If you want to work as a software engineer at Pinterest, you must be wondering how the interview process works and what kinds of questions might be tough.
This article will talk about how to prepare for an interview, some medium-to-hard Pinterest software engineer questions, and the interview process itself.
Getting hired as a software engineer at a top tech company like Pinterest is no easy feat. The interview process is notoriously rigorous, designed to thoroughly assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.
Pinterest, in particular, is looking for creative, collaborative engineers who can help them build an inspiring visual discovery platform used by millions worldwide. To land your dream job here, you need to enter each interview ready to highlight your relevant experiences and expertise.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the Pinterest software engineering interview process, from coding challenges to system design questions. We’ve compiled a list of the most common and tricky questions asked, along with detailed examples and tips to help you craft winning responses. Let’s ace this interview!
Overview of the Pinterest Software Engineer Interview Process
The typical Pinterest software engineering interview consists of:
- An initial screening call with a recruiter
- A technical phone screen focused on coding abilities
- A series of 3-5 onsite interviews covering coding, system design, product sense, and behavioral questions
- A final interview focused on culture fit
Pinterest engineers will assess your technical competence, problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
Key Points to Remember:
- Brush up on data structures, algorithms, object-oriented design, and database management
- Review Pinterest’s tech stack – Python, Django, TensorFlow, Kafka, AWS
- Practice mock interviews to polish your behavioral responses
- Demonstrate passion for Pinterest’s mission of sparking creativity
Being meticulously prepared is crucial – let’s look at specific questions and strategies for each interview round.
Technical Phone Screen Questions
The technical phone screen and onsite coding challenges will test your programming abilities through algorithm design coding and debugging questions. Here are some examples
Algorithm Design
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Explain how you would design an algorithm to identify duplicate pins on Pinterest Focus on efficiency and scalability
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Suggest an algorithm to rearrange a user’s home feed based on their recent pin interactions to improve personalization.
Coding
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Code up a function that reverse a string in place without using built-in reverse methods. Walk through your approach and consider edge cases.
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Implement a
Pinclass with properties like image URL, description, number of likes, etc. Include getter and setter methods.
Debugging
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Here is a snippet of buggy code for a function that checks if a pin already exists for a given user. Can you identify the bugs and fix them?
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Diagnose the issue in this code which tries to retrieve a user’s pinned items from the database but runs into an error.
Tips for Answering
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Think through your approach logically before coding. Communicate your thought process.
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Point out edge cases and assumptions upfront. Validate inputs and handle errors.
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Use clean, well-commented, and properly indented code. Optimize for readability.
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Ask clarifying questions if the problem scope is unclear. Seek feedback on optimizing your solution.
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For debugging questions, carefully walk through the code and consider all execution paths.
System Design Interview Questions
System design questions evaluate your skills in architecting complex, scalable systems like Pinterest’s platform. Here are some examples:
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How would you design the core pin functionality that allows users to bookmark and manage pins on Pinterest?
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Discuss a high-level design for Pinterest’s feed ranking algorithm that surfaces relevant, personalized content.
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How would you design Pinterest’s image uploading flow while optimizing for speed and scalability?
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Explain how you would build Pinterest’s search architecture to handle large volumes of data and queries.
Tips for Answering
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Seek clarification upfront on requirements, constraints, and use cases.
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Think through the components and workflows involved. Discuss tradeoffs when proposing solutions.
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Focus on scalability, security, reliability, and ease of modification.
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Use diagrams to illustrate your models. Identify how components interact.
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Analyze and optimize for performance by utilizing caching, databases, Geo-distribution, etc.
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Ask follow-up questions to validate your approach and identify areas for improvement.
Product Sense Interview Questions
Pinterest values engineers who understand products deeply and can leverage that insight to drive engineering decisions. Expect questions like:
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How would you implement machine learning to provide a more personalized home feed for Pinterest users?
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What key metrics would you track to measure success for a new Pinterest product feature?
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How could Pinterest improve ad targeting for advertisers to drive better results?
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What risks would you consider when rolling out a major change to Pinterest’s search algorithm?
Tips for Answering
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Demonstrate understanding of how people use Pinterest and what makes the product powerful.
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Weave in real data and examples when discussing potential features or optimizations.
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Consider scalability, reliability, and economic aspects when proposing ideas.
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Highlight metrics focused on user engagement, satisfaction, retention, and growth.
