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25 SOFTWARE ENGINEER
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
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For personal use only.

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Q1. Tell me about yourself.
Sample Answer:
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be interviewed for this software engineer position with your
organization today. After graduating from university with a degree in computer science, I worked for several
organizations in various positions where I gained experience working on team projects, individual software
engineering tasks, end-user testing, and new software applications. I would describe myself as an
industrious, diligent, reliable, and forward-thinking software engineer who possesses the skills and qualities
to match the job description. I have a track record of achievement and can be trusted to use critical thinking
skills to solve complex organizational challenges and problems, to complete projects whilst adhering to
strict organizational timeframes, and I always take ownership of my ongoing professional development. If
you hire me as a software engineer, I will collaborate closely with other departmental members, and I will
share my knowledge with the rest of my team to help the organization quickly achieve its strategic goals
and maintain its position as an industry leader.

Q2. Why did you decide to become a Software Engineer?

Sample Answer:
I decided to become a Software Engineer because from a very early age I always had a passion and a
genuine interest in all things computers, software applications, and technical concepts. My favourite
subjects at school involved computers, and I have a particular interest in the latest technological
advancements. I also decided to become a software engineer because I thrive in situations where I have
to solve problems and use critical thinking skills to achieve a specific outcome. I believe work is far easier
and more enjoyable if you are genuinely passionate about what you do, and I hope my passion for software
engineering is evident in my answers today during the interview and also in what I have included on my
resume/CV.

Q3. Tell me about a project you completed successfully.

Sample Answer:
I was working on a challenging, time-sensitive software engineering project for my previous employer.
There were six of us in the team, and each one of us had different skills that we brought to the project.
Unfortunately, two weeks before the project deadline, two team members went off sick including the project
leader. There were no other software engineers available in the organization, and I wasn’t prepared to see
if we could extend the deadline. Therefore, I had to come up with a new plan of action to get things finished.
The remaining four of us got together to discuss our options. I suggested we should absorb whatever tasks
we could amongst ourselves, and then outsource the remaining technical tasks to a competent software

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engineer using the website UpWork.com. This proved to me a smart move because after hiring a
replacement software engineer online, the project was still competed on time, and to the expected
standard.

Q4. What are the most important skills and qualities needed to become a great Software Engineer?
Sample Answer:
To be effective as a software engineer, various technical, interpersonal, and soft skills are a must. You
need excellent computer programming and coding skills, software testing and debugging competence,
problem solving capabilities, and critical and logical thinking skills. You need excellent teamworking and
collaborating abilities, strong communication and listening skills, and the ability to explain complex
information in simple terms to non-technical individuals. As a software engineer, you need to take
responsibility for your ongoing professional development, possess emotional intelligence, be self-aware
and open-minded, and have outstanding time-management capabilities. Finally, to excel as a software
engineer you must be commercially-aware, be self-motivated and disciplined, and be able to work both
independently and as part of a team.

Q5. What’s your biggest weakness?

Sample Answer:
My biggest weakness is the fact I am not yet very good at public speaking or giving presentations to large
groups of people. Although my weakness will not affect my ability to perform competently as a software
engineer, if there are any opportunities in your organization to develop my public speaking skills then I
would like to give it a try.

Q6. Why should we hire you as a Software Engineer?

Sample Answer:
You should hire me as a software engineer because I am motivated by your organizational values, I am
commercially aware, which means everything I do will be geared towards helping you achieve your
commercial objectives, and I will share my knowledge and expertise willingly with other people in the team.
You should also hire me because I am passionate about self-development and continuous learning. This
means you will be hiring a software engineer whose skills and competencies will always be relevant and
up-to-date, and whose knowledge will enhance and compliment the team that I will be a part of.

Q7. Why do you want to work for our company as a Software Engineer?

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Sample Answer:
There are lots of software engineering jobs out there, but I want one where I am going to be challenged
and where the skills and qualities that I have built up are going to be put to good use. I carried out lots of
research into your organization prior to submitting my resume/CV, and the work you do, the products and
services you offer, and the manner in which you support your employees, tells me this is a great place to
work. I am seeking long-term employment with the same company where I can really immerse myself into
their brand and their ambitions, and this is genuinely the only place I want to work as a Software Engineer.

