Rakuten Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Rakuten is an innovative global leader in e-commerce and digital content, dedicated to enhancing customer experiences and delivering exceptional value through technology and teamwork.

As a Software Engineer at Rakuten, you will play a crucial role in developing micro-frontend services that tackle large-scale technical challenges. Your primary responsibilities will include collaborating with product managers and stakeholders to drive data-informed decisions, building maintainable code, and optimizing web-based applications. A successful candidate will possess a strong background in React and JavaScript, as well as a deep understanding of front-end frameworks and user experience principles. You should be adept at breaking down complex tasks into manageable deliverables while demonstrating a commitment to best practices in user privacy and developer experience.

Rakuten values continuous improvement, professionalism, customer satisfaction, and speed, and a great fit for this role will embody these principles. This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in your interview, helping you showcase your skills and alignment with Rakuten's mission and values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Rakuten is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically consists of several key stages:

1. Application and Initial Screening

Candidates begin by submitting their applications through the Rakuten job portal. If selected, the first step is an initial screening call with a recruiter. This conversation usually lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on the candidate's background, motivations for applying, and a brief overview of their technical skills. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Online Coding Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates are required to complete an online coding assessment. This test is typically hosted on platforms like Codility or HackerRank and includes a mix of multiple-choice questions and coding problems, often based on algorithms and data structures. Candidates are usually given a set time to complete the assessment, which helps gauge their problem-solving abilities and coding proficiency.

3. Technical Interviews

Candidates who perform well in the coding assessment will move on to the technical interview stage. This usually consists of two rounds of interviews conducted via video call. The first technical interview is often with a senior engineer or team lead, focusing on specific programming languages (such as Java or JavaScript), frameworks (like React), and system design concepts. Candidates may be asked to solve coding problems in real-time, discuss their previous projects, and demonstrate their understanding of software development principles.

4. Behavioral and HR Interview

The final stage typically includes a behavioral interview with an HR representative or hiring manager. This interview assesses the candidate's alignment with Rakuten's core values and principles, such as customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. Questions may revolve around the candidate's past experiences, teamwork, and how they handle challenges in a work environment. This round is also an opportunity for candidates to ask questions about the company culture and growth opportunities.

5. Offer and Onboarding

If successful through all interview stages, candidates will receive a job offer. The onboarding process will then begin, where new hires are introduced to Rakuten's systems, teams, and projects.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during each stage.

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

Understand the Interview Process

Rakuten's interview process typically consists of multiple rounds, including an online coding test, technical interviews, and HR discussions. Familiarize yourself with this structure and prepare accordingly. The coding test often includes easy to medium-level algorithm questions, so practice on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to sharpen your skills. Be ready to discuss your resume and past projects in detail, as interviewers will likely ask about your experiences and how they relate to the role.

Master Key Technical Skills

Given the emphasis on Java, React, and data structures, ensure you have a solid grasp of these areas. Brush up on Java fundamentals, including OOP concepts, data structures, and algorithms. For React, be prepared to discuss component lifecycle, hooks, and state management. Additionally, understanding modern JavaScript (ES6+) and CSS will be crucial. Practice coding problems that require you to implement these concepts, as interviewers will be looking for your problem-solving approach and coding style.

Communicate Effectively

Rakuten values strong communication skills, so be prepared to articulate your thought process during coding challenges and technical discussions. When solving problems, explain your reasoning clearly and ask clarifying questions if needed. This not only demonstrates your analytical skills but also shows that you can collaborate effectively with team members and stakeholders.

Embrace the Company Culture

Rakuten's culture is built on principles such as continuous improvement, customer satisfaction, and speed. Familiarize yourself with these principles and think about how they align with your work ethic and experiences. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for contributing to a culture of innovation and teamwork. Share examples of how you've embodied these principles in your previous roles.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your fit within the company culture. Be ready to discuss your motivations for applying to Rakuten, your career aspirations, and how you handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, providing clear and concise examples from your past experiences.

