Software Engineer Interview Experience - San Francisco, California
November 1, 2015
Positive ExperienceNo Offer
Process
I had a basic phone screen with a few technical trivia-style questions, then I was asked a basic algorithm question about linked lists. Within a couple of days, I received a request for an on-site interview. I signed an NDA, so I can't go into details. However, if you know your basic data structures and algorithms, you should be fine.
Questions
How would you reverse a linked list?
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 92 interview experiences for the Yelp Software Engineer role in San Francisco, California.
Success Rate
14%
Pass Rate
Yelp's interview process for their Software Engineer roles in San Francisco, California is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive50%
Neutral32%
Negative18%
Candidates reported having very good feelings for Yelp's Software Engineer interview process in San Francisco, California.
Yelp Work Experiences
5.0
Mediocracy wins here
Software Engineer • Former Employee
San Francisco, California, United States
August 28, 2025
Pros: Low pressure; most devs roll into work at 11 and leave at 5.
Cons: Rigid, uninspiring. The product is driven by metrics, but there's no strong product vision.
4.0
Good experience, but definitely not for me. I would still recommend to a friend
Software Engineer • Former Employee
San Francisco, California, United States
October 8, 2014
Pros: Nice and friendly work environment, lovely interior design, and you are allowed to work on nearly anything you want.
Cons: I'm somewhat anti-social and dislike big crowds, which didn't fit well with Yelp's extremely outgoing people. Also, Yelp is not a huge cash cow, so there isn't nearly as much money to go around compared to Dropbox or Google, although that's not the company's fault.
I was paid pretty well for an intern, but I hear that the company's benefits package is weak. It seems much easier to get promoted here than in places like Google, though.
Also, San Francisco is expensive.
5.0
Good Pay, Boring Product
Software Engineer • Current Employee
San Francisco, California, United States
February 14, 2022
Pros: Work-life balance and pay
Cons: Uninteresting product and paid time off
- 5.0Mediocracy wins hereSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeSan Francisco, California, United StatesAugust 28, 2025Pros: Low pressure; most devs roll into work at 11 and leave at 5.Cons: Rigid, uninspiring. The product is driven by metrics, but there's no strong product vision.
- 4.0Good experience, but definitely not for me. I would still recommend to a friendSoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeSan Francisco, California, United StatesOctober 8, 2014Pros: Nice and friendly work environment, lovely interior design, and you are allowed to work on nearly anything you want.Cons: I'm somewhat anti-social and dislike big crowds, which didn't fit well with Yelp's extremely outgoing people. Also, Yelp is not a huge cash cow, so there isn't nearly as much money to go around compared to Dropbox or Google, although that's not the company's fault. I was paid pretty well for an intern, but I hear that the company's benefits package is weak. It seems much easier to get promoted here than in places like Google, though. Also, San Francisco is expensive.
- 5.0Good Pay, Boring ProductSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Francisco, California, United StatesFebruary 14, 2022Pros: Work-life balance and payCons: Uninteresting product and paid time off
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