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Summary. Software development is one of the most in-demand careers you can pursue. After all, technology is always changing, and hiring managers are always looking for knowledgeable and adaptable candidates.
Luckily, we’ve got some tips to help you interview better, some common software developer job interview questions, and advice that can help you land your dream job.
As a candidate, your interviewer will assess your experience with common programming languages (i.e. Java, Python, etc.) and other technical skills, as well as ensure you're an adaptable problem-solver.
As an interviewer, look for candidates who can communicate effectively, perform under pressure, and has the necessary experience to work with the tools used at your company.
All of the possible Interview questions for the Software Developer job might seem overwhelming at first, but there are some effective steps you can take to prepare:
As a CandidateResearch. Look into the company you're applying for and try to discover the programming language they use, they're debugging methods, and more. Going into your interview with this knowledge will make it easier to talk about your relevant skills.
Problem-solving Examples. Think of a time you were able to uncover an issue with software, and then successfully resolve the issue. This will show the hiring manager that you have what it takes to change and maintain software.
Adaptability. The software field is always changing and being affected by new innovations. Ensure you're clear about your dedication to keeping up with trends and learning how to work with new tools. If possible, give an example of how you've done this already.
Review the Job Description. Use the job description to construct your ideal candidate, but do not overlook candidates who are proven to be good communicators and quick learners.
Explain Responsibilities. Ensure your candidates are aware of the responsibilities they would have as a software developer. Additionally, talk about the team they would be a part of, or if they'd be working solo.
Provide a Timeline. Provide your prospective software developer with an accurate hiring process timeline.
Tell me about yourself. Interviews are an opportunity for your potential employer to get to know you beyond your resume, so they’ll usually open with a question like this one.
Example Answer:
“I’m a software developer who has been working in the field for eight years. I’m passionate about creating quality products that meet all of the customer’s needs, and I love learning new techniques and technologies that allow me to make that happen.”
Tell me about your experience as a software developer. Hiring managers want to hear about your professional experience, so give them the highlights of your resume as well as what you learned in each role. Include the schools where you studied and any relevant volunteer work you’ve done as well.
Example Answer:
“In 2012, I graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in software development, and from there I went straight into an internship at Chicago Technologies. During the year I was there, I learned how to develop software at a professional level and got practice communicating with clients and estimating projects.”
“After that, I started working at Illinois Software Company as a junior developer. A year into that job, I was promoted to senior developer, which meant I handled my own projects and checked the junior developers’ before they went to the client. I held that position until the company went under last month.”
Why did you become a software developer? This is another question that allows your interviewers to get to know you better, and it also reveals what drives you to do your work and which areas you’re most passionate about.
Example Answer:
“I’ve loved working with computers since I was young, and that, coupled with my love of building things and solving problems, led me to begin college as a software engineering major. I continued to fall in love with the field as I completed my coursework, and that’s only continued as I’ve begun my career.”
What is your greatest strength as a software developer? When you answer this question, be careful not to sound full of yourself while still being honest.
Hiring managers want to hire the best candidate, and it’s up to you to show them that you’re that candidate. Try to find a strength that makes you unique in order to make yourself more memorable.
Example Answer:
“I’m able to give accurate project estimates. My supervisor at my internship worked with me on this so that I learned how to do it well. Then at my last company, I became the person who checked everyone else’s estimates before they sent them off to our supervisor.”
What is your greatest weakness as a software developer? Nobody’s perfect, and your interviewers aren’t expecting you to be.
They just want to know what your imperfections are and what you do to overcome them. So, be honest, but always end by explaining the steps you’re taking to make sure your weaknesses don’t affect your work.
Example Answer:
“I tend to spend too much time on some tasks and not leave enough for others, so I created a calendar where I can block out when I’ll work on which project. I set timers to go off in the middle and end of each block so that I know when I need to start wrapping it up.”
“If I need to, I can always go back and spend more time on something, but this way I don’t miss any smaller tasks that needed to get done that day.”
