30 Zillow Interview Questions & Answers

Below is a list of our Zillow interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.

Table of Contents

1. Behavioral Questions
2. Career Goals Questions
3. Education Questions
4. Experience Questions

Behavioral

1. What is your first reaction when you realize you’ve make a mistake?

What You Need to Know

This question is an honesty based query. What they are trying to determine is how you would react to learning you made a mistake. There are those who might try to hide the incident. Then there are those who would spend countless payroll hours trying to remedy their mistake, despite more pressing concerns demanding their attention. Then there are those who would bring it to the attention of their supervisors if they were unable to remedy the issue swiftly on their own. Taking ownership of your mistakes is a desirable trait, as is respecting the chain of command, and relying on their judgement among ever shifting demands and priorities. Lastly, what you learn from such mistakes counts more than anything.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I am my own biggest critic, so when I do something wrong or make a mistake, I am the first to voice it and look for a fix. I am independent and smart, so I am confident in my ability to repair any errors I create. If necessary, I would bring a colleague or manager into the situation to help me repair the situation. Most importantly, I am honest and also open about my work; owning up to any mistakes that I make."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I fully believe in honesty and immediately repairing what I have done wrong. I am not too proud to admit when I have made a mistake, but it's for the good of the team that everyone is open and honest when an error happens. Taking these situations as opportunities to become better is very important."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I hate making mistakes so I am normally careful to double-check my work before submitting a project. I don't strive to be the fastest person on the team but I do strive to be the most accurate. But in the event that I do make a mistake, I will cross-check to understand how the mistake happened then I would take my findings to my immediate manager to see if we can work on a resolution to rectify the issue. If it is a mistake that my boss comes to me with my immediate response is definitely an apology for the inconvenience and look into resolving the issue immediately."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! The interviewer will be happy to hear that you are very careful and detail-oriented. It also sounds like you have a good process in place to handle any mistakes. Just don't forget to emphasize that you always strive to learn from any mistakes you make and carry those lessons with you so you don't make the mistake twice.

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Anonymous Answer

"I am independent and smart, so I am confident in my ability to repair any errors I create. If necessary, I would bring a colleague or manager into the situation to help me repair the situation. Most importantly, I am honest and also open about my work; owning up to any mistakes that I make."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great! The openness to feedback is really a gift, and you do a great job of showing how open you are to learning from inevitable mistakes.

Behavioral

2. How do you react when dissatisfied with the quality of, or the outcome of, your work?

What You Need to Know

Your interviewer is curious how you respond, emotionally or pragmatically, when you feel your work does not meet your expectations. On the occasions when this happens, your reaction is what determines your take aways from the experience. Exhibiting a high level of emotional maturity by showing you take such lessons in stride, apply those lessons forward, ensuring better results the next time around is your preferred response. Beating yourself up about it, or blaming someone else for your setbacks takes no ownership, suggests you've learned nothing, and proposes you'll bring your repeatable setbacks and bad attitude with you from job to job. This is the red flag response they'll also be on the lookout for. It's fine to experience professional disappointment as long as you grow from such experiences, learn from them, and shore up better results for next time.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"The last time I was dissatisfied with my work, I asked my boss if there was time for me to re-do the components with which I was not happy. The deadline was tight, but I did not believe the timeline should affect the quality of what I delivered. She agreed and gave me the time to revisit the aspects that I felt were not up to my usual standard. I worked around 5 hours of overtime to get the project exactly where I had pictured it, and everyone was satisfied in the end."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"In programming and design, there is some room to experiment with our work and bounce back from mistakes. I allow myself to make mistakes, tweak my work, and play around with different designs, for instance. My philosophy is that a creative mind is always seeking improvements."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I will do whatever it takes to make sure the quality of work is high, deadlines that need to be met, or challenges that arise. I will always step up to the plate and give it my all. I am committed."

Stephanie's Feedback

You do a great job of illustrating how committed you are to producing high-quality work; however, to fully answer the question asked, you'll want to add a sentence or two about how you react when you're not pleased with an outcome (for example: do you use it as a learning experience? Do you re-do the project until you're satisfied? )

Behavioral

3. What type of work environment do you require to be the most productive?

What You Need to Know

This question typically seeks to find out where you stand between being more of an introverted personality thriving or an extrovert. Some thrive in a more distraction free solitary environment while others prefer the social interaction of a more collaborative team environment. Then there are those who have little difficulty being productive in any environment. The ideal employee would be adept at straddling both spheres, not wholly leaning one way or another. Discuss your preferences with the interviewer. It's okay to lean one way or the other, or to express a desire to mix it up and keeping your work varied to avoid burning out on any one task. Whatever your inclination, be sure to familiarize yourself with the environment offered in this position.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I understand that your work environment is very collaborative and flexible. I currently work in a similar environment and find that I can be very productive when there is the 'buzz' of a team around me. I can also be productive in quieter environments, although that isn't my preference."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I am productive in work environments where there is little nepotism or hierarchy. As I grow in my career, I aim to be the type of manager who has an open-door policy where my teammates can feel comfortable coming to me with questions and needs. This type of environment is one that I appreciate in return. I understand that Zillow hires from within whenever possible, and encourages employee growth and promotion."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I understand this position is remote, I have been working remotely since 2007. I can be highly productive in any work-related situation."

Stephanie's Feedback

Your response makes it evident that you're comfortable with remote work and can be productive in any environment, but I'd suggest adding to your response in a way that illustrates a bit more of your personality and your ideal work environment (example: do you thrive in an environment that is fast-paced, communicative, offers feedback, etc?) Those specific examples will help the interviewer learn more about your working style and build a stronger connection with you.

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Anonymous Answer

"Before b-school, I worked on a noisy trading desk and was a consistent contributor. For the last 14 years, I've worked in my own office with my door always open and for 7 of the last 14, I've done two jobs. Our non-US offices are open floor plans and that works for me too because I find ideas get better and develop faster. I'm 100% aligned around Zillow's fully remote work stance and what comes next for me is my ideal work environment!"

Cindy's Feedback

You're sharing a lot of important information about what makes you tick, which the interviewer will appreciate. Consider how your ideal work environment - interactive, team-based, and dynamic - will dovetail with a fully remote workplace. How will you achieve the interaction you need to thrive?

Anonymous Answer

"I'm more of a self-starter/ independent worker and will also look to help out my manager or team members when I have free time. But I do enjoy working on collaboration projects with other team members or other teams. I enjoy learning from others and contributing my knowledge as well. I like the feeling of being able to be successful with my own work as well as group projects. There's something about working together towards a common goal that motivates me and pushes me forward."

