Describe a time when one of your projects failed. What did you learn from that experience?

"In my most recent role, I was tasked to create an internal software application for the organization. I agreed that my team and I could create the application within a month. During the development process, we realized that some of the code was more complex than we had anticipated and consequently took more time to develop than we estimated. I realized I had underestimated the time required to complete the project. Eventually, we delivered the application per the client's specifications. I learned from this that it is essential to assess the requirements of a project carefully to know exactly how much time will be needed to complete it."

Interviewers understand that everybody fails in their job at some point. Most of these failures are minor and can be easily corrected. Interviewers expect you to describe a situation in which you failed but were able to overcome it. They also want to hear about what you learned from the failure so that you would not repeat it in the future.

This is a behavioral question, so you should frame your answer using the STAR format. Describe the Situation, discuss the Task you needed to complete, then walk the interviewer through the Actions you took. The most important part of your responses is the results you obtained. This will indicate to the interviewer that even though you failed, you were either able to overcome it, or you learned a lesson that would prevent the same failure from recurring.

Can you describe a time you were asked to do something you had never done before? How did you react?

"In my most recent position, I was asked to lead a seminar on implementing software development practices for Mac systems. Even though I only had experience with Windows and Linux systems, and I'd never done this, I accepted the assignment and researched the topic. I put together a presentation using the information I collected and presented it to my entire department. The seminar was a success, and I learned that I could accomplish any task assigned to me with a little effort and the right resources."

Interviewers will ask this question to determine how you react to new situations and your attitude toward learning new skills and procedures. Employers prefer employees who are willing to learn new skills and thereby contribute more to the organization's business objectives. Curiosity and continuous learning are traits interviewers look for.

Provide an example of a situation where you were asked to perform a new task. Explain how you readily accepted the job and gathered resources to complete the task. Then describe the results of your efforts and what you learned from the experience. Your answer should follow the 'STAR' response pattern: Situation, Task, Action, Results.

Please describe a situation where you needed to adapt a process, procedure, or technology differently from how you usually did things.

"Recently, our company switched to a new quality control system. I was required to explain this to our internal clients to ensure they understood it and how it would impact their projects. Having never done this myself, I had to learn the system to explain it to the staff. After doing this and gaining confidence in my knowledge, I put together a tutorial and presented it to the entire organization. They quickly adopted the new system, which reduced the number of coding errors by 20% during the first year."

Interviewers are curious to learn how flexible and adaptable you are and if you are willing to learn and expand your knowledge. They know that the job you are being hired for will evolve, and you'll be required to learn new methodologies, processes, and procedures to continue to do the work effectively. They want to ensure that you are capable of this.

When responding to the question, provide the interviewer with a brief description of a situation where you encountered a new challenge and how you addressed it by learning a new process or procedure or acquiring new skills. Describe how the way you reacted to this situation benefited the company.

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?

"I have worked for several small companies where the employees wore many hats. I enjoyed this experience because it allowed me to learn new skills as an information security manager outside of my profession. This helped me grow my portfolio of skills and contributed to the company's success. In one case, I was asked to attend a trade show to research new software development products from a technical perspective. Even though I had no experience in this area, I accepted the assignment with enthusiasm. Attending the show and interfacing with the suppliers taught me a great deal about how products are developed and marketed, which helped me evaluate new product features and make recommendations for adopting them to our management team."

Some employees are reluctant to do anything that is not part of their job description. However, in today's fast-paced business environment, people are often asked to do extra work that may not have been part of their original assignment when they were hired. Interviewers seek to understand how you react when asked to do something not part of your normal job and determine how flexible you are.

The best way to answer this is to start by stating that you are always open to pitching in wherever you can to help the company get the job done. You should also emphasize that you are open to learning new skills that will help both you and the company. Then describe an incident to illustrate this.

When was the last occasion you asked for direct feedback from your manager?

"I have found that one of the best ways to improve myself is to continually seek feedback from the people I work with. Both my colleagues and my management team have perspectives that I don't and can spot weaknesses that I need to work on to improve. Therefore, I am constantly asking them about my performance. I also ask them for any suggestions they have and resources I can use to improve my skills and expertise. I do this continuously, and it has been very valuable."

