At Company ABC we prefer to hire those with an education in computer science or another related field. Walk me through your post-secondary education and training.

"I completed my Bachelor of Applied Technology from Carnegie Mellon University in 2004. During that time I specialized in Data Management and Analysis. I graduated with a 3.99 GPA, one of the top in my class."

The interviewer will likely have an idea of your education background from your resume. What they are asking is for you to take a few minutes to bring the experience to life for them! What was your major? Did you receive any special academic recognition? Discuss the strengths gained during your post-secondary training and how those skills will be used in your new position with Company ABC.

"I recently completed my Diploma in Information Technology. I also have a great deal of on the job training and certifications, all listed on my resume. One of the biggest take-away's from my post-secondary experience was learning how to manage my time while working on multiple projects successfully. I perfected my multi-tasking skills and look forward to bringing those to work for Company ABC."

What would you consider your technical specialty?

"Computing and Network Communications has always been a solid area for me. I have a big interest in how network communication improves our daily lives and our overall business efficiency. I see that you are looking for team members who are experts in network communications which is what caught my eye when I first saw your job posting."

Do you have any particular areas of interest or ability? Talk to the interviewer about your strengths and be sure to highlight any specific skills that you excel in. It's a great idea, if you can, to highlight particular skills that may be listed on the company's job posting/job description. If there is a related area of interest where you'd like to expand your skills, you can mention those as well.

"I have been focusing my career on becoming a cloud integration specialist although I do have cross-platform app development expertise as well."

We seek to hire highly ambitious people. Where would you like your career with Company ABC take you?

"One of the reasons I was so excited to interview with Company ABC is because of the endless growth opportunities you appear to offer your high performing employees. My biggest ambition is to be awarded a management role in the next 3-5 years."

Have you researched Company ABC enough to know how their internal hierarchy works? Do they have a variety of departments and management levels, offering you choices when it comes to carving out your career path? Talk to the interviewer about your career ambitions specifically related to this role and their organization.

"What interests me most about your company is that there are so many options when it comes to career growth. Ideally, I would like to earn my way into a team lead role, then a division manager position in the digital management department. Eventually, a CDO (Chief Data Officer) level role would be ideal. Of course, I understand that this will take many years of dedication and hard work."

This role with Company ABC is highly technical. What is your understanding of this position and the responsibilities that come with it?

"From our previous conversation, understanding the job description, and researching the role online I feel that the job is best described as a project leader focused on X, Y, and Z. The technical requirements that you would like to see are A, B, and C. I am well versed in the tasks and programs you are asking for and am confident that I meet the strict requirements to perform in this role successfully."

Assure the interviewer that you bring a full understanding of the technical requirements attached to this particular job. It is essential that you research the role and thoroughly consume the information provided in the company's job posting/job description. Keep your answer to the point.

"My understanding is that you seek a candidate with expert level skills in X, Y, and Z, who can train junior employees. I am an expert user in all three of these areas. Do you have any questions about my technical expertise?"

In your opinion, what has been the biggest advancement in technology this past year?

"There have been so many great advancements in technology this year. Recently, I was reading an article by MIT Technology Review and was amazed at the incredible advancements this year. The one that stood out most to me was the autopilot software update released by Tesla this year. We truly will have the software for vehicles to be controlled by tech rather than humans."

Display to the interviewer that you have an invested interest in the technology industry by discussing your thoughts on recent advancements. Be sure to include how you stay up to date on industry changes and new technology.

"The most impressive advancement in technology, in my opinion, is the continued advancement of mobile integration. Tech connects most of the modern world, and we can do absolutely everything from our phones these days."

Tell me about the most interesting project you have worked on this year and the biggest thing you learned from it.

"In my previous role we were working on a variety of projects with fingerprint recognition software. One of the most interesting projects was a fingerprint-based ATM system. It was a test project for a large banking institution. In addition to learning a great deal about fingerprint recognition, I was also able to learn a lot about the critical relationship between software and security."

Discuss with the interviewer one of your recent projects that particularly piqued your interest. Did it stretch you professionally? What was the biggest takeaway for you from that particular project?

