asked about your background, career aspirations, and why you're interested in this specific role and company. It's also an opportunity for you to ask initial questions about the role and the company.

What they look for

Fundamental programming skillsAbility to think through a problemClear communication of ideas

Evaluation

Basic coding proficiency
Problem-solving approach
Communication clarity

Sample questions

Tell me about yourself and your background.
BehavioralIntroduction
Why are you interested in this Junior Software Engineer role at Zalando?
BehavioralMotivation
What do you know about Zalando's culture and values?
BehavioralCompany Knowledge
What are your career goals for the next 2-3 years?
BehavioralCareer Goals
Do you have any questions for me?
BehavioralEngagement

Prep for this round

01Research Zalando's mission, values, and culture.
02Prepare answers for common HR questions (e.g., 'Tell me about yourself', 'Why Zalando?', 'What are your strengths/weaknesses?').
03Be ready to discuss your resume and projects.
04Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company.

Common rejection reasons

×Inability to articulate thought process.
×Poor understanding of basic data structures.
×Difficulty in solving simple coding problems.
×Lack of enthusiasm or curiosity.

Med

Technical Coding Interview · 60 min · Software Engineer

This is a technical interview focused on your core programming and problem-solving skills. You will typically be asked to solve one or two coding problems live, often using a shared online editor. The interviewer will assess how you approach the problem, your ability to write clean and efficient code, and how well you communicate your thought process. Expect questions related to data structures, algorithms, and basic programming concepts.

What they look for

Ability to translate a problem into code.Understanding of basic algorithms and data structures.Clean and readable code.Logical thinking and debugging skills.

Evaluation

Problem-solving skills
Coding ability (syntax, logic)
Understanding of data structures and algorithms
Code clarity and efficiency
Communication of thought process

Sample questions

Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.
ArrayHash MapTwo Pointers
Write a function to check if a binary tree is a valid Binary Search Tree (BST).
TreeRecursionBST
Implement a function to find the kth smallest element in an unsorted array.
ArraySortingHeap
Explain the difference between Depth-First Search (DFS) and Breadth-First Search (BFS) and when you might use each.
GraphTreeAlgorithms
How would you find the first non-repeated character in a string?
StringHash MapFrequency Count

Prep for this round

01Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode (focus on Easy/Medium).
02Review common data structures (arrays, linked lists, hash maps, trees) and algorithms (sorting, searching, recursion).
03Practice explaining your thought process out loud as you code.
04Be prepared to discuss time and space complexity (Big O notation).
05Ensure your development environment is set up for quick coding if using a local IDE.

Common rejection reasons

×Inability to write working code for simple problems.
×Poor time complexity analysis.
×Difficulty in explaining the solution.
×Not asking clarifying questions when needed.

Med

System Design / Technical Deep Dive · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Tech Lead

This round focuses on your ability to think about software systems at a higher level. While a Junior Software Engineer is not expected to design complex distributed systems from scratch, this interview assesses your foundational understanding of how software components interact. You might be asked to design a simple system (e.g., a URL shortener, a basic social media feed) or discuss architectural choices. The focus is on your thought process, ability to break down problems, and understanding of basic trade-offs.

What they look for

Ability to think about how software systems work at a high level.Understanding of basic system design concepts (APIs, databases, caching).Logical approach to designing solutions.Awareness of potential bottlenecks and scalability issues.

Evaluation

Problem decomposition
Understanding of system components
Scalability considerations
Trade-off analysis
Communication of design choices

Sample questions

Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
System DesignAPI DesignDatabase
How would you design a basic news feed for a social media platform?
System DesignData ModelingScalability
Explain the concept of caching and where you might use it.
System DesignPerformanceCaching
What are the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases?
DatabaseSystem Design
How would you handle user authentication for a web application?
System DesignSecurityAPI

Prep for this round

01Understand basic system design concepts: APIs, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), caching, load balancing.
02Practice designing simple systems like URL shorteners, Twitter feeds, or basic e-commerce functionalities.
03Focus on clarifying requirements and making reasonable assumptions.
04Think about scalability, availability, and performance.
05Be prepared to discuss trade-offs between different design choices.

Common rejection reasons

×Lack of understanding of system design principles.
×Inability to break down a complex problem.
×Poor consideration of trade-offs.
×Not asking clarifying questions about requirements.

Med

Behavioral & Managerial Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Team Lead

This final round is typically with the hiring manager or a senior member of the team you would be joining. The focus is on your behavioral aspects, team fit, and overall potential. You'll discuss past experiences in more detail, focusing on how you handle challenges, work in teams, and learn new things. This is also your chance to understand the team dynamics, day-to-day responsibilities, and ask in-depth questions about the role and career growth opportunities at Zalando.

What they look for

How you handle challenges and feedback.Your ability to work with others.Your passion for technology and Zalando.Your self-awareness and willingness to learn.

Evaluation

Teamwork and collaboration skills
Problem-solving approach in team settings
Motivation and alignment with Zalando's values
Communication and interpersonal skills
Potential for growth and learning

Sample questions

Describe a time you faced a significant technical challenge and how you overcame it.
BehavioralProblem SolvingResilience
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a colleague and how you resolved it.
BehavioralTeamworkConflict Resolution
How do you stay updated with new technologies and programming trends?
BehavioralLearningProactiveness
What kind of work environment do you thrive in?
BehavioralCulture Fit
What are your expectations for this role and what do you hope to achieve?
BehavioralMotivationExpectations

Prep for this round

01Prepare specific examples using the STAR method for behavioral questions.
02Think about your strengths and weaknesses in a team context.
03Be ready to discuss your learning style and how you approach new challenges.
04Show genuine enthusiasm for the role and the company.
05Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, projects, and growth opportunities.

Common rejection reasons

×Poor communication or interpersonal skills.
×Lack of enthusiasm or passion for the role/company.
×Mismatch in expectations regarding role responsibilities.
×Negative attitude or lack of proactiveness.

DSA

Coding questions at Zalando.

Frequently reported on Zalando loops

View all at Zalando

Junior Software Engineer

What they measure.

How to prepare.

Data Structures Fundamentals

Algorithm Practice

Programming Principles

Behavioral & Cultural Fit

Commonly asked.

Regional differences.

Berlin

Helsinki

Round-by-round.

Coding questions at Zalando.

More at Zalando.