Marcie's Feedback

Great! So you are capable of working either independently or on a team. The interviewer will be happy to hear this. What about when it comes to the office environment itself? You might discuss the type of colleagues you prefer to work alongside (e.g., supportive, competent, kind, good work ethic, a decent sense of humor, motivated, etc.) Also, do you prefer a more formal or casual setting? It's also a good idea to emphasize that you're flexible and able to easily adapt to different work environments as needed.

Anonymous Answer

"I believe I work well managing my time and accomplishing tasks and goals without distraction. However, I'd say that collaboration leads to quick decision-making in a company so I thrive in both environments because I believe effective communication is a key to success, but I also believe that a quiet environment is necessary at times where you can focus and knock out individual tasks."

Marcie's Feedback

So you prefer a combination of independent work time and collaboration time? Consider rephrasing your answer so it's more direct like below:

"I find that I'm most productive when I work in the type of environment that both encourages collaboration and allows time to work independently. Whenever I have the opportunity to discuss issues and brainstorm with colleagues, I feel energized and always gain valuable insights and information. On the other hand, however, I'm also the type of person who manages their time well and likes having the space to work quietly without any distractions. Ultimately, I excel in a work environment that gives me the ability to work both independently and in groups with others."

Behavioral

4. Zillow is always on the lookout for future leaders in our company. What do you see as the most challenging task a manager faces?

What You Need to Know

In evaluating your leadership potential, Zillow wants to test whether you'll be able to step up and effectively manage any challenge as it arises. Share with the interviewer your perception of the most challenging aspect of being a manager, and elaborate on why. Also, discuss what you would do, or are currently doing, to make this aspect less complicated.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I believe the biggest challenge in a management role for Zillow would be to lead everyone effectively when many team members work remote. I like to make a connection with everyone, so I would send friendly check-in emails, for instance, to ensure that everyone feels like an important member of the team."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I foresee the most difficult task as a manager with Zillow to be the even delegation of work. You will always have team members who are absolute rock-stars, then some who are a bit less enthusiastic or are lower producers. I would remind myself to distribute the work and responsibilities evenly despite my natural inclination to give more work to the high performers. In my current role, I am working with my underperforming team members to prepare them for a larger workload."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I believe the biggest challenge in a management role for Zillow would be to lead everyone effectively when many team members work remotely. I like to make a connection with everyone, so I would send friendly check-in emails, for instance, to ensure that everyone feels like an important member of the team."

Stephanie's Feedback

It's clear that you've given thought to the potential challenges that come along with a leadership role. To strengthen your answer, I would suggest explicitly mentioning your interest in growth within the company and that moving into a management role at Zillow would both challenge and excite you.

Behavioral

5. Why should Zillow hire you?

What You Need to Know

The interviewer at Zillow is asking what unique skills set you apart. Think of your answer as your 'elevator pitch' or your qualifying statement. Other than elaborating on the hard skills and experience detailed on your resume, go into the specifics surrounding the soft skills interpersonal skills and less detailed relevant experience. They're giving you a shot to sell them. Make the most out of it.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I have over a dozen years of experience in the real estate industry as a developer, giving me a unique edge and insight into the potential of Zillow products and services. I have creative solutions on how to position Zillow against the competition, and ideas that will help elevate your platform to the next level."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"You should hire me because I am unlike anyone else you have interviewed before. When I started at my current company, I was the youngest developer they had ever hired. That didn't stop me from becoming the #1 front-end developer in the company within six months, in terms of production. I am dedicated to my craft and engaged in this industry to the point where I commit myself to take at least one technical or leadership related workshop every business quarter. I am a competitive achiever. You won't be disappointed when you hire me."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Behavioral

6. If you had to give a TED Talk tomorrow, what topic would you choose?

What You Need to Know

TED Talks are known for their slogan 'ideas worth spreading.' The platform introduces people to thought-leaders in education, business, science, tech, and other creative industries. What aspect of your professional career do you feel uniquely qualified in, where you've exhibited the qualities of being a thought leader? Thoroughly research Zillow, the position you are competing for, and align your answer in a way that appeals to their sensibilities. Ir you are looking for ideas that will drive home a similar sense of innovation and like-minded ideas, check out the news tab on Zillowgroup's website. From blogs, to press releases, to media, you're sure to find a relevant topic. Zillow has values that include caring for others, prioritizing work that positively impacts communities, and applying original thinking. What topic could you choose that would add to these values while reinforcing your own beliefs?

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"If I could give a TED Talk today, I would talk about the importance of embracing and learning lessons from your flaws. Nobody is perfect yet - in our society today, we all try to appear to be so. I would speak about the importance of accepting feedback, asking for help, and continually growing yourself as a person and as a professional."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I love TED Talks and have thought about this before! If I could present on any topic, I would discuss how joy and optimism affect our overall attitude and the outcome of our work and personal life. I am a big believer in the law of attraction, so this type of topic would be a primary interest."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Career Goals

7. If you had half of a million dollars to build your own business, what would you do?

What You Need to Know

This question aims to uncover the drives behind your passion, and whether it aligns with your current career pursuits. Avoid answers that could be perceived as competing with Zillow's business model. Instead, think of those innovations you have pioneered, aligning them with your current career path. Innovators are valued. Consider how your answer could frame you as a more creative, out-side-of-the-box thought leader.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"If I were given money to start my own business, I would build and sell curriculum for kids who want to learn to code. That would be an interest of mine as well as an additional income stream while still working full time as a developer for Zillow!"

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"That's a great question! If I had 500,000 dollars, I would invest the money into an up and coming tech startup. I have always had a huge interest in technology and advancements, so this would be right up my alley."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response; given the niche of Zillow as a company, you may want to find a way to link this imaginary business to the real estate industry.

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Anonymous Answer

"Love the question! If I had the $$$, I would acquire an already successful residential property manager and learn the business from the seller who is probably doing It all I would then open the aperture for growth by expanding the team with a goal of building a profitable and growing hyper-local residential property manager by problem-solving for the right owners, the right buildings and the right tenants."

Cindy's Feedback

Wow, great answer! You sound like a true entrepreneur with vision and drive!

