Zulily Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Zulily is a leading e-commerce platform that focuses on providing a unique shopping experience for moms, offering a range of products at discounted prices.

As a Software Engineer at Zulily, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing the online shopping experience for customers. Your key responsibilities will include designing, developing, and maintaining software applications, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products. You will be expected to solve complex problems and implement algorithms that improve system performance and user experience. A strong foundation in data structures and algorithms is crucial, as you will frequently apply these concepts in your work. Additionally, proficiency in programming languages such as Python and SQL will be necessary for backend development and data management.

To thrive in this role, you should embody Zulily’s values of innovation and customer-centricity. Being a proactive team player who can adapt to fast-paced environments while maintaining a focus on delivering results will set you apart. A positive attitude, resilience in the face of challenges, and strong communication skills will also contribute to your success in this collaborative setting.

This guide aims to equip you with tailored insights and strategies to effectively prepare for your interview with Zulily, ensuring you present your best self and align your skills with the expectations of the role.

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

1. Initial Recruiter Screen

The process begins with a phone call from a recruiter, which usually lasts about 30 minutes. During this conversation, the recruiter will discuss your background, experience, and the specifics of the Software Engineer role. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company culture and the team dynamics at Zulily.

2. Technical Phone Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates typically participate in a technical phone interview. This session often includes coding exercises that may be conducted using collaborative coding platforms. Expect to solve problems related to data structures and algorithms, as well as discuss your previous projects and technical experiences. The interviewer may also assess your problem-solving approach and coding style.

3. Onsite Interview

Candidates who perform well in the technical phone interview are usually invited for an onsite interview, which can last several hours and consists of multiple rounds. Typically, there are about four to five interview rounds, including:

• Coding Rounds: These rounds focus on algorithms and data structures, where you will be asked to solve coding problems on a whiteboard or through a shared coding environment. Questions may range from medium to hard difficulty, often sourced from platforms like LeetCode. Be prepared to explain your thought process and the trade-offs of your solutions.

• System Design Round: In this round, you will be asked to design a system or component, demonstrating your understanding of software architecture and design principles. This may involve discussing scalability, performance, and maintainability of your design.

• Behavioral Round: This round assesses your cultural fit within the team. Expect questions about past experiences, conflict resolution, and teamwork. Interviewers will be looking for examples that showcase your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenges in a collaborative environment.

• Managerial Interaction: Often, there is a round with a hiring manager or team lead, where they will evaluate your fit for the team and discuss your career aspirations and how they align with the company's goals.

4. Final Assessment

After the onsite interviews, candidates may have a follow-up discussion with the recruiter or hiring manager to address any remaining questions or concerns. This is also the stage where you can inquire about the next steps in the hiring process.

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.

Prepare for a Structured Interview Process

Zulily's interview process typically includes multiple rounds, often starting with a recruiter screen followed by technical interviews focused on coding, system design, and behavioral assessments. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the interview and prepare accordingly. Expect to face two coding rounds, one system design round, and a culture fit interview. Knowing this will help you manage your time and energy effectively during the interview day.

Master Key Technical Skills

Given the emphasis on algorithms and data structures, it's crucial to practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode. Focus on medium to hard-level questions, especially those that involve tree traversals, dynamic programming, and common algorithms. Be prepared to explain your thought process clearly, as interviewers are interested in how you approach problems, not just the final solution. Brush up on your knowledge of Python and SQL, as these are also relevant to the role.

Communicate Effectively

During the coding interviews, articulate your thought process as you work through problems. This is particularly important at Zulily, where interviewers may interrupt or interject. If you feel rushed, don’t hesitate to ask for a moment to think through your solution. Demonstrating your ability to communicate clearly and handle pressure will leave a positive impression.

Engage with Interviewers

Zulily's interviewers are generally described as friendly and approachable. Use this to your advantage by engaging them in conversation. Ask clarifying questions if you don’t understand something, and be open to discussing your thought process. This not only shows your collaborative spirit but also helps you gauge their expectations and adjust your approach accordingly.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your fit within the company culture. Prepare examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and how you handle conflicts. Given the feedback from previous candidates, it’s important to be genuine and reflective in your responses, as interviewers are looking for authenticity.

