Kohl's Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Kohl's is a leading retail company that focuses on delivering a seamless shopping experience while leveraging technology to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency.

As a Software Engineer at Kohl's, you will be instrumental in driving the development, testing, and deployment of innovative product capabilities and features. This role requires collaboration with designers, product managers, and fellow engineers to create high-quality applications that are secure, maintainable, and observable. You will be responsible for all technical aspects of the product application lifecycle, including code, infrastructure, data security, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CICD). A successful candidate will demonstrate strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of modern application architecture, and a commitment to best practices in software development. You should also possess experience with a variety of programming languages and technologies, such as Java, Python, or JavaScript, as well as familiarity with microservices, event-driven architectures, and various database systems.

Kohl's values continuous learning and mentorship, so being proactive in professional development and sharing knowledge with peers is highly encouraged. Emphasizing teamwork and effective communication is crucial, as the role often involves pairing with other engineers and contributing to a collaborative work environment.

This guide will equip you with insights into what to expect during the interview process at Kohl's and help you prepare effectively for discussions about your technical expertise and alignment with the company's values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer position at Kohl's is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically unfolds in several stages, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of candidates.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, which is often conducted via a phone call with a recruiter. This conversation serves to gauge your interest in the role, discuss your background, and assess your alignment with Kohl's values and culture. Expect questions about your work experience and how it relates to the software engineering field.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates may be required to complete a technical assessment. This could involve an online coding challenge or a technical interview focusing on specific programming languages and frameworks relevant to the role, such as Java, Python, or JavaScript. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and coding proficiency through practical exercises.

3. Onsite Interviews

Candidates who successfully pass the technical assessment are typically invited for onsite interviews at Kohl's headquarters. This stage usually consists of multiple one-on-one interviews with various team members, including software engineers and managers. These interviews often focus on behavioral questions, allowing interviewers to evaluate your teamwork, communication skills, and how you handle challenges in a collaborative environment. While technical questions may be included, the emphasis is often on understanding your thought process and past experiences.

4. Final Evaluation

In some cases, the final evaluation may include a group interview or a case study exercise, where candidates are assessed on their analytical thinking and ability to work in a team setting. This stage is designed to see how candidates approach real-world problems and collaborate with others.

Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to ask questions about the team dynamics, company culture, and the specific projects they would be working on, as this demonstrates genuine interest in the role and the organization.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise during the process.

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

Emphasize Your Collaborative Spirit

Kohl's values teamwork and collaboration, as evidenced by the interview experiences shared by candidates. Be prepared to discuss how you have successfully worked in teams, particularly in software development contexts. Highlight specific instances where you collaborated with product managers, designers, or other engineers to drive projects forward. This will demonstrate your ability to fit into their team-oriented culture.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Many candidates noted that the interviews at Kohl's leaned heavily on behavioral questions rather than technical ones. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Prepare stories that showcase your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and how you handle challenges in a team setting. For example, be ready to discuss a time when you had to navigate a difficult situation with a co-worker or how you managed a project that didn’t go as planned.

Showcase Your Technical Proficiency

While the interviews may focus on behavioral aspects, you should still be ready to discuss your technical skills. Familiarize yourself with the technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Java, Python, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure. Be prepared to explain your experience with microservices, CICD, and TDD, as these are critical to the role. Candidates have reported being asked about their projects, so be ready to discuss your technical contributions in detail.

Be Yourself and Stay Relaxed

Candidates have described the interview atmosphere at Kohl's as laid-back and conversational. Approach the interview with a friendly demeanor and be authentic in your responses. This will help you connect with your interviewers and showcase your personality, which is something they seem to value highly. Remember, they are looking for someone who not only has the right skills but also fits well within their company culture.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and the company’s future direction. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if Kohl's is the right fit for you. Questions about how the engineering team collaborates with other departments or how they approach continuous improvement can provide valuable insights.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Mention specific points from your conversation to reinforce your interest in the position and the company. This not only demonstrates professionalism but also keeps you top of mind as they make their hiring decisions.