Career Goals

8. What challenges are you looking for in your next position?

What You Need to Know

Your interviewer understands that a career minded individual is looking the perfect position as much as they are looking for the perfect candidate. So this question centers around those career developing challenges you hope to face next, and how those challenges might present themselves in this opportunity with Zillow.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"When I started looking for a new developer job, I determined that it was important to find a role with a company that embraces the latest and greatest in systems and software. My current organization is very 'old-school' in their systems, and I do not want to fall behind in my technical abilities. I appreciate that you work with the latest software and are often the first to market with many solutions."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"For the past six years, I have worked for a wonderful startup with great clients; however, I now have bigger fish to fry! I want to take on a role like this one where I can disrupt a very traditional real estate industry. To be more specific, I also want to learn more about cloud-based data solutions like EMR, Redshift, and Kinesis. I know that Zillow will be able to offer this challenge and I look forward to growing my career with you."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I would like to grow and evolve with this company. I have lots to offer in a variety of roles and I am excited to learn anything new. I never stop challenging myself and growing in new ways and skills."

Stephanie's Feedback

While your response is very positive, it needs to be a bit more detailed and creative/ What exactly does it mean for you to "grow and evolve?" Rather than sharing that you're excited to learn "anything new," I suggest specifically stating key areas/initiatives/projects that you're excited about learning more about or contributing to. Being specific will help your response to stand out.

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Anonymous Answer

"The most elaborate spreadsheet I ever built stratified my mid-cap universe of companies by dividend yield profile rather than standard industry groupings and led me to a differentiated insight that mid-cap dividend payers outperform. Today, in my spare time I am learning Python so that I can apply more robust methods to help solve the housing puzzle faster and with more data."

Cindy's Feedback

Interesting! How far have you gotten with Python? Are you able to discuss in more detail what the programming language will help you accomplish?

Career Goals

9. If we chose to hire you, where do you envision your career heading in 12 months from now?

What You Need to Know

Interviewing, hiring, and onboarding is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor for any company. Therefore, during the selection process they have to determine which candidates want to work specifically for them, and not just land any inconsequential job. They want to invest in someone who has a plan, or career goals and objectives which align with Zillow's values and philsophy, and someone who embodies the culture of their brand. Many career minded professionals have a 5-10 year career plan. Describe your career plans, goals, and how those fit with what Zillow can offer you shortly down the road. Describe your passion for this opportunity, and where you see your career taking you! Fully research the company, their current openings, and all the messaging and keywords listed on Zillow's career site. This will help you align your mission with theirs.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I am thrilled to be interviewing at Zillow for your front-end developer opportunity. I believe with the talents and skill set I bring to your team, we will solve some stimulating challenges. This role is an opportunity I have been seeking for some time now, so I plan to stay for the long term should I be lucky enough to be hired. If I were to have an opportunity for growth at Zillow, I saw a job posting for a senior front end software development engineer that caught my eye. This role is one I would be happy to grow into over time."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"One year from now, I would like to see myself climbing the ranks within your engineering team. It's important to me that I continue to learn and grow, applying my skills to the best of my ability for my employer. I saw a Data Engineer position on your website that caught my eye. I would need to strengthen my experience in Python development; however, this is a nice goal to set."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am thrilled to be interviewing at Zillow for your Business Development opportunity. I believe with the talents and skill set I bring to your team, we will solve some stimulating challenges. This role is an opportunity I have been seeking for some time now, so I plan to stay for the long term should I be lucky enough to be hired. This opportunity meets all of my interests and passion. Hopefully filling any role you need me."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response; this shows that you've done your research on the company and this opportunity, and you view hoping to put down roots in the company.

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Anonymous Answer

"Strategy is what I do and housing is what I love. One year in I'll be more effective because I'll be more familiar with the team, the cross-functional operators, and the important details. I have earned every responsibility, far more than I could have imagined at year one. I expect Zillow to be no different in this respect, but far more interesting to solve for my passionate purpose."

Cindy's Feedback

Good! You may want to dwell on how you'll get to this point. How will you learn all the important details and become an asset to the business?

Education

10. In your opinion, describe the most exciting advancement in the real estate industry this year?

What You Need to Know

By testing how current and relevant your industry knowledge is, or what periodicals or resources you look to for staying up to date with current or trending developments in your field, they'll be able to ascertain how engaged you are in your own career pursuits. Discuss some exciting advancements you found memorable or noteworthy to inspire a connection and generate conversation.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I recently read an article on blockchain technology and how it's impacting the real estate industry. In a nutshell, because of something called tokenization, landlords may be able to use blockchain to sell portions of ownership in their properties. The article also touched on how property titles could be more securely and more conveniently stored, thanks to blockchain ledgers. This topic is one that I am sure impacts the approach at Zillow for future offerings on your platform."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I have been learning more about virtual reality, and it's fascinating how VR is impacting the real estate industry. Viewing a property is one of the most critical steps to renting or selling a property so, the implementation of VR for walkthroughs is a game changer. VR allows prospective tenants and homebuyers to walk through properties in off-hours and without an appointment. I look forward to seeing how Zillow will leverage VR on your platform this year."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"The most exciting advancement in the RE market right now would be the one-stop-shop in all areas of the home buying, selling, or renting process. Ease of use that Zillow has created."

Stephanie's Feedback

To improve your response, I would suggest focusing on this ease of home buying, selling, and renting specific to this year.

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Anonymous Answer

"I think the most exciting advancement besides Zillow being the market leader in using big data to disrupt a very traditional real estate market, is the power that virtual reality and augmented reality can bring to the entire home buying experience especially with the pandemic still going rampant forcing people to social distance and stay home. Imagine demonstrating how to use the complex new thermostat for new tenants or home buyers virtually rather than giving them a long step-by-step documentation or trying to explain the process over the phone when you can't see the actual thermostat."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! The advancement you mention is exciting, interesting, relevant, and timely. Great job! Including an example (the thermostat) supports your assertion and will impress the interviewer. You come across as very knowledgeable and passionate about the industry.

Education

11. Zillow is seeking candidates who possess a degree in Computer Science or another technical discipline. Walk me through your education.

What You Need to Know

The interviewer will probably have an idea of your education background from your resume. Take a few minutes to bring the experience to life for them! Go deeper than the degree you've listed, and venture into the particular coursework you took which could hold value. Go deeper into the less apparent aspects of your studies. Not every skill you picked up will present as obvious from your degree and major. Walk them through the more technical disciplines you learned, and any other relevant experience you picked up along the way.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I have a BS in Computer Science, I also have a great deal of on the job training and certifications, all listed on my resume. One of the biggest take-away's from my post-secondary experience was learning how to manage my time while working on multiple projects successfully. I perfected my multi-tasking skills and am eager to bringing those to work for Zillow, in addition to my extensive technical knowledge."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I completed my Bachelor of Engineering Technology from Penn State University in 2004. During that time, I specialized in Data Management and Analysis. I graduated with a 3.99 GPA, as one of the top students in my class."

