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Yelp Interview Questions and Answers

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Practice for your upcoming Yelp job interview by using our mock interview. Click 'First Question' below to get started.

First Question

28 Yelp Interview Questions

10 Interview Questions With Sample Answers

1.   How do you feel artificial intelligence could further our business here at Yelp?

How to Answer

As an AI engineering expert, you know that AI is now being utilized across many businesses and industries with great success. For this question, your interviewer is expecting that you have done your homework on Yelp and hopefully can be an outside the box thinker in coming up with new and creative solutions for their customers. Be sure that you do your research on the software systems that Yelp produces and think of creative ways that you can help benefit them.

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

1st Answer Example

"Where I see artificial intelligence greatly impacting social media more in the future is through marketing and support from advertisers. In my current role, I've designed AI to spot popular search trends on our platform and this has enabled our sponsors to create creative and focused marketing campaigns to our users. If hired here at Yelp, I would love to continue this focus on AI seeking out popular trends with users."

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

2nd Answer Example

"As you can see from my resume, I have vast amounts of experience in the financial and banking industries and I think this experience would transition nicely to a role here at Yelp. As you are probably seeing with your software here for the industry, the need to reach customers that are banking electronically is a very high need. The days of stopping by the corner bank are now a thing of the past. If hired for this role, I would love to help design chat bots and robotic help for customers. I have a vast amount of experience in designing and training chat bots in the industry and would love the bring that experience here."

2.   In Java, why shouldn't you use strings to store a password?

How to Answer

While this may seem like a rudimentary question regarding your knowledge of Java, your interviewer is looking to ideally hear that you understand the principle differences between string and character arrays. Asking about the storage of passwords within a system gives you the opportunity here to point out the differences between the two. In the end, while explaining the differences, be sure to tie it back to the original question on why strings shouldn't be used to store passwords.

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

1st Answer Example

"To store a password, character array is the obvious best choice because character arrays are mutable. If a string was utilized to store passwords, a definite security risk would be present to anyone that would have access to the memory dump from the system."

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

2nd Answer Example

"This question simply boils down to a string being immutable. Because strings are a sequence of characters represented as a single data type, the system requires garbage creation to fully get rid of it out of memory. In my time designing software, I have used Char array and its mutable features to store passwords for the security of our end users "

3.   What unique values can you bring to Yelp in your user experience design skills?

How to Answer

While your interviewer has shown confidence in your technical abilities to succeed at Yelp as a UX designer, this question is helping them gain insight into your ability to see the big picture in the work that you do. As you think about the unique personal values that you would bring to the role, try and paint a picture of your work tying to the end user and how you can help make it more productive, enjoyable and satisfying for them.

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

1st Answer Example

"I have really taken pride in my ability to add value to the business needs of the customers that I work with. During any design project, I take the time to work with end users to find their wants and needs out of the program. Then, as I create the UX design, I keep their needs at the forefront and do anything possible to exceed their expectations."

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

2nd Answer Example

"As you can see from my resume, I have formal training and experience in user experience research and I know that this would benefit the work that I would be doing here at Yelp if hired for this position. I pursued this additional training in my career because of my passion for the customer journey in the programs that I design."

4.   Do you consider yourself stronger in C++, C#, Java, or Python?

How to Answer

Before your interview, do some research to understand what tech stack Yelp uses so you can best prepare and highlight your expertise. If you aren't as strong in one of the skills you feel is necessary, be sure to explain how you've used it and how you are growing your knowledge to become better. Be sure to be honest in your answer, as the company will likely test your strengths.

Written by Marissa Letendre on January 13th, 2020

1st Answer Example

"In my last company, we had a bit of an outdated tech stack and used C# and .NET. I found myself fully immersed in those technologies, but had a strong desire to learn more and become more familiar with modern technologies and how I can apply that in my career. That's what has me so interested in this role. Over the last year, I've taken courses in Java and C++, which I noticed you prefer. I've become proficient in the skills and in side projects, applied my increasingly strong knowledge. I'm probably strongest professionally in C# as that has been where my experience lies, but my passion and dedication is on the Java and C++ side, as I feel that's the more modern alternative. I'm excited about the possibility of applying that knowledge in a role at Yelp."

Written by Marissa Letendre on January 13th, 2020

2nd Answer Example

"I am motivated and excited about this new opportunity because it will challenge me to grow in my (X) skills. I love soccer and enjoy spending time with my teammates. I am interested in continuing my education by studying (Y) to further my career."

5.   Do you have experience working with different CASE tools? If so, what do you have experience with?

How to Answer

The world of software engineering has greatly benefited from advancements in computer aided software engineering tools. Because Yelp is at the forefront of the industry, your interviewer will be looking to hear which tools you have experience with. Make sure not to concern yourself with providing a correct answer here, but rather focus on your flexibility to learn new aides when needed while explaining what you have experience with.

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

1st Answer Example

"In my current role, I regularly utilize both diagramming and web development tools. The diagram tools assist our software projects by outlining the system data and components in a graphical form for us and this saves us a great amount of time while also being very reliable. The web development tools greatly help me visualize site changes that I am making because I don't have a deep background in web development. If hired for this position, I'd look forward to learning other CASE tools for prototyping, quality assurance and maintenance."

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

2nd Answer Example

"During my career and in my experience with CASE tools, most of my experience is in the lower CASE elements that focus on coding and testing the software after initial development. CASE tools have certainly made life as a software engineer more efficient and effective and I'd look forward to learn any new CASE tools if hired for this position here at Yelp."