Q8. What do you like and dislike the most about being a software engineer?
Sample Answer:
The aspects I will like include being able to put my wide range of skills and expertise to good use during
challenging software engineering projects. I will enjoy working alongside other like-minded professionals
who are all collaborating to achieve the best possible outcome for the project. In terms of the parts I will
dislike, the only thing I would find difficult perhaps is when I have to deal with external outsourcers or
contractors who don’t have the same appetite for project completion as I do. Having said that, I have built
up strong communication and interpersonal skills over the years, so I feel confident I can drive people
forward and get them to complete things on time and to expectations.

Q9. What can you bring to our company?

Sample Answer:
I will bring a fast pace of working, an in-depth technical knowledge of software engineering and an
understanding of what is working right now from within the industry. I will also bring strong project
management skills, teamworking capabilities, and the understanding that professional software
engineering is critical to your organization’s success. Finally, I will bring a positive mindset, the ability to fit
into a team, and an over-riding passion for software engineering that I believe you will witness in the results
that I produce for you.

Q10. How would you deal with a situation where a manager insisted on a project specification
that you knew was not workable?
Sample Answer:
I would deal with this type of situation through honest and respectful face-to-face communication where I
explain to the manager the consequences of not agreeing to alter their specification. I would focus on
what was important to the company, and go on to provide a clear and concise explanation as to why their

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specifications were not achievable. I would then outline an alternative way of working that achieved our
objective. Throughout the communication with the manager, I would maintain a positive and enthusiastic
approach, and continually reiterate the benefits of my suggested way of working.

Q11. What steps do you take to keep your technical knowledge as a Software Engineer relevant
and up-to-date?
Sample Answer:
I spend quite a bit of time online outside of work so I would like to think my technical skills and knowledge
are always up to date. I follow a few online forums including ProjectSmart and TechGuy. These are also
useful if I want to dive deep into a particular subject. I also subscribe to TED.com and in particular, I will
read the technology section at least two times a week. This is great for emerging trends, and it gives me
an insight into what is happening now and what is likely to happen over the next few years in my sector. I
also make sure I undertake some form of technical development online course via the website
Udemy.com at least once every quarter.

Q12. How did your previous company benefit from your technical knowledge and expertise?
Sample Answer:
They benefitted in several ways. Prior to starting work, I had a good idea of how I could add value to the
company from a technical perspective. During my research before the interview, I noticed that the
software engineering and project management systems they used were somewhat outdated, and
because I had experience in new and updated technology, I could quickly make recommendations to the
management team on how to make improvements that were cost effective. Other ways they benefited
from my knowledge and expertise were by way of the fact that I always made myself available to help
junior and inexperienced team members improve and develop their software engineering skills. For
example, I would spend an hour after work some evenings teaching interns and fresh graduate’s
innovative ways of working, and the different methods I would use to analyse and solve technical
problems. Finally, they benefited from my ability to quickly incorporate end user feedback and testing into
new technological systems and processes that improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the
organization. Because I am a commercially-focused software engineer, I would always do everything I
could to help the business achieve its strategic objectives.

Q13. How would you explain something technical to a non-technical person?

Sample Answer:

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To begin with, I would ASSESS THEIR KNOWLEDGE by asking them questions to gauge where they were
from a technical perspective. For example, if I were giving a technical presentation, I would need to make
sure I tailored the presentation to the person who had the LEAST AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE in the
group. I would make sure I AVOIDED TECHNICAL JARGON when describing anything technical. I would
use VISUAL DRAWINGS AND DIAGRAMS to explain technical concepts, and I would use familiar objects,
scenarios, and terminology to explain what it was I was trying to describe. I would DESCRIBE
EVERYTHING TO THEM MORE THAN ONCE, and I would ASK QUIZ-BASED QUESTIONS to ensure
they fully understood my explanations. Finally, I would leave ample time for them to ASK ME QUESTIONS
and I would make sure I answered them clearly and concisely.