The interviewer will ask this question to separate you from most applicants. This is because many professionals don't ever seek feedback from their supervisors. Interviewers prefer candidates who constantly seek feedback so they can immediately correct any deficiencies they may have or incorrect actions they are taking. The best professionals know that the only way to get better news is to engage their colleagues for feedback and suggestions.

Requesting feedback from the people you work with demonstrates your desire to improve. Most employees avoid receiving feedback, fearing that it will be negative. By actively seeking it, you demonstrate courage, a willingness to be open to criticism, and the initiative to improve. Describe a time you felt you didn't complete a task properly and sought feedback to correct your process so you'd do better next time.

Can you recall a time your manager was unavailable when a situation arose that demanded an immediate resolution? How did you react?

"Recently, my manager was away on vacation, and I was asked to fill in for them. A conflict arose between our team and another department that demanded an immediate resolution. The manager from the other department insisted we do what they wanted since our manager was not available. Knowing this was not the best solution, I presented an alternative and recommended that we discuss this with the senior leadership team to get their input. The other manager agreed. Working with senior leaders, we developed a compromise that resolved the conflict. When my manager returned from vacation, I briefed them on the incident, and they agreed I had acted appropriately."

While this appears to be a question about leadership, it addresses your willingness to take the initiative. The interviewer is interested in this because it helps them determine your future growth potential. Organizations like to hire individuals who continually improve themselves and develop new skills, allowing them to advance within the company.

When responding to this question, emphasize your willingness to take the initiative rather than complain about the manager's absence. Explain why you felt the need to take action and describe how you did so to resolve the immediate situation and then review the issue and your actions with your manager. Be prepared to answer a follow-up question about what you would do differently next time.

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?

"In one of my recent jobs, I was partnered with another employee who was not open to new ideas and suggestions. Their attitude was 'my way or the highway.' We were tasked to develop a new process for using advanced software coding techniques more effectively. I asked for their ideas and noted that while they were good, it would be more efficient to modify them slightly. We developed a consensus about the new process by accepting their initial suggestions and only recommending minor modifications. We recommended this to management, and the new process was implemented. This resulted in significant savings for the company and made it easier for my colleague and me to work together on future projects."

This is a behavioral question to which the interviewer expects a 'STAR' formatted answer: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Interviewers ask behavioral questions to determine how you react to challenging situations in the workplace. Your description of how you handled this in a previous job will indicate what you will do if hired by the organization. Behavioral questions typically involve challenges, relationships, conflict, or communication errors.

When responding to this question, use the 'STAR' format to frame your answer: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Start by describing the Situation, followed by a brief explanation of the Task you were attempting to complete. Walk the interviewer through the Actions you took, then conclude by discussing the Results you attained and how these benefited the organizations. Try to describe a situation that you are likely to encounter when hired by the organization you are interviewing with.

Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make in one of your previous roles.

"During a recent downturn in business, I was required to reduce my staff. Every team member was well qualified and valuable to the organization, so choosing who to let go was difficult. After much consideration, I decided to dismiss one of the more experienced workers, knowing that they could easily find another job within the industry with my recommendation. This allowed me to develop one of the junior staffers, increasing their skills and making them more valuable to the organization. I would make the same decision if presented with this situation again."

The interviewer is looking for examples of your decision-making process and how you approach difficult challenges or situations. They want to learn more about how decisive you are and whether you are willing to make difficult choices. The interviewer hopes to see that you are willing to put the organization's interests ahead of your personal feelings.

When answering this question, choose a situation in which you made a decision involving a personal sacrifice or two equally undesirable outcomes. Explain the choice you made, your rationale, and the outcome. Then briefly discuss what, if anything, you would have done differently based on the outcome.

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

"During a recent software update project, the versions of the software we ordered were not correct. We reviewed the purchase order and determined that the software had been ordered incorrectly. Since the software seals had been broken, we couldn't return the product, nor was the manufacturer likely to agree to correct this because it was our error. Even though this involved additional expense, my manager and I agreed it would be quicker to order the correct versions of the software so we could proceed with the upgrade. We did this and were able to install the software without any major delay in the project. This taught us to carefully review the software versions we had and needed before ordering new products or performing any upgrades."

Responding to situations that don't go according to plan is a key characteristic that interviewers look for. They will ask you a question like this to determine how you react to unforeseen circumstances. This provides them an indication of your flexibility, responsiveness, and creativity.