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Discuss risks involved in product changes and how to mitigate them.
Behavioral Interview Questions
Behavioral questions allow Pinterest to assess your soft skills and cultural fit. Some examples:
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Tell me about a time you faced a challenging technical problem. How did you approach solving it?
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Describe a situation where you had to collaborate closely with product and design partners. How did you work together?
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Share an example of when you had to adapt quickly to changing requirements during a project.
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Discuss a time you made a mistake during a project. How did you handle it?
Tips for Answering
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Use the STAR method – explain the Situation, Task, Actions taken, and Results.
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Focus on examples that highlight problem-solving, persistence, and collaboration.
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Quantify your accomplishments and contributions wherever possible.
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Convey positive outcomes, learnings, and growth even from challenging experiences.
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Demonstrate excellent communication skills, empathy, and accountability.
5 Keys to Ace the Pinterest Software Engineering Interview
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Deeply understand Pinterest’s business, users, and technical landscape. Research thoroughly and analyze usage patterns.
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Explain your thought process clearly and optimize solutions. Verbalize your approach rather than coding silently.
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Actively listen and seek clarification. Ask thoughtful questions and confirm your understanding of the problem.
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Stay calm under pressure. Take a moment to think through complex problems. Don’t panic.
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Be authentic and conversational. Bring your best self. Explain your experiences candidly.
Getting a software engineering role at a top tech company is challenging. But meticulous preparation, mastery of key technical skills, and a user-focused mindset will put you on the path to success. Use this guide, practice responding to likely interview questions, and highlight your problem-solving abilities, passion for the product, and collaborative spirit. You’ve got this!
1 Explain the difference between a linked list and an array. When would you choose one over the other?
Because Pinterest depends so much on DS/Algo, this question would be used to test how well you understand basic data structures and how well you can pick the right one for a given situation.
How to Answer
Mention what an array is and its limitations. Also, describe what a linked list consists of and how it’s preferable when dynamic sizing is critical.
Example
“An array is a contiguous memory block, allowing for constant-time access but with a fixed size. A linked list, on the other hand, is made up of nodes that have pointers to the next node. It has an adjustable size but takes longer to access.
Arrays are good for situations where access must be constant, like when you need to access elements randomly a lot. Linked lists, on the other hand, are better when dynamic size and quick additions and deletions are more important because they don’t need consecutive memory allocation. ”.
How do you prioritize and manage your time when working on multiple tasks or projects?
The question is aimed to assess your organizational skills, time management, and ability to handle multiple responsibilities.
How to Answer
Set off by mentioning the importance of prioritization based on urgency and impact.
If possible, discuss your use of tools (e.g., task management software) and strategies for effective time management.
Example
“I prioritize tasks based on their urgency and impact. I often use task management tools to track deadlines and employ the Eisenhower matrix to categorize tasks. Regularly reassessing priorities ensures that critical tasks are addressed promptly. ”.
Pinterest software engineering interview and how I got my offer
FAQ
Is it hard to get hired at Pinterest?
How much do Pinterest software engineers make?
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Annual Salary
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Hourly Wage
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Top Earners
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$205,000
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$99
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75th Percentile
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$173,000
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$83
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Average
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$147,524
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$71
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25th Percentile
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$120,000
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$58
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How long does it take to hear back from a Pinterest interview?
What does software engineering entail?
What questions are asked in a Pinterest software engineer interview?
Pinterest Software Engineer interviews usually revolve around data structure, database, SQL queries, algorithms, coding, debugging, and a few behavioral questions. Aside from those, you may also encounter counter questions to your answers that your interviewer may find inquirable.
Can a software engineer work at Pinterest?
Embarking on a career as a Software Engineer at Pinterest, one of the world’s leading social media platforms, is an incredibly rewarding opportunity. It offers the chance to work at the forefront of technology while contributing to a platform that inspires millions of people worldwide every day.
How do I prepare for a software engineering interview?
Practice everything from potential questions to concepts ahead of the real deal. Brush up on core CS, general software engineering skills and large scale system design. Companies are constantly refreshing their interview question banks, but you can use sites like Leetcode and Interviewing.io to find great practice questions.
What questions should you ask an engineer during an interview?
Questions should be within the engineer’s experience or area of expertise and be appropriate for discussing with a stranger. At the end of your interview, you may still have additional questions for your interviewer. Unless they offer their contact information where you can follow up, it’s best not to put them on the spot by asking for it.