6.   If hired here at Yelp to develop iOS and Android software, when would you use a fragment rather than an activity?

How to Answer

In the development of apps for both iOS and Android, using code to create an activity versus a fragment is a highly debated topic to this day. For this question, your interviewer is looking to hear that you understand what the differences between the two are and when you feel that using a fragment is the proper direction to go. Make sure to speak to the high level overview of what an activity does to an app versus fragments.

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

1st Answer Example

"As a best practice in my development of Android apps in the past, activities are really the complete screen that a user experiences as part of the app. Fragments are really small sub activities that take place within the activity. Because fragments within an app have their own life cycle and receive their own input events within the app, there are specific times where fragments make the most sense to use in development. In my experience, I always use fragments when the app is working with UI components that are going to be uses across multiple activities within the app. As well, fragments have also served very well when using swipe views within the app."

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

2nd Answer Example

"In the past year, I honestly don't recall designing a new app that ran solely on an activity alone. The fragments are almost necessary today to bring life to an app. I use retained fragments to persist across activity restarts within the app and this helps make a user friendly experience for our end users."

7.   If you can, please provide your thoughts on the function of managed object context in developing iOS apps and software.

How to Answer

While the core data framework and the managed object context may seem pretty easy to comprehend and simple from a first look, a deeper look into managed object context shows that it can be misused to the point where obscure bugs can enter the system. Give your interviewer your own personal insight into the purpose of managed object context and how it works behind the scenes to help an app properly run.

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

1st Answer Example

"In my current work, I work with both main queue and private queue manged object contexts. It is important that I avoid non user related data processing on the main queue of an app that I am developing. In times where this has happened in the past, the user interface becomes unresponsive and crashes. As well, I work to avoid instances passing between the main and private queues to avoid corruption of data within the app."

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

2nd Answer Example

"Knowing that a managed object context's job is to manage a number of records within an app, my job is to successfully manage each object within the app and assign it to a correlating context within the app. I have to consider the persistent store coordinator and code the app to fetch requests from the correct one."

8.   If you were confronted with a time where you wouldn't be able to meet a deadline here at Yelp, what steps would you take when you made that realization?

How to Answer

At some point in any person's career, the inevitable happens and an important deadline needs to be missed. With your interviewer fully understanding this fact, they are solely interested in how you react to this situation and what you do to make the situation right. In your answer, focus on the refocused planning and communication needed while also avoiding blaming others for the situation. Your interviewer holds accountability as a desirable virtue, so be sure to take accountability for actions in your response.

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

1st Answer Example

"In my current position, I am very used to handling multiple tasks and projects on a day to day basis. Last year, my team was tasked with what started as a low priority project. After assembling a team to initially discuss the details and set a deadline for completion with our management, the project unfortunately fell off the radar of everyone on the team with many more high priority projects coming up each week. As the initial project's deadline was within a week of being due, our CEO reached out to me for a progress report. I immediately took full responsibility for letting this fall off the radar and I ensured our CEO that we would have an updated timeline set by the end of the week. In doing this and completing the project to his satisfaction, this was really the tipping point in our department moving forward utilizing a detailed project management tracking system. To this day, I can't say enough about how appreciative I am about utilizing this awesome system. Moving forward, you can rest assured knowing that I take full accountability for my actions and do what is necessary to communicate new expectations and meet them fully."

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

2nd Answer Example

"Having been in this situation before, I would first sit down to gather all the facts possible in the situation. What was the deadline, why wasn't it met and what can be done are all important questions moving forward. From there, communicating to all key parties is extremely important and doing so in a timely manner is critical. In this communication, taking accountability and setting new expectations for delivery in a concise and tactful manner will most often put stakeholders at ease and allow for successful completion."

9.   Looking at our products and services, what do you think we do better at Yelp than any of our competitors?

How to Answer

Before your interview, be sure to research Yelp and any awards or recognition they have recently received. In their industry, and competitive space, where do they stand out? Be sure to speak positively about the organization's recent achievements to show that you are interested and engaged in their work.

1st Answer Example

"When I was preparing for this interview I noticed that Yelp was recently recognized for innovation in XYZ. You are a trailblazer in this particular arena which is amazing."

2nd Answer Example

"After reading reviews on your company, I believe that your reputation is the most solid and sincere of all your competitors. Amazing service is always the best way to stand out."

10.   As you reflect back on your career to this point in your search for a new position, what would you say is your ideal work environment or culture?

How to Answer

While using this question as a key indicator on how you'll fit with the team and the organization at Yelp, it will be very important for you to research as much as you can on the work environment at Yelp so you can match your priorities to that environment. If you have the opportunity to speak with an employee at Yelp prior to your interview, that can shed valuable information. In the end, the culture and value of an organization are often a key indicator of long-term success in a job, so make sure that you reflect your values into what the company values.

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

1st Answer Example

"As I begin this job search now 15 years out of college, I'm looking for an employer that promotes and encourages innovation, new ideas and collaboration among all members of the team. From what I know about Yelp from speaking with others, you sound like a perfect match for what I am looking for in a career."

Written by Ryan Brunner on January 13th, 2020

2nd Answer Example

"With all of the companies that I have both worked for and consulted with in the past, I realize that a company culture is basically the personality of the company and I am looking for a new organization that really meshes well with my personality. I am a casual person that believes in hard work, teamwork and having fun on the job. As I embarked on a job search, I was so happy to see that Yelp was hiring because I believe our styles will fit perfectly together."