Since this is a behavioral question, you should utilize the 'STAR' response methodology. Make sure to stay positive, don't blame anyone else for the problem, and don't take full credit for the solution. Demonstrate how you worked with others to resolve the situation. As with any behavioral question, discuss the results you attained and possibly the lessons learned, especially if the outcome wasn't optimum.

What's a misconception your coworkers have about you, and why do you believe they feel this way?

"My coworkers sometimes mentioned that I'm not very social. This is because I tend to focus on the job more than socializing while at work. They don't see that when I'm not working, I spend a lot of time enjoying the company of my friends who share my interests in the outdoors."

This may be a trick question to get you to identify a weakness you have or are perceived to have. Interviewers will ask this to uncover a weakness or determine how self-aware you are. They also want to know if you'll answer this question positively or say something negative about yourself or your coworkers.

Since the interviewer is asking you to reveal either a real weakness or behavior that appears to be a weakness, it may be hard to answer this question. Your answer should either point out a minor flaw that you are working to correct or discuss a strength your coworkers and managers are unaware of. In any case, remain positive when answering this question.

How do you stay up to date with the current trends in the software development industry?

"I believe it is critical to stay informed about the most current developments in the software development industry. To do this, I subscribe to a few newsletters published by leading software development experts and innovators. I am also a member of the local software developer's special interest group and attend the local meetings where we regularly discuss current updates and innovations. I also regularly read articles published in the software development journals."

Software development, like many other technical professions, is fast-moving and ever-changing. Keeping up with developments in this field is critical to maintaining your competency as a software development manager. Interviewers will be interested in how you do this, your sources of information, and the methodologies you leverage to ensure that the information you have is the latest and most current. They will also ask this question to determine if your methodologies mirror those of their current software development team.

As an experienced software development manager, you should already have a program to keep yourself informed of new developments within the industry. Describing this to the interviewer should be secondhand nature. However, now that you are aware you may be asked this question, you may want to organize your thoughts around the sources of information you use, how frequently you take time to update yourself, and the benefits this provides you. As with any question, the better prepared you are, and the more organized your answer is, the better you will perform during the interview.

In your opinion, which is the best software development language?

"While I work with many different software languages, including C, C++, Python, and Ruby, I prefer JavaScript the most. This is because it is ubiquitous, easy to work with, and most of my team members are well versed in creating code within JavaScript. Although it has some limitations, including being single-threaded, there are vast libraries of code that my team and I can repurpose for virtually any software project we work on. Based on my research, I believe your software development team relies heavily on JavaScript as well. Is this correct?"

During every interview for a software development manager position, you'll be asked about the development languages you use and prefer. Interviewers want to know this to ensure that you have a firm grasp of the most recent and effective software development languages and that the ones you use are compatible with their current software development team. This latter point will indicate how easy it will be for you to integrate into their software development environment and how quickly you will come up to speed and begin producing results.

This question is a little tricky because it asks for your opinion and for you to identify a superlative (i.e., the BEST software development language). Rather than try to guess which answer the interviewer is looking for, you should be honest and forthright. Explain to the hiring manager what languages you are familiar with, which one you prefer to work with, and why. Make sure your answer can be substantiated with facts or anecdotes about how this helped you be an effective software development manager in your previous roles.

Tell me about an aspect of your profession that makes you the most satisfied, energized, and productive at work.

"One of my favorite parts about this profession is collaborating with organization members from other departments. I enjoy working together to determine how to achieve the business's objectives. Participating as a member of a creative team is one of the best aspects of this job."

This question is meant to uncover your passion and what you enjoy doing. Interviewers know that people do their best work when they are passionate about what they do. They will ask questions like this to discover if you are truly passionate about this job or just doing it for the money.

This is a great question to ask yourself before beginning your job search. It will help you target specific jobs that you enjoy doing and will therefore be good at. This will enable you to answer this question when asked by an interviewer by simply describing a task you enjoyed working on related to the job you are applying for.

What role does a software project manager play in software development?

"The primary role of a software project manager is systematically managing software development projects from conception to delivery. The job involves planning, tracking the project's progress, managing resources, mitigating risk, and overseeing the team's completion of development tasks. All of this leads to delivering the project on time and at budget."

