Here are interview tips and questions for various industries. Working in tech? No problem! We’ve got you covered!
10 Best Software Engineer Interview Questions From Best Tech Companies
You’ve found the perfect software engineer candidate who can read code in their sleep, but do their capabilities extend beyond the computer screen and into the company culture? These software engineer interview questions will challenge your candidate beyond programming and distinguish the good from the best.
Values, Goals, and Mission
Where do you see yourself in five years? Asking this question first gives the interviewer an immediate idea of whether the candidate’s vision and goals align with the company and how the candidate might progress through the company. The perfect candidate will jump at this opportunity to flex.
Why are you working in this industry? It may come as a no-brainer, but an applicant’s interest in their job can greatly increase their performance. Choose an applicant whose interests are invested in their field of work.
Why are you interested in the company? Maybe the candidate has had their eye on the company since their freshman year of college, or maybe the allure is a big salary and generous benefits. The perfect candidate will put their knowledge to the test and show the interviewer what they know about the company, and why their values and goals fit in with the company culture.
Experience
Can you tell me about your experience at your last company? If the candidate can only list negative experiences, it may raise the question of whether the candidate or the company was the problem.
What is an accomplishment you are proud of? This software engineering interview question allows the candidate to highlight noteworthy projects and achievements. Here, the candidate can stand out from the pack and tell the interviewer how their experience may be valuable to the company.
What is a difficult situation you had to overcome? Well-rounded candidates should not only be able to perform under ideal conditions, but also in times of high stress. Assess the applicant’s problem-solving abilities and how they perform under stress with this software engineer interview question.
What valuable skills do you bring to the company? Does the candidate have valuable skills that complement the skills of the rest of the team? The candidate should have skills that increase the value of the company.
Leadership and Team Management
What is your definition of a leader? Most great candidates will be able to answer questions about algorithms and binary trees; however, the perfect candidate will be able to answer this software engineering interview question.
What was a disagreement you had on a team project, and how did you solve it? Inevitably, the candidate will work with one or multiple team members. Here, the interviewer can assess how the candidate fits into the team, as well as the candidate’s conflict and resolution skills.
What prior experience do you have leading a team? It’s not enough to be a team player. Sometimes the position requires a candidate to take charge and lead the team. The candidate should show the capability to delegate tasks, collaborate with others, and communicate effectively.
The perfect software engineer candidate adds value to the workplace environment and culture. Ask these software engineering interview questions to determine if your candidate is workplace material.
10 Product Manager Interview Questions From Best Tech Companies
Finding the perfect product manager for your company can be intimidating. Knowing the right product manager interview questions to ask can increase your chances of finding a reliable and experienced candidate for your open position. Find the perfect product manager with these interview questions.
Values, Goals, and Mission
1. Who are our competitors?
A good product manager has a definitive idea about how to improve the company, but brand awareness is also an important part of the job. How do you measure up against your competition? What does your competitor do differently that makes them more or less successful? These are some things that a product manager should know to be a great project manager.
2. What are your two main project management principles?
Principles lay the groundwork for any successful job. If this question leaves a candidate with doe eyes, it might be time to consider a different candidate.
3. Why do you want to work for the company?
This interview question allows the interviewer to weed out the people who are just looking for a job and find the ones who won’t make a career of building a better company.
Experience
4. Tell me about a product that you love. Why? How would you improve it?
How well does the candidate think on their feet? Experienced candidates will use relevant skills and prior knowledge to think innovatively and answer on the fly.
5. What technical skills do you have that set you apart?
This question allows the candidate to discuss skills that may make them more valuable to the company. Whether that is an experience that forced them to creatively resolve a problem or a special certification, this question could make the difference between a good and great candidate.
6. How would you describe our product to someone else?
Has the candidate done their research? It goes without saying that a candidate’s familiarity and understanding of your product can mean better ideas on how to improve it. A candidate who can demonstrate their knowledge of the product also demonstrates their interest in the company and the potential of the product.
7. How do you prioritize project work?
The candidate demonstrates their capability to prioritize and disseminate tasks to complete a project on time.
8. What is a difficult project that you worked on?
Was the candidate stopped by fear, or did they pull all their resources together to solve the problem?
Leadership and Team Management
9. What leadership experience do you have?
Is the candidate capable of leading your team to success? Their experience and relevant certifications are tell-tale signs of whether they’ll sink or swim under the pressure of managing multiple people.
10. Tell me about a time when you had a team conflict – how did you resolve it?
A product manager oversees the success of his or her team’s product. The manager’s ability to resolve team conflict and get the team back on task is important for the success of the team and the product.
Finding an experienced and reliable candidate shouldn’t be hard- fill your position using these product manager interview questions!
Tech & IT Support Interview Questions and Answers
Working in tech and IT means spending your days leveraging, designing, or supporting the technology that runs our modern world. The industry is fast-paced, cutting-edge, and innovative– the perfect fit for anyone looking for an exciting and adventurous career. Employment in the tech and IT space is projected to grow 11% between 2019 and 2029, a rate that equates to adding more than 500,000 new jobs. For anyone interested in launching a career in tech or IT, the time is now.
