Choice Hotels International Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Choice Hotels International is one of the largest lodging franchisors globally, supporting a diverse portfolio of nearly 7,500 hotels across 46 countries.

As a Software Engineer at Choice Hotels, you will be a crucial player in developing and enhancing technology solutions that improve the hospitality experience for guests and streamline operations for hotel management. Your key responsibilities will include writing robust code, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and utilizing Agile methodologies to support the software development lifecycle. You will engage with various technologies, such as Java, Spring, AWS, and SQL, while working on projects that involve data pipelines, ETL jobs, and application performance improvements.

This role requires a strong analytical mindset, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies. A great fit for this position will embody Choice’s core values: Be Bold, Be Quick, Listen, Be Curious, and Show Integrity. This guide will help you prepare effectively for your interview by highlighting the key competencies and experiences that Choice Hotels values in their software engineers.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Choice Hotels International is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and compatibility with the company's values.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process begins with an initial phone screen, usually conducted by a recruiter. This conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Choice Hotels. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, ensuring that you understand what is expected.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates typically undergo a technical interview. This may be conducted via video call and involves a deeper dive into your technical skills, particularly in programming languages such as Java and frameworks like Spring. You may be asked to solve coding problems or discuss your previous projects, demonstrating your problem-solving abilities and understanding of software development principles.

3. Behavioral Interview

After the technical assessment, candidates often participate in a behavioral interview. This round is designed to gauge how well you align with Choice Hotels' core values, such as being bold, quick, and curious. Expect questions that explore your past experiences, teamwork, and how you handle challenges in a collaborative environment.

4. Panel Interview

In some cases, candidates may be invited to a panel interview, which includes multiple interviewers from different departments. This format allows the team to assess your fit from various perspectives and may include both technical and behavioral questions. The panel will likely focus on your ability to work cross-functionally and contribute to team dynamics.

5. Team Dinner or Informal Meet

As a unique step in the process, some candidates may have the opportunity to attend a team dinner or informal meet with potential colleagues. This setting allows for a more relaxed interaction, giving you a chance to learn about the team culture and for the team to assess your interpersonal skills in a less formal environment.

6. Final Interview with Leadership

The final stage often involves a conversation with a senior leader or manager. This interview focuses on your long-term career goals, how you envision contributing to the company, and your understanding of the industry. It’s an opportunity for you to ask strategic questions about the company’s direction and how you can play a role in it.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that relate to your technical expertise and alignment with the company’s values.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Interview Process

The interview process at Choice Hotels typically involves multiple rounds, including a technical interview and discussions with HR and possibly a director. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the interview, as candidates have reported a smooth process that includes both phone and in-person interviews. Prepare to discuss your strengths and weaknesses, as well as specific challenges you've faced in previous projects. This will help you articulate your experiences clearly and confidently.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a Software Engineer, you will be expected to demonstrate a solid understanding of programming languages, particularly Java, and frameworks like Spring. Brush up on your knowledge of AWS services, SQL, and Big Data concepts, as these are crucial for the role. Be prepared to tackle technical questions that test your problem-solving abilities and coding skills. Practice coding challenges and familiarize yourself with common algorithms and data structures to ensure you can think on your feet during the technical interview.

Embrace the Company Culture

Choice Hotels values a collaborative and innovative work environment. During your interview, embody the company's core values: Be Bold, Be Quick, Listen, Be Curious, and Show Integrity. Share examples of how you have demonstrated these values in your previous roles. This will not only show that you align with the company culture but also that you are a proactive and engaged candidate.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your teamwork, adaptability, and ability to handle feedback. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Reflect on past experiences where you successfully collaborated with a team, adapted to change, or learned from constructive criticism. This will help you convey your interpersonal skills and your ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment.

Engage with Your Interviewers

The interviewers at Choice Hotels are described as polite and approachable. Use this to your advantage by engaging them in conversation. Ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and the technologies they are using. This not only demonstrates your interest in the role but also allows you to assess if the company is the right fit for you.

