Bloomberg software engineer interview questions

“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” —Bobby Unser

Bloomberg is a powerhouse in media, finance, software, and data, offering software engineers the chance to solve high-impact, real-world challenges while earning some of the highest salaries in the tech industry. However, landing a job at Bloomberg is no small feat. Their rigorous interview process goes beyond testing technical expertise—it evaluates your ability to think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, and demonstrate leadership potential.

This guide covers common interview topics—coding challenges and system design scenarios to behavioral questions—to help you confidently ace your interview.

What to expect in a Bloomberg interview#

Bloomberg’s interview process is designed to assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and alignment with Bloomberg’s culture of innovation. Here’s an overview of the stages involved:

1. Resume screening and online assessment (OA): An initial filter where your resume is evaluated for technical skills, project experience, and fit. If shortlisted, you’ll receive an online coding assessment to test your fundamental programming abilities.

2. Phone screen: A technical and behavioral round where Bloomberg assesses your problem-solving approach and communication skills.

3. On-site interview: A more comprehensive assessment with rounds covering coding, systems design, and behavioral interviews.

4. Team matching and offer negotiation: In this final stage, Bloomberg matches you with a team that aligns with your skills and interests.

Each stage is unique, so let’s dive into specific tips and topics for each.

Navigating the Bloomberg software engineer interview process#

Whether you are a seasoned developer or a recent graduate, understanding the key stages of Bloomberg’s interview process—from resume review to offer negotiation—will help you prepare effectively.

Resume review and online assessment#

• Resume review: Bloomberg looks for candidates with technical skills and strong collaboration and project experience.

• Online assessment (OA): The online assessment evaluates your coding skills with questions on fundamental data structures like arrays, strings, and hash tables, as well as algorithms, including sorting, searching, and basic recursion.

Sample online assessment questions#

• Merge two sorted arrays.

• Solve the “Two Sum” problem.

• Implement a function to reverse a string.

• Find the first non-repeating character in an array.

• Write a function to find all permutations of a string.

• Implement a function to rotate a matrix 90 degrees.

• Write a function to check if a string is a palindrome.

• Write an algorithm to check whether a number is prime.

• Find the longest substring without repeating characters.

• Given a list of numbers, find the maximum product of any two.

Phone screen: Technical and behavioral questions#

The phone screen is a blend of technical and behavioral questions. It evaluates how you approach problems and communicate your solutions.

• Technical topics: Expect to solve problems on data structures (arrays, linked lists, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, recursion, searching). You may also encounter problems that involve coding patterns like two-pointer, sliding window, and binary search.

• Behavioral topics: Prepare to discuss past experiences demonstrating your communication skills, leadership, and ability to work under pressure. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the STAR method to structure your responses effectively.

Sample technical phone screen questions#

• Reverse a linked list.

• Rotate a linked list.

• Merge two binary search trees.

• Find the middle element of a linked list.

• Find the number of islands in a 2D grid.

• Solve the “Maximum Subarray” problem.

• Implement depth-first search (DFS) on a graph.

• Find the kth largest element in an unsorted array.

• Implement a function to find the longest common prefix.

• Implement a function to find the first non-repeating character in a string.

Sample behavioral phone screen questions#

1. How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects?

2. Describe a challenging bug you encountered and how you solved it.

3. Tell me about a project where you had to work under tight deadlines.

4. Give an example of when you showed initiative to improve a process.

5. How do you deal with unexpected changes in a project’s requirements?

6. Describe when you faced a conflict with a colleague and how you handled it.

7. Tell me about a time when you had to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

8. Give an example of when you received critical feedback and how you handled it.

9. Share an example of a situation where you had to adapt quickly to a new technology.

10. Describe a situation where you had to explain a complex technical concept to a non-technical team member.

On-site interview: Coding, systems design, and behavioral rounds#

The on-site interview is the most comprehensive part of the Bloomberg process, covering a range of skills across coding, design, and behavioral aspects.

• Coding: In on-site coding rounds, expect more advanced problems often involving dynamic programming, graph algorithms, and binary search trees. You may encounter challenges requiring algorithms and traversal techniques for graphs, as well as problems related to trees. Common coding patterns to be familiar with include depth-first search (DFS), breadth-first search (BFS), and sliding window.

• System design: In system design rounds, you may be asked to demonstrate your ability to design scalable, high-performance systems. Topics often focus on scalability, load balancing, high availability, and fault tolerance. Example discussions might include designing APIs, caching mechanisms, or data streaming solutions.

• Behavioral: Behavioral rounds evaluate your ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and adapt in team settings. Be ready to share experiences that reflect Bloomberg’s culture of innovation. Key skills to highlight include problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, and resilience. Focus on discussing how you’ve handled project challenges, met deadlines, and worked across teams.

Sample coding questions for on-site interviews#

• Group anagrams.

• Find the maximum depth of a binary tree.

• Solve the “Word Ladder” problem using BFS.

