JLL Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

JLL is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services, striving to shape a brighter future for clients through innovative solutions and exceptional service.

As a Software Engineer at JLL, you will play a pivotal role in developing and maintaining software solutions that enhance operational efficiency and improve client services. This position requires a strong foundation in algorithms and programming languages, particularly Python, alongside proficiency in SQL for data manipulation and analysis. You will be responsible for designing software systems, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions. An ideal candidate will possess analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work effectively under pressure, reflecting JLL's commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the skills and knowledge areas most relevant to the role, allowing you to demonstrate your fit with JLL's dynamic culture and expectations.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at JLL 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 designed to evaluate different aspects of their qualifications and experiences.

1. Initial Phone Screening

The first step typically involves a brief phone interview with a recruiter. This conversation usually lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on your general background, work experience, and motivation for applying to JLL. The recruiter will also assess your communication skills and gauge your fit for the company culture.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates will participate in a technical interview, which may be conducted via video call. This round is often led by a hiring manager or a senior engineer and focuses on your technical expertise, particularly in areas such as algorithms, SQL, and programming languages like Python. Expect to solve coding problems or answer technical questions that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and understanding of software engineering principles.

3. Behavioral Interview

The next round typically involves a behavioral interview, where you will meet with team members or department heads. This interview aims to explore your past experiences, teamwork, and how you handle challenges in a work environment. Questions may revolve around your approach to collaboration, conflict resolution, and how you adapt to changing situations.

4. Final Interview

In some cases, there may be a final interview with higher management or cross-functional teams. This round is often more informal and allows you to ask questions about the company and team dynamics. It may also include discussions about your long-term career goals and how they align with JLL's objectives.

5. Assessment or Technical Task

Depending on the role, candidates may be required to complete a technical assessment or a take-home task. This could involve coding challenges or project-based work that reflects the responsibilities of the position. The goal is to evaluate your practical skills and how you approach real-world problems.

6. Offer and Onboarding

If you successfully navigate the interview rounds, you will receive a verbal offer, followed by a formal written offer. The onboarding process will then begin, which includes necessary paperwork and orientation to familiarize you with JLL's policies and culture.

As you prepare for your interviews, it's essential to be ready for the specific questions that may arise during the process.

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at JLL. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how well you can work within a team. Be prepared to discuss your experience with software development, database management, and your approach to tackling complex engineering challenges.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases?

Understanding the distinctions between these database types is crucial for a software engineer, especially in a data-driven environment like JLL.

How to Answer

Discuss the fundamental differences in structure, scalability, and use cases for each type of database. Highlight scenarios where one might be preferred over the other.

Example

"SQL databases are structured and use a predefined schema, making them ideal for complex queries and transactions. In contrast, NoSQL databases are more flexible, allowing for unstructured data storage, which is beneficial for applications that require rapid scaling and varied data types."

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

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

How to Answer

Choose a specific example that demonstrates your analytical thinking and technical expertise. Explain the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome.

Example

"In a previous project, we faced performance issues with our application due to inefficient database queries. I analyzed the queries, identified bottlenecks, and optimized them by adding indexes and restructuring the data model, which improved performance by 40%."

3. How do you ensure the quality of your code?

Quality assurance is vital in software development, and JLL will want to know your methods for maintaining high standards.

How to Answer

Discuss your practices for code reviews, testing, and using version control systems. Mention any specific tools or methodologies you employ.

Example

"I follow a strict code review process where peers evaluate my code for readability and efficiency. I also write unit tests to cover critical functionalities and use CI/CD pipelines to automate testing and deployment, ensuring that only high-quality code is released."

4. What is your experience with cloud services, and how have you utilized them in your projects?

As JLL may leverage cloud technologies, familiarity with these services is essential.

How to Answer

Share your experience with specific cloud platforms (like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) and how you have integrated them into your projects.

Example

"I have worked extensively with AWS, utilizing services like EC2 for hosting applications and S3 for storage. In one project, I migrated an on-premises application to AWS, which reduced costs and improved scalability significantly."

5. Can you explain the concept of RESTful APIs and their importance?

APIs are crucial for software integration, and understanding RESTful principles is key for a software engineer.

How to Answer

Define RESTful APIs and discuss their principles, such as statelessness and resource-based interactions. Explain their significance in modern software development.

Example

"RESTful APIs allow different software systems to communicate over HTTP in a stateless manner. They are essential for building scalable web services, as they enable seamless integration between front-end and back-end systems, enhancing user experience."

Behavioral Questions

1. How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure?

This question evaluates your ability to manage stress and prioritize tasks effectively.

How to Answer

Provide an example of a time when you successfully met a deadline under pressure, detailing your strategies for time management and prioritization.

Example

"During a critical project, we had a tight deadline due to client demands. I prioritized tasks by breaking the project into smaller milestones and delegated responsibilities among team members, which allowed us to complete the project on time without compromising quality."

2. Describe a time when you had to work as part of a team. What was your role?

Teamwork is essential in software development, and JLL will want to know how you collaborate with others.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where you contributed to a team project, highlighting your role and the outcome.

Example

"I was part of a cross-functional team tasked with developing a new feature for our application. I took on the role of lead developer, coordinating with designers and product managers to ensure alignment on requirements. Our collaboration resulted in a successful launch that received positive feedback from users."

3. How do you stay updated with the latest technology trends?

This question assesses your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to keep your skills current, such as online courses, tech blogs, or industry conferences.

Example

"I regularly follow tech blogs and participate in online courses on platforms like Coursera and Udemy. I also attend local meetups and conferences to network with other professionals and learn about emerging technologies."

4. Can you give an example of how you improved a process in your previous job?

This question evaluates your initiative and ability to drive improvements.

How to Answer

Describe a specific process you improved, the steps you took, and the impact of your changes.

Example

"I noticed that our deployment process was manual and error-prone. I proposed and implemented a CI/CD pipeline that automated testing and deployment, which reduced deployment time by 50% and minimized errors, leading to a more efficient workflow."

5. Why do you want to work at JLL?

This question gauges your interest in the company and alignment with its values.

How to Answer

Express your enthusiasm for JLL's mission and how your skills and values align with the company's goals.

Example

"I admire JLL's commitment to innovation in real estate and its focus on sustainability. I believe my background in software engineering and passion for developing efficient solutions can contribute to JLL's mission of shaping a better future in real estate."