This question may be similar to the one you already addressed earlier in the interview. Interviewers often ask the same questions in different ways to calibrate your answers to ensure you are consistent throughout the interview. They also do this to collect additional information about the topic. An interviewer asking multiple questions about a specific topic indicates that this is important to the organization. This signals you to elaborate on your answers a little more and provide additional information.

Even though you've already answered this question in a different form, try not to get frustrated. Recall the answer you provided to the interviewer's earlier question and answer similarly, providing additional information. Once you recognize that this question is important to the interviewer, feel free to expand on your answer. This will demonstrate your proficiency in this area.

What are some of the key duties software development managers perform?

"In general, software development managers supervise the activities performed by their software development team. They establish the development goals, mentor team members, and provide suggestions to encourage productivity. They ensure efficient processes and procedures are used in the organization's software development practices. They also manage projects to ensure timelines and deadlines are met. The final responsibility is interfacing with individuals from across the company, as well as suppliers, partners, and clients."

Hiring managers are interested in your opinion about some of the key functions software development managers perform. They are interested in determining if your idea of this job aligns with theirs. While they expect you to respond with some of the requirements for the position as noted in the job description, they also expect you to provide additional information based on your prior experience. This will give them an idea of your capabilities and ability to perform in this role.

Your answer to this question should lay out the requirements for the position as listed in the job description and some of the tasks you routinely completed in your previous positions. Don't hesitate to mention new activities which may help the organization optimize its software development efforts. Companies prefer to hire individuals who can not only do the job but can also help improve the department's functions.

In your opinion, what are some of the qualities a qualified software development manager should possess?

"Some qualities needed to be an effective software development manager include strong communication skills to work effectively with the development team and clients, good organization, planning, problem-solving skills, and effective time management techniques. You also need to be able to quickly troubleshoot issues using innovation and creativity. Finally, and most importantly, you need to have good leadership skills."

You are likely to be asked this question early in the interview. The interviewer is interested in how you perceive the functions of a software development manager and the qualities needed to execute these. They expect you to parrot back some of the qualifications listed in the job description and embellish them based on your personal experience.

When responding to a question about the qualities needed by a software development manager, try to remember some of the requirements from the job description. Mention the qualities you possess since you're hoping that the interviewer is looking for these. Avoid any qualities you don't possess or think are not important for this role. Focus on soft skills rather than technical skills.

Can you tell me what your home network consists of?

"My home network is quite basic. It consists of a cable modem, a Wi-Fi router, and two PCs hardwired to the router. There are also several wireless devices connected to the network, including a laptop, several cell phones, an Amazon Fire Stick, and several devices for the home security system. I require two-step authentication to access the wireless network."

The interviewer may ask you several different discovery questions to learn more about your background beyond what they read in your resume when beginning an interview. These questions provide them with the information they can use throughout the interview. These questions also begin the conversation, creating a dialogue between you and the interviewer. Another goal of these questions is to relax you, so the interviewer gets a clearer picture of how you respond when not feeling stressed because of the interview.

Since discovery questions are general, there is no way to prepare for these. The best way to respond is frankly and honestly. Keep in mind that the information you provide the interviewer may be used for additional questions throughout the interview. This allows you to guide the interviewer toward areas you're comfortable talking about.

What is a professional achievement that you are proud of?

"One of my professional achievements that I am most proud of is helping my current employer reduce the average time to complete an SDLC by 20%. I did this by spending more time in the planning phase, assigning tasks to the most competent developers, and carefully monitoring the projects. This process ensured we were aware of any challenges in the project and prepared to address them, that our team's resources were best utilized, and that when an issue occurred, it was immediately addressed, and the problem resolved."

If your resume or CV is well written, it will detail some of your significant achievements and the contributions you've made to your previous employers. The interviewer asks this question to determine which of these you're most proud of and why. They hope to learn about your efforts to achieve the objective and how they contributed to your organization's success or business objectives.

When responding to this question, try to have an achievement in mind that will demonstrate how you can help the interviewer's organization achieve one of its business objectives or goals. Employers hire individuals to help them make money, save money, or save time. Demonstrating how you can do this with all your answers during an interview will help convince the interviewer that you are the right person for this job.

Why did you choose to interview with our organization rather than with others in our industry?

