10 good technical interview questions
- What programming languages are you most familiar with?
- Describe the troubleshooting process you’d follow for a crashing program.
- How can you debug a program while it’s being used?
- What is your field of expertise and what would you like to learn more about?
- Have you implemented significant improvements to an IT infrastructure? What were they, and how did you implement them?
- What’s the most effective way to gather user and system requirements?
- Describe a time you had to explain technical details to a non-technical audience. How did you modify your presentation?
- Where do you place most of your focus when reviewing somebody else’s code?
- What did you find most challenging about this assignment? What resources did you use to complete the assignment?
- What did you learn from [X] project?
Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.
1. What programming languages are you most familiar with?
This question assesses the candidate’s technical skills and familiarity with programming languages.
Sample answer:
“I am most familiar with Python, Java, and C++. I have used Python for data analysis, Java for building backend systems, and C++ for performance-critical applications.”
2. Describe the troubleshooting process you’d follow for a crashing program.
This question evaluates the candidate’s problem-solving skills and their approach to debugging.
Sample answer:
“First, I would check the error logs to identify the point of failure. Then, I’d isolate the issue by running tests and using debugging tools. Finally, I would fix the code and test it thoroughly before deployment.”
3. How can you debug a program while it’s being used?
This question gauges the candidate’s ability to handle real-time issues without disrupting user experience.
Sample answer:
“I would use debugging tools that allow for real-time monitoring and set breakpoints in a development environment that mirrors the production system. This way, I can debug without affecting the users.”
4. What is your field of expertise and what would you like to learn more about?
This question helps to understand the candidate’s specialization and their willingness to learn.
Sample answer:
“My expertise is in cloud computing, but I’m interested in learning more about machine learning and its applications.”
5. Have you implemented significant improvements to an IT infrastructure? What were they, and how did you implement them?
This question assesses the candidate’s experience in making impactful changes in an IT environment.
Sample answer:
“Yes, I led a team that migrated our services to a cloud-based infrastructure, which improved scalability and reduced costs. We planned meticulously and executed it in phases to minimize downtime.”
6. What’s the most effective way to gather user and system requirements?
This question evaluates the candidate’s approach to requirement gathering, a crucial step in project planning.
Sample answer:
“I usually start with stakeholder interviews to understand their needs and expectations. Then, I consult with the technical team to assess system capabilities. Finally, I document everything in a formal requirements specification.”
7. Describe a time you had to explain technical details to a non-technical audience. How did you modify your presentation?
This question assesses the candidate’s communication skills, particularly in explaining technical concepts to non-technical people.
Sample answer:
“I once had to explain the benefits of migrating to a cloud-based system to our board of directors. I used simple language and analogies to make it relatable and avoided technical jargon.”
8. Where do you place most of your focus when reviewing somebody else’s code?
This question gauges the candidate’s code review skills and what they prioritize during the process.
Sample answer:
“I focus on code readability, efficiency, and whether it adheres to best practices. I also look for any security vulnerabilities.”
9. What did you find most challenging about this assignment? What resources did you use to complete the assignment?
This question assesses the candidate’s problem-solving skills and resourcefulness.
Sample answer:
“The most challenging part was optimizing the algorithm for performance. I consulted online forums and used profiling tools to identify bottlenecks.”
10. What did you learn from [X] project?
This question helps to understand what the candidate takes away from their experiences.
Sample answer: “From that project, I learned the importance of thorough requirement gathering. We faced challenges that could have been avoided with better initial planning.”
What does a good technical candidate look like?
A good technical candidate not only has strong technical skills but also possesses problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a willingness to adapt and learn. They should be able to work well in a team and adapt to the company culture.
How to conduct a Technical interview
Technical interviews can be tricky, as they require specialized knowledge (e.g. of the software development process) and familiarity with related terminology. Prepare yourself before inviting candidates to an interview. Recruiters who are hiring developers and engineers should:
- Coordinate with the hiring team to identify basic technical skills candidates should have.
- Create interview questions that test whether candidates possess must-have skills required for the position.
- Ask hiring managers what to expect from candidates’ answers.
- Include a written assignment that tests candidates’ coding skills.
During the interview process, look for how candidates apply their theoretical knowledge on the job. Scrutinize examples from their resumes and ask for clarifications. Here are resume-based questions to consider:
- What was the project?
- Who did you work with?
- What did you develop?
- What was the outcome?
It’s also important to cater your interview questions to the seniority level of each position. For entry-level positions, focus on identifying strong and weak points and potential training needs. For senior-level positions, ask candidates how much experience they have with specific tools and languages that you use.
Tech recruiters are usually familiar with Programming interview questions. However, hiring managers should ask the most complex questions, because they have better insights into their team’s goals and way of working. Hiring managers can also discuss candidates’ written assignments with them, provide feedback and ask follow-up questions.
