Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Groupon, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
My first step for the Staff Engineer role was a coding test on Coderbyte, and it felt a bit unfriendly from the start. The test had exactly two questions and gave me 75 minutes to complete them.
The process I went through started with a recruiter call, and then I was pulled into a multi-round interview day. I had three rounds scheduled back-to-back: first a technical discussion, then a behavioral round with multiple interviewers, and then another behavioral-plus-technical conversation with my future manager.
The interview process typically begins with a recruiter call to discuss background and fit, followed by a technical phone screen that often includes a coding problem. Candidates noted that the recruiter was generally friendly and provided useful preparation materials.
Candidates undergo a coding assessment, often using platforms like Coderbyte or HackerRank, focusing on algorithmic problems and data structures. The assessments can be narrow in scope, typically consisting of one or two main problems to solve within a set time limit.
The main interview day usually consists of multiple back-to-back technical rounds that cover a range of topics, including data structures, algorithms, system design, and sometimes database design. The interviews may blend technical and behavioral questions, with a focus on how candidates think and approach problem-solving.
Behavioral interviews often utilize structured formats like STAR to assess candidates' soft skills, teamwork, and leadership experiences. Interviewers tend to revisit similar themes across different conversations to triangulate candidates' responses.
Candidates reported mixed experiences regarding communication and follow-up after interviews, with some experiencing long delays and lack of clarity on next steps. While some found the process organized, others felt it was chaotic and unprofessional, leading to frustration.
The overall interview experience varied significantly among candidates, with some describing it as structured and positive, while others felt it was disorganized and disrespectful to their time. Many candidates noted the unpredictability of outcomes despite performing well in technical assessments.