"One of the reasons I chose to interview with your organization is that my research indicated you are a leader in this field. The products and services you provide have been developed through the innovation and creativity of your staff. As the industry pivots towards new technologies, I believe I can help you maintain this leadership position utilizing my information security skills and experience."

You should anticipate being asked this question in every interview. Employers want to know why you chose their specific company to interview with. They prefer to hire employers who are passionate about their work and the organization. This question is also meant to determine how much research you have done about the company.

If you expect this question during every interview, you can be prepared to answer it based on your research of the company before the interview. Mention something about the company's recent achievements, business prospects, or work culture. You may also want to refer to the company's challenges and how you can help them address these based on your skills and experience.

What's the most interesting thing about you that I didn't see on your resume?

"One thing that is not on my resume is my volunteer work with disadvantaged youth. I enjoy mentoring young people and helping them develop skills they can use to further their education, prepare for a profession, and navigate their way through life. I enjoy the satisfaction I get from seeing them reach their full potential. This experience has made me more comfortable seeking mentoring and development advice from my management team."

Interviewers like to ask this question to learn more about your personality and determine whether you will fit into their corporate environment. By inviting you to the interview, they've already indicated that you have the skills and qualifications necessary to perform this job. The purpose of the interview is to confirm this and see how well you will fit into their culture.

You can answer this question by giving the interviewer information about yourself that is not controversial and will support your qualifications for the position. Examples may be musical talent, an interesting hobby, or an unusual experience you had. Your research about the organization and its culture will help you prepare for this question.

What motivated you to make a move from your current role?

"While I enjoy the work I do and the organization I am associated with, I'm always looking for new challenges and opportunities to develop myself. While researching this job, I discovered that your organization would benefit from my experience, skills, and expertise to address your current challenges. I also noted that this role would expose me to opportunities to learn new skills, develop new relationships, and improve my overall qualifications. Finally, this job represents an increase in responsibility which I am always seeking."

Interviewers will ask this, knowing it is a potential 'trick' question that may prompt you to speak poorly of your current job, organization, or supervisor. They know that if you do this in your current situation, you will likely do it if you elect to leave their organization. Interviewers seek to hire candidates who are positive and move toward new opportunities rather than away from bad ones.

When answering questions like this, be positive and explain that you are moving towards something new, not away from something old. Discuss your desire to be challenged and the rewards you will get by helping a new organization achieve its objectives. Also, talk about the opportunity to improve yourself by acquiring new skills and experiences in a new position.

Can you give me an example of a time you led by example and describe what you did and how your team reacted?

"In my most recent role, my team and I were tasked with implementing a new process. Since none of us had experience in this area, I researched the process and created a training curriculum. I presented this to the team, participating in the exercises which simulated the new process. Together, we debugged the process, created an implementation plan, and launched the process. By fully participating in each aspect of the project, I demonstrated to the team that I was willing to roll up my sleeves and work alongside them to make the project successful. They acknowledged this and expressed their willingness to replicate the process on future projects."

Interviewers ask this question to prompt you to talk about your leadership style, hoping you will describe how you lead from the front by example rather than from the back by exercising your authority. They recognize that teams perform better when they believe in their leadership and are willing to follow their example. By asking this question, the interviewer can discern whether you will be an effective leader.

Since this is a behavioral question, format your answer in the STAR framework by first describing a Situation and the Task you were required to complete. Then, describe how you Acted by demonstrating the behavior you needed the team to exhibit. Finally, discuss the outcome of the project or task and what your team learned from the example you set. Make sure you communicate how you led by example and how this motivated the team to accomplish the assigned task.

Walk me through how you build your software development team?

"The first step in developing an effective software development team is maintaining a robust pipeline of prospective software engineering candidates. I keep in contact with my industry peers, recruiters, universities, and other sources of prospective employees. Once an opening becomes available, I actively work with the HR Dept to recruit, hire, and onboard the candidate. I ensure they are compatible with the rest of the team so that their skills and knowledge can be shared and the team as a whole collaborates well on the projects we are assigned."

A key responsibility of a software development manager is to create effective teams of software developers. This involves identifying candidates, recruitment, hiring, and development. Interviewers will ask you to walk them through how you go about assembling a team and replacing members that leave. They may ask you a follow-up question about how you manage the dynamics of a software development team to ensure the team members work well with each other.

