The Zebra Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

The Zebra is a leading independent insurance comparison site, dedicated to simplifying the insurance shopping experience for consumers through innovative technology and a commitment to diversity.

As a Software Engineer at The Zebra, you'll play a crucial role in designing, implementing, and maintaining software products that enhance the insurance comparison experience. Your responsibilities will include developing maintainable and performant code across various areas of the business, collaborating with cross-functional teams to rapidly build and deploy new features, and scaling existing tools to support growth. The ideal candidate will have strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or JavaScript, a solid foundation in both frontend and backend development, and a passion for problem-solving in a collaborative environment. Your ability to take ownership of projects and communicate effectively will align well with The Zebra's values of inclusivity and continuous improvement.

This guide is designed to help you prepare effectively for your interview by providing insights into the role and the skills required, ensuring you present yourself as a strong candidate aligned with the company's mission and values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at The Zebra is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically consists of several distinct stages that allow the hiring team to evaluate candidates thoroughly.

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The process begins with a 30-minute phone call with a recruiter. This conversation is primarily focused on understanding your background, experience, and motivations for applying to The Zebra. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, ensuring you have a clear understanding of what to expect moving forward.

2. Technical Screening

Following the initial call, candidates usually participate in a technical screening. This may involve a coding assessment or a technical interview conducted via video conferencing. During this stage, you can expect to answer questions related to your programming experience, particularly in languages such as Python, JavaScript, or other relevant technologies. The focus will be on your problem-solving abilities and your approach to coding challenges.

3. Hiring Manager Interview

The next step typically involves an interview with the hiring manager. This session is more in-depth and may cover your previous work experiences, technical skills, and how you handle challenges in a team environment. Expect to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how your skills align with the needs of The Zebra.

4. Panel Interview

Candidates who progress past the hiring manager interview may be invited to a panel interview. This stage usually consists of multiple interviewers, including team members and possibly other stakeholders. The panel will assess your technical skills, collaboration abilities, and cultural fit through a series of questions and discussions. This interview can last several hours and may include practical coding exercises or system design discussions.

5. Final Interview

The final stage often involves a conversation with senior leadership or a director. This interview focuses on your long-term career goals, your vision for contributing to The Zebra, and how you can help drive the company's mission forward. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company’s future and your potential role within it.

Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their passion for software engineering, their ability to work collaboratively, and their commitment to continuous improvement.

Next, let’s explore the types of questions you might encounter during these interviews.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at The Zebra typically involves multiple rounds, including an initial recruiter call followed by interviews with hiring managers and team members. Be prepared for a conversational style of interviewing, where you may be asked to discuss your resume, past experiences, and how your skills align with the role. Familiarize yourself with the structure so you can anticipate the flow and prepare accordingly.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a Software Engineer, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in programming languages such as Python and JavaScript, as well as frameworks like Django and React. Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to tackle technical questions or coding challenges. Consider practicing with real-world problems that reflect the types of projects you might work on at The Zebra.

Emphasize Collaboration and Communication

The Zebra values strong communication and collaboration skills. Be prepared to discuss how you have worked effectively in teams, resolved conflicts, and contributed to group projects. Highlight experiences where you took ownership of your work and collaborated with others to achieve common goals. This will resonate well with the company’s culture of teamwork and inclusivity.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Think of specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your technical skills, adaptability, and ability to learn from feedback.

Align with Company Values

The Zebra prides itself on its inclusive culture and commitment to diversity. Familiarize yourself with the company’s values and be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Share experiences that reflect your commitment to inclusivity and collaboration, as this will show that you are a good cultural fit.

Be Ready for Technical Assessments

You may encounter technical assessments, such as coding challenges or system design questions. Practice common algorithms and data structures, as well as system design principles. Be prepared to explain your thought process and reasoning during these assessments, as interviewers will be looking for your problem-solving approach as much as the final answer.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, project goals, and company culture. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if The Zebra is the right fit for you. Inquire about the technologies they use, the challenges the team is currently facing, and opportunities for professional development.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interviews, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and briefly mention a key point from your conversation that resonated with you. This will leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips, you can present yourself as a strong candidate who is not only technically proficient but also a great fit for The Zebra's collaborative and inclusive culture. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at The Zebra. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how well you can collaborate with others. Be prepared to discuss your experience with various programming languages, frameworks, and your approach to software development.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the differences between relational and NoSQL databases?

