Interview Process   |   Interview Puzzles / Aptitude
Organization : Zillow
Position : Software Engineer

Zillow Interview Process


I applied at Zillow for the post of Software Engineer through an employee referral. My interview process at Zillow had four rounds - two telephonic interviews, one coding test and one on site interview. The interview process took more than a month.

Round 1 - Telephonic Screening
I received a call from a technical recruiter after I applied for the post. This screening lasted for only fifteen minutes and it was all about the basic things. He asked me about me and my strong areas. He asked me why I was interested in joining Zillow and all. In my opinion, it was just to ensure the authenticity of the candidate.

Round 2 - Coding Test
After the telephonic call, I received an email from them about a coding test. This test was conducted through email and I had two hours to complete the test. I won't say that the test was easy as it depends from person to person and the amount of efforts one has put in preparation. Some of the questions given to me in this coding test:
Q1. WAP to convert string to Long.
Q2. WAP to insert a node in a trinary tree.

Round 3 - Telephonic Interview
After I successfully completed my coding test, I was scheduled for the telephonic interview with a developer. The interview took place after about a week. There were many questions asked and the interview lasted for about 45 minutes. Some of the topics on which questions were asked:
Q1. Java garbage collector algorithm.
Q2. Difference between process and thread.
Q3. Abstract class vs. interfaces.
Q4. Hash vs. bst.
Q5. WAP to find the first unique character in a string.
Other than all these, there were some behavior based questions as well. I was also asked why I wanted to join Zillow and other questions like these.

Round 4 - On-Site Interview
Finally, I was called for an on-site interview. This was a loop interview which lasted for about four hours. The interviewers kept changing and returning. Many questions were asked and it all began with questions on the basic concepts but soon lifted up for more complex questions and coding problems. I got stuck with an SQL design question but I was helped by the interviewer and was able to give a solution for the problem then.
Q1. You are given a file which contains all possible numbers on a 32-bit architecture. Now, 4 numbers are missing from that file. Find the 4 missing numbers.

How to crack (get into) Zillow Interview


The interview process at Zillow is highly professional. Though about a month was burned for that, it was totally worth it. Except the first telephonic screening by the recruiter, none of the round was about just completing formality. Thus, you need to prepare really hard if you dream of working in the company.

The coding test is moderately difficult but that is the first step in the ladder and thus you must at any cost prepare really well for that. I believe that you need not be perfect in the personal interviews but you must be perfect with coding tests. That is your base and that will generate the impression on your interviewers.

After that, you will face a telephonic interview. That interview is a long one and there will be a lot of questions asking you to differentiate between this and that. So be clear with the terms. You can Google such questions and prepare. A few coding problems will also be asked. Don't panic if you don't know it but instead try to find a way and if you are on a right track, you will be helped by the interviewer for sure.

The technical on-site interview is really long and that is where, more than anything, you will need your patience and your confidence level. There will be 4-5 interviewers in total however you might only begin with 1 or two. Mostly, the questions will be basic in nature but then you will be given a few coding problems again. Use the same approach again.

The people at Zillow are highly professional and you will love being interviewed. If you get an offer, accept it even if you are not allowed to negotiate. The company is really good with such a talented employees. All the best for your interviews.


Thanks Anmol for sharing the details of your interview.
Send more details and your personal experiences [email protected]
Suggestions

Hard Ten Boxes Interview Puzzle

You have ten boxes and an electronic weighing machine. In those ten boxes, you have chocolates. Each chocolate weigh 20 grams. But in one box the chocolates are defective and each weigh 19 grams exactly.

Now you can weigh in the electronic weighing machine but you can use that machine just once. How will you find out which box has the defected chocolates.
category : LOGIC

Cool Equation Riddle

If 1 + 9 + 11 = 1, Then what is the value of

12 + 11 + 9 = ?

