Viagogo Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Viagogo is a leading global online ticket marketplace, committed to transforming the live event experience for fans and sellers alike.

As a Software Engineer at Viagogo, you will play a pivotal role in designing and developing innovative technologies that enhance how millions of users interact with live events. Your responsibilities will include coding robust software solutions, managing complex feature implementations, and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality user experiences. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of algorithms and programming languages such as Python, with a strong focus on building scalable, efficient systems. Given the fast-paced and dynamic environment at Viagogo, a great fit will demonstrate adaptability, a proactive mindset, and a passion for solving intricate technical challenges.

This guide will help you prepare effectively for your interview by providing insights into the skills and competencies that are crucial for success in the Software Engineer role at Viagogo.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Viagogo is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically consists of several rounds, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's capabilities.

1. Initial Screening

The first step in the interview process is an initial screening, which usually takes place over a phone call with a recruiter. This conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Viagogo. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of what to expect.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates are invited to participate in a technical assessment. This is often conducted via a video call and lasts approximately one to two hours. During this session, you will be asked to solve coding problems that test your understanding of algorithms and data structures. Expect questions that range from basic to advanced levels, including topics like sorting algorithms and linked lists. The interviewers may also present scenarios that require you to think critically and apply your knowledge in a practical context.

3. Behavioral Interview

After successfully completing the technical assessment, candidates typically move on to a behavioral interview. This round focuses on your past experiences, teamwork, and how you handle challenges. Interviewers will be looking for examples of how you have demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills in previous roles. This is also an opportunity for you to showcase your alignment with Viagogo's values and culture.

4. Final Interview

The final interview is often a more in-depth discussion with senior team members or management. This round may include both technical and behavioral questions, as well as discussions about your long-term career goals and how they align with the company's vision. You may also be asked to present a project or a piece of work that you are particularly proud of, allowing you to demonstrate your technical expertise and thought process.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to be ready for a variety of questions that will test your technical knowledge and your ability to work within a team. Here are some of the interview questions that candidates have encountered during the process.

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

Prepare for Coding Challenges

Given the emphasis on algorithms and coding skills, it's crucial to practice coding problems that range from basic to advanced levels. Focus on data structures like linked lists and sorting algorithms, as these have been highlighted in previous interviews. Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to simulate coding interviews and get comfortable with time constraints. Remember, clarity in your thought process is key; explain your reasoning as you code.

Master the Art of Problem-Solving

During the interview, you may encounter questions that require you to think on your feet. Practice breaking down complex problems into manageable parts and articulating your thought process clearly. Interviewers appreciate candidates who can demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving, especially when faced with algorithmic challenges. Be prepared to discuss your solutions and any trade-offs involved.

Communicate Effectively

Communication is vital, especially in a remote interview setting. Ensure you articulate your thoughts clearly and ask clarifying questions if needed. If you find yourself stuck, don’t hesitate to express your thought process to the interviewer. This shows your ability to collaborate and seek help, which is valued in a team-oriented environment.

Understand the Company Culture

Viagogo values initiative and enthusiasm, so be prepared to showcase your passion for technology and problem-solving. Familiarize yourself with the company's mission to redefine the live event experience and think about how your skills can contribute to that goal. Demonstrating alignment with the company’s values can set you apart from other candidates.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect questions that assess your teamwork and leadership abilities, especially if you're applying for a senior role. Reflect on past experiences where you led a project or mentored a colleague. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your contributions and the impact of your actions.

Stay Calm Under Pressure

Interviews can be intense, especially with time constraints. Practice mindfulness techniques to help manage stress and maintain focus. If you encounter a challenging question, take a moment to gather your thoughts before responding. A calm demeanor can convey confidence and resilience, traits that are highly regarded in a fast-paced environment.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. Use this as a chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and briefly mention a key point from the interview that resonated with you. This not only shows your professionalism but also keeps you top of mind for the interviewers.

By following these tailored tips, you can approach your interview with confidence and a clear strategy, increasing your chances of success at Viagogo. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Viagogo. The interview process will likely focus on your coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience with algorithms, as well as your capacity to work collaboratively in a team environment. Be prepared to demonstrate your technical knowledge and provide examples from your past experiences.

Algorithms and Data Structures

1. Can you explain the quicksort algorithm and its time complexity?

Understanding sorting algorithms is fundamental for software engineers, and quicksort is a common topic in interviews.