Tell me about a time when you faced a problem with a project. How did you solve it? Problems will always come at the most unexpected times, and your potential employer wants to know how you’ll handle it.
Using the STAR method, tell a story about when this actually happened to you, remembering to include the end result of your actions.
Example Answer:
“In one of my projects during my internship, there was a bug that I couldn’t figure out how to fix.”
“After checking and rechecking my work and trying every trick I knew, I went to the more experienced designers and asked if they had any advice. One of them was kind enough to teach me how to fix it, and I’ve used his advice many times since then. I’ve even gotten to pass it on to other young developers.”
Have you ever disagreed with a decision your boss made? How did you handle it? In any job, you aren’t always going to agree with your boss, and interviewers want to know how you’ll respond when this happens.
Example Answer:
“During my first year at Midwest Programming, my boss assigned a project to a colleague of mine that I knew I would be better at and had more time to complete.”
“I asked to speak with her privately, and I politely told her that I’d love the opportunity to do more projects with that particular feature in the future. I also asked if there was anything I could do to improve in that area to make it possible.”
“She said that I was already good at it and that she wanted to give the project to my colleague so he could practice. She told me she was giving me a project with features I hadn’t seen before so that I could try something new but that she’d keep my preference in mind for the next time.”
Tell me about a time you completed a project and your customer didn’t like it. How did you handle it? Again, make sure you share the details about what you did to solve the problem and the results of your efforts.
Example Answer:
“I had one project where my customer came back with multiple complaints about the way I had structured the program. I met all of their requirements, but they still didn’t like it.”
“Instead of arguing, I apologized and invited them to meet with me and explain exactly what they didn’t like and what they wanted to see instead. I then made the fixes as quickly as I could and asked them to give me feedback after they received the product. They were pleased, and even came back with another order a few months later.”
Tell me about a mistake you made while working as a software developer. How did you handle it? Because you aren’t perfect, you’re going to make mistakes. Hiring managers know that, and they want to see how you’ll respond.
Example Answer:
“During my time as manager, I realized that a program I had just approved was missing some key features the client had asked for. Unfortunately, the employee who was running the program had just left for the evening, and I knew he wouldn’t have time to add in the features before he had to send it to the client.”
“I quickly messaged him to explain what happened, and I called the client to explain that we would be getting most of their program to them the next day, but that we would have to work on it a little longer to make sure we had included everything they asked for. I apologized and offered them a discount, and thankfully they weren’t upset.”
“After that, I started scheduling mid-project meetings with my developers to make sure we were on track to hit the client’s checklist, and I haven’t missed anything since.”
What do you like best about being a software developer? This is another question interviewers use to get to know you and what areas and projects you might be interested in in the future.
Example Answer:
“I love getting to create a product that solves a problem for someone. My favorite part of the process is sitting down with the client’s list of requests and coming up with ideas to meet all of them in the most effective way possible.”
What do you like least about being a software developer? No job is perfect, and your interviewers want to hear how you overcome the less fun parts to make sure that you aren’t accidentally applying for a position you’ll hate. Be honest in your answer, but remain positive.
Example Answer:
“While I generally enjoy all of my job, the part I find most draining is estimating projects for customers. I don’t mind doing it, but I enjoy actually creating the software much more.”
What is your greatest accomplishment? Hiring managers know what’s on your resume, but they want to hear what you’re proudest of. Plus, this gives you the opportunity to talk about an accomplishment that may not look as impressive on your resume as it actually was.
Example Answer:
“Having my work recognized by the CEO of the company at our annual conference last year was my greatest accomplishment. It may not sound like much, but being one of five people he called out as examples of excellence at a company of 2,000 employees was a huge honor.”
Where do you see yourself in five years? Interviewers want to hear about your goals and aspirations. They want to know if you’re looking to move up in the company or simply to gain experience and move on.
Neither one is wrong, and some companies don’t have a preference on which you plan to do, but they like to have an idea of where you’re headed.
Example Answer:
“In five years I hope to be working for your organization, perhaps as a manager or on my way to becoming one. I love developing software, but I also love working with people, and I think management would be a good fit for me once I have some leadership experience.”