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am bringing to the table a wealth of knowledge in the Real Estate industry. I currently hold an inactive Real Estate license in Washington State. My entire family is and has been in Real Estate.

I have been working in software sales since 2007. I am proficient in Microsoft word and CRM Salesforce. I currently hold a CCP Certified Compensation Professional with WorldatWork.

I have started a few small businesses in business development from the grown-up.

Zillow has employees who work in Canada and the USA. I am a citizen of both countries.

I have extensive knowledge and expertise in cold calling and bringing in new business (my passion) to the company"

Stephanie's Feedback

It's evident that you have a lot of experience that aligns with the opportunity at Zillow. Because this question specifically asks about your education, if you have an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree, etc. I would suggest naming that. (Example: "I have a Bachelor's degree in business.) Also, because this question focuses on the technical aspects, I would suggest emphasizing any additional technical skills that you have (generally, Microsoft Word proficiency isn't seen as being very technical, but experience in CRM systems, Tableau, web-based databases, etc would be worth mentioning.)

Experience

12. After you implement a solution to a problem, how do you test the effectiveness of that solution?

What You Need to Know

The interviewer wants to see that you have strong follow-through skills, ensuring your qualtiy standards meet their expectations, and that you possess the ability to use data and analytics to support your decisions. The only way to test the effectiveness of a new solution is to keep a close eye on the immediate, and often longer-term, results!

Depending on the situation, you can use data, run reports, and compare/contrast your findings. If you have records of the data before your problem-solving solution, you can track the results of your new solution and analyze in a month, or beyond.

It can take time to see the results, so having a method for measuring them is essential. Give an example of a time you implemented a solution and measured the results to check its efficacy.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I like to collect data, as well as anecdotal assessments of new procedures. It's great to have data to confirm if a new procedure was or was not effective, but I am a firm believer, too, in getting the team on board. Plus, as you implement a solution, sometimes those doing the actual day-to-day work or the actual implementation have a more accurate understanding of what's going on or what could be improved. Therefore, I am sure to ask my team how they think it's going, and if it's impactful."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"In my current role, once our team comes up with a new strategy for a project or product add-on, we will conduct two focus groups. One test group will be on the original plan and the second, on the plan that we want to implement. The use of focus groups is the best way for us to measure if our new strategy will be effective enough to justify the time and funds that will go into the final project."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Experience

13. Zillow operates in an ever-shifting industry. What is the most significant shift you have had to deal with in your career?

What You Need to Know

Being able to pivot and adapt are critical skills Zillow values, especially in the online database industry. The interviewer would like to know the types of challenges you've faced in your career that are similar in nature to the ever shifting industry challenges they face. You need to show Zillow that you can remain productive and stay on track even while adapting to sudden changes. Assure the interviewer that you don't view obstacles and setbacks as defeat, and have a drive, like them, to keep innovating to keep moving forward. Adapting to significant changes in a professional manner, if the heart of this question.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"One of the things that I love most about this industry is the fact that I am continually learning and growing; being kept on my toes. The biggest change in my career was learning to report to an entirely new management team when my company merged with a large competitor. It's difficult to adjust, but I was able to keep an open mind, and met some great new people while being allowed to develop my skill set further."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I first began my development career when Python was making a serious impact in the programming language industry. I had been trained solely in Java and needed to adapt quickly. I watched YouTube videos for hours every day and took formal online courses. This example shows that I can adapt to the introduction of new programs, software, and languages. I am confident in my ability to keep the pace in this ever-shifting industry."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

Stephanie's Feedback

Excellent response! You do a great job of showing how you handled a major shift with grace and adaptability.

Experience

14. Tell me about a time when you successfully prioritized your tasks and completing a project on schedule.

What You Need to Know

Zillow frequently has many projects going at the same time, and they want assurances that your project management, time management and attention to detail meets their standards. Detail your approach to planning, adapting, staying organized, and adjusting your priorities while effectively multitasking.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I am a naturally organized individual. Without proper organization, a project can get out of hand quite quickly. I was recently involved with a project that required 30 hours of my time in two weeks while I was also in the middle of several other projects. I was able to stay on track with visual reminders, mid-day check-ins, and a strong support team. I ended up working some overtime, but that is par for the course as a software engineer."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"When working as a freelancer, every project success was entirely my responsibility. Every new client project that I took on meant a great deal of organization on my part. To minimize time lost, I like to map out my plan of attack and then start the action sequence. I use a few tools like Monday and Evernote, to help me remain organized."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I was helping a start-up company and had 4 days to get it up and running.

salesforce- I entered 380 outfitters

created emails

Website- Go, Daddy

Quick Books

I finished all of it in the 4 days- 20 hrs a day

Whatever it takes to accomplish a project. I am driven!"

Stephanie's Feedback

Wow! That is a lot to accomplish in four days. This s a great example and shows that you are a go-getter!

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Anonymous Answer

"Being an investment analyst requires organizational skills and the ability to prioritize at the moment. When I decided to convert my data-driven insight into a differentiated investment strategy, I took on the responsibility of two jobs: the day job and all that went into launching a new fund on schedule. Then the real work began: supporting the existing team as an analyst and managing the new find."

Cindy's Feedback

Very interesting answer. Round it out by discussing the ultimate result of your efforts. Were you successful? What challenges have you faced?

Anonymous Answer

"Just a few weeks ago, I was put on a high-profile project to help pull data for a presentation my boss is putting together in order to push for some much-needed improvements to our internal processes. We only had a few days to complete this project ahead of my boss' presentation to upper management. I was also working on another side project for my boss to come up with a scoring system on the quality of tickets worked by our production support team. This was also a rather high-priority project for my boss because she wants to have something in place as soon as possible for the team. Luck would have it that I would also have a long-awaited doctor's appointment I can't miss on the same day as the deadline for the high-profile project. Undaunted, I prioritized the high-profile project after I complete my daily required tasks and worked on the second project whenever I could leading up to the deadline. Since my doctor's appointment is set for the afternoon of the deadline, I knew I won't have time to complete the project after the appointment. I also couldn't just stay late and finish the high-profile project ahead of schedule because the data I'm pulling has to be for each day so we can show the changes and time-lapse in data. On the day of the deadline, I communicated with my boss to come in early (5 am) so I can finish the project before my appointment. I was able to submit both projects on time before leaving for my appointment. A few days later, after I returned back to work, my boss called me to let me know that the presentation was a huge success. She also thanked me for all the effort I put into the project and gave me a recap of the presentation. She explained that my portion of the project actually saved the entire presentation because of the level of detail and the amount of data I was able to provide despite having less time than others. She was actually unable to use a lot of the data from another team member due to parts being incomplete and inaccurate. My boss shared that she basically use my data for the majority of the presentation which is humbling to know."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent! This is an amazingly thorough example that clearly shows that you are able to effectively prioritize tasks and projects. It also shows that you are proactive, hardworking, and deadline-driven, in addition to being able to manage your time. Great job! The interviewer will undoubtedly be impressed by this response.