Tech and IT employers look for enthusiastic candidates with the ability to learn and grasp technical concepts. IT support interview questions may also seek to unearth customer service skills. With a solid understanding of what the interviewer is searching for, job candidates can ace even the hardest tech support interview question and get started on this rewarding career path.
Top Tech & IT Support Interview Questions
Below, we’ve outlined some of the most common tech and IT support interview questions along with advice on how to answer them.
General Questions
Why are you interested in working in technical support?
With this question, the interviewer is looking to understand a candidate’s motivation and interest in the role. The ideal candidate will answer this question in a way that shows sincerity, enthusiasm for technical support, and an understanding of the importance of the work.
Why are you qualified for this job?
Tech and IT support play an integral role in a company’s success and day-to-day operations. Hiring managers at KUBRA want to know that job candidates have hard skills or transferable skills to succeed in this important role.
When asked this tech support interview question, highlight your educational background, relevant certifications, customer service experience, and experience with technology to show you are qualified.
Sample Answer:
I recently completed my CCENT certification and have an associate’s degree in information technology. I am also fluent in English and Spanish and have experience working with popular tech support tools, including Jira, Zendesk, and Asana.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Though this is one of the most common interview questions across every field, it provides an employer with excellent insight into who their candidates are. Employers can learn whether their candidates are eager to learn, excited about their career in the field, and are genuinely interested in the company.
What can you contribute to our team that other candidates may not?
This is a candidate’s opportunity to truly express their strengths and what makes them a unique contender. The answer to this question is likely to vary from candidate to candidate, but the answer should reflect skills that the team may not already possess. This allows the team to continue to grow professionally alongside the newly hired candidate.
Sample Answer:
I believe that my previous experience working as an IT consultant has made me an ideal candidate for this position. Not only do I have an extensive background in the field, but I also have exceptional customer service skills that help me clearly communicate with every type of customer. I’m able to adapt my communication style to fit the needs of whomever I am speaking with, both internally and externally.
Behavioral Questions
If you were dealing with a customer who wasn’t very tech-savvy, how would you help them?
This tech support interview question lets an employer know how you can handle a variety of customers. Not every customer IT support encounter will understand tech jargon, so it’s important to know how to relay the information in the best way possible for the customer. This question can showcase a candidate’s patience and let an employer know that they respect every customer they work with, not just the ones who are also tech-savvy.
Sample Answer:
When interacting with every client, I always begin by using simple and clear language. Throughout the troubleshooting process, I’ll gauge their understanding of technical jargon and adjust my language usage accordingly. I spend each call carefully walking them step-by-step through the process and ensuring they feel comfortable asking questions.
How do you handle having multiple tasks at a time?
Working in tech support sometimes means juggling multiple problems and tasks at the same time. With this tech support interview question, the hiring manager wants to know you can prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively. At Axon, multitasking is a crucial skill when it comes to managing technical support.
Do you work best with a team or independently?
This tech support interview question is common in all work environments. While many tech and IT jobs are often done independently, collaboration is key for growing skills and gaining new knowledge. A candidate should feel comfortable working independently but be able to lean on team members when needed.
Tell me about a time you had to provide difficult feedback.
This tech support interview question lets an employer know a bit more about a candidate’s communication style. Relaying difficult feedback can sometimes be a challenge for professionals, so it’s important to know how a candidate will handle that situation.
Sample Answer:
Though it’s never easy to give difficult feedback, it’s an essential part of professional growth for both parties. In the times that I have had to give difficult feedback, I remind myself that it’s a learning experience for both myself and the person receiving the feedback. This gives us both an opportunity to grow professionally and learn from potential mistakes. I always approach the situation with a positive attitude and ensure that the feedback is given with a growth mindset.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
Sharing your biggest accomplishment during an interview checks a few boxes on an employer’s list. The first is informing the employer of your definition of success. The second is sharing what exactly those successes are. This can let an employer know what you’ve been able to do for previous employers and how that may translate into their own company’s successes.
Sample Answer:
In a previous role, I was able to work closely with my department to completely revamp our troubleshooting process to make it more customer-focused. Before this revamp, it had focused more on the technical aspects that led to miscommunication between our team and customers. With a fresh perspective, I was able to work in more customer-oriented details that helped to reduce miscommunication and leave customers more satisfied.
What is your ideal work environment?
There are a variety of work environments out there, and most professionals have one in particular that they work best in. This will let an employer know whether you’ll fit into their company environment.
Background Questions
Tell me about a time you went above and beyond to help a customer solve a problem.
This is one of the more customer service-oriented IT support interview questions. According to Indeed, Freedom Financial asks this question to see if the candidate can represent the company well and provide exceptional customer service.
What does your previous experience in the field look like?
This is the time for candidates to really dive into their resumes and share more details than what’s on paper. While your resume should cover your most prominent responsibilities and accomplishments, you’ll have the opportunity to share stories or give more insight into your skills with this tech support interview question.
