Olive Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Olive is dedicated to transforming healthcare through AI and intelligent automation, connecting disparate systems to enhance efficiency and reduce costs for health systems and payers.

As a Software Engineer at Olive, you will play a vital role in enhancing the company’s platform offerings, focusing on product engineering and development. This position demands a strong foundation in full-stack development, particularly in modern programming languages like TypeScript and NodeJS. You will be responsible for collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and implement features, possessing the ability to lead technical discussions and mentor junior engineers. A successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional analytical skills, communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and take ownership of medium-to-large product features from concept through to launch.

At Olive, the emphasis on workplace flexibility and collaboration means that your ability to work independently while contributing to a team-oriented environment is crucial. Additionally, familiarity with SQL and NoSQL databases, as well as cloud services like AWS, is essential for addressing real-world problems in the healthcare technology space.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the role's expectations, the skills you'll need to highlight, and the company's culture, ensuring you present yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer position at Olive.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Olive is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several key stages that allow candidates to showcase their abilities and align with Olive's mission.

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The process begins with a phone call from a recruiter, which usually lasts about 30 minutes. During this conversation, the recruiter will verify your resume details, discuss your interest in the role, and provide insights into Olive's culture and work environment. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company and the position.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial call, candidates are often required to complete a technical assessment. This may take the form of a take-home coding challenge, typically hosted on platforms like CoderByte or HackerRank. The assessment usually includes a series of coding questions that test your problem-solving skills and proficiency in relevant programming languages, such as JavaScript or Python. Candidates are generally given a set time to complete this task, but they may find that they can submit their work earlier if they finish ahead of schedule.

3. Technical Interview

After successfully completing the technical assessment, candidates will participate in a technical interview. This interview is often conducted via video call and may involve discussions with team leads or senior engineers. Expect to tackle coding problems in real-time, as well as questions related to algorithms, data structures, and system design. This stage is crucial for demonstrating your technical expertise and ability to think critically under pressure.

4. Behavioral Interviews

In addition to technical evaluations, candidates will go through one or more behavioral interviews. These interviews focus on your past experiences, teamwork, and how you handle challenges in a work environment. Interviewers will be interested in your communication skills and your ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Be prepared to share specific examples from your previous roles that highlight your problem-solving abilities and collaborative spirit.

5. Final Interview with Management

The final stage typically involves an interview with higher-level management, such as the hiring manager or even the VP of Engineering. This conversation may delve deeper into your motivations for joining Olive, your long-term career goals, and how you envision contributing to the company's mission. This is also a chance for you to assess the leadership style and values of the team you may be joining.

6. Offer and Decision

Once all interviews are completed, the hiring team will review your performance across all stages and make a decision. Candidates can expect to receive feedback and an offer within a few weeks, although timelines may vary based on the hiring team's schedule.

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

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

Understand the Interview Process

The interview process at Olive typically consists of multiple rounds, including a take-home coding challenge, technical interviews, and behavioral interviews. Familiarize yourself with this structure and prepare accordingly. The take-home assignment is often a coding challenge that allows you to showcase your skills in a flexible environment, so ensure you allocate enough time to complete it thoroughly.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

Given the emphasis on SQL and algorithms, be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency in these areas. Brush up on your coding skills, particularly in JavaScript and any other relevant languages mentioned in the job description. Practice solving algorithmic problems and be ready to discuss your thought process during coding challenges. Additionally, be prepared to explain your design choices and how they align with best practices in software development.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Olive values communication and collaboration, so expect behavioral questions that assess your ability to work in a team and handle conflicts. Reflect on past experiences where you successfully collaborated with others or resolved disagreements. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your problem-solving skills and adaptability.

Emphasize Cultural Fit

Olive has a strong focus on improving healthcare through technology, so convey your passion for making a positive impact in this field. Research the company’s mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal goals align with theirs. Demonstrating a genuine interest in the company’s work and culture can set you apart from other candidates.

Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Throughout the interview process, clear communication is key. Practice articulating your thoughts and technical concepts in a way that is accessible to non-technical stakeholders. This skill is particularly important as you may need to explain complex ideas to team members from different backgrounds.

Be Ready for Curveball Questions

Interviewers at Olive may ask unexpected questions to gauge your critical thinking and creativity. Stay calm and approach these questions as opportunities to showcase your problem-solving abilities. Think aloud as you work through your thought process, as this can provide insight into your analytical skills.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interviews, consider sending a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. This not only reinforces your interest in the position but also demonstrates your professionalism and communication skills. If you don’t hear back within the expected timeframe, don’t hesitate to follow up politely for an update on your application status.