"I find the majority of the projects that I have been working on this past year to be very interesting. If I had to choose one, I would choose to work on the Uber app. Since I am still in my internship, I didn't have any major contributions; however, I learned a lot about on-demand apps and building a friendly user interface."

At Company ABC we take pride in our ability to stay one step ahead of our competitors. How will you contribute to this trend?

"I believe the best way to stay ahead of your competitors is to pay a big amount of attention to the fine details. When you put out a great product, others will try to mimic your work, but they will cut corners because they will feel rushed to get it out on the marketplace first. I will contribute to the success of Company ABC by committing my most attentive work to you every day."

It is critical that you research Company ABC and their most vigorous competitors, before your interview. What does Company ABC do best, and who is trying to do it better? Speak openly with the interviewer about your ability to work competitively and how you plan to contribute to their continued success.

"I think that the best way to stay ahead of competitors is to keep your projects as simple as possible while remaining innovative. People want simple, easy products, which they can understand. What I've seen from my competitors lately is that they overcomplicate their products. I offer clean and consistent work that your buyers would relate to."

Looking at our products and services, what do you think we do better at Company ABC than any of our competitors?

"When I was preparing for this interview I noticed that Company ABC was recently recognized for innovation in XYZ. You are a trailblazer in this particular arena which is amazing."

Before your interview, be sure to research Company ABC and any awards or recognition they have recently received. In their industry, and competitive space, where do they stand out? Be sure to speak positively about the organization's recent achievements to show that you are interested and engaged in their work.

"After reading reviews on your company, I believe that your reputation is the most solid and sincere of all your competitors. Amazing service is always the best way to stand out."

At Company ABC we take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Are you willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement, if hired?

"I have signed non-disclosure agreements in the past; although I am not currently under one. I see the importance of agreements such as this and am most willing to comply."

Signing a non-disclosure agreement is quite common in the software and technology industry. If hired, you will likely become privy to trade secrets, pending patents, and other innovative projects that must remain confidential. Talk to the interviewer about your willingness to sign an agreement. If you are currently under non-disclosure or non-compete agreement with your present employer, now is the time to discuss that.

"I am happy to review any privacy and confidentiality agreements that you have."

We consider research to be the backbone of what we do at Company ABC. Do you think it's important to conduct research before beginning a project or would you rather jump right in?

"I agree that research is the backbone of a strong project. Without it, important details are missed and much time is wasted. I like to research before starting a project so that I can lay out a plan and understand the potential hurdles as well."

Talk to the interviewer about your work habits and the way in which you prefer to approach a new project. If you have a sense of how Company ABC prefers to approach their work you should discuss that method. For instance, if the interviewer tells you that they prefer extensive research before beginning a project, that is your queue to talk about your excellent research skills.

"Although there are some instances where jumping right it may be required, I always prefer to research before I being a project. Rest assured; I would always follow your preferred methods, should I be hired."

I would like to have a full understanding of your experience and portfolio. What types of industries have your previous projects been involved in?

"I have experience in a wide range of industries including healthcare, automotive, and education. Most notably, I have worked with organizations similar to yours including Company ABC and Company XYZ."

The software and technology industry is all-encompassing, and it is essential for the interviewer to have a full understanding of the sectors and types of projects in which you bring experience. Be sure to highlight any projects or clients mainly related to Company ABC as that may pique the interviewer's interest!

A great alternative to explaining your projects is to bring a substantial portfolio with you. "I wanted to show you a full range of my experience, so I have brought you a digital portfolio of my work. Would you like to take a look?"

Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.

"The greatest accomplishment in my career was graduating University as an honors student while still working full time in a related field. I was top of my class, and working full time. This accomplishment showed me that I could dedicate myself to my career, and reach the goals that I set for myself. It felt great to accomplish so much and be recognized for my dedication."

Talking about your most significant accomplishment will give the interviewer a firm idea of where you place your values. It will also show the interviewer more about your personality, how you like to be motivated, and how to coach you in the future. It is okay to brag a little bit when answering this question. Show that you are proud of yourself and your career accomplishments!