Stay Positive and Resilient

Interviews can be challenging, and it's important to maintain a positive attitude throughout the process. If you encounter difficult questions or situations, approach them with a growth mindset. Reflect on any feedback you receive and use it as an opportunity to improve for future interviews. Remember, every experience is a chance to learn and grow.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you'll position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Rakuten. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Rakuten. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of software development principles, particularly in relation to frontend technologies and frameworks.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the concept of microservices and how they differ from monolithic architectures?

Understanding microservices is crucial for a software engineer at Rakuten, as they are looking to build scalable applications.

How to Answer

Discuss the advantages of microservices, such as scalability, flexibility, and ease of deployment, while also mentioning the challenges, like increased complexity in communication between services.

Example

“Microservices architecture allows for the development of applications as a suite of small services, each running in its own process and communicating through lightweight mechanisms. This contrasts with monolithic architecture, where all components are interconnected and run as a single service. Microservices enable teams to deploy services independently, which enhances scalability and allows for faster updates.”

2. Describe your experience with React and how you manage state in your applications.

Given the emphasis on React in the job description, this question assesses your practical knowledge of the framework.

How to Answer

Talk about the state management libraries you’ve used, such as Redux or Context API, and how they help in managing application state effectively.

Example

“I have extensive experience using React for building user interfaces. I typically manage state using Redux, which allows me to maintain a predictable state container for my applications. This approach simplifies debugging and makes it easier to manage complex state interactions across components.”

3. What are some best practices for writing unit tests in React?

Testing is a key part of software development, and Rakuten values maintainable code.

How to Answer

Mention specific testing libraries and frameworks you’ve used, such as Jest or React Testing Library, and discuss the importance of testing in the development process.

Example

“I believe in writing unit tests to ensure that each component behaves as expected. I use Jest in combination with React Testing Library to test components in isolation. This allows me to verify that the UI renders correctly and that user interactions trigger the expected outcomes, which ultimately leads to a more robust application.”

4. How do you optimize the performance of a web application?

Performance optimization is critical for user experience, especially in e-commerce.

How to Answer

Discuss techniques such as code splitting, lazy loading, and optimizing images, as well as tools you use to measure performance.

Example

“To optimize web application performance, I implement code splitting to load only the necessary code for the initial render. I also use lazy loading for images and components that are not immediately visible to the user. Additionally, I leverage tools like Lighthouse to analyze performance metrics and identify areas for improvement.”

Problem Solving

5. Can you walk us through a challenging bug you encountered and how you resolved it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and your approach to debugging.

How to Answer

Describe the bug, the steps you took to identify the root cause, and how you ultimately fixed it.

Example

“I once encountered a bug where a component was not rendering correctly due to a state management issue. I used console logging to trace the state changes and discovered that the state was being mutated directly instead of using the setState function. I refactored the code to ensure immutability, which resolved the issue and improved the component’s performance.”

6. Explain the difference between synchronous and asynchronous programming in JavaScript.

Understanding these concepts is essential for effective JavaScript development.

How to Answer

Define both terms and provide examples of when you would use each.

Example

“Synchronous programming executes code in a sequential manner, meaning each operation must complete before the next one begins. In contrast, asynchronous programming allows certain operations to run in the background, enabling the program to continue executing other code. For example, I use asynchronous programming with Promises and async/await to handle API calls without blocking the main thread.”

Behavioral Questions

7. Why do you want to work at Rakuten?

This question gauges your motivation and alignment with the company’s values.

How to Answer

Express your interest in Rakuten’s mission and how your skills align with their goals.

Example

“I am drawn to Rakuten’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. I admire how the company leverages technology to enhance the shopping experience for millions of users. I believe my skills in frontend development and my passion for creating user-centric applications would allow me to contribute meaningfully to your team.”

8. How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure?

This question assesses your ability to work under pressure, which is common in software development.

How to Answer

Share your strategies for managing stress and meeting deadlines effectively.

Example

“When faced with tight deadlines, I prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency. I break down larger projects into manageable chunks and set clear milestones. Additionally, I communicate openly with my team to ensure we are aligned and can support each other in meeting our goals.”