• Implement a trie and use it to perform prefix search.

• Implement an algorithm to detect a cycle in a graph.

• Solve the “Longest Increasing Subsequence” problem.

• Implement a function to check if a binary tree is balanced.

• Solve the “Knapsack Problem” using dynamic programming.

• Find the shortest path in a weighted graph (Dijkstra’s algorithm).

• Implement a function to find the Lowest Common Ancestor in a binary tree.

Sample systems design topics for on-site interviews#

1. Design a rate limiter for an API.

2. Design a distributed caching system.

3. Design a file storage and retrieval system.

4. Design a real-time messaging application.

5. Design a URL shortening service (e.g., bit.ly).

6. Design a load-balancing mechanism for a web service.

7. Design a system to manage and store large media files.

8. Design a system to handle stock market data and orders.

9. Design a system for handling large-scale event processing.

10. Design a recommendation system for an e-commerce platform.

Sample behavioral questions for on-site interviews#

1. How do you deal with ambiguity in a project’s requirements?

2. Describe a situation where you had to mentor a junior developer.

3. How do you balance speed and quality when delivering software?

4. Give an example of when you had to pivot or change direction in a project.

5. Tell me about when you had to take ownership of a project from start to finish.

6. Tell me about a time when you resolved a misunderstanding within your team.

7. Describe when you had to navigate a difficult project with multiple stakeholders.

8. How do you handle stressful situations, especially when dealing with tight deadlines?

9. Describe a time when you had to go above and beyond for a customer or stakeholder.

10. Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a team decision and how you handled it.

Final rounds: Team matching and offer negotiation#

In the final stages, Bloomberg will work to match you with a team that suits your skills and interests. This is your chance to discuss potential roles, ask questions, and negotiate an offer that aligns with your career goals.

• Role fit: Identify your career interests and express your preferences for specific teams or projects.

• Negotiation: Know your market value, and be prepared to discuss compensation, benefits, and career growth opportunities.

Top tips to crack the Bloomberg software engineering interview#

Preparation must be strategic and well-rounded to succeed in the competitive Bloomberg interview process. Here’s a guide to help you tackle both technical and behavioral rounds:

Revise core concepts#

• Algorithms and data structures: Ensure you have a strong understanding of core data structures (arrays, strings, linked lists, trees, graphs) and algorithms (sorting, dynamic programming, recursion, BFS/DFS).

• Coding patterns: Familiarize yourself with common patterns such as sliding windows, two-pointers, and dynamic programming. Mastering these patterns enables you to apply efficient solutions to similar problems. Consider Educative’s unique Grokking the Coding Interview Patterns course for an in-depth understanding of the common 26 coding patterns and examples of how to solve coding questions using them.

Practice consistently#

• Daily coding: Solve at least 1–2 coding problems daily from platforms like LeetCode, Educative, or HackerRank. Focus on medium-difficulty problems and practice as many coding patterns as possible to gain practice in diverse problem types.

• System design: Dedicate 2–3 weeks to mastering system design. Focus on scalability, high availability, and fault tolerance. Practice designing systems like APIs, messaging apps, or recommendation systems using the popular Grokking the Modern System Design Interview course.

• Behavioral practice: Spend at least a week practicing behavioral questions. Use the STAR method to frame your answers and ensure you can clearly and confidently explain your experiences. Consider Educative’s Grokking the Behavioral Interview course for a comprehensive guide on these interviews.

Simulate real interviews#

• Mock interviews: Practice coding and behavioral mock interviews under timed conditions. Platforms like Pramp or Educative’s AI-powered mock interviews provide a realistic simulation of the interview experience.

• Remote interview tools: Familiarize yourself with tools like HackerRank or CoderPad, commonly used in remote interviews, to avoid any technical issues during your interview.

Strategize your prep#

• Start early: Begin your preparation at least 10 weeks before the scheduled interview to ensure you cover all necessary topics without rushing.

• Learn to identify patterns: As you solve problems, identify recurring patterns to efficiently approach new problems with similar structures.

• Portfolio and projects: A strong project portfolio can set you apart. Be prepared to answer questions about all the projects highlighted in your resume, especially those involving data processing, system design, or real-time applications.

Optimize interview techniques#

• Review time and space complexity: During technical interviews, always be prepared to analyze your solutions’ time and space complexities. Refer to the Big O cheat sheet to quickly recall the time and space complexities of various algorithms and data structures.

• Communicate effectively: Practice articulating your thought process clearly, especially for problem-solving and system design questions. Bloomberg values candidates who can explain their approach logically and concisely.

Conclusion#

Preparing for a Bloomberg interview takes time, dedication, and strategic practice. Focusing on technical concepts, coding patterns, systems design, and behavioral interviews can set you up for success.

Remember, Bloomberg seeks individuals with excellent technical skills who can collaborate, communicate effectively, and thrive in challenging environments. Stay focused, practice consistently, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.

Good luck with your interview preparation!