Hertz Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Hertz is a global leader in the vehicle rental industry, operating well-known brands across numerous locations worldwide.

As a Software Engineer at Hertz, you will play a key role in the company's digital transformation efforts, contributing to the modernization of their technology stack to create innovative and efficient applications that enhance customer experiences. Your primary responsibilities will include designing, implementing, and maintaining high-volume, low-latency applications while participating in all stages of the software development lifecycle. You will analyze user requirements, develop and test software, resolve technical issues, and produce detailed design documentation.

A successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of algorithms and programming languages, with experience in writing production-ready code. Strong communication skills are essential, as you will work closely with cross-functional teams to gather requirements and align your work with business goals. Additionally, a learning mentality and curiosity about new technologies will set you apart, as you will be expected to adapt and grow within your role.

This guide will prepare you for your interview by focusing on the specific skills and experiences that Hertz values, helping you to stand out as a candidate who aligns with the company's mission and culture.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Hertz is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. Candidates can expect a multi-step process that includes several rounds of interviews, each focusing on different aspects of the role.

1. Initial Screening

The process typically begins with a phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This initial call lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your resume, background, and motivations for applying to Hertz. The recruiter will also gauge your understanding of the company and the role, as well as your communication skills.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates will participate in a technical interview, which may be conducted via video conferencing. This round often includes live coding exercises where you will be asked to solve algorithmic problems and demonstrate your proficiency in programming languages such as Python. Expect questions that assess your understanding of data structures and algorithms, as well as your ability to write clean, production-ready code.

3. System Design Interview

Candidates who advance will typically face a system design interview. In this round, you will be tasked with designing a system or application that meets specific requirements. You may be asked to create detailed design documentation and discuss trade-offs between different technical approaches. This interview assesses your ability to envision system features and functionality, as well as your understanding of high-volume, low-latency applications.

4. Behavioral Interview

The behavioral interview is another critical component of the process. This round focuses on your past experiences and how they relate to the role at Hertz. Expect situational questions that explore your problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and communication skills. The interviewers will be looking for evidence of your strong product sense and your ability to align your work with business objectives.

5. Final Interview

The final stage often involves meeting with senior management or team leads. This interview may cover a mix of technical and behavioral questions, and it provides an opportunity for you to ask questions about the team dynamics and company culture. This round is crucial for assessing your fit within the team and the organization as a whole.

Throughout the process, candidates should be prepared for potential delays in communication, as some candidates have reported a lack of follow-up after interviews.

Now that you have an understanding of the interview process, let's delve into the specific questions that candidates have encountered during their interviews at Hertz.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Hertz is undergoing a digital transformation, and they are looking for candidates who can adapt to a fast-paced, evolving environment. Familiarize yourself with their recent innovations and how they are leveraging technology to enhance customer experiences. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the company's direction.

Prepare for Technical Challenges

Expect to face algorithmic questions that may seem out of place given the nature of the business. Brush up on your understanding of data structures and algorithms, as these are critical for the role. Practice coding problems that require you to write efficient algorithms, as you may be asked to solve complex problems without the aid of interactive coding environments.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Hertz values strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. Prepare to discuss your past experiences in detail, focusing on how you have navigated challenges, contributed to team success, and aligned your work with business objectives. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses effectively.

Anticipate Situational Questions

Given the emphasis on user requirements and business objectives, be prepared to discuss how you would approach analyzing user needs and translating them into technical solutions. Think about past projects where you had to balance technical feasibility with user experience and business goals.

Showcase Your Learning Mindset

Hertz is looking for candidates who demonstrate a curiosity about new technologies and a willingness to learn. Be prepared to discuss how you have pursued new skills or knowledge in your previous roles. Highlight any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your ability to adapt and grow in a technical environment.

Follow Up Professionally

Given the feedback regarding communication issues during the interview process, it’s essential to follow up after your interviews. Send a thank-you email to your interviewers, expressing your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the role. This not only shows professionalism but also helps you stand out in a potentially crowded candidate pool.

Manage Expectations

Be aware that the interview process may take longer than expected, and communication may not always be prompt. Stay patient and proactive in your follow-ups, but also consider other opportunities as you navigate the process. This mindset will help you maintain a positive outlook throughout your job search.