Stay Calm and Collected

Interviews can be stressful, especially when faced with challenging questions or interruptions. Maintain your composure and focus on the task at hand. If you encounter a difficult question, break it down into smaller parts and tackle it step by step. This approach not only helps you manage your anxiety but also demonstrates your analytical skills.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interviews, consider sending a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. This can help reinforce your interest in the position and leave a positive impression. If you don’t hear back in a reasonable timeframe, a polite follow-up can also demonstrate your enthusiasm and professionalism.

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

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Zulily. The interview process will likely focus on your coding skills, understanding of algorithms, system design, and your ability to work collaboratively within a team. Be prepared to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities through coding challenges and to discuss your past experiences in a behavioral context.

Coding and Algorithms

1. Given a randomly generated maze, find your way out.

This question tests your problem-solving skills and ability to implement algorithms effectively.

How to Answer

Explain your thought process clearly, and consider discussing different approaches, such as depth-first search or breadth-first search, to navigate the maze.

Example

“I would implement a depth-first search algorithm to explore the maze. I would keep track of visited nodes to avoid cycles and backtrack when necessary until I find the exit.”

2. Write a function to reverse a string.

This question assesses your understanding of string manipulation and basic algorithmic skills.

How to Answer

Discuss the method you would use to reverse the string, whether through iteration or recursion, and explain your choice.

Example

“I would use a two-pointer technique to swap characters from the start and end of the string until they meet in the middle, which is efficient in terms of space and time complexity.”

3. Find the number of islands in a 2D matrix.

This question evaluates your ability to work with grid-based problems and implement depth-first or breadth-first search.

How to Answer

Outline your approach to traverse the matrix and count the islands, ensuring to mark visited cells.

Example

“I would iterate through each cell in the matrix, and upon finding a land cell, I would initiate a depth-first search to mark all connected land cells as visited, incrementing my island count each time.”

4. Search for a number in a rotated sorted array.

This question tests your understanding of binary search and its applications.

How to Answer

Explain how you would modify the binary search algorithm to account for the rotation in the array.

Example

“I would first determine which part of the array is sorted and then decide which half to search based on the target value, adjusting the search boundaries accordingly.”

5. Top K frequent elements in an array.

This question assesses your ability to use data structures effectively to solve a frequency-based problem.

How to Answer

Discuss using a hash map to count frequencies and a min-heap to keep track of the top K elements.

Example

“I would use a hash map to count the frequency of each element, then use a min-heap to maintain the top K elements based on their frequencies, ensuring efficient retrieval.”

System Design

1. Design a URL shortening service.

This question evaluates your ability to design scalable systems and understand database interactions.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of the system, including how you would handle URL storage, retrieval, and collision resolution.

Example

“I would create a database to store the original URLs and their shortened versions, using a hash function to generate unique keys. I would also implement a redirection service to handle incoming requests.”

2. How would you design a chat application?

This question tests your understanding of real-time communication and data handling.

How to Answer

Outline the architecture, including client-server interactions, message storage, and user authentication.

Example

“I would use WebSockets for real-time communication, a database to store messages, and implement user authentication to ensure secure access to chat rooms.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker.

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflicts.

How to Answer

Focus on the situation, your actions, and the outcome, emphasizing your communication and problem-solving skills.

Example

“I had a disagreement with a coworker about the approach to a project. I initiated a meeting to discuss our perspectives, and we ultimately found a compromise that combined both of our ideas, leading to a successful project outcome.”

2. Describe a challenging project you worked on.

This question evaluates your ability to handle challenges and your project management skills.

How to Answer

Discuss the project, the challenges faced, and how you overcame them, highlighting your contributions.

Example

“I worked on a project with tight deadlines and limited resources. I prioritized tasks, communicated effectively with my team, and we successfully delivered the project on time by focusing on the most critical features first.”