Better.Com Software Engineer Interview Guide

Getting ready for a Software Engineer interview at Better.com? The Better.com Software Engineer interview process typically spans several question topics and evaluates skills in areas like algorithms, coding in Python, system and database design, and SQL query optimization. At Better.com, Software Engineers are responsible for building scalable web applications, designing robust backend systems, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to deliver seamless digital mortgage experiences. You’ll often work on projects that require thoughtful architecture decisions, implementing efficient algorithms, and ensuring data integrity and performance within a fast-paced fintech environment.

Interview preparation is essential for this role at Better.com, as candidates are expected to demonstrate technical depth, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate their solutions clearly. This guide will help you understand the specific expectations for Software Engineer positions at Better.com and equip you with targeted insights to approach each interview round with confidence.

In preparing for the interview, you should:

• Understand the core skills necessary for Software Engineer positions at Better.com.
• Gain insights into Better.com’s Software Engineer interview structure and process.
• Practice real Better.com Software Engineer interview questions to sharpen your performance.

At Interview Query, we regularly analyze interview experience data shared by candidates. This guide uses that data to provide an overview of the Better.com Software Engineer interview process, along with sample questions and preparation tips tailored to help you succeed.

Better.com is a digital-first homeownership company that streamlines the process of securing mortgages, real estate services, title, and homeowners insurance through its online platform. Since its founding in 2016, Better.com has funded over $45 billion in home loans and provided more than $25 billion in insurance coverage. Recognized for its innovation and rapid growth, the company has received accolades from LinkedIn, Fortune, CNBC, and Forbes. As a Software Engineer at Better.com, you will contribute to building technology solutions that simplify and modernize the home buying process for customers nationwide.

As a Software Engineer at Better.Com, you will design, build, and maintain scalable web applications that support the company’s digital mortgage platform. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers and designers, to develop new features, optimize performance, and ensure a seamless user experience for customers. Key responsibilities include writing clean, efficient code, performing code reviews, and troubleshooting technical issues. Your work directly contributes to streamlining the home buying process and enhancing Better.Com’s mission to simplify and modernize mortgage lending through technology.

2.1 Stage 1: Application & Resume Review

The process begins with a thorough review of your application and resume by the Better.Com recruiting team. They focus on your experience with modern programming languages (especially Python), algorithms, system design, and your ability to work with databases and analytics. Candidates with strong coding fundamentals, clear project impact, and relevant technical stack exposure are prioritized. To prepare, ensure your resume highlights your proficiency in algorithms, Python, SQL, and any experience with scalable systems and analytics projects.

2.2 Stage 2: Recruiter Screen

Next is a phone call with a recruiter, typically lasting 20 to 30 minutes. The recruiter assesses your motivation for joining Better.Com, your understanding of the company’s mission, and general fit for the engineering team. Expect to discuss your background, technical skillset (Python, SQL, system design), and past project experiences. Preparation should focus on articulating your interest in Better.Com, demonstrating communication skills, and providing concise overviews of your technical accomplishments.

2.3 Stage 3: Technical/Case/Skills Round

This stage is often outsourced to a third-party platform (such as Karat or Codility) and consists of one or two technical interviews. You’ll be challenged with algorithmic coding problems, whiteboard-style exercises, and technical questions covering Python and SQL. Some interviews use a “code reading” format, where you explain code snippets, discuss time and space complexity, and troubleshoot edge cases. Occasionally, you may be asked to complete a take-home coding assignment or participate in a pair-programming session. Preparation should emphasize practicing algorithms, writing clean and efficient code in Python, and confidently discussing your solutions and design choices.

2.4 Stage 4: Behavioral Interview

A behavioral interview is typically included either as a standalone session or integrated into the onsite rounds. Conducted by an engineering manager or senior engineer, this conversation explores your teamwork, problem-solving approach, adaptability, and ability to communicate technical concepts to different audiences. You’ll be expected to share experiences of overcoming project hurdles, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and presenting complex ideas. Prepare by reviewing your STAR stories and focusing on examples that showcase your resilience and leadership in technical projects.

2.5 Stage 5: Final/Onsite Round

The final stage usually consists of a series of virtual or onsite interviews with multiple Better.Com engineers, lasting three to five hours. These rounds feature a mix of technical deep-dives (system design, database schema modeling, analytics, and SQL optimization), additional coding challenges, and behavioral assessments. Expect to tackle real-world engineering scenarios, discuss architectural decisions, and answer questions that test your ability to build scalable, maintainable systems. You may also be evaluated on presentation skills and your ability to communicate insights effectively. Preparation should include revisiting system design principles, practicing SQL query optimization, and refining your approach to presenting technical solutions.

