Zest AI Software Engineer Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 7 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Zest AI.
Zest AI
Software Developer
Entry Difficult Negative experience No offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Technical screen
Interview formats
Coding Technical
I had a phone call with a recruiter that led to a tech screening with a manager. It wasn't too bad, but the next tech screening was maybe one of the worst interviews ever. You get a coderpad URL with a bunch of Java methods, and you have to create functions to do XYZ based on those methods. The catch is you can't run your code, and the interviewer doesn't say much. It's not even clear how many "stages" this part had. You keep building on it until you run out of time. Plus, it's not even a full-time role, it's contract to hire. Total waste of time.
Confirmed questions2 questions
- Could you build a stack data structure without using any built-in functions?
- Can you explain what a linked list is?
Zest AI
Software Engineer
Intern Average Positive experience Accept offer 4 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Take home Presentation Technical screen Onsite Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Coding Presentation
The interview process was really chill and upfront. The questions weren't crazy hard. First, there was an HR chat about your background, lasting about 30 minutes. Then, a Google Hangout tech interview with basic algorithm problems. They wanted you to code and run it, so be ready with your setup, about 45 minutes. After that, you get a take-home 'homework' assignment before the final stage. It's straightforward and should take a day, but they give you a week. The on-site day took about 2-3 hours. HR greeted us, gave a tour of the office which has a really cool open layout. Then, a presentation of your homework. The main thing they seem to check is how you handle the Q&A, so make sure you leave enough time for discussion. Next, a tech round with harder algorithm questions on the whiteboard. Lastly, a culture round, which was just about being yourself. I got an offer call the same afternoon, just two hours after I got home, showing how quick they are. I accepted immediately.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Some basic questions on data structure like array, string, etc.
Zest AI
Software Engineer
Mid Average Positive experience Accept offer 6 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Technical screen Onsite Presentation Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Presentation
Started with a LinkedIn message from the head of talent acquisition, Adam Redlich. Then there were a few phone screens: one with Adam, another with Ian Hall (head of engineering), and one with an engineer. After that, I had an on-site which included a homework presentation and interviews with various employees (engineers and the general counsel), plus a candidate lunch. The process concluded with an offer. The whole thing took about a month. I was really impressed by the chance to work with people who seemed both smart and sociable.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Are you interested in relocating to California?
Zest AI Software Engineer Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Zest AI interview reports.
“Given a list, create a function that returns a list containing only the unique elements from the input list.”
Read reports →“What would be the best way to arrange the phone numbers of everyone in the world?”
Read reports →“Now, can you reverse an array using just one iterator and no extra space?”
Read reports →“Could you build a stack data structure without using any built-in functions?”
Read reports →“Could you write a program on the whiteboard to reverse an array using only two iterators and no extra space?”
Read report →“Can you explain what a linked list is?”
Read report →“Can you explain skip lists?”
Read report →“Are you interested in relocating to California?”
Read report →“Have you ever had an argument with a coworker?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 7 Zest AI interview reports.