Senior Software Engineer Mock Interview

Practice 47 Senior Software Engineer interview questions covering system design, architecture decisions, and technical leadership.

WRITTEN BY WILLIAM SWANSEN
QUESTION 37 OF 47

Please tell me about a time when something major didn't go according to plan at work.

Unlock all 47 Senior Software Engineer questions

Unlock expert responses to system design and leadership questions interviewers expect.

Get Started
Already a member? Log in
Previous Question Next Question
FROM THE PEOPLE WHO SAT IT

Been through this interview recently?

Write what they asked you. Nothing else is required to start — no account, and the month only if you feel like it.

What did they actually ask you?
START TYPING · WE’LL ASK FOR THE REST AFTERWARDS

47 Senior Software Engineer Interview Questions & Answers

Jump to any question in the set.

01 Can you discuss how functional programming differs from object-oriented programming? TECHNICAL 02 Do you recommend using a microservice approach or a monolithic app when developing a software program? TECHNICAL 03 Please describe how you would refactor a class for easier testing. OPERATIONAL 04 If you were asked about addressing a website's degrading performance, what recommendations would you make to correct this? OPERATIONAL SOFTWARE ENGINEE 05 Can you discuss responsive design and the differences between fixed and fluid layouts? TECHNICAL 06 What methodologies do you use to ensure that your program will scale? OPERATIONAL 07 When do you use black box testing and white box testing to test a website? OPERATIONAL 08 Describe for me some of the techniques you use to monitor the performance of your software. OPERATIONAL 09 Describe to me how you organize CSS files and why you prefer your approach. OPERATIONAL 10 How do you structure data tables if you create a program to manage a point of sale operation? OPERATIONAL 11 How does HTML5 use web workers, and why is this important? TECHNICAL 12 What is harding and how is it used in the programs you create? OPERATIONAL 13 What criteria do you use when deciding whether to use a SQL solution instead of NoSQL for your project? OPERATIONAL 14 What is the difference between blocking and non-blocking calls in JavaScript? TEHCNICAL 15 Please walk me through the process you use to decide between two technologies when both will get the job done. OPERATIONAL 16 Can you demonstrate how you would implement Dijkstra's Shortest Path in the programming language you normally work with? OPERATIONAL 17 Describe to me how you would implement a linear search in JavaScript. OPERATIONAL 18 As a senior software engineer, you will be expected to lead a development team. How would you prioritize the tasks you assign to each developer to improve collaboration? OPERATIONAL 19 How does a data array differ from a stack? TECHNICAL 20 Please walk me through the process you use when assigned a programming project, starting with defining the requirements and going through delivery. OPERATIONAL 21 What is a stack in the context of software development, and how can it be used to simplify the SDLC? TECHNICAL 22 What programming languages do you recommend an organization like ours use to create software to support our operations? OPERATIONAL 23 How do you direct your team to identify and correct errors in their code? OPERATIONAL 24 What experience do you have with Agile software development? What do you like about this methodology? DISCOVERY 25 Walk me through the process of creating an SQL database for time-series information? OPERATIONAL 26 Tell me about a recent project you managed that relied on a source control system to direct your team. DISCOVERY 27 Are you familiar with service-oriented architectures? When do you use them? DISCOVERY 28 What was the biggest development team you have managed and what was the biggest challenge you faced? DISCOVERY 29 When do you feel it is appropriate to follow "procedural" logic when developing software? OPERATIONAL 30 Can you describe the design patterns you use and when you use them? OPERATIONAL 31 Can you describe a time you were asked to do something you had never done before? How did you react? BEHAVIORAL 32 Please describe a situation where you needed to adapt a process, procedure, or technology differently from how you usually did things. BEHAVIORAL 33 Can you recall a time you were assigned a task that wasn't a part of your job description? How did you handle this, and what was the outcome? BEHAVIORAL 34 Tell me about an aspect of your profession that makes you the most satisfied, energized, and productive at work. BEHAVIORAL 35 What's a misconception your coworkers have about you, and why do you believe they feel this way? BEHAVIORAL 36 Can you give me an example of when you had to work with someone difficult to get along with? How did you handle the situation? BEHAVIORAL 37 Please tell me about a time when something major didn't go according to plan at work. BEHAVIORAL 38 Describe a situation where you needed to persuade someone about an idea or process. BEHAVIORAL 39 Can you give me an example of a time you led by example and describe what you did and how your team reacted? BEHAVIORAL 40 Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make in one of your previous roles. BEHAVIORAL 41 Can you recall a time your manager was unavailable when a situation arose that demanded an immediate resolution? How did you react? BEHAVIORAL 42 When was the last occasion you asked for direct feedback from your manager? DISCOVERY 43 Can you tell me what your home network consists of? DISCOVERY 44 What is a professional achievement that you are proud of? DISCOVERY 45 Why did you choose to interview with our organization rather than with others in our industry? DISCOVERY 46 What's the most interesting thing about you that I didn't see on your resume? DISCOVERY 47 What motivated you to make a move from your current role? DISCOVERY
RELATED SETS
CAREER
Software Developer
CAREER
Software Development Manager
CAREER
Software Engineer
William Swansen
Written by William Swansen
47 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS · SENIOR SOFTWARE ENGINEER
See membership