Anonymous Answer

"When I was at Zillow, there was a problem that arose with the acquisitions team on valuing Townhomes and certain Zip codes in the Houston market. Because I'm native to Houston, I was familiar with the areas and suggested I could do a deep dive into the area and try to pull insights to boost accuracy. These were some of the biggest misses inaccuracies at the company because of the intricacies of these particular asset classes and areas so I needed to accomplish it quickly to have a new SOP put in place so that we wouldn't miss these targets anymore. I quickly did a deep dive and blocked out a part of my day every day to focus on this project and by setting myself goals each day of what to finish/cover, I was able to accomplish a detailed 60-page slide deck delving into every factor contributing to differences in price (flood zones, retail, thoroughfares, amenities, historic districts, school zones, etc.) which showed a projected accuracy improvement of around 4%."

Marcie's Feedback

Wow! You've done a great job of explaining how this project came about, what your role was in it, and what the end result was. Good job! You come across as proactive, eager to help, detail-oriented, and dedicated to achieving success. Perhaps just emphasize a bit more the timeline of the project and how you met the deadline. Great response!

Experience

15. Zillow is innovating the real estate industry. What does the word 'innovation' mean to you?

What You Need to Know

The term 'innovation' is often overused in business and development these days and has now become a buzzword that many people don't fully understand.

There are two other terms that are closely related, which can clue you into its meaning. The first word is improvements, which can be delivered either big or small. Big improvements are typically considered innovations. Whereas Kaizen is the small incremental improvements that result from continual efforts towards greater improvements. Your interviewer wants to know how you personally define innovation. Include an example of a time when you have witnessed or implemented an innovative change in the workplace, or when you have exercised creativity. Be sure to express an understanding of the way Zillow is innovating the real estate industry.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"To me, innovation means presenting a new idea or making an existing idea better. It's essential to be innovative in the workplace, but often it's a misunderstood concept. An example of when I was innovative was when our company was facing budget cuts. I suggested that we begin to operate as though the cuts were already made, in an attempt to preemptively save funds. The concept worked well, and we were able to eliminate many unnecessary expenditures. I understand that Zillow is highly innovative because you are entirely disrupting the way that people approach real estate transactions. I am eager to join your team of talented developers."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"Innovation means introducing a new process, orcreating a breakthrough. A time when I have been innovative was when I built a new tracking system in our company's CRM. I wanted to create a more accurate way to track projects with a simple option for our sales team to update the project stage. The owner of the company loved my creation, and now it's implemented company-wide."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Innovation can refer to something new, such as an invention, or the practice of developing and introducing new things. Zillow is innovating the industry in so many ways by offering a one-stop shop in the housing market. It is and will be the go-to in this industry, I am hoping to get the opportunity to evolve and grow with Zillow."

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response; since the question asked what innovation means to you, I would suggest personalizing your response just a bit so it's clear that you're passionate about contributing to innovation and you're excited by the prospect of growing/building/developing new things.

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Anonymous Answer

"True innovation thinks big and moves fast. I spot innovation before others by looking for a much better solution today and focusing on what it is and being willing to look a little forward to assess the value of profitability at scale tomorrow, i.e., single-family rental as an asset class. An innovation I am still looking for is a non-cyclical funding structure for investor-friendly SFR loans."

Cindy's Feedback

Great! You could enhance your answer by being a bit more concrete. Why is thinking big and moving fast key to innovation? Are you driving at the idea that there's competition among those who are innovating?

Experience

16. In your current position, have you taken on tasks which fell outside of your wheelhouse? How did you succeed?

What You Need to Know

At Zillow, you may be learning a new industry, where you'll be asked to perform tasks that fall outside of the sphere of your comfort zone. The interviewer wants to assess how willing you are to step outside of your comfort zone. This will clue them to the level of your ambition, and how determined you are to further your career by pursuing your goals. The ideal note to strike is that you've done it so much, that stepping outside of your comfort zone is your comfort zone.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I had minimal training going into my latest role because the company was a start-up with little direction but a lot of pressure on the gas pedal. I received training on their software system but nothing formal surrounding their web stack. Through many online tutorials and YouTube videos, I taught myself how what I needed to do, to be successful at my job."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"In my current role, I was asked to lead software audit reviews, which I had never done before. I had to learn the standards and how to run an audit appropriately. I was also promoted to a team lead and had a direct report to monitor. This role was my first supervisory position, so I had never approved time sheets or handled employment-related concerns. I asked for advice when possible, and researched on my own time whenever necessary."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I had minimal training going into my latest role because the company was a start-up with little direction and no leads. It was all up to me to find the CRM and leads to get the business development started. Through my many skills, I taught myself how what I needed to do, to be successful at my job."

Stephanie's Feedback

You do a great job of showing how you taught yourself new skills at your last role; to develop your response a bit more, I'd suggest you quantify exactly what t meant to "be successful at my job." (Example: "In ___months, I was able to generate___________new leads," etc)

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Anonymous Answer

"Acting as a hybrid analyst/PM and balancing the needs of both demanding roles. Not enough hours to gain expertise in more so I sought out and collaborated with more experts who repaid the favor when I was seen as the expert. All hands on deck added necessary breadth efficiently and with positive investment results."

Cindy's Feedback

Great. There's a lot of great information in this answer, but slow down, provide context and explain each point so the interviewer understands clearly each point your making. For example, what aspects of the hybrid role have been challenging because they weren't part of your expertise? How did the experts you relied on to get up to speed help you out? And with what specifically? Can you share a concrete example?

Experience

17. If offered this role at Zillow, how will you go about building relationships with your new coworkers and supervisors?

What You Need to Know

Zillow takes pride in being listed as one of the top 100 companies to work for, prides themselves on their positive work culture, and emphasizes the value of building strong interdepartmental relationships throughout their company. When onboarding, buyilding relationships is the primary task, followed by learning the methods, systems and processes, and ins and outs of the job.

