The interview process for an Associate Software Engineer at Zendesk is designed to assess a candidate's foundational technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. The process typically involves multiple rounds, starting with an initial HR screening, followed by technical interviews focusing on data structures, algorithms, and coding proficiency, and concluding with a managerial or team fit interview.
Rounds·3
Timeline·~14d
Experience·0 - 2 yrs
Comp band·US$60000 - US$75000
Interview time·135 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Hash Maps) & Basic Algorithms (Sorting, Searching). Big O Notation.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, and hash maps. Practice basic algorithms such as sorting (bubble sort, merge sort, quicksort) and searching (binary search). Understand Big O notation for time and space complexity.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: Advanced Data Structures (Trees, Graphs) & Algorithms (Recursion, DP, BFS/DFS). Medium Coding Problems.
Weeks 3-4: Dive deeper into more complex data structures like trees (binary trees, BSTs) and graphs. Study advanced algorithms including recursion, dynamic programming, and graph traversal (BFS, DFS). Work on medium-difficulty coding problems.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: OOP Concepts & Project Discussion. Behavioral Questions (STAR Method).
Week 5: Focus on object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction). Prepare to discuss your projects, highlighting your contributions and technical challenges faced. Practice behavioral questions.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: Company Research, Question Preparation, Mock Interviews.
Week 6: Research Zendesk thoroughly. Understand the company culture, products, and recent news. Prepare specific questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company. Do mock interviews if possible.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 03 locations
01 / 03Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
HR Screening · 30 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial screening is conducted by an HR representative or recruiter to understand your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying to Zendesk. They will assess your communication skills, cultural fit, and basic qualifications for the Associate Software Engineer role. It's an opportunity for you to learn more about the company and the role.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your background.
Why are you interested in this role at Zendesk?
What are your salary expectations?
What do you know about Zendesk?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview (Coding) · 60 min · Software Engineer
This round focuses on your technical abilities. You will be asked to solve coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess how you approach problems, write code, and explain your solutions. Expect questions that test your understanding of fundamental computer science concepts.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given an array of integers, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.
Implement a function to check if a binary tree is a Binary Search Tree (BST).
Write a function to find the kth smallest element in an unsorted array.
Explain the difference between a linked list and an array.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral And Managerial Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Team Lead
In this round, the hiring manager or a senior team member will assess your behavioral competencies, teamwork abilities, and overall fit with the team and Zendesk's culture. You'll be asked about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, and your career aspirations. This is also an opportunity for you to ask more in-depth questions about the team's work and dynamics.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a teammate and how you resolved it.
Describe a project you are particularly proud of and your role in it.
How do you stay motivated when working on challenging tasks?
What are your long-term career goals?
How do you approach learning new technologies or programming languages?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Zendesk loops
Other guides