2.6 Stage 6: Offer & Negotiation

If successful, the recruiter will reach out to discuss the offer package, compensation, benefits, and next steps. The negotiation phase is typically straightforward, with an opportunity to clarify role expectations and team placement. Prepare by researching industry standards and considering your priorities for career growth and work-life balance.

2.7 Average Timeline

The typical Better.Com Software Engineer interview process spans two to four weeks from initial application to offer. Fast-track candidates may progress in as little as 10 days, especially if interview scheduling aligns well and feedback is prompt. Standard pacing involves several days between each stage, with technical assessment results and onsite scheduling depending on team availability and current hiring cycles.

Next, let’s dive into the specific interview questions you may encounter at each stage.

3.1 Algorithms & Data Structures

Expect questions that test your ability to design, implement, and optimize algorithms and data structures at scale. You’ll need to demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and practical coding skills, especially for handling large data volumes and real-time requirements.

3.1.1 Implement a merge sort on an array of alphanumeric strings, sorting by letters alphabetically and numbers in descending order
Explain how you’d separate the letters and numbers, sort each part appropriately, and merge the results. Emphasize your approach to edge cases and performance.

3.1.2 Implementing a priority queue used linked lists.
Describe how you would structure the linked list to maintain priority order, and how insertion and removal operations would work efficiently.

3.1.3 Write a function to return the names and ids for ids that we haven't scraped yet.
Show how you’d efficiently identify missing records, possibly using set operations or hash tables, and discuss performance at scale.

3.1.4 Write a query to compute the average time it takes for each user to respond to the previous system message
Discuss window functions or self-joins to align events and calculate response times, ensuring accuracy even with missing data.

3.1.5 Migrating a social network's data from a document database to a relational database for better data metrics
Outline your migration plan, focusing on schema design, data transformation, and minimizing downtime.

3.2 System Design & Scalability

These questions assess your ability to architect robust, scalable systems for high data throughput and reliability. You’ll be expected to design solutions that are maintainable, efficient, and suited for real-world business needs.

3.2.1 System design for a digital classroom service.
Describe the components, data flow, and key considerations for scalability and user experience.

3.2.2 How would you design database indexing for efficient metadata queries when storing large Blobs?
Discuss your indexing strategy, balancing query speed with storage and update efficiency.

3.2.3 How would you approach designing a system capable of processing and displaying real-time data across multiple platforms?
Explain your architecture for ingesting, processing, and distributing live data, addressing latency and consistency.

3.2.4 Design a database schema for a blogging platform.
Walk through your schema, emphasizing normalization, relationships, and extensibility.

3.2.5 Design a scalable ETL pipeline for ingesting heterogeneous data from Skyscanner's partners.
Highlight your approach to data validation, transformation, and error handling at scale.

3.3 SQL & Data Processing

You’ll encounter questions focused on your ability to write efficient SQL queries, transform data, and extract actionable insights. Be ready to demonstrate proficiency in handling large datasets and optimizing query performance.

3.3.1 Select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department
Explain your approach using window functions or subqueries, and discuss how you’d handle ties.

3.3.2 List out the exams sources of each student in MySQL
Describe how you’d aggregate and join tables to produce the desired output.

3.3.3 Write a query to find all users that were at some point "Excited" and have never been "Bored" with a campaign
Show how you’d use conditional aggregation or filtering to meet both criteria efficiently.

3.3.4 Write a query to calculate the conversion rate for each trial experiment variant
Demonstrate grouping, counting, and handling missing data in your calculation.

3.4 Analytics & Experimentation

These questions evaluate your ability to design, analyze, and interpret experiments and product metrics. You’ll need to connect technical analysis to business impact and communicate your reasoning clearly.

3.4.1 An executive asks how you would evaluate whether a 50% rider discount promotion is a good or bad idea? How would you implement it? What metrics would you track?
Describe your experimental design, key metrics, and how you’d balance short-term and long-term effects.

3.4.2 Let's say that we want to improve the "search" feature on the Facebook app.
Discuss how you’d identify issues, propose improvements, and measure success.

3.4.3 How would you determine customer service quality through a chat box?
Explain your approach to defining and tracking relevant metrics, and possible data sources.

3.4.4 How do we go about selecting the best 10,000 customers for the pre-launch?
Detail your selection criteria, data-driven segmentation, and fairness considerations.

3.4.5 How would you analyze how the feature is performing?
Outline your approach to measurement, key performance indicators, and actionable insights.

3.5 Data Quality & Cleaning

Questions in this category focus on your strategies for ensuring data integrity and handling real-world data imperfections. You’ll need to demonstrate practical solutions for cleaning, validating, and managing complex datasets.