"My greatest work-related accomplishment was the management promotion I received at Company X after just one year. I worked very hard for that promotion and was so happy when my work and dedication was rewarded. It kick-started my career."

Working at Company ABC, you will experience changes on a regular basis. When have you had to change a major component of your project due to new information being presented?

"I had a large project last month that was nearly complete when the client called to say that the dimensions provided were incorrect. Because of this, our team had to re-do the entire proposal. It took us an additional four days of work but, in the end, the client was delighted with our work, and it resulted in new opportunities with them."

Being able to swivel the focus of your project is a necessary skill for your success in most careers. Talk to the interviewer about a time when a significant change occurred on a project. How did you handle the implementation of the new information?

"I would say that being in the software and technology business means changing major components on projects on a very regular basis. I am very well accustomed to changing gears on a moment's notice and can adapt very well." (Give a recent example, if you are able)

At Company ABC we value organization. Tell us about a time when you were particularly effective on prioritizing tasks and completing a project on schedule.

"Last week I was asked to lead our team while our manager was away. I created a checklist of things that needed to be completed to reach our deadlines. I gathered the team to discuss our goals and asked for input and ideas to get us there. It was a great experience for me because not only was I able to exercise my leadership capabilities; I was also able to learn more about prioritizing, from my team."

An interviewer needs to hear that you have a plan in place to keep yourself organized. Start off by mentioning that you are typically an organized person. From here, dive into a recent time-consuming project that you were involved with. You might say, 'I recently was involved with a project that required 30 hours of my time in a two week period while I was also in the middle of several other projects.' Tell the interviewer that you started off by ensuring you had your schedule mapped out before you dove into your workload. Discuss if you made a to-do list, updated your calendar, or created a color-coded agenda. Share whatever organization method worked for you! Next, tell the interviewer how you prioritized the work. You may share that each day you sat down to determine the urgent needs for that day and marked them with a letter A. Perhaps you identified anything that would be nice to get done that day with a letter B. And, maybe you just left everything else that could wait for another day unmarked. Tell the interviewer how you diligently stuck with this plan for the duration of the project and how it allowed you to complete the project on time without any stress successfully.

If you could start your career over again, what direction would you take?

"I certainly do not regret the direction I have taken my career; however, if I had to start over in a new direction completely I would likely pursue my Degree in Education and become a teacher. Both of my parents were teachers, and they seemed to have a very fulfilling career. I enjoy coaching and leading others so, any tasks in my current career that related to these skills, are very welcome."

A hiring manager will be able to tell a lot about your personality by learning about your other career interests. If you could do anything over, what would you do, and why?

"I cannot even think of another career than the one that I have! If I had to choose, I would pursue a career in the arts so that I could continue to exercise my creative side."

Who would you say inspires you?

"I find inspiration in a variety of people and things. I would have to say that the person who has most greatly inspired me has been my grandmother. She always had a smile on her face no matter how hard she worked and she loved everyone. She was well respected and always gave more than she received. I try to live like her as much as I can."

Your life's inspiration can come from a book, a mentor, your family, a celebrity, author - literally anyone! Talk to the interviewer about who has inspired your life and why.

"I am continually inspired by the books that I read! Whether it is the author, or the characters themselves, I love to get lost in a good novel for inspiration."

What experience do you have using team-based messaging applications?

"I have used a variety of team-based messaging applications. I am best versed in Brosix, AOL Instant Messenger, and Freedcamp. No matter which system you use I am sure that I can pick it up very quickly."

There are many options for communication software and messaging applications. Give the interviewer a brief overview of the apps you are experienced in and assure them that you can learn their internal system, should it be new to you.

"Although I have not worked with a team based messaging application, I am confident that I would learn very quickly. Which team based messaging apps do you use at Company ABC? I would love to get a head start and begin learning."

Culture fit is important to us at Company ABC. How would you describe your personality?

"I would describe my personality as approachable, light-hearted, and positive. I believe that, if asked, my colleagues and supervisor would say the same about me."