Why do you want to work here? When you answer this question, try to be as specific as possible about what attracted you to this particular position. This shows that you’re invested in being a part of the company, not just looking for a paycheck from anyone who will give it to you.
Example Answer:
“I saw that your company emphasizes excellence and relationships. I believe that both of those values are vital to the success of an organization, even though it may seem like they can’t go hand in hand. I would love to be a part of furthering a company that believes in this as well.”
Walk me through your process for estimating a project. Interviewers will often ask you technical questions to make sure that you actually do know what you’re doing and that you’ll fit well with the way their particular company operates. Include as many relevant details as possible when you answer.
Example Answer:
“I start by asking the client a series of questions about what they want from the product. I then use that to estimate the base amount of time the project will take, and then I check the team’s queue to see how busy we are. Finally, I add a little extra time for unexpected problems and bugs, and then I provide the estimate.”
Walk me through your process for completing a project. Your answer to this question can reveal a lot about your work style, personality, and diligence. Be as detailed as you can to provide a complete picture about how you go about your work.
Example Answer:
“After I receive the requirements and make my estimate, I break the project down into phases. I then look at my schedule and set soft deadlines for each phase, being sure to leave room for hiccups or other urgent tasks. I also leave time to check my work for bugs and to iron those out.”
How do you make yourself a better software developer? Companies want employees who are actively growing and learning on their own.
When you answer this question, describe the practical steps you take to make sure you’re always improving, whether that’s by taking classes, reading books, or talking with mentors.
Example Answer:
“I make it a goal to take four professional development classes a year, whether those cover soft or technical skills. I actually just finished one on communication strategies, and I’m talking with my mentor about what he would recommend I take next.”
The field of software development is always changing. How do you go about staying on top of it? Your potential employer doesn’t want you to become obsolete, so they need to know that they can trust you to stay up on trends, best practices, and new technology on your own.
Provide the names of publications you read and other sources you follow and how often you do so.
Example Answer:
“I have subscriptions to the SD Times and CODE Magazine, and I read several others regularly. I try to set aside two hours every other week to catch up on reading and to watch any relevant lectures that my university’s software engineering program posts.”
Tell me about your preferred programming languages. If you’re interviewing with a potential future boss or manager, they’re probably going to ask you a question like this to make sure you know what you’re talking about and to make sure that your work style and preferences will match the department’s.
Try to end your answer by explaining that you’re willing to learn and adapt.
Example Answer:
“My favorites are C++ and Python because I’m most comfortable with them, but I’m also familiar with Go and Java, and I’m willing to use and improve at any of them.”
You get a call that there’s a bug in one of our programs that needs to be fixed right away, but it’s 6:00 a.m., and you don’t start work until 8:00 a.m. What do you do? Interviewers want to know if you’ll be a team player willing to jump in and solve problems at a moment’s notice.
Example Answer:
“I’d let them know that I’ll be there as soon as I can and then hop in the car to go fix it.”
Which life cycle models have you used, and which do you prefer? When you answer this question, be truthful about your experience, and look for ways to show that you’re adaptable and willing to use whatever the company prefers.
Example Answer:
“I’ve mainly used the Agile model, and I prefer it because I’m most familiar with it, but I’ve also used the spiral model. I actually used only the spiral model in my first job, and then I had to learn the Agile model for my next one, and I’ve been using it for four years now.”
How do you ensure an application is bug-free? Your potential employer wants to hear how you ensure you’re providing high quality work. Detail your process to make sure they understand how you cross your t’s and dot your i’s.
Example Answer:
“First of all, I test my code as I go to make sure I don’t get too far with an error in it. Once I’ve finished, I like to run it through Sentry to make sure that it’s good to go.”
Tell me about a time you helped out a team member. Employees who are good team members are valuable to companies, so they want to see how you’ve demonstrated this quality in the past. Again, use the STAR method to answer a behavioral interview question like this.