Zillow works hard to nurture a cohesive workplace culture and environment, so it's vital that you will find your place within the team very quickly. Due to a wide variety of personalities, coworker connections can take time to form. How do you ensure that you have an active line of communication with your co-workers and supervisors, right from the start?

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I like to ask my new colleagues for their best tip, and also what they are currently working on. Developer types like to bounce ideas off of others, which makes these two questions a very effective way to get to know my co-workers and management team."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"First impressions are everything, and I make a strong attempt to build relationships with all of my co-workers and management team, right up front. I ask discovery questions to learn how I can best support them when working together. It is also important to gain insight into their preferred methods of communications."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I like to ask my new colleagues for their best tip, and also what they are currently working on."

Stephanie's Feedback

This is a solid start, but I'd suggest deepening your response by explaining exactly how you go about building relationships. You may also wish to research the company culture as far as team building is concerned, so you can mention those opportunities directly.

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Anonymous Answer

"Get the work done; own it; set the pace; as a new joiner it's on me to start and continue the conversation; seek out, respond and provide mutual feedback in real-time; ask for help and be attuned to opportunities where I can help others; foster inclusion and thought diversity; speak up if something needs to be said; don't have all the answers; ask thoughtful questions; get better together; have fun!

Look for opportunities to be inclusive."

Cindy's Feedback

Good! It sounds like you are driven to make a difference in your workplace.

Experience

18. How is Zillow transforming the future of real estate?

What You Need to Know

The way you answer this question will show the interviewer how much research you have done on Zillow before your interview. There are several references on multiple pages of their sites that offer suggestions along these lines, such as, Completely digitizing the first step of the home journey for an on-demand digital world. Mention how you believe they are evolving and simplifying the real estate industry, and be sure to show your excitement for joining their team!

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I believe that Zillow is transforming the future of real estate by creating a one-stop shop for all things real estate. Typically, buying or selling a home is a stressful event; one has to hire a broker, a mortgage lender, a lawyer, and more. With a company like yours, you help home buyers through each stage in a well-timed, incredibly well-supported platform. What you are doing is entirely shaking up the industry, and I cannot wait to become a part of it."

2nd Answer Example

"Not only is Zillow transforming real estate by giving buyers and sellers more options than just a typical real estate exchange with a realtor, but you are empowering a significant movement in a very traditional industry. Real estate has been the same for decades, and now, thanks to Zillow the cumbersome process of buying and selling a home is changed forever."

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I think Zillow has transformed the Real Estate industry. It has turned house-hunting into a one-stop-shop. Their online platform is easy to use and understand. Because of Covid and lockdowns, the value of the platform can only increase. This technology will make the experience the way of the future."

Stephanie's Feedback

Your response clearly shows an understanding of Zillow and the real estate industry, and you do a good job of relating this to current events, such as COVID and lockdowns. However, I would suggest being a bit more specific in regards to the online platform; are there special features? What makes Zillow different than any other web-based real estate platform?

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Anonymous Answer

"Zillow is the future of real estate in the digital world. It's a one-stop-shop for all things real estate from rental to buying and selling of homes. You really have the end-user consumer in mind with their products. Take for example their Zillow offer, this feature shortens the amount of time it takes for homeowners to sell their house by selling directly to Zillow. It cuts out all the middlemen and delays with traditional home selling. It's a hassle-free way to shorten the amount of time typically required to sell a house especially with many homeowners needing to sell their current home before they can upgrade to a new home. Zillow's cutting-edge technology also ensures a fair price for the sellers but also puts the power back in the seller's hands with the ability to skip staging and showings, no repairs to manage, and being able to choose the closing date."

Marcie's Feedback

Excellent answer! You've clearly outlined several ways in which Zillow is changing the real estate industry. The interviewer will definitely be able to tell that you are knowledgeable about the company and that you've researched it, which will show how interested you are in the position. Great job!

Experience

19. Describe an ongoing issue at your current job that you successfully resolved.

What You Need to Know

The word 'issue' can be interpreted in a wide variety of ways. Part of this question is how you'll interpret the word, and what your interpretation will inform them about you. Therefore, if you bring up an issue that has negative associations, that could clue them into your overall perception of the world. However, innovators view obstacles as challenges, not negatives. Remaining positive, speak to the interviewer about a specific issue you were able to overcome in your previous role, based on your unique skill sets. It could be anything, from improving work flow by implementing improvements over their previous systems, or finding a simple method of enhancing interdepartmental communications.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"In my current position, one ongoing problem is the disconnect and separation in the workplace between the developers, designers, and the sales team. I have begun to overcome this by implementing weekly lunch and learns where everyone is welcome. The topics are focused on a variety of situations that we all face in the company. I feel that the better we all understand each other's jobs and functions, the better we can all get along. So far, this approach has been working very well."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"An ongoing issue in our department was a lack of funds allocated to the projects that our leadership had already approved. It seemed as though they wanted us to perform miracles with very little financial bandwidth. To overcome this, we banded as a team to decide where we could cut from our individual budgets to ensure the delivery of a solid product."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Experience

20. Zillow encourages cross-departmental collaboration. Do you have experience collaborating between developers, designers, and other stakeholders?

What You Need to Know

Having strong interpersonal skills while building relationships with your team is one thing, but exercising that consistently while building relationships with external teams takes it a step further. Some build relations with their team and stop there, feeling secure in their position. But exercising those skills consistently exhibits leadership potential, which is highly valued by Zillow's culture. Therefore, an ability to work with cross-functional teams will be a significant asset to Zillow, since they are known for leading highly collaborative projects. Share any similar challenges that came up and what you learned from the experience.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"Yes, I have indeed worked in many cross-functional environments. Currently, I lead the front-end development team and collaborate with a couple of engineering and design reams regularly. We all work well together to ensure an amazing product that our users love."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"When I worked for a development agency, I collaborated across departments all the time. The majority of my interactions were with developers and designers. We would meet every week to discuss larger projects and then collaborate through the week as needed. It was a great set-up and ensured smooth progress at all project stages."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Experience

21. What do you know about Zillow's workplace culture?

What You Need to Know

On the Zillowgroup website, under their career page, there are several keywords and terms that emphasize the key components of their culture. A thriving, flexible, caring work culture that values innovation while reimagining real estate. Mention some points that you know are offered in this role, discussing which areas and aspects excite you most.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I know that Zillow was one of the first to market with so many online property and real estate services. Being so innovative, it's no surprise that your workplace culture is collaborative, fun, and focused on bringing out the creativity of your teams. I hear that you host game nights, hackathons, happy hours, and a robust health and wellness program. There are many more dimensions to our workplace culture that I am eager to learn more about."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"You had me at your speaker series offerings! The fact that Zillow offers lunch and learn sessions with industry leaders and savvy professionals on business, leadership, and trends in the online industry, tells me everything I need to know. Your organization focuses on building up your staff and helping everyone grow into bigger and better roles."