Has there been a time you had to deal with conflict at work? How did you work it out?
Conflict is almost inevitable in the workplace. Whether this was dealing with a colleague you didn’t see eye-to-eye with or handling an incredibly difficult client, this question is your opportunity to share how you manage this conflict.
Tell me about a time you were unable to complete a task and how you handled that.
It’s not unusual to come across a task you’re not prepared to complete. These difficult tasks are part of the growth process. Employers are likely looking for candidates who know their limits and how to move forward with tasks that they are struggling with.
How would a previous manager describe you?
To answer this tech support interview question, candidates must be self-aware of their work performance. This answer may come from previous company reviews or continuous feedback from prior employers.
Technical Questions
If someone has a problem, what would be your approach to troubleshooting the issue?
This tech support interview question unveils a candidate’s ability to follow a logical troubleshooting process. The ideal candidate should describe a reliable method that calls upon technical knowledge, available resources, and customer service skills to solve the problem.
Sample Answer:
My approach to troubleshooting starts with gathering all of the facts. I use these facts to identify the most likely issue. Next, because time is of the essence, I would employ common quick fixes to fix the problem. If the quick fixes do not work, I will do additional research on finding a new solution. I would test these solutions to resolve the issue. Finally, I would test several times to ensure the problem has been solved.
What is BIOS?
This tech support interview question gives employers insight into how extensive your technical knowledge is.
Sample Answer:
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. It is the program that a computer’s microprocessor utilizes to run. It’s also in charge of managing the data flow between the computer and external devices, such as a video adapter or keyboard.
What are the latest Computer Processors?
This lets employers know that you continuously stay up to date on the latest computer technology.
Sample Answer:
As of 2021, one of the latest Computer Processors is Intel’s Core i5-10600K.
Explain the difference between ROM and RAM.
Employers may ask this question to ensure you understand the difference between similar technologies.
Sample Answer:
The RAM, or Random Access Memory, is a temporary data storage device. Typically, this is the information currently being worked on. A ROM, or Read-Only Memory, is a more permanent storage device that keeps any important data on hand.
What are the basic hardware components of a computer?
For anyone interested in the tech field, knowing the basic hardware components is essential.
Sample Answer:
The basic hardware components of a computer are the motherboard, processor, RAM, power supply, monitor, keyboard and mouse, soundcard, graphics, hard disk drive, and floppy disk drive.
Customer Service Interview Tips to Ace Your Interview
The feeling of landing an interview is electrifying. Job candidates may feel a mixture of nervousness and excitement before shifting their attention toward preparing for the interview. Whether it’s a first, second, or third round interview, candidates need to show up powerfully to land the job.
Customer service is an industry that places a heavy emphasis on personality, patience, and problem-solving. Jobs that require customer service skills are projected to experience rapid employment growth during the decade 2016-2026.
These customer service interview tips will help you showcase relevant qualities and ace your interview.
Customer Service Interview Tips
Be friendly
Smiles are the currency of customer service—some say that we can even sense a smile over the phone! A smile can help turn an unhappy customer into a happy customer. It can also help candidates appear more friendly and likable in a customer service interview.
Because customer service roles involve representing the company and talking to a variety of different people, interviewers look for people who can be friendly and converse well with others. To be friendly during your interview, make it a point to smile when introducing yourself and ask the interviewer how their day is going.
Prepare examples of your ability to help others.
When interviewing candidates for customer service roles, hiring managers want to feel confident that the candidate has problem-solving skills. They’re also looking for clues that the candidate enjoys being of help to others. To showcase your helpfulness, prepare to speak to 2-3 scenarios where you’ve gone out of your way to help someone. If possible, when speaking about the situations, highlight the steps you went through to help solve the person’s problem. Customer service job interview tips like this one will help you prepare for the situational questions your interviewer may ask.
Speak clearly and confidently.
A candidate who communicates clearly and confidently never goes unnoticed in a job interview. Customer service roles require candidates to interact with all types of people. Interviewers want to know that a candidate could represent the company well by communicating professionally. To convey this during your interview, sit up straight and minimize the use of filler words, such as like, um, and uh.
Dress to Impress
In the customer service industry, first impressions are everything. Dressing to impress is one of the most important customer service job interview tips. Because customer service professionals are the face of the company they work for, hiring managers will look for candidates who put themselves together well. Dressing to impress may mean wearing a formal shirt and tie, dress, or suit.
Infuse Personality Into Your Answers
When interviewing for a job, some candidates feel pressure to answer questions the way they feel they should answer them. When it comes to customer service job interview tips, this approach is counterproductive. Sharing standard, predictable answers can cause candidates to appear stiff, rehearsed, or lacking personality. In the customer service industry, having a great personality can be an asset. When practicing your answers, resist the temptation to speak generically.
Instead, find ways to infuse your personality into your answers. “Tell me about yourself” is a great question to do this. Share a few points about your professional background. Then, mention something interesting about yourself that’s not work-related.
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