By preparing thoroughly and approaching the interview with confidence and professionalism, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Hertz. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Hertz. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how well you can align your work with business objectives. Be prepared to discuss your experience with software development, algorithms, and system design, as well as your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between a stack and a queue?

Understanding data structures is crucial for software engineering roles.

How to Answer

Discuss the fundamental differences in how data is stored and accessed in both structures, emphasizing their use cases.

Example

“A stack is a Last In, First Out (LIFO) structure, where the last element added is the first to be removed, making it ideal for scenarios like function call management. In contrast, a queue follows a First In, First Out (FIFO) principle, which is useful for scheduling tasks, such as print jobs.”

2. Describe a time you optimized an application for performance. What steps did you take?

This question assesses your practical experience in improving software efficiency.

How to Answer

Outline the specific problem, the analysis you conducted, the optimizations you implemented, and the results.

Example

“I worked on a web application that was experiencing slow load times. I profiled the application to identify bottlenecks, optimized database queries, and implemented caching strategies. As a result, we reduced load times by 50%.”

3. How do you approach debugging a complex issue in your code?

Debugging is a critical skill for software engineers.

How to Answer

Explain your systematic approach to identifying and resolving issues, including tools and techniques you use.

Example

“I start by reproducing the issue and then use logging to gather more information. I analyze the stack trace and isolate the problematic code. If necessary, I use debugging tools to step through the code and identify the root cause.”

4. What is your experience with CI/CD tools?

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment are essential in modern software development.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with CI/CD practices and tools, and how they have improved your development workflow.

Example

“I have used Jenkins for CI/CD pipelines, which allowed us to automate testing and deployment. This reduced our release cycle from weeks to days, enabling faster feedback and iteration.”

5. Can you explain the concept of RESTful APIs?

APIs are fundamental in software engineering, especially for web applications.

How to Answer

Define RESTful APIs and discuss their principles, such as statelessness and resource-based architecture.

Example

“RESTful APIs use HTTP requests to manage data. They are stateless, meaning each request from a client contains all the information needed to process it. This architecture allows for scalability and flexibility in web services.”

Algorithms and Problem Solving

1. How would you detect a cycle in a graph?

This question tests your understanding of algorithms and data structures.

How to Answer

Explain the algorithm you would use, such as Depth-First Search (DFS) or Floyd’s Cycle Detection.

Example

“I would use DFS to traverse the graph while keeping track of visited nodes. If I encounter a node that I’ve already visited, it indicates a cycle. Alternatively, I could use Floyd’s Cycle Detection algorithm for linked lists.”

2. Write an algorithm to sort an array. Which sorting algorithm would you choose and why?

This question assesses your knowledge of sorting algorithms.

How to Answer

Discuss the sorting algorithm you would use, its time complexity, and why it’s suitable for the given scenario.

Example

“I would use QuickSort for its average-case time complexity of O(n log n). It’s efficient for large datasets and has a good performance in practice due to its divide-and-conquer approach.”

3. Explain how you would implement a binary search algorithm.

Binary search is a fundamental algorithm that demonstrates your problem-solving skills.

How to Answer

Describe the steps of the binary search algorithm and its time complexity.

Example

“Binary search works on sorted arrays. I would start with two pointers, one at the beginning and one at the end of the array. I repeatedly calculate the middle index and compare the target value to the middle element, adjusting the pointers accordingly until the target is found or the pointers converge.”

4. How do you handle edge cases in your algorithms?

This question evaluates your attention to detail and thoroughness.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to identifying and testing edge cases during development.

Example

“I always consider edge cases during the design phase. For instance, when implementing a sorting algorithm, I test for empty arrays, arrays with one element, and arrays with duplicate values to ensure robustness.”

5. Can you describe a project where you had to use algorithms to solve a problem?

This question allows you to showcase your practical experience with algorithms.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a project, the algorithm used, and the impact it had.

Example

“In a project to optimize delivery routes, I implemented Dijkstra’s algorithm to find the shortest path. This reduced delivery times by 20%, significantly improving customer satisfaction.”