Q14. When you encounter bugs and issues during software engineering projects, what problem
solving process do you use?
Sample Answer:
I always use the same fundamental steps when solving any problem, bug, or issue. These are: DEFINING
THE PROBLEM and gaining CLARITY of the issue or solution I need to come up with; CONFIRMING the
exact problem by utilizing all relevant facts and information available whilst also tapping into the knowledge
of the other team members; ASSESSING THE OPTIONS we have available to overcome the issue or
problem; DEVELOPING A SOLUTION, TESTING THE SOLUTION and then finally IMPLEMENTING THE
SOLUTION through collaborative working and TESTING. I would also need to consider the TRAINING
stage. Training may have to carried out by the end user(s) so they aware of how everything works and
operates. This would normally form part of the architecture development process.

Q15. How many golf balls can you fit into a school bus?
Sample Answer:
To answer this question, I will need to use a number of assumptions. Having personally sat behind many
school buses on my way to work, I would estimate the average school bus to be 8 feet wide x 7 feet tall by
22 feet long. I now need to convert that into cubic feet, which would be 8 feet x 7 feet x 22 feet = 1,232
cubic feet. I now need to convert this to inches because the volume of one golf ball is approximately 2.5
cubic inches. So, one cubic foot is 12 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches, which equals 1,728 cubic inches. If
I multiply this number by 1,232 cubic feet, I get 2.1 million cubic inches, the approximate volume of the
bus. If I now divide 2.5 cubic inches for the golf ball into the total area of the bus (2.1 million cubic inches),
I will get approximately 840,000 golf balls into the school bus. However, I also need to take into

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consideration the seats and the drivers cab etc, so I would take off 20% for those, leaving me with a
calculated estimate of 670,000 golf balls in the school bus.

Q16. How would you respond to a team member who disagreed with the work you’ve carried out
as a Software Engineer?
Sample Answer:
I have a lot of experience as a Software Engineer, and I feel the work I produce is to a very high standard.
Having said that, I am also aware that when I do work as part of a team, it is important to listen to other
people as they may have valid contributions to make. On that basis, I would certainly be open to listening
to why they felt the work I was carrying out could be altered or improved. At the end of the day, we are all
working for the same organization, and if it means changing the way I do things for the benefit of the team
goal, I will certainly do that.

Q17. How many streetlights are there in this country?

Sample Answer:
There are approximately 70 million leaving in this country, and on average there is one streetlamp for every
two houses. If there are on average four people living in every house, this means there is one streetlamp
for every eight people. If I divide 70 million by 8, this gives approximately 8.75 million streetlamps in this
country.

Q18. Tell me a time when you worked as part of a team to solve a complex task.
Sample Answer:
SITUATION: I was part of a multi-agency project building a software application for an important client.
Towards the end of the project, we encountered a number of bugs and problems with the software
application, and time was against us to get everything fixed before the official handover date.
TASK: I felt it was my responsibility to come up with a solution to get the issues fixed. I stayed behind late
that evening with two other experienced team members to come up with a plan that would ensure the bugs
were not only fully rectified, but that a support system was in place to respond to any future issues if they
were to arise, post-handover.
ACTION: We started off by CREATING A LIST of all bugs and issues. We then attempted to RECREATE
EACH BUG so that we could assess what was causing the issue.

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We managed to recreate all of the bugs and it was then my task to CREATE A TIMESCALE for rectifying
and testing each issue. Once we had a PLAN IN PLACE, we could then allocate tasks to team members
based on their area of technical competence the following morning.
RESULT: By creating a plan of action, and by working closely together as a team, we were able to tap into
the combined team expertise and competence to not only provide a time-sensitive solution to the problem,
but to also implement a support mechanism for our client.

Q19. Why are manhole covers round?

Sample Answer:
They are round because if they were square or rectangular then the cover could fall down the hole and
leave a dangerous situation for pedestrians crossing the road and vehicles. Because they are round, the
cover cannot fall down the hole.

Q20. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Sample Answer:
In five years, I see myself progressing within your organization to the point where I am well-respected in
this software engineering role, but I’ve also taken on further responsibilities. I believe that, in five years’
time, I will have proven myself as an invaluable member of the team. I would also take great pleasure in
assisting the training and development of newer colleagues who occupy a similar software engineering
role.