When describing how you build your software development team, start by discussing how you maintain a network of viable software engineering candidates. Then discuss your recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and development practices. You may want to give an example of a successful hire and somebody who didn't work out and how you corrected the situation.

How do you ensure your development efforts align with your internal or external customers?

"The key to ensuring that the software development team's efforts remain aligned with the customer's desired outcomes is clear and consistent communication. And it begins with a clear understanding of the needs during the assessment phase of the software development lifecycle. It continues with periodic assessments of the team's progress, communicating these to the customer, and getting feedback. If the project is out of alignment or proceeding in a different direction at any point, I take measures to bring the team back into alignment. This is accomplished by reiterating the project's goals and discussing the steps needed to get back on track."

Every software project has a customer, either internal or external. Software development managers' primary responsibility is to ensure that their team delivers a product as specified by the customer, on time, and at or under budget. They also need to be aware that their efforts are in 100% alignment with the customer needs. Interviewers will ask you about the process you use to ensure that your projects meet the customers' requirements.

The first part of the software development lifecycle is to assess the customer needs, so the team clearly understands the project objectives and desired outcomes. It is then the responsibility of the software development manager to ensure that the team's development efforts stay aligned with the desired outcomes and deliver the product as specified. You should have a defined process to accomplish this objective and be able to describe it to the interviewer.

What metrics do you use to measure the performance of your software development team?

"I have found that improving my team's performance and developing their skills begins with setting goals for them at the beginning of every project. I make sure to clearly communicate each team member's responsibilities to ensure all members understand what is expected of them. I then closely monitor their achievements towards the objectives, noting any issues or deficiencies. I meet one-on-one with each team member periodically to mentor, coach, improve their skills, and correct any deficiencies I have noticed. This enables them to work more effectively. My experience is that the team members appreciate this because they understand that I want them to perform at their very best."

As a software development manager, you must continually evaluate your team's performance. This helps you identify any deficiencies they may have and take measures to correct them. Interviewers understand that effective managers are also coaches and teachers as well as supervisors. The better your team performs, the more it reflects on you and your skills as a manager.

This is another area where you should have easy answers to the question. Since you have experience as a software development manager, you have already used several different tools to evaluate your team and improve their performance. The interviewer expects you to list the specific metrics you use, such as on-time completion of tasks, the average number of errors or bugs, and the individual's efforts to improve their skills and knowledge. Use these to demonstrate how you mentor, coach, and develop your team to become more effective software coders.

How do you prioritize the defects you identify?

"It is rare that my team and I initially develop a piece of software with zero defects. Since we normally employ the agile methodology, defects are identified after each day's work coding. Once I understand the defects, I then prioritize them and assign my team members and other resources to correct them. We address the highest priority defects quickly so that their impact is minimized. To lower priority defects which will not impact future work are then assigned to the appropriate person on the team to be corrected as the other team members continue to work developing new code."

Identifying defects in software code is only the first step in the process. The defects then need to be prioritized and corrected before moving on to the next stage of development. Interviewers will ask you about this to determine if you understand the importance of prioritizing defects so that the most important and impactful ones can be corrected first. Some software development teams will delay addressing minor defects, knowing that their impact is minimal and that they can be corrected at another stage of the project.

When answering this question, avoid minimizing the importance of prioritizing defects. While all defects in code are a problem and need to be addressed, spending time on minor defects with low impacts is inefficient and may result in the project missing its deadline or exceeding its budget. Emphasize that you understand the importance of first identifying and prioritizing all defects and assigning your resources to the most impactful and highest priority defects.

What are some key elements to organizing an efficient software development project?

"I go through a lengthy planning process before initiating any software development project. This begins with a feasibility study to determine if the product we are targeting can be developed and will meet the needs of the internal or external customer. My team and I then determine the resources required, the programming language we will use, and which team member will be designated to develop each specific part of the code. We also identify the quality control and tracking process to be used. My experience tells me that doing this may take time, but it always results in a better managed and more efficient software development process."

Hiring managers know that creating an efficient software development project requires careful planning. This is known as the software development process design and evolution process and is an integrated part of the development of a program. Interviewers will ask you about this to determine if you have developed and used a process for laying out the steps required to develop a piece of software. They are also interested in whether your process aligns with the one used by their current software development organization.

