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Uber·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Senior

SeniorPrefer not to say
Jun 2026

Summary

Product-sense style question for an Applied Scientist role at Uber. One question, but it had a lot of layers to it and the conversation went deep into metrics and experiment design.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

On a food delivery platform, alcohol products have a lower order completion rate than non-alcohol products. What could explain this, how would you investigate it, and what would you recommend to improve it?

Root Cause AnalysisProduct Analytics & MetricsA/B Testing & Experimentation
Author's notes

I started with age verification as the obvious culprit and the interviewer just kind of nodded and waited, so I kept going.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by hypothesizing potential causes across the funnel—from browsing to delivery—considering regulatory, logistical, and user behavior factors. Then outline a data-driven investigation plan to validate each hypothesis, and finally propose targeted recommendations with measurable impact.

Pro tip: Emphasize the importance of segmenting the analysis by factors like location, time, and user demographics, as alcohol regulations and delivery logistics vary significantly. Also, mention the need to check for data quality issues before drawing conclusions.

1. Define the problem and scope

Clarify what 'order completion rate' means (e.g., from order placement to delivery) and identify the key stages in the alcohol delivery funnel. Segment the data to see if the issue is widespread or concentrated in specific regions, user groups, or times.

2. Generate hypotheses

Brainstorm potential causes: regulatory restrictions (e.g., delivery hours, ID verification), logistical challenges (e.g., special handling, limited couriers), user behavior (e.g., impulse purchases, cart abandonment), and product factors (e.g., pricing, availability).

3. Investigate with data

Analyze funnel metrics to pinpoint where drop-offs occur. Compare alcohol vs. non-alcohol orders at each stage. Use cohort analysis, A/B tests, and qualitative methods (surveys, user interviews) to validate hypotheses.

4. Prioritize causes and recommend solutions

Based on investigation, prioritize the most impactful causes. Propose solutions such as improving ID verification UX, partnering with more couriers, adjusting delivery fees, or implementing targeted promotions. Suggest A/B tests to measure effectiveness.

5. Monitor and iterate

Define success metrics and set up monitoring to track improvements. Continuously iterate based on feedback and data.

Key Points to Mention

  • Regulatory and compliance factors (e.g., age verification, delivery hours, local laws)
  • Logistical challenges (e.g., special handling, courier availability, delivery windows)
  • User behavior and expectations (e.g., impulse buying, price sensitivity, trust issues)
  • Data segmentation (by geography, time, user demographics, order value)
  • A/B testing and experimentation to validate solutions
  • Cross-functional collaboration (with legal, operations, and product teams)

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.