By focusing on these areas, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who is not only technically proficient but also a great cultural fit for Kohl's. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Kohl's. The interview process will likely focus on both technical skills and behavioral aspects, as the company values collaboration and problem-solving abilities. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their past experiences, technical knowledge, and how they approach challenges in a team environment.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the microservices architecture and its advantages?

Understanding microservices is crucial for modern software development, especially in a collaborative environment like Kohl's.

How to Answer

Discuss the concept of microservices, emphasizing how they allow for independent deployment and scaling of services, which can lead to improved fault isolation and faster development cycles.

Example

"Microservices architecture breaks down applications into smaller, independent services that can be developed, deployed, and scaled individually. This approach enhances fault tolerance, as a failure in one service does not affect the entire application. It also allows teams to work on different services simultaneously, speeding up the development process."

2. Describe your experience with containerization and orchestration tools like Kubernetes.

Kohl's is looking for candidates who can manage applications in a cloud environment effectively.

How to Answer

Highlight your experience with containerization technologies, focusing on how they improve deployment consistency and scalability.

Example

"I have extensive experience using Docker for containerization and Kubernetes for orchestration. In my previous role, I deployed a microservices-based application using Kubernetes, which allowed us to manage scaling and load balancing efficiently. This setup significantly reduced downtime during updates and improved our deployment speed."

3. How do you ensure the security of applications you develop?

Security is a critical aspect of software development, and Kohl's will want to know your approach.

How to Answer

Discuss best practices for secure coding, regular security audits, and the importance of keeping dependencies updated.

Example

"I prioritize security by following best practices such as input validation, using secure coding standards, and regularly updating dependencies to mitigate vulnerabilities. Additionally, I conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses in the application."

4. Can you explain the concept of Test Driven Development (TDD) and its benefits?

TDD is a key practice in modern software engineering, and understanding it is essential for this role.

How to Answer

Explain TDD as a development approach where tests are written before the code, emphasizing its benefits in ensuring code quality.

Example

"Test Driven Development (TDD) involves writing tests before the actual code. This approach ensures that the code meets the specified requirements from the outset, leading to fewer bugs and easier refactoring. It also encourages better design decisions, as developers must consider how to make their code testable."

Behavioral Questions

5. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?

Kohl's values teamwork and collaboration, so they will be interested in your interpersonal skills.

How to Answer

Share a specific example, focusing on your approach to communication and conflict resolution.

Example

"In a previous project, I worked with a team member who was resistant to feedback. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to discuss our differences and actively listened to their concerns. By fostering open communication, we were able to find common ground and improve our collaboration, ultimately leading to a successful project outcome."

6. Tell me about a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame the obstacles.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Choose a project that had significant challenges, detailing the steps you took to address them.

Example

"I worked on a project with a tight deadline where we faced unexpected technical challenges. I organized daily stand-up meetings to identify issues early and encouraged team members to share their ideas for solutions. By fostering a collaborative environment, we were able to pivot our approach and successfully deliver the project on time."

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

Kohl's will want to know how you manage your time and workload effectively.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any tools or methodologies you use.

Example

"I use a combination of Kanban and time-blocking techniques to prioritize my tasks. I assess the urgency and impact of each task and allocate time slots in my calendar to ensure I stay focused. This method helps me manage multiple projects without compromising quality."

8. Can you give an example of how you have mentored a junior engineer?

Mentorship is important in fostering a collaborative culture at Kohl's.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where you provided guidance and support to a less experienced colleague.

Example

"I mentored a junior engineer who was struggling with understanding our codebase. I organized regular code review sessions and pair programming to help them gain confidence. Over time, they became more proficient and even contributed to improving our documentation, which benefited the entire team."

9. How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure?

Understanding how you cope with stress is important for team dynamics.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for managing stress and maintaining productivity under pressure.

Example

"When faced with tight deadlines, I prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency. I also communicate openly with my team to ensure we are aligned and can support each other. Taking short breaks helps me maintain focus and manage stress effectively."

10. Why do you want to work at Kohl's?

This question assesses your motivation and fit for the company culture.

How to Answer

Express your enthusiasm for the company and how your values align with theirs.

Example

"I admire Kohl's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. I believe my skills in software development and my passion for creating user-friendly applications align perfectly with your mission. I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute to a team that values collaboration and continuous improvement."