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

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Olive. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. Be prepared to discuss your experience with software development, coding challenges, and your approach to collaboration and communication.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases, and when you would use each?

Understanding database types is crucial for a software engineer, especially in a role that may involve data management.

How to Answer

Discuss the fundamental differences between SQL and NoSQL, including structure, scalability, and use cases. Provide examples of 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, such as in financial applications. In contrast, NoSQL databases are more flexible and can handle unstructured data, making them suitable for applications like social media platforms where data types can vary widely."

2. Describe how you would approach debugging a complex issue in a production environment.

Debugging is a critical skill for any software engineer, especially in a fast-paced environment.

How to Answer

Outline a systematic approach to debugging, including gathering information, reproducing the issue, and isolating the problem. Mention any tools or methodologies you prefer.

Example

"I would start by gathering logs and error messages to understand the context of the issue. Then, I would attempt to reproduce the problem in a controlled environment. Once I have isolated the issue, I would analyze the code and use debugging tools to trace the root cause before implementing a fix."

3. Can you walk us through your experience with event-driven architecture?

Event-driven architecture is increasingly important in modern software development, especially in cloud environments.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with event-driven systems, including any specific technologies or frameworks you've used. Highlight the benefits of this architecture.

Example

"I have worked with AWS EventBridge to create an event-driven architecture for a microservices application. This approach allowed us to decouple services, improving scalability and maintainability. By using events to trigger workflows, we could respond to changes in real-time, enhancing user experience."

4. What strategies do you use to ensure your code is maintainable and reliable?

Writing maintainable code is essential for long-term project success.

How to Answer

Discuss best practices such as code reviews, unit testing, and documentation. Emphasize the importance of readability and adherence to coding standards.

Example

"I prioritize writing clean, modular code and adhere to coding standards. I also implement unit tests to ensure functionality and use code reviews to catch potential issues early. Additionally, I document my code thoroughly to make it easier for others to understand and maintain."

5. Describe a challenging coding problem you faced and how you solved it.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Choose a specific example that highlights your technical skills and thought process. Explain the problem, your approach, and the outcome.

Example

"I once faced a performance issue in a data processing application that was causing significant delays. I analyzed the code and identified a bottleneck in a nested loop. By refactoring the code to use a more efficient algorithm and implementing caching, I reduced processing time by over 50%."

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a coworker and how you resolved it.

Collaboration is key in software development, and conflict resolution skills are essential.

How to Answer

Describe the situation, your approach to resolving the disagreement, and the outcome. Focus on communication and compromise.

Example

"I had a disagreement with a coworker about the best approach to implement a feature. We both presented our ideas and agreed to test both approaches in a small prototype. After evaluating the results, we found a middle ground that combined the strengths of both solutions, leading to a successful implementation."

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

Time management is crucial in a fast-paced environment.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any tools or methods you use to manage your workload.

Example

"I use a combination of Agile methodologies and task management tools like Jira to prioritize my tasks. I assess the urgency and impact of each task and communicate with my team to ensure alignment on priorities. This helps me stay focused and deliver on time."

3. What do you know about working at a startup?

Understanding the startup environment is important for cultural fit.

How to Answer

Discuss your perspective on the challenges and opportunities of working in a startup, emphasizing adaptability and innovation.

Example

"I understand that working at a startup requires flexibility and a willingness to wear multiple hats. I thrive in dynamic environments where I can contribute to various aspects of a project and help shape the direction of the product. I find the fast-paced nature of startups exciting and motivating."

4. Describe how you stay up-to-date with the latest software engineering technologies.

Continuous learning is vital in the tech industry.

How to Answer

Share your methods for keeping your skills current, such as online courses, reading, or attending conferences.

Example

"I regularly follow industry blogs, participate in online courses, and attend tech meetups to stay informed about the latest trends and technologies. I also engage with the developer community on platforms like GitHub and Stack Overflow to learn from others and share knowledge."

5. What are you looking for in a company?

This question helps assess cultural fit and alignment with company values.

How to Answer

Discuss what you value in a workplace, such as collaboration, innovation, or a commitment to social impact.

Example

"I'm looking for a company that values collaboration and innovation, where I can work with talented individuals to solve meaningful problems. I appreciate Olive's mission to improve healthcare through technology, and I want to be part of a team that makes a positive impact on people's lives."