Process
I applied online and they contacted me around two weeks later. They gave me a coding challenge to complete; it had two questions, and I had 24 hours to finish, so it wasn't too bad. After I submitted, it was around two weeks later that I heard they wanted to schedule a phone interview.
The screening wasn't too difficult. They asked me about a "look and say" problem and then added twists, making it progressively more complex as I answered. I believe what they are looking for is someone who can fully complete what they expect a solid candidate to answer, and then perhaps add a bit more.
I was able to almost reach the improving/analyzing of the runtime but not quite. I had finished writing my recursive methods when time ran out. So be quick but accurate too!
They expect top-notch students/candidates. It's not hard at all to achieve what they want, but it does take a lot of practice.
Questions
A more complex look-and-say problem.
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 7 interview experiences for the Pinterest Software Engineering role in United States.
Success Rate
Pinterest's interview process for their Software Engineering roles in the United States is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Pinterest's Software Engineering interview process in United States.
Pinterest Work Experiences
- 5.0Amazing Company - Amazing ColleaguesSoftware Engineering • Current EmployeeSan Francisco, California, United StatesDecember 18, 2015Pros: We're solving a challenging and exciting problem, and it feels amazing to be a part of that endeavor. A lot of experts are here who have a ton of experience. Everyone is very friendly, collaborative, and means well.Cons: Currently, the team is split between somewhat distant buildings. I hope we can consolidate everyone in one place again soon.
- 5.0On Point Practice, Needed DepthMachine Learning Engineer • Former EmployeeTexas City, Texas, United StatesOctober 17, 2023Pros: Good practice and was totally on point.Cons: A deeper understanding was much required.
- 5.0A wonderful place to workSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Francisco, California, United StatesMarch 30, 2016Pros: The head of engineering has a mantra he repeats often: "be unfailingly kind." It's felt throughout the engineering organization. People go out of their way to be courteous and helpful, sometimes at the expense of productivity. This makes working at Pinterest a joy. It makes it easy for new employees to quickly ramp up and for long-time employees to continue to grow. It makes me excited to come into work every day. The company's values are in the right place. I truly believe that more diverse teams build better products, and Pinterest is making investments in recruiting and inclusion that will pay off for years to come. The best part is that none of this comes at the expense of the awesome technology that we continue to pioneer at a breathtaking pace. Our visual search team is way ahead of everyone else, and even Apple itself is envious of our work on AsyncDisplayKit. As Pinterest grows and matures, working here will become more routine, and the people who made this company great will gradually depart to take on new adventures. But that hasn't happened yet. And I'm loving every minute of the present.Cons: The speed of our growth and the realities of the San Francisco real estate market have forced us to split our workforce over two buildings, a few blocks away from one another. This has meant we're not as close-knit as we once were, and it's harder to maintain working relationships that span both buildings.
Pinterest Interview Questions