Personality and character are two very different things. The interviewer is looking for more information on your traits vs. your integrity. This answer could include buzzwords such as introverted, energetic, and confident.

Try to include a variety of words that the interviewer does not hear all the time. Be unique! Here are some ideas: - Adaptable - Considerate - Diligent - Intuitive - Persistent - Resourceful - Sincere - Witty

We encourage innovation at Company ABC. When have you created a new product or service?

"In my previous role I was fortunate enough to introduce my company to the idea of a gold level service where, in addition to our general customer service, we added on service options. Our customer base responded very positively, and we kept the program running for a few years."

Using your creative mind, have you ever introduced an employer to a new product or service opportunity? Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have created a new product or service.

"In my current position, I create new products and services nearly every week! The most recent product that I created was X. Our customers received it well, and we are continuing to expand on the product now."

At Company ABC we seek to hire leaders. Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work related procedures.

"I was able to present and implement one specific change in the office this past year. It was a recycling program that I felt was very important, even for our smaller office. We had significantly less waste after my initiative was implemented and I enjoyed seeing others take pride in helping our environment."

Have you ever taken the opportunity to present your employer with potential change? Talk to the hiring manager about a time when you took the initiative in the workplace.

"I recently made suggestions to my manager about the team messaging application we were using. I found a team based app that offered a lower monthly cost, with added features. He took the suggestion, and it has worked well for our team! The company was happy with the cost savings as well."

"As a leader of a Client Relations Team, I was always looking for ways to improve processes and reduce the time my team spent away from actively selling. I devised a procedure for the early detection of at-risk client renewals. My team appreciated the streamlined efforts and it reduced stress and internal fire drills, giving us more time to strategize to save the deal."

What do you think you will like about this role with Company ABC?

"I look forward to helping companies by analyzing data that will help them make solid decisions surrounding their digital future."

The interviewer wants to hear what you are looking forward to learning and experiencing in this new position. Talk about what excites you! Share how this position will challenge you and help you grow. New opportunities are a chance for you to demonstrate your skills.

"I am looking forward to getting more experience in UI, and feel that Company ABC is the best place for me. You have a great reputation for creating beautiful and easy to use products."

How do you keep up-to-date on new technologies and trends in this industry?

"I keep up to date on new technologies and trends through a variety of sources. I follow three different blogs from industry leaders as well as read multiple articles online per week."

One way that a potential employer will gauge 'fit' is by ensuring that you are passionate about your particular industry. Show the interviewer that you are passionate about your industry by openly discussing how you stay on top of industry trends.

"I keep up on new trends in this industry by taking additional coursework online, whenever possible. I also follow a few of my favorite influencers on social media."

Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?

"I never have, to my knowledge, broken a confidentiality agreement. Despite my reasons for leaving a position, I would never choose to hurt a previous employer in any way."

Companies will have confidentiality agreements for a variety of reasons. These could be to protect their trade secrets or to ensure that you do not bring clients over on the occasion that you leave their company. Talk to the interviewer about your thoughts on confidentiality agreements.

"A confidentiality agreement has never bound me; however, I would never knowingly break an agreement."

How do you define success?

"I define success by my ability to reach the goals that are set out for me. On a personal level, the things I wish to achieve in my life. On a work level, the targets that are set out for me as well as the professional development that I seek."

What does success mean to you? Tell the interviewer how you see success and be sure to tie your answer into the success that you plan to bring to this particular position, should you be offered the role.

"I consider a project a success only when I have produced work that I can be proud of."

We want to hire people at Company ABC who have the desire to lead others. How many people did you supervise at your last position?

"Currently, I am supervising 12 employees with an overall portfolio responsibility of $24MM. In my role, before this one, I managed 23 employees but with a smaller portfolio of $6MM. I can handle a large range of employees."

Discuss with the interviewer your level of responsibility in your current position. If you have managed larger teams than you currently are, you can also discuss that particular role from your work history.

"Although I did not officially supervise anyone in my most recent position, I always had my eye out for opportunities to lead or mentor the more junior staff."