Follow Up After the Interview

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Mention specific points from your conversation that resonated with you, reinforcing your interest in the position. This small gesture can leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their hiring decision.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to showcase your skills and fit for the Software Engineer role at Choice Hotels. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Choice Hotels International. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, technical knowledge, and how you align with the company's core values.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the software development lifecycle and your experience with it?

Understanding the software development lifecycle (SDLC) is crucial for a software engineer.

How to Answer

Discuss the phases of the SDLC, such as planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Provide examples of how you've contributed to each phase in your previous roles.

Example

"I have experience with all phases of the SDLC. In my last project, I was involved in the planning phase where we gathered requirements, followed by the design phase where I created technical specifications. During development, I wrote code and collaborated with QA during testing to ensure the software met the requirements before deployment."

2. Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you resolved it.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

How to Answer

Choose a specific example that highlights your analytical skills and ability to work under pressure. Explain the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome.

Example

"In a previous project, we faced a significant performance issue with our application. I conducted a thorough analysis and identified a bottleneck in our database queries. By optimizing the queries and implementing caching strategies, we improved the application's response time by 40%."

3. What is your experience with cloud services, particularly AWS?

Given the emphasis on cloud technologies, this question is likely to come up.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with AWS services such as S3, EC2, Lambda, etc. Provide examples of how you've used these services in your projects.

Example

"I have worked extensively with AWS, particularly with S3 for storage and EC2 for hosting applications. In my last role, I set up an EC2 instance to run a web application and used S3 to store user-uploaded files, ensuring scalability and reliability."

4. How do you ensure code quality and maintainability?

This question evaluates your understanding of best practices in software development.

How to Answer

Talk about your experience with code reviews, unit testing, and following coding standards. Mention any tools you use for version control and continuous integration.

Example

"I prioritize code quality by conducting regular code reviews with my team and writing unit tests for all new features. I also use Git for version control and integrate CI/CD pipelines to automate testing and deployment, ensuring that our codebase remains clean and maintainable."

5. Can you explain the concept of RESTful services?

Understanding web services is essential for a software engineer.

How to Answer

Define RESTful services and explain their principles, such as statelessness and resource-based architecture. Provide examples of how you've implemented RESTful APIs.

Example

"RESTful services are based on a stateless, client-server architecture that uses standard HTTP methods. In my previous project, I developed a RESTful API for our mobile application, allowing it to interact with our backend services efficiently using JSON for data exchange."

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell us about a time you worked in a team and faced a conflict. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively.

How to Answer

Describe the situation, the conflict, and how you approached resolving it. Emphasize communication and teamwork.

Example

"In a recent project, there was a disagreement between team members about the implementation approach. I facilitated a meeting where everyone could voice their opinions. By encouraging open communication, we reached a consensus on a hybrid approach that combined the best ideas from both sides."

2. How do you prioritize your tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for prioritizing tasks, such as using project management tools or techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix.

Example

"I use a combination of project management tools like Jira to track tasks and prioritize them based on deadlines and project impact. I also regularly communicate with my team to ensure alignment on priorities and adjust as needed."

3. Describe a situation where you had to learn a new technology quickly. How did you approach it?

This question assesses your adaptability and willingness to learn.

How to Answer

Share a specific example of a technology you had to learn and the steps you took to become proficient.

Example

"When I was assigned to a project that required knowledge of Kafka, I dedicated time to online courses and documentation. I also set up a small test environment to experiment with it, which helped me gain practical experience quickly."

4. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

This question evaluates your openness to feedback and personal growth.

How to Answer

Discuss your perspective on feedback and how you use it to improve your work.

Example

"I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. When I receive constructive criticism, I take time to reflect on it and implement changes in my work. For instance, after receiving feedback on my code readability, I started following stricter coding standards and sought peer reviews more frequently."

5. What motivates you to work in software engineering?

This question helps the interviewer understand your passion for the field.

How to Answer

Share your enthusiasm for technology, problem-solving, and the impact of your work.

Example

"I am motivated by the challenge of solving complex problems and the satisfaction of creating software that improves people's lives. The ever-evolving nature of technology excites me, and I love learning new skills to stay ahead in the field."