5 Tech Interview Questions and Answers

When going into a technical interview, it is not uncommon to be filled with stress and nerves. Not only are you expected to have behavioral knowledge, but you must use your quick-thinking and problem-solving skills to answer technical and specific questions. However, with proper preparation and extensive background knowledge, this process can become quite simple. Below, we’ve provided examples of common tech interview questions and answers to help ease some of the stress and uncertainty.  

Questions and Answers 

What sort of programming languages are you most experienced with? 

This is an extremely common question that tech companies will likely ask. . Most applicants list the languages they are adept with on their resume, but it is beneficial to explain your familiarity with each. In a developer survey done by Stack Overflow, JavaScript is the most common programming language in the world (69.7%), followed by HTML/CSS (62.4%), Python (41.6%), and Java (38.4%). Doing research on the company you are applying to beforehand is essential, as every tech company utilizes a combination of various programming languages. You will want to speak to your respective skills in each area, where applicable. For example, IBM uses Java most predominantly, while Dell utilizes JavaScript, and HP focuses primarily on C++. It is important to consider the type of job you are applying for too, as different languages are best suited for unique tasks like front-end or back-end development. While it is best to have general knowledge of every major language, make sure to talk about your experience and expertise with the language that best first the job’s duties.  

How have past coding projects helped mold your experience? 

This is a question that can be shifted into a technical response by talking about past coding projects that you have exceeded in. This can either be a project with a previous company, or a personal project you have been working on in your free time. It is most beneficial to talk about an experience that relates to the goals of the company, and this is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your skillset. A great hub to use for storing and displaying past projects is Git. One study shows that 92% of developers say distributed version control systems (Git repositories) help with managing and keeping track of their projects, which can be helpful to refer to during an interview. You can demonstrate your capability of being organized, creative, and efficient while also explaining your skills in the coding project.  

How would you solve this coding problem? 

Every interview pertaining to programming or software engineering will have some sort of specific question that relates to a code. This will test your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while also letting you display your knowledge. It is important to be thorough and direct with your answers, but don’t rush through the process, as a proper balance of quantity and quality are needed. In a large survey, it was found that coding interviews that led to job offers were around 2,045 characters long, while unsuccessful ones averaged out to about 1,760 characters. This means that interviews that had more lines of total code were much more successful than those that had less depth. Make sure you are answering the prompt in its entirety while also being mindful of time to truly demonstrate your skillset. Websites such as Udemy, LeetCode, and Educative are common examples of good places to start practicing common coding questions asked by tech companies.  

Tell me about some of your strengths and weaknesses. 

This question is seen in every interview for any job where candidates are asked to talk about not only their hard skills, but their soft skills, too. It is vital to highlight your certifications and awards while also demonstrating your strengths in areas such as teamwork, leadership, communication, adaptability, and time management. Companies will want an employee who is not only well-versed in technical knowledge, but also has the basic soft skills that translate to further success within the company. When referring to weaknesses, it is a clever idea to explain how you are willing to grow or answer the question in a way that does not sound negative or self-deprecating. For example, saying “I tend to overthink things and spend a longer amount of time on certain projects, but I am working on being mindful of that in my daily work” shows you are self-aware and already thinking of ways to improve. 

How do you stay up to date with emerging trends and technology? 

As technology continues to evolve, demonstrating that you recognize change and will keep up with the changing times will help you look appealing to employers. Common technologies being rapidly innovated by major tech companies include artificial intelligence, smart devices, virtual reality, blockchain, cybersecurity, and computing power. Explaining that you are continuously familiarizing yourself with these changes will not only make you more marketable but will help your success in the future as these processes continue to evolve. Speak about some of the current trends you have seen, and how your understanding gives you an edge over other potential candidates.  

BCTG Can Help 

While there is no way to be certain what will be asked in a technical interview, keeping these five frequent tech interview questions and answers in mind can help better prepare you for your next interview. Read trends online, keep practicing your coding skills, and do extensive background research on the job and company you are applying to. With these ideas in mind, your next technical interview should be easy and stress-free.  

To learn more about tech interview questions and answers, reach out to the experts at Bull City Talent Group.