Booking.com Software Engineer Interview Experience
Booking.com · Mid level
Interview process
The process was well-organized and moved at a reasonable pace. Communication from the recruiter was clear, and each round had a defined focus, so I always knew what to expect. The interviewers were professional and gave me space to walk through my thinking. What went well was the technical discussion , it felt like a genuine conversation rather than a checklist, and the questions were relevant to the role. What could have been smoother was the scheduling between rounds, which took a bit longer than expected, and I would have appreciated slightly more feedback along the way.
Interview rounds · 1
- 1
Recruiter screen
BehavioralQ1. Tell me about yourself.
How they answeredGave a description of my past work experience
Q2. Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
How they answeredGave a detailed technical analysis of a recent mistake
Tips from the candidate
Know the fundamentals cold and be ready to explain your reasoning out loud, not just reach the right answer. Review your own past projects in detail, expect to go deep on trade-offs and decisions you made. Practice structuring your responses clearly and staying calm when a question gets open-ended. Do some research on the company's products and how the team works, and prepare a few thoughtful questions of your own.
Company culture
The team came across as collaborative and genuinely interested in the work. There was a strong emphasis on solving real problems rather than box-ticking, and people seemed engaged and willing to share how they operate day to day. The culture felt pragmatic and low-ego, with a focus on impact and continuous learning.