How to Answer

Explain the quicksort algorithm step-by-step, including how it selects a pivot and partitions the array. Discuss its average and worst-case time complexities.

Example

“Quicksort is a divide-and-conquer algorithm that selects a pivot element and partitions the array into two sub-arrays, one with elements less than the pivot and the other with elements greater than the pivot. The average time complexity is O(n log n), while the worst-case is O(n²) when the smallest or largest element is always chosen as the pivot.”

2. How would you implement a linked list?

Linked lists are a fundamental data structure, and being able to implement one is a common interview question.

How to Answer

Discuss the structure of a linked list, including nodes and pointers, and explain how to implement basic operations like insertion and deletion.

Example

“I would define a node class with a value and a pointer to the next node. For insertion, I would create a new node and adjust the pointers accordingly. For deletion, I would find the node to be deleted and update the previous node's pointer to skip it.”

3. Describe a scenario where you would use a hash table.

Hash tables are essential for efficient data retrieval, and interviewers want to see your understanding of their use cases.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where a hash table would improve performance, such as counting occurrences of elements.

Example

“I would use a hash table to count the frequency of words in a document. By using the words as keys and their counts as values, I can achieve O(1) average time complexity for insertions and lookups, making it efficient for large datasets.”

4. What is the difference between depth-first search (DFS) and breadth-first search (BFS)?

Understanding these fundamental algorithms is crucial for solving graph-related problems.

How to Answer

Explain the key differences in approach, use cases, and time complexity for both algorithms.

Example

“DFS explores as far down a branch as possible before backtracking, while BFS explores all neighbors at the present depth before moving on. DFS can be implemented using recursion or a stack, while BFS uses a queue. Both have a time complexity of O(V + E), where V is vertices and E is edges.”

5. Can you solve a problem involving finding the longest substring without repeating characters?

This is a common coding challenge that tests your problem-solving skills and understanding of strings.

How to Answer

Outline your approach to solving the problem, including any algorithms or data structures you would use.

Example

“I would use a sliding window approach with a hash set to track characters. As I iterate through the string, I would expand the window until I find a repeating character, then shrink it from the left until the substring is valid again. This results in a time complexity of O(n).”

Programming Languages

1. What are the key features of Python that make it suitable for software development?

Python is widely used in the industry, and understanding its features is important for a software engineer.

How to Answer

Discuss Python's readability, extensive libraries, and community support, as well as its versatility in different domains.

Example

“Python’s readability and simplicity make it an excellent choice for rapid development. Its extensive libraries, such as NumPy and Pandas, facilitate data manipulation, while frameworks like Django and Flask support web development. Additionally, its strong community ensures continuous improvement and support.”

2. How do you manage memory in C++?

Memory management is a critical aspect of C++ programming, and interviewers will want to assess your understanding of it.

How to Answer

Explain the concepts of stack vs. heap memory, pointers, and the importance of constructors and destructors.

Example

“In C++, memory can be managed using stack and heap. Stack memory is automatically managed, while heap memory requires manual allocation and deallocation using new and delete. I ensure to use smart pointers to prevent memory leaks and manage resources effectively.”

3. Can you explain the concept of object-oriented programming (OOP) and its principles?

OOP is a fundamental programming paradigm, and understanding its principles is essential for software engineers.

How to Answer

Discuss the four main principles of OOP: encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction.

Example

“OOP is based on the concept of objects that combine data and behavior. Encapsulation restricts access to certain components, inheritance allows for code reuse, polymorphism enables methods to do different things based on the object, and abstraction simplifies complex systems by modeling classes based on essential properties.”

4. How do you handle exceptions in Java?

Exception handling is crucial for building robust applications, and interviewers will want to know your approach.

How to Answer

Explain the try-catch-finally blocks and the importance of handling exceptions gracefully.

Example

“In Java, I use try-catch blocks to handle exceptions. The code that may throw an exception is placed in the try block, and the catch block handles the exception. I also use finally to execute code that must run regardless of whether an exception occurred, ensuring resources are released properly.”

5. What are the differences between synchronous and asynchronous programming?

Understanding the differences between these two programming paradigms is important for modern software development.

How to Answer

Discuss the execution flow, use cases, and advantages of each approach.

Example

“Synchronous programming executes tasks sequentially, blocking the execution until the current task is complete. In contrast, asynchronous programming allows tasks to run concurrently, improving performance and responsiveness, especially in I/O-bound applications. This is particularly useful in web development, where non-blocking calls can enhance user experience.”