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Zillow is known for its fun and collaborative work environment that aims to bring out the best in each employee. Zillow builds their culture centering around their core values: 1. Customers Are Our North Star 2. Turn on the Lights 3. Do the right thing 4. Own it 5. Better together 6. Include and empower 7. Think big, move fast 8. Deliver quality on time, every time. I particularly identify with do the right thing (which is important in building trust and the quality of data that's provided to our consumers), Move Fast think big (it's good to know that ideas are welcomed especially in a big organization. It helps you feel included as well as having the ability to introduce change), and Deliver quality on time, every time (very important especially working in data. the quality of data we provide our products or our management team either directly or indirectly affects the end-user experience which is important with Zillow since the customers are their North star)."

Marcie's Feedback

This is a very strong answer. It shows that you've done your due diligence on the company and are familiar with its culture. You also do a great job of showing how your values align with the company's and why you believe you'll fit in well there. Excellent!

Experience

22. Market research is at the heart of what we do at Zillow. How do you approach a project before embarking on it?

What You Need to Know

Market research is at the heart of this question. Talk to the interviewer about your work habits and how you prefer to approach a new project. Since they've laid out that market research is at the heart of what they do, your research skills should be highlighted in your answer.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I agree that market research is the backbone of any project, especially in the online property listing services industry where data is constantly changing. Without research, important details are missed, and much time is wasted. I like to research before starting a project so that I can lay out a plan and understand the potential hurdles as well."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"Although there may be some instances at Zillow where jumping right it may be required, I always prefer to research before I being a project. I will grab a team member for added support, and ask them to cross-reference my research and poke holes in my project theory wherever possible. Rest assured; I would always follow your preferred methods, should I be hired."

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

Stephanie's Feedback

Great response; this outlines how you approach a new project. To strengthen your response, you may wish to consider the specific methods that you use to conduct research before beginning a new project. (Where do you find your information? Who do you talk to?)

Experience

23. The online property listing services industry is highly competitive. How will you help Zillow stay ahead of its competitors?

What You Need to Know

It is critical that you research Zillow, and their most vigorous competitors, before your interview. The correct answer is to show that you fully embrace their approach to innovation, and that you aim, through your skills, experience, and unique approach to innovation, to help them deliver and improve upon what they do best. So perform your research and be able to define what Zillow does best. Speak openly with the interviewer about your ability to work competitively and how you plan to contribute to their continued success.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I believe the best way to stay ahead of your competitors is to pay a big amount of attention to the fine details. When you put out a great service, others will try to mimic your work, but they will cut corners because they will feel rushed to get it out on the marketplace first. I will contribute to the success of Zillow by committing my most attentive work to you every day."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I think that the best way to stay ahead of competitors is to keep your offering as simple as possible while remaining innovative. People want simple, easy-to-use services, which they can understand and access easily. What I've seen from competitors lately is that they overcomplicate their products."

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"This industry is highly competitive, I have a great gift of cold calling and hunting down new prospects. Building lasting connections with new prospects and current clients to renew and upgrade."

Stephanie's Feedback

This response highlights some important traits and abilities you have, such as cold calls and prospecting. However, to improve your response, you should explicitly state exactly skills that will help Zillow stay ahead of its competitors (example: "My strong skills in building rapport and ability to create a pipeline of new prospects will give Zillow a competitive edge.")

Experience

24. This role with Zillow is highly technical. What is your understanding of this position and the responsibilities that come with it?

What You Need to Know

This question again tests not only that you thoroughly researched the position, company, and industry as it relates to the role, but also that you've retained the finer details as well. This question tests your knowledge, and your answer should showcase it. Bring with you a full understanding of the technical requirements to succeed in this job. Apply your working technical knowledge to the job description. Keep your answer to the point being sure to use the same language they have used in the job description.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"From our past conversation, understanding the job description, and researching the role online I feel that the job is best described as a project leader working with data and product teams to develop new tools and systems to support the growth of the business. The technical requirements that you would like to see are Python, Java, and AWS services. I am well versed in the tasks and programs you are asking for and am confident that I meet the strict requirements to perform in this role successfully."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"My understanding is that you seek a candidate with expert level skills in React, Redux, Node.js, Java, Python, and SQL who can train junior employees. I am an expert user in all six of these areas. Do you have any questions about my technical expertise?"

Experience

25. Pick an app on your phone and sell it to me.

What You Need to Know

This question is a catch-all for any interviewer in the online platform industry because it covers a candidate's knowledge whether they are in sales, design, engineering, or other development based role. There are several aids online to help you hone in on your pitch. Think of your favorite app on your phone and discuss with the interviewer why it's your choice - convincing them that they should download the app as well! Be enthusiastic about its features, while appealing to what you've learned about the person sitting across from you. Try to identify their pain points and always be closing. Feel free to have some fun with this question.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"My absolute favorite app is the Rosetta Stone app. It has nearly al 5-star ratings and is widely known as one of the most effective ways to learn a new language. The interface is easy to navigate, and you can also learn from the desktop experience. I learned to speak Spanish in just three months. Imagine what you could do with a new language?"

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"Snapchat is by far the app that everyone should download. Snapchat users are introduced to lenses and augmented reality, which is an exciting concept that is not new, but new to everyday users. Snapchat is amazing for real-time effects and videos, and you are introduced to fun tools like face detection. Did you know that it would take someone ten years to view all of the photos ever exchanged on Snapchat? One hundred eighty-seven million daily users can't be wrong!"

Experience

26. Zillow hosts regular hackathons to encourage innovation and autonomy. When have you created a new product, service, or process with the help of your team?

What You Need to Know

Zillow innovates various ways to help encourage growth in their teams. A common approach to sparking workplace improvements in the online platform world is 'hackathons.' Typically a hackathon is a multi-day event in which computer programmers, graphic designers, interface designers, project managers, and others involved in software development get together and collaborate on new and exciting software projects. Discuss your improvements, great or small, where you've created a new product, improved an existing service, or contributed a kaizen in some way.