Q21. How you would handle the stress and pressure of being a Software Engineer?
Sample Answer:
I think as a software engineer, you have to realise that stress and pressure is all part of the role. And in
actual fact, I feel I tend to perform better when I am up against it and there is a definitive timeframe to work
towards. I manage stress in three ways. First and foremost, I ensure I plan my work well in advance, so I
know what I need to do, and by what deadline. By having a plan in place, it means I work more efficiently
and I can decide which tasks need my attention first. The second way I handle stress and pressure, is to
make sure I work closely with other members of the team, and that communication is a constant theme
throughout the day. Finally, I handle stress and pressure by making sure I dedicate some time each week
to keeping up-to-date with developments from within the industry. This gives me the confidence in my role
as a Software Engineer, and it also eliminates any unwelcome surprises when updates do come out or
changes within the industry are released.

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Q22. Why do you want to leave your current job?

Sample Answer:
I want to leave my job because I am looking for a fresh challenge with a company that has exciting and
ambitious plans for the future, and one that will also use my software engineering skills and technical
abilities to the full. My employer has been great, and we have achieved some fantastic things whilst I have
been there, but I am now ready for a new challenge with your company in this role.

Q23. What are your strengths?

Sample Answer:
In particular I have seven key strengths. I have a wide and in-depth technical level of competence in
software engineering. I possess an ANALYTICAL AND INQUISITIVE MIND that means I will always find
the best solution for challenges and problems. I have an ability to WORK HARD TO COMPLETE TASKS
and projects, even whilst under pressure. I have a TRUSTWORTHY AND LOYAL approach to my work,
which means I will never let you down. The ability to PLAN EFFECTIVELY and meet targets is also another
of my key strengths, and I am also someone who can ADAPT TO CHANGE, which I feel is essential within
the this industry. Finally, I am a someone who takes my PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT seriously, which means I will always stay at the forefront of what is happening in the
software engineering industry as it continually changes and develops.

Q24. What are your salary expectations as a Software Engineer?

Sample Answer:
I have carried out some research in relation to the salary for a Software Engineer, and the general range
is between £55,000 and £68,000. Whilst I personally feel I am worth the higher end of the salary range, I
understand you do not know me and I need to prove to you my worth. On that basis, I would be comfortable
with a salary of £63,000 and I believe you will see a positive return on your investment at that amount.
NOTE: Please carry out your own research in relation to the average salary for your Software Engineer job
position with your chosen company and then amend the range accordingly.

Q25. That’s the end of your Software Engineer interview, do you have any questions for the panel?
Sample Answer:
Q. If I am successful, what would you need me to concentrate on within the first few weeks of starting
work?

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Q. What advice would you give to the successful candidate who wants to excel as a Software Engineer for
your organization?
Q. What are the plans or the organization over the next 5 to 10 years and how could I help you to achieve
your goals as a Software Engineer?

How to Use These Interview Questions and Answers:

These interview questions and answers are intended to guide you in your preparation for your job
interview. These questions have been picked by the PassMyInterview team because we believe
that they are the best representative of what you will face in your interview.

The sample answers in this resource are collated from years of experience and research in the
recruitment sector. The answers confidently display the appropriate qualities and competencies
that the interviewer expects from successful candidates.

Read the sample answers carefully, and take note of what skills and competencies they
demonstrate. You might notice that, when the question asks for examples, the answer uses the
STAR method to construct the response:

Situation. Start off your response to the interview question by explaining what the ‘situation’ was
and who was involved.

Task. Once you have detailed the situation, explain what the ‘task’ was, or what needed to be
done.

Action. Now explain what ‘action’ you took, and what action others took. Also explain why you
took this particular course of action.

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Result. Explain to the panel what you would do differently if the same situation arose again. It is
good to be reflective at the end of your responses. This demonstrates a level of maturity and it
will also show the panel that you are willing to learn from every experience.

In order to get the best possible results, apply this system to your own examples and experiences
in working life. These sample answers are intended to inspire you to create your own responses
to the questions.

Disclaimer:
PassMyInterview is not responsible for anyone failing any part of any selection process as a result
of the information contained within this resource. PassMyInterview and their authors cannot
accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions within this resource, however caused. No
responsibility for loss or damage occasioned by any person acting, or refraining from action, as a
result of the material in this publication can be accepted by PassMyInterview.

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