What are your salary expectations?

"Currently, I earn a base salary of $66,000 per year plus health benefits. I would like to stay in the same range or slightly higher."

The best way to discuss your salary expectations is to use your current earnings as an example. Be open, and honest. Transparency is the best choice when salary based questions arise.

"I am looking for a base salary of $68-72,000 in my next position."

Software and Technology Interview Questions

Go Back

1. At Company ABC we prefer to hire those with an education in computer science or another related field. Walk me through your post-secondary education and training.
2. What would you consider your technical specialty?
3. We seek to hire highly ambitious people. Where would you like your career with Company ABC take you?
4. This role with Company ABC is highly technical. What is your understanding of this position and the responsibilities that come with it?
5. In your opinion, what has been the biggest advancement in technology this past year?
6. Tell me about the most interesting project you have worked on this year and the biggest thing you learned from it.
7. At Company ABC we take pride in our ability to stay one step ahead of our competitors. How will you contribute to this trend?
8. Looking at our products and services, what do you think we do better at Company ABC than any of our competitors?
9. At Company ABC we take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Are you willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement, if hired?
10. We consider research to be the backbone of what we do at Company ABC. Do you think it's important to conduct research before beginning a project or would you rather jump right in?
11. I would like to have a full understanding of your experience and portfolio. What types of industries have your previous projects been involved in?
12. Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.
13. Working at Company ABC, you will experience changes on a regular basis. When have you had to change a major component of your project due to new information being presented?
14. At Company ABC we value organization. Tell us about a time when you were particularly effective on prioritizing tasks and completing a project on schedule.
15. If you could start your career over again, what direction would you take?
16. Who would you say inspires you?
17. What experience do you have using team-based messaging applications?
18. Culture fit is important to us at Company ABC. How would you describe your personality?
19. We encourage innovation at Company ABC. When have you created a new product or service?
20. At Company ABC we seek to hire leaders. Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work related procedures.
21. What do you think you will like about this role with Company ABC?
22. How do you keep up-to-date on new technologies and trends in this industry?
23. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?
24. How do you define success?
25. We want to hire people at Company ABC who have the desire to lead others. How many people did you supervise at your last position?
26. What are your salary expectations?

Software and Technology Interview Questions

1. At Company ABC we prefer to hire those with an education in computer science or another related field. Walk me through your post-secondary education and training.

2. What would you consider your technical specialty?

3. We seek to hire highly ambitious people. Where would you like your career with Company ABC take you?

4. This role with Company ABC is highly technical. What is your understanding of this position and the responsibilities that come with it?

5. In your opinion, what has been the biggest advancement in technology this past year?

6. Tell me about the most interesting project you have worked on this year and the biggest thing you learned from it.

7. At Company ABC we take pride in our ability to stay one step ahead of our competitors. How will you contribute to this trend?

8. Looking at our products and services, what do you think we do better at Company ABC than any of our competitors?

9. At Company ABC we take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Are you willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement, if hired?

10. We consider research to be the backbone of what we do at Company ABC. Do you think it's important to conduct research before beginning a project or would you rather jump right in?

11. I would like to have a full understanding of your experience and portfolio. What types of industries have your previous projects been involved in?

12. Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.

13. Working at Company ABC, you will experience changes on a regular basis. When have you had to change a major component of your project due to new information being presented?

14. At Company ABC we value organization. Tell us about a time when you were particularly effective on prioritizing tasks and completing a project on schedule.

15. If you could start your career over again, what direction would you take?

16. Who would you say inspires you?

17. What experience do you have using team-based messaging applications?

18. Culture fit is important to us at Company ABC. How would you describe your personality?

19. We encourage innovation at Company ABC. When have you created a new product or service?

20. At Company ABC we seek to hire leaders. Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work related procedures.

21. What do you think you will like about this role with Company ABC?

22. How do you keep up-to-date on new technologies and trends in this industry?

23. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?

24. How do you define success?

25. We want to hire people at Company ABC who have the desire to lead others. How many people did you supervise at your last position?

26. What are your salary expectations?