Introduction to Klaviyo Software Engineer Position

Klaviyo is a leading real-time data analytics platform that empowers creators to make first-party data accessible and actionable. Known for its innovative technology that nurtures personalized experiences in ecommerce and beyond, Klaviyo is a fast-growing company aiming to reach new heights.

As a Software Engineer at Klaviyo, you will be at the forefront of building advanced systems using technologies such as Python, Django, AWS, and more. You will take on a variety of technical challenges, from optimizing code to designing scalable systems, all while contributing to a dynamic, collaborative, and highly impactful team.

Thinking of joining Klaviyo? Dive into this comprehensive guide by Interview Query to navigate through their interview process, commonly asked questions, and valuable tips. Let's get started!

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit a compelling application that reflects your technical skills and interest in joining Klaviyo as a Software Engineer. Whether you were contacted by a Klaviyo recruiter or have taken the initiative yourself, carefully review the job description and tailor your CV according to the prerequisites.

Tailoring your CV may include identifying specific keywords that the hiring manager might use to filter resumes and crafting a targeted cover letter. Furthermore, don’t forget to highlight relevant skills and mention your work experiences.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV happens to be among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the Klaviyo Talent Acquisition Team will reach out to verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be a part of the screening process.

The screening questions are standard for software engineering roles, so be prepared to speak on previous projects and what you are looking for in your next role. In some cases, the hiring manager stays present during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also indulge in surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.

The whole recruiter call should take about 30 minutes.

Technical Screening

Successfully navigating the recruiter round will present you with an invitation for the technical screening round. This involves a take-home technical problem, typically using a platform like CodeSignal, and consists of finding and fixing bugs in existing pieces of code. This technical screening is more "real-world" focused rather than the leetcode-style, revolving around REST APIs, Python, SQL, and similar technologies.

Pair programming sessions are also incorporated, where you will collaborate with Klaviyo engineers to work through the technical problem. Be prepared for discussions on practical web development issues and how to optimize existing solutions.

Onsite Interview Rounds

After the technical screening, the next stage comprises the onsite interview loops, which are now often virtual. Multiple interview rounds are conducted, focusing on:

• In-depth technical challenges
• System design questions
• Behavioral interviews
• Code reviews

You might have technical interviews with lead engineers or directors. These rounds are thorough and involve solving practical problems, ensuring candidates are evaluated on both their coding proficiency and problem-solving skills. Interviewers may also discuss your previous project experiences in detail and ask you to optimize given code snippets.

Quick Tips For Klaviyo Software Engineer Interviews

You should plan to brush up on any technical skills and try as many practice interview questions and mock interviews as possible. A few tips for acing your Klaviyo interview include:

• Prepare for Pair Programming: Klaviyo interviews often involve pair programming, so practice working collaboratively on coding problems.
• Real-World Problem-Solving: Focus on showcasing your ability to solve real-world problems and optimize existing solutions, rather than just algorithmic questions.
• Project-Based Discussions: Be ready to dive deep into past projects you have worked on. Highlight the challenges faced, technical stacks used, and outcomes achieved.

For comprehensive practice and preparation, check out Interview Query.

Typically, interviews at Klaviyo vary by role and team, but commonly Software Engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

• Write a query to get the average order value by gender. Given three tables representing customer transactions and customer attributes, write a query to get the average order value by gender. Round the answer to two decimal places.

• Write a function combinational_dice_rolls to dump all possible combinations of dice rolls. Given n dice each with m faces, write a function combinational_dice_rolls to dump all possible combinations of dice rolls. Bonus: Can you do it recursively?

• Estimate the annual cost of overlapping computing jobs. Write a function to simulate the problem of two computing jobs overlapping and causing downtime. Output an estimated annual cost based on 365 days. Bonus: How would you solve this using probability?

• Write a function to get a sample from a standard normal distribution. Create a function to generate a sample from a standard normal distribution.

• Write a function sort_lists to merge sorted integer lists while maintaining order. Given a list of sorted integer lists, write a function sort_lists to create a combined list while maintaining sorted order without using the 'sort' or 'sorted' functions in Python.