3.5.1 How would you approach improving the quality of airline data?
Describe your process for identifying, quantifying, and remediating data quality issues.

3.5.2 Describing a real-world data cleaning and organization project
Share your step-by-step approach, tools used, and how you validated the results.

3.5.3 Challenges of specific student test score layouts, recommended formatting changes for enhanced analysis, and common issues found in "messy" datasets.
Discuss your methods for restructuring, cleaning, and documenting the data transformation.

3.6 Communication & Stakeholder Management

These questions test your ability to explain technical concepts, present data-driven insights, and adapt your communication style to diverse audiences. Strong answers show clarity, empathy, and business acumen.

3.6.1 How to present complex data insights with clarity and adaptability tailored to a specific audience
Describe your approach to simplifying complex findings and tailoring your message to different stakeholders.

3.6.2 Demystifying data for non-technical users through visualization and clear communication
Explain your strategies for making data accessible and actionable.

3.6.3 Making data-driven insights actionable for those without technical expertise
Discuss how you bridge the gap between technical analysis and business decision-making.

3.7 Behavioral Questions

3.7.1 Tell me about a time you used data to make a decision.
Focus on a project where your analysis directly influenced a business outcome. Describe the data you used, the analysis performed, and the impact of your recommendation.

3.7.2 Describe a challenging data project and how you handled it.
Highlight a complex project, the obstacles you faced, and the strategies you used to overcome them. Emphasize problem-solving and adaptability.

3.7.3 How do you handle unclear requirements or ambiguity?
Explain your approach to clarifying goals, communicating with stakeholders, and iterating as more information becomes available.

3.7.4 Tell me about a time when your colleagues didn’t agree with your approach. What did you do to bring them into the conversation and address their concerns?
Describe how you facilitated open communication, incorporated feedback, and aligned the team towards a common goal.

3.7.5 Describe a time you had to negotiate scope creep when two departments kept adding “just one more” request. How did you keep the project on track?
Discuss how you quantified the impact of additional requests, communicated trade-offs, and used prioritization frameworks to manage expectations.

3.7.6 When leadership demanded a quicker deadline than you felt was realistic, what steps did you take to reset expectations while still showing progress?
Share how you communicated constraints, proposed alternative timelines, and delivered interim results to maintain trust.

3.7.7 Tell me about a situation where you had to influence stakeholders without formal authority to adopt a data-driven recommendation.
Highlight your persuasion skills, use of evidence, and relationship-building to drive alignment.

3.7.8 Give an example of how you balanced short-term wins with long-term data integrity when pressured to ship a dashboard quickly.
Explain how you delivered immediate value while planning for future improvements and maintaining quality standards.

3.7.9 Walk us through how you built a quick-and-dirty de-duplication script on an emergency timeline.
Describe your triage process, tools used, and how you communicated the limitations of your solution.

3.7.10 How do you prioritize multiple deadlines? Additionally, how do you stay organized when you have multiple deadlines?
Discuss your prioritization framework, time management strategies, and tools you use to stay on track.

4.1 Company-specific tips:

Familiarize yourself with Better.com’s mission to simplify and modernize the home buying process through technology. Understand how their digital mortgage platform integrates real estate, insurance, and title services, and be ready to discuss how software engineering drives innovation in fintech and digital homeownership.

Research the company’s recent achievements, growth milestones, and recognition from industry leaders. Be prepared to connect your technical skills to Better.com’s goals, such as streamlining mortgage approvals, improving data security, or enhancing the customer experience on their web platform.

Review the types of web applications and backend systems Better.com builds. Consider how scalable architecture, robust data pipelines, and seamless integrations are essential for supporting high transaction volumes and sensitive financial data.

Demonstrate enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced environment where cross-functional collaboration is key. Highlight any experience you have building products for regulated industries or where reliability and compliance are critical.

4.2 Role-specific tips:

4.2.1 Master algorithms and data structures, especially those relevant to large-scale web applications.
Practice implementing sorting algorithms, linked lists, hash tables, and queues, as these are frequently tested. Be ready to discuss how you optimize for time and space complexity, and how your choices impact real-world performance in a fintech setting.

4.2.2 Develop fluency in Python for both coding and code review scenarios.
Better.com emphasizes Python in its technical interviews, so ensure you can write clean, efficient code and explain your logic clearly. Prepare to read, debug, and critique Python code, focusing on clarity, modularity, and best practices.

4.2.3 Strengthen your SQL skills with an emphasis on query optimization and analytics.
Expect to write queries involving window functions, joins, and aggregations. Practice translating business requirements into efficient SQL, and be able to discuss how you improve query performance and handle large datasets.

