Software Engineer Interview Experience - San Francisco, California
March 1, 2019
Positive ExperienceNo Offer
Process
2 technical phone screens were conducted: one through Karat and the other with their main interview channel.
4 onsite interviews followed, consisting of algorithm and system design questions. One of the questions was the alien dictionary, with an overall medium level of difficulty.
Questions
Alien Dictionary - LeetCode Medium Question
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 33 interview experiences for the Pinterest Software Engineer role in San Francisco, California.
Success Rate
27%
Pass Rate
Pinterest's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in San Francisco, California is very selective, failing most engineers who go through it.
Experience Rating
Positive61%
Neutral24%
Negative15%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Pinterest's Software Engineer interview process in San Francisco, California.
Pinterest Work Experiences
4.0
Flexible, But Manager Dependent
Software Engineer • Current Employee
San Francisco, California, United States
July 17, 2025
Pros: Flexible work policy is nice.
Cons: It is very team dependent and manager dependent, so it varies.
5.0
I really love it here
Software Engineer • Current Employee
San Francisco, California, United States
December 22, 2015
Pros: We get paid to build Pinterest. How great is that?
Company caters to those who prefer action over discussion. Impressive office spaces, brilliant and interesting colleagues, flexible work policy, fun product.
Culture really is something else here – I feel like Pinterest genuinely cares about me as a person.
Cons: Some things change quickly – that's the nature of a small/medium-sized company. None of these changes have been for the worse, in my opinion.
4.0
A fast-growing social media platform
Software Engineer • Current Employee
San Francisco, California, United States
March 16, 2021
Pros: Machine learning friendly, compensation is good compared with big brands.
Cons: Promotion is slower now with tenure requirement.
- 4.0Flexible, But Manager DependentSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Francisco, California, United StatesJuly 17, 2025Pros: Flexible work policy is nice.Cons: It is very team dependent and manager dependent, so it varies.
- 5.0I really love it hereSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Francisco, California, United StatesDecember 22, 2015Pros: We get paid to build Pinterest. How great is that? Company caters to those who prefer action over discussion. Impressive office spaces, brilliant and interesting colleagues, flexible work policy, fun product. Culture really is something else here – I feel like Pinterest genuinely cares about me as a person.Cons: Some things change quickly – that's the nature of a small/medium-sized company. None of these changes have been for the worse, in my opinion.
- 4.0A fast-growing social media platformSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Francisco, California, United StatesMarch 16, 2021Pros: Machine learning friendly, compensation is good compared with big brands.Cons: Promotion is slower now with tenure requirement.
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