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different database types is crucial for a software engineer.

How to Answer

Discuss the characteristics of both types of databases, including scalability, data structure, and use cases. Highlight scenarios where one might be preferred over the other.

Example

"Relational databases are structured and use SQL for querying, making them ideal for complex queries and transactions. NoSQL databases, on the other hand, are more flexible with data structures and can handle large volumes of unstructured data, which is beneficial for applications requiring high scalability."

2. Describe your experience with Python and any frameworks you have used.

Python is a key language for this role, and familiarity with its frameworks is essential.

How to Answer

Mention specific frameworks you have worked with, such as Django or Flask, and describe projects where you utilized them.

Example

"I have over three years of experience with Python, primarily using Django for web development. In my last project, I built a RESTful API that handled user authentication and data retrieval, which improved the application's performance significantly."

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

Quality assurance is vital in software development, and interviewers will want to know your approach.

How to Answer

Discuss practices like code reviews, unit testing, and continuous integration that you implement to maintain code quality.

Example

"I prioritize writing unit tests for my code and regularly participate in code reviews with my team. Additionally, I use continuous integration tools to automate testing, ensuring that any new code meets our quality standards before merging."

4. Can you walk us through a challenging technical problem you faced and how you solved it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenges.

How to Answer

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response, focusing on the technical aspects of the problem.

Example

"In a previous project, we faced performance issues with our API. I analyzed the bottlenecks and discovered that inefficient database queries were the cause. I optimized the queries and implemented caching, which reduced response times by 50%."

5. What is your experience with microservices architecture?

Microservices are increasingly popular, and understanding them is important for modern software development.

How to Answer

Explain your experience with designing or working within a microservices architecture, including any challenges you faced.

Example

"I have worked on a project that utilized microservices to separate different functionalities of our application. This approach allowed us to scale individual services independently and improved our deployment times. However, it also required careful management of inter-service communication."

Collaboration and Communication

1. How do you handle feedback from peers or supervisors?

Collaboration is key in software development, and your ability to accept feedback is crucial.

How to Answer

Discuss your openness to feedback and how you use it to improve your work.

Example

"I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. When I receive constructive criticism, I take the time to reflect on it and implement changes in my work. For instance, after receiving feedback on my code structure, I adopted a more modular approach, which improved readability and maintainability."

2. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult team member.

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate challenges in teamwork.

How to Answer

Focus on how you approached the situation and what steps you took to improve collaboration.

Example

"I once worked with a team member who was resistant to new ideas. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to understand their perspective and shared my thoughts on how our project could benefit from a different approach. This open dialogue helped us find common ground and improved our collaboration."

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

Time management is essential in a fast-paced environment.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, including any tools or methods you use.

Example

"I use a combination of task management tools and agile methodologies to prioritize my work. I assess the urgency and impact of each task and communicate with my team to ensure alignment on priorities. This approach helps me stay organized and focused on delivering value."

4. Can you give an example of how you contributed to a team project?

This question allows you to showcase your teamwork and collaboration skills.

How to Answer

Highlight your specific contributions and the impact they had on the project.

Example

"In a recent project, I took the lead on implementing a new feature that required collaboration with both the design and backend teams. I facilitated meetings to ensure everyone was aligned and contributed to the API design, which resulted in a successful launch and positive user feedback."

5. Why do you want to work at The Zebra?

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

How to Answer

Express your interest in the company’s mission, values, and the specific role you are applying for.

Example

"I admire The Zebra's commitment to transparency and inclusivity in the insurance industry. I am excited about the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment where I can contribute to innovative solutions that make insurance shopping easier for consumers."