4.2.4 Prepare to design scalable systems and robust database schemas.
Review system design fundamentals, such as modular architecture, scalability, and fault tolerance. Practice designing database schemas for real-world applications, considering normalization, indexing, and the needs of analytics.

4.2.5 Be ready to tackle real-world engineering scenarios and architectural decisions.
Think through how you would migrate data between systems, build ETL pipelines, or design for real-time data processing. Use examples from your experience to show your ability to balance business needs with technical constraints.

4.2.6 Sharpen your ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Practice explaining complex engineering decisions, trade-offs, and data insights in simple terms. Be ready to tailor your communication style to different audiences, whether it’s product managers, executives, or cross-functional partners.

4.2.7 Prepare STAR stories that showcase your problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience.
Review your past projects and identify examples where you overcame ambiguity, negotiated scope, or influenced stakeholders. Focus on situations that demonstrate your leadership, adaptability, and commitment to quality.

4.2.8 Demonstrate a thoughtful approach to data quality and cleaning.
Be prepared to discuss how you identify and resolve data inconsistencies, validate results, and ensure data integrity in production systems. Share your process for transforming messy datasets into reliable, actionable information.

4.2.9 Show your ability to balance short-term delivery with long-term maintainability.
Discuss how you approach quick fixes or emergency solutions while planning for future improvements. Highlight your commitment to writing maintainable code and designing systems that scale with business growth.

4.2.10 Highlight your organization and prioritization strategies for managing multiple deadlines.
Explain how you use frameworks and tools to stay organized, prioritize tasks, and deliver results under pressure. Share examples of how you communicate progress and reset expectations when timelines shift.

By focusing on these actionable tips, you’ll be well-equipped to demonstrate both your technical expertise and your alignment with Better.com’s values and goals. Approach each interview round with confidence, and let your passion for building impactful technology shine through.

5.1 How hard is the Better.Com Software Engineer interview?
The Better.Com Software Engineer interview is challenging and thorough, designed to assess your technical depth in algorithms, Python coding, system and database design, and SQL query optimization. You’ll also be evaluated on your ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Candidates who prepare for both technical and behavioral aspects, and who can demonstrate real-world impact in fintech or web application environments, stand out.

5.2 How many interview rounds does Better.Com have for Software Engineer?
Typically, there are 4-6 rounds: an initial recruiter screen, one or two technical/coding interviews (often via platforms like Karat or Codility), a behavioral interview, and a final onsite or virtual onsite round with multiple engineers. Occasionally, a take-home assignment or pair-programming session may be included.

5.3 Does Better.Com ask for take-home assignments for Software Engineer?
Yes, some candidates may receive a take-home coding assignment, particularly if the initial technical screen requires further assessment. These assignments focus on real-world engineering scenarios, code quality, and problem-solving skills.

5.4 What skills are required for the Better.Com Software Engineer?
Key skills include strong proficiency in Python, advanced knowledge of algorithms and data structures, expertise in SQL and query optimization, experience with system and database design, and the ability to build scalable web applications. Communication, stakeholder management, and experience working in fast-paced, regulated environments (like fintech) are also highly valued.

5.5 How long does the Better.Com Software Engineer hiring process take?
The process usually takes 2-4 weeks from initial application to offer, depending on interview scheduling and team availability. Fast-track candidates may progress in as little as 10 days, especially if feedback is prompt and scheduling aligns well.

5.6 What types of questions are asked in the Better.Com Software Engineer interview?
Expect a mix of algorithmic coding problems, Python code review and debugging, SQL query writing and optimization, system and database design challenges, and real-world engineering scenarios. Behavioral questions will focus on teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and resilience in fast-paced environments.

5.7 Does Better.Com give feedback after the Software Engineer interview?
Better.Com typically provides high-level feedback through recruiters after each stage. While detailed technical feedback may be limited, you’ll receive updates on your progress and general areas for improvement if not selected.

5.8 What is the acceptance rate for Better.Com Software Engineer applicants?
While exact rates aren’t public, the Software Engineer role at Better.Com is competitive, with an estimated acceptance rate of around 3-5% for qualified applicants. Strong technical fundamentals and fintech experience improve your chances.

5.9 Does Better.Com hire remote Software Engineer positions?
Yes, Better.Com offers remote Software Engineer positions, with some roles requiring occasional office visits for team collaboration or onboarding. The company supports distributed teams and values flexibility, especially for engineering talent.

• Related guides:
  • Better.Com interview questions
  • Software Engineer interview guide
  • Top software engineering interview tips

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