Example Answer:
“During my internship, another intern had been struggling to remove some bugs from a program and then was assigned another high-priority project. He was totally overwhelmed, and I had a light load, so I asked what I could do to help. I worked with him the rest of the day and even stayed late, and he finished both projects on time.”
Tell me about a time you were under a lot of pressure. How did you handle it? Work can be stressful, and hiring managers want to know how you’ll handle that stress.
Tell a specific story that highlights this. Remember to include what created the high-pressure situation, what you did about it, and how it turned out.
Example Answer:
“Last year, my company had us revamp their entire software system. I was the team lead, so it was up to me to make sure we did it well and on time. To do this, I made sure I blocked out time on my schedule to work on it and collaborated with my team to set reasonable deadlines for each part of the project.”
“I held regular meetings to make sure everyone was on the right track, and I stayed in close contact with my supervisor so that he wouldn’t be surprised by anything. I also knew I needed to stay healthy, so I focused on getting extra sleep at home and drinking water instead of coffee.”
“It was a stressful two months, but we launched a high-quality product on time.”
What is your ideal work environment? Interviewers often want to know if you work best by yourself or on a team, or in a quiet office or a collaborative workspace. Tell the truth about where you work best, but make sure you don’t sound inflexible.
Example Answer:
“I tend to work best in an area where I can find some peace and quiet but still have access to people, because I enjoy bouncing ideas off of my colleagues from time to time. I’ve been successful in a cubicle, in a private office, and in a bullpen.”
What is your ideal management style to work under? One of the main purposes of an interview is to see if you’d be a good cultural fit for the organization, department, and team. As a result, your interviewers will want to see if you’d do well under your potential manager or not.
Example Answer:
“My managers have all varied widely in their management styles, and I’ve gotten along well with each of them, but I work best under someone who will set a specific goal and then trust me to figure out how to get there.”
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker. How did you handle it? No one gets along perfectly all the time, and this is especially true when you stick people together in stressful situations day in and day out.
Conflict happens, and hiring managers want to know how you’ll handle it by looking at how you’ve responded to it in the past.
Example Answer:
“At my last job, I had a coworker who decided that we were always competing. It even went so far that she would take my tasks off of our project management system and do them for me.”
“One day I asked if I could talk to her alone, where I politely asked her about it. I found out that she was upset that I had been placed on that particular project and she hadn’t, so I offered to recommend her for the next one. She was grateful, and we didn’t have any problems after.”
How do you decide if a project is finished? If you’re looking for perfection, it’s all too easy to let projects drag on and on while you search for it. That’s not how companies make money, though, so your potential employer wants to see that you know how to balance doing good work and knowing when to move on to the next assignment.
Example Answer:
“I create a checklist for myself that includes the client’s requests and steps such as running a debugger two separate times. Once I check off all of those boxes and I feel generally good about the project, I decide it’s finished.”
What personal projects are you working on? The best software developers often work on their own side projects during their free time. Share how your passion affects other areas of your life with your interviewers.
Example Answer:
“I try to fix and add to source code while I’m sitting at home watching TV. I’m also working on coding a program that will allow me to sort and store my personal photos.”
Why should we hire you? Companies want the best candidate, and now is the time for you to explain why you’re the best. Think of what makes you unique and focus on that while remaining factual to avoid sounding overconfident.
Example Answer:
“I believe that I could put my unique experience in both software development and customer service roles to work furthering your organization. The combination of my people skills and technical skills would allow you to create stronger relationships with your clients all while providing an excellent product.”
Can you describe the last project you worked on?
What design patterns do you use the most and why?
What is your approach to software testing?
How would you explain technical challenges to stakeholders who don't share your software knowledge and background?
Would you consider yourself a team-player?
If you ran into an issue would you attempt to solve it yourself or reach out for help?
Would you prefer a “startup" company environment or in a more established atmosphere?
Tell me about the main responsibilities you had at your previous job.
Have you ever had issues with scaling projects in the past, and if so, how did you solve them?
How much would you say you code on a daily basis?