How to Answer: Walk me through your troubleshooting process when you are developing a new computer system.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Computer Hardware Engineer job interview.
22. Walk me through your troubleshooting process when you are developing a new computer system.
How to Answer
When interviewing candidates for a hardware engineering job, hiring managers prefer individuals who are analytical and are good problem solvers. The interviewer will ask you about your troubleshooting process to see the steps you take to identify the root cause of an issue and then resolve it. Since this is an operational question, your answer should detail of series of steps. You don't need to go into much detail about each step or the results. Just present them in a logical order which leads to a conclusion. The interviewer will ask a follow-up question if they need more details or want to explore the topic further.
Written by William Swansen on September 13th, 2021
Answer Example
"When troubleshooting an issue with one of my computer hardware designs, I start with the most logical and easy-to-fix issues. I test each of my hypotheses, and if not successful, move on to the next one. Once I've exhausted these, I begin to think about some of the more unlikely causes. I consult several resources to locate these, including online documentation, manufacturer databases, and my notes. Finally, if I still haven't solved the problem, I work with the other computer hardware engineers on my team to leverage their knowledge and experience. This usually leads to resolving the issue. The last step is to document the solution so it can be easily resolved if it recurs,"
Written by William Swansen on September 13th, 2021