• How would you explain what a p-value is to someone who is not technical? Explain the concept of a p-value in simple terms to a non-technical person. Use analogies or straightforward language to make the explanation clear and understandable.

• Can you determine if an AB test with unbalanced sample sizes will result in bias towards the smaller group? Analyze an AB test where one variant has 50K users and the other has 200K users. Determine if the unbalanced sample sizes will introduce bias towards the smaller group.

• How would you infer if the results of a landing page redesign AB test are statistically significant? You want to improve the click-through rate by redesigning a landing page and implementing an AB test. Explain how you would determine if the results of the click-through rate are statistically significant.

• Can you determine if an unbalanced A/B test will result in bias towards the smaller group? You have an A/B test with one variant having 50K users and the other 200K users. Analyze if the unbalanced sample sizes will cause bias towards the smaller group.

• How would you infer if the click-through rate results of an A/B test are statistically significant? You want to launch a re-design of a landing page to improve the click-through rate using an A/B test. Determine how to infer if the results are statistically significant.

• Is the difference in average order value between men and women significant? You have average order value (AOV) data separated by gender: Men (AOV: $46.3, Total purchases: 2500) and Women (AOV: $50.2, Total purchases: 3500). Determine if the difference in AOV is significant.

• - What are the assumptions of linear regression? List and explain the key assumptions that must be met for linear regression analysis to be valid.

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at Klaviyo?

Q: What is the interview process like for a Software Engineer position at Klaviyo?
The interview process typically starts with an initial recruiter call, followed by multiple rounds including technical interviews, pair programming sessions, and behavioral interviews. The technical rounds focus on real-world problems, often involving code reviews and optimizations. Be prepared to discuss your previous projects and experiences in detail.

Q: What kind of technical questions can I expect during my interview at Klaviyo?
You can expect questions focused on web development, REST API design, Python, and SQL. The technical rounds may include pair programming sessions where you'll be asked to review and modify code, and solve practical problems rather than purely algorithmic ones.

Q: How can I prepare for my interview at Klaviyo?
To prepare, you should review your past projects and be ready to discuss them in detail. Practice code review and refactoring exercises, and brush up on your knowledge of Python, web APIs, and SQL. Using resources like Interview Query can help you prepare for the kinds of real-world problems Klaviyo focuses on.

Q: What is the culture like at Klaviyo?
Klaviyo's culture is highly collaborative and supportive. The interviewers aim to create a conversational atmosphere and provide feedback throughout the interview process. It’s important to communicate well and be ready to ask questions and discuss ideas openly.

Q: What should I do if I don’t receive feedback after my interview?
If you don’t receive feedback after your interview, it's a good idea to follow up with your recruiter. While some candidates have reported being "ghosted," many others have had positive experiences with Klaviyo’s recruitment team. Persistence can sometimes make a difference in getting the feedback you need.

Conclusion

Klaviyo presents a coveted opportunity for software engineers to work on customer-facing features and impactful projects. Candidates often find the technical and behavioral interviews at Klaviyo to be engaging, supportive, and focused on real-world challenges rather than theoretical problems. This approach not only allows candidates to showcase their skills in a practical environment but also reinforces the company’s dedication to innovative and meaningful work.

While every interview journey might present its unique experiences, Klaviyo's commitment to a rigorous yet enjoyable interview process signifies its dedication to hiring top-tier talent. The candid feedback, collaborative pair programming sessions, and thorough exploration of past projects make for a well-rounded understanding of each candidate’s capabilities and fit within the team.

For more insights about the company, check out our main Klaviyo Interview Guide, where we have covered many interview questions that could be asked. We’ve also created interview guides for other roles, such as software engineer, and data analyst, where you can learn more about Klaviyo’s interview process for different positions.

At Interview Query, we empower you to unlock your interview prowess with a comprehensive toolkit, equipping you with the knowledge, confidence, and strategic guidance to conquer every Klaviyo software engineer interview question and challenge.

You can check out all our company interview guides for better preparation, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Good luck with your interview!