The Elf Logical Puzzle

A wicked sorcerer felt enmity towards elf and thus he chooses four among the rest of the elf's and concealed them. The elves are concealed in the ground in a manner that apart from their head the rest of their body was underneath the ground. The elf's are unable to move their body and can only see in that direction that they are facing. All the elf's are concealed underground in such a way that they form a straight line and among those four elf's that are concealed underground one of the elf is detached form the other three elf's via wall. The entire elf's are in the same direction. The elf that is the furthest can only see the heads of its friends in front and a wall. The elf that is second last can only see one head of his friend and a wall. The second elf can only view the wall. The elf can see nothing.
The sorcerer understands the situation and tells the elf's that he has placed hats over their heads. Among the hats places two hat are blue and the other two are red. Among all the four elfs one of the elf has to guess that which colour hat is he wearing. If the elf answers correctly then he shall be set free or else he will have to dig beneath the ground till the very last.
category : LOGIC

Tough River Crossing Riddle

This one is a bit of tricky river crossing puzzle than you might have solved till now. We have a whole family out on a picnic on one side of the river. The family includes Mother and Father, two sons, two daughters, a maid and a dog. The bridge broke down and all they have is a boat that can take them towards the other side of the river. But there is a condition with the boat. It can hold just two persons at one time (count the dog as one person).

No it does not limit to that and there are other complications. The dog can’t be left without the maid or it will bite the family members. The father can’t be left with daughters without the mother and in the same manner, the mother can’t be left alone with the sons without the father. Also an adult is needed to drive the boat and it can’t drive by itself.

How will all of them reach the other side of the river?
category : LOGIC | TRICK

Maths Magic Riddle

I can prove why 1 = 2

Step1. Lets say y = x
Step2. Multiply through by x xy = x2
Step3. Subtract y2 from each side xy - y2 = x2 - y2
Step4. Factor each side y(x-y) = (x+y)(x-y)
Step5. Divide both sides by (x-y) y = x+y
Step6. Divide both sides by y y/y = x/y + y/y
Step7. And so... 1 = x/y + 1
Step8. Since x=y, x/y = 1 1 = 1 + 1
Step9. And so... 1 = 2

How is this possible ?

Induction Brain Teasers

Three college toppers are summoned by the inspecting faculty. To identify the best from them, the faculty takes them into a room and places one hat on each of their heads. Now all of them can see the hats on other’s heads but can’t see his own. There are two colored hats – green and red.

Now the faculty announces that he had made sure that the competition is extremely fair to all three of them. He also gives them a hint that at least one of them is wearing a red hat. Now the first one who is able to deduce his own hat color will be awarded the most intelligent student of all award. After a few minutes, one of them raises his hand and is able to deduce the color correctly.

How?
category : LOGIC

Interview Balls Puzzle

In a closed jar, there are three strawberry candies, two mango candies and five pineapple candies. You can't see inside the jar. Now, how many toffees you must take out from the jar to make sure that you have one of each flavor?
category : LOGIC

Difficult Brain Twister

A strange tradition is followed in an orthodox and undeveloped village. The chief of the village collects taxes from all the males of the village yearly. But it is the method of taking taxes that is interesting.

The taxes paid in the form of grains and every male should pay equal pounds corresponding to his age. In simpler terms, a man aged 10 years will have to pay 10 pounds of grains and a 20 years old will be paying 20 pounds of grain.

The chief stands on a riser containing 7 different weights next to a large 2 pan scale. As per the interesting custom, the chief can only weigh using three of the seven weights.

In such a scenario, can you calculate what must be the weights of the seven weights each and who is the oldest man the chief can measure using those weights?
category : LOGIC | MATHS

Famous Water Jug Problem

You live in Dubai and had an infinite supply of oil and a 5 liters and 3 liters jar,
how would you measure exactly 4 liters (of-course in minimum numbers of step) ?
category : LOGIC | MEASURE

Tricky Math Race Riddle

Rooney, Hernandez, and Robin race each other in a 100 meters race. All of them run at a constant speed throughout the race.

Rooney beats Hernandez by 20 meters.
Hernandez beats Robin by 20 meters.

How many meters does Rooney beat Robin by ?
category : LOGIC | MATHS

Submit your Email Address to get latest post directly to your inbox.

Latest Puzzles

26 April
Minimum Move Chess Game Video Riddle

Can you figure out the minimum number of...

25 April
A numeric lock has 3 digit key Riddle

A numeric lock has 3 digit code with the...

24 April
What's wrong in the kitchen picture

What appears to be wrong in the kitchen ...

23 April
Who Is the Mother Picture Riddle

Can you find the mother of the baby in t...

22 April
Lighter Than Air Riddle

I'm lighter than air but a thousand men ...

21 April
3 Tigers 3 Sheep Riddle

If 3 tigers catch 3 sheep in 3 minutes. ...

20 April
Cow Rebus

Decode the below cow rebus....

Puzzles Tags :

Illusions Tags :