Exhibit that you're creative-minded and ready to help Zillow achieve new industry breakthroughs.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I worked on a significant release with my current company last year for which I am very proud. Using real-time data, we launched a program that used public records to estimate a vehicle's value. People shopping for a new car could tap into this database to see what a fair price would be, to pay. Our program used neural networks and computer vision to distinguish between high and low-end finishes, and then we used the real-time data to help empower our users. I can see how an approach like this one would be beneficial within the real estate industry as well."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"In my previous role, I was fortunate enough to be part of a group that introduced my company to the idea of tiered monthly subscriptions where, in addition to our general customer service, we added premium service options. Our customer base responded very positively, and we kept the program running for a few years."

Experience

27. What types of industries have your previous projects focused on?

What You Need to Know

Zillow places a lot of emphasis on innovation and future leaders. So, your interviewer is trying to paint a broader picture of your transferable skills. Give them a better idea of what you will bring to Zillow, and what your past professional experience in industries unrelated to Zillow's could lend to their teams.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"The bulk of my career has been within the banking and finance industry. This experience will help me with online property listing and real estate services because I understand a lot of the industry jargon surrounding mortgages and lending. Also, I am well versed in the confidentiality, and security needs that come with building a platform that deals with sensitive transactions and large purchases."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"My previous projects have focused on the healthcare and medical industry. I believe there are a lot of transferable skills between healthcare and real estate. These include the sensitivity of the information stored, the high-stakes present in both industries, and the complexity behind the data. I am eager to learn everything that I can about Zillow and your platform."

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I have extensive knowledge of Salary Survey and Compensation Management software. I consider myself to be well versed in technology and having a good understanding of software products."

Stephanie's Feedback

Your response shows a clear understanding of various types of technology products. You may wish to consider highlighting any transferrable skills you've gained, which could potentially align with the role you're interviewing for.

Experience

28. If you had to choose just one, what would you consider your primary technical specialty?

What You Need to Know

The interviewer wants to know your specialties, particular areas of expertise, and what makes you a unique candidate. Talk to the interviewer about your strengths and be sure to highlight any specific skills you excel at. It's a great idea to highlight particular skills listed inside the Zillow job description.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"Technically speaking, my one greatest strength is in my front-end expertise. I love making pragmatic architecture recommendations and providing sound decisions that guide the development process."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"I have been focusing my career on becoming a senior data engineer and would say that data pipeline architecture is my primary technical specialty."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Decoding complicated companies into simple and influencing decision-makers to allocate meaningfully to what others might see as "black boxes." As an investor, I have studied hundreds of businesses so I can readily distinguish between "evolutionary" and "innovative". I've been in and around housing for my entire career, I have well-established relationships throughout the industry and my passionate purpose is to help solve part of the housing puzzle that helps a platform like Zillow scale profitably over time.

I'm also a naturally curious and self-propelled generalist investor that has studied hundreds of different businesses so I can spot "incremental" from a mile away and my natural curiosity draws me towards quite interesting and disruptive business models."

Cindy's Feedback

Good start. It sounds like you have a lot of valuable skills, but think about how you'd narrow your answer at first to clearly describe your primary technical specialty which you could then develop into a more general answer.

Experience

29. We primarily lean on React, Redux, Node.js, Java, Python, and SQL. With which language are you most familiar?

What You Need to Know

The interviewer is giving you some insight into the languages that their hire will be using at Zillow. Considering the list of languages, think about which ones you have the most experience with and which you feel most comfortable with. If you'd like, you can rank your skills from beginner to intermediate, advanced, and expert. Doing so will give the interviewer a good idea of where you stand with each language.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I am familiar with all of these languages; however, my skill level varies between these. I am most experienced and comfortable with Python and SQL, having been immersed in these for the past ten years. With React and Redux, I am a beginner level user and very open to working on strengthening these skills."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"In my current role, I work nearly all day in Java and Node. I would consider myself an advanced user in each of these. When it comes to Python, SQL, React, and Redux, I am an intermediate user. I can certainly commit to learning these further, before my first day at Zillow."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"I am familiar with Python and SQL. I am more familiar with Python than SQL since I am self-teaching myself Python to be able to experiment with data in a more robust/statistical way than MS Excel which is my main data analysis tool. I haven't programmed in Java but I took a first-year Turbo C++ programming class in college so I'm familiar with a similar language. I have never used React or Redux. As an investor, I am a customer of user interfaces so I haven't used React but the language looks intuitive and easy to learn. I'm surprised that I haven't used Redux since I listen to so many calls and have so many team meetings that's one I'm going to start to learn immediately."

Cindy's Feedback

Good! This answer is providing the relevant information the interviewer is seeking. If you wanted to expand, you could discuss your level of familiarity and the projects you've completed with each.

Experience

30. Who are Zillow's top competitors? Name one factor we do better than the rest.

What You Need to Know

Zillow has single-handedly revolutionized the online real estate industry. For that reason, it's essential that you come to your interview with an expanded understanding of what they do and who their competitors are. One of their biggest competitors is Redfin, primarily due to their unique redefining of how the real estate agent approaches selling your home and earning their commissions. But listing Trulia or Hotpads would be a mistake, since both Trulia and Hotpads are ZillowGroup's other subsidiary companies. Show up prepared, and don't just rely on a google snippet for your intel! Take some notes on their competitors and take the time to compare services. What do you believe is the standout factor for Zillow?

Written by Kevin Downey on June 20th, 2022

1st Answer Example

"I understand that you were one of the first to market with a full-service online property platform and today your top competitors are (A), and (B). One factor that stands out to me, above all the rest, is the fact that your platform offers many add-on services such as a sales proceeds calculator, home estimation tools, and local news feeds for your users to stay in-the-know on what is happening in their marketplace."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

2nd Answer Example

"Research shows me that your top competitors are (A), (B), and (C), although Zillow was the first to market with many services that went beyond offering static listings. I understand that you source insights from the people who live in particular neighborhoods so that you can offer new buyers a deeper understanding of the community they are interested in moving. Passing along advice from local real estate agents, brokers and other real estate professionals is another reason why Zillow stands out above the rest."

Written by Rachelle Enns on June 20th, 2022

Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

Anonymous Answer

"Zillow has a few competitors including Redfin, Realtor.com, Foreclosure.com, to name a few. These companies have strong specific areas, but Zillow is strong in all aspects.

Zillow takes the lead in all areas with the capacity to keep evolving with the sub companies it owns. Zillow is the top company and the first one that comes to mind when looking for a home."

Stephanie's Feedback

Your response makes it clear that you understand the market and competitors, but you need to a bit more specific by zeroing in on exactly what it is that Zillow does better. Is it website usability? Inventory? Responsiveness? Accuracy? Because this question explicitly asks for "one factor," you'll want to have a specific factor in mind to name.