When responding to this question, you should emphasize the importance of careful planning as well as the steps you take to complete it. Make sure to include the feasibility study, determination of the software development language to be used, the components of the product, and the available resources. You may want to talk about delegating individual development responsibilities to the appropriate software development team member.

How are quality assurance and quality control different?

"There are several differences between quality assurance and quality control. While both ensure that product quality is maintained in the long run, I believe quality assurance is the most important. This practice provides ongoing quality reviews at each stage of the development cycle, which identify issues before they are compounded during later stages. I also incorporate quality control at the end of the project utilizing the services of the quality team to identify any errors we may have missed."

While quality assurance and quality control sound the same, they are different practices. Quality assurance is an ongoing evaluation of the software development project to ensure that it is proceeding on course and as specified. It helps to identify errors in the code during each phase of development. On the other hand, quality control is done at the end of the project to identify and correct any errors that may have occurred. Interviewers want to confirm that you understand the difference between these and learn about your preferences for using them.

As a software development project manager, you must include quality assurance and quality control in your practices. You can explain to the interviewer how each of these is used, their benefits, and when to apply them. You may also want to state a preference that results in a more efficient and effective software development lifecycle and a better-quality product.

Do you feel it important to conduct a feasibility study before beginning a software development project? Why, or why not?

"During the assessment stage of a software development project, a feasibility study is conducted to evaluate the practicability of developing a product as the internal or external customer specifies it. This also helps to determine the benefits of the software to the organization. The feasibility study is important to determine the project's technical and economic aspects and confirm that the software can be developed as specified."

Software development projects always begin with an evaluation of the project. During this phase, the software development team queries the customer about the intended outcomes, defines what the product will do, and determines if development is feasible. The feasibility study indicates whether the software can be developed to meet specifications and identifies any challenges or obstacles that need to be overcome. Interviewers want to ensure you take these steps before launching a software development project.

Earlier in the interview, you may have already addressed questions about the software development lifecycle or SDLC. If so, you should have included comments about the assessment stage in which the project's viability is evaluated. Part of this evaluation includes the feasibility study. This question allows you to expand on this topic and talk more about why it is important in how you can conduct it. You may want a speak about the outcomes of a feasibility study and how it contributes to the success of the software development project.

What are the differences between black box testing and white box testing?

"Black box and white box testing are both ethical hacking practices used to determine the vulnerability of a software product. White box testing tests an application with the hacker understanding its structure and code. This type of testing is typically performed by the programmer who wrote the code and is conducted as unit tests. Black-box testing tests an application without knowing its code or structure. Testers focus on the software functionality rather than the code or data."

Hacking normally has a negative connotation, especially among the general public. However, in the software development profession, ethical hacking is an effective means to test the vulnerability of a software program. Interviewers expect you to understand this and be able to differentiate between the different types of ethical hacking. They can also determine if you use this technique in your software development practices by asking this question.

When responding to a question about the differences between black hat and white hat testing, start by defining each of these methodologies. Then follow up by contrasting and comparing the two. You may want to finish your answer by describing how you have used this in your previous software development efforts. Providing an example will strengthen your answer.

What is your approach to software configuration management?

"I always use software configuration management to track and control the progress of my software development projects. This ensures that any change the team makes when developing software is tracked using a well-defined process. More than once, this has enabled the team to trace an error back to something that occurred during a previous development phase and correct the problem. Some SCM tools I have used include Epicor CPQ, 3D Cloud, SolarWinds, and Auvik."

Software configuration management is another key component of the software development lifecycle. Keeping track of each change made to the software code enables the team to measure their progress and identify what needs to be done next. It also allows the team to track changes so that if an error occurs, they can go back to previous versions of the software to correct it. Interviewers want to ensure that as a software development manager, you have specific steps to control the configurations and can access earlier versions of the software if necessary.

A good way to respond to this question is to acknowledge that you are familiar with software configuration management and employ it in your development projects. You may want to provide an example of how you have used this in the past to correct an error found in later versions of the software. Another suggestion is to describe the tools you use to do this. Including all this information, your answer will demonstrate your proficiency in managing software configurations and correcting errors when they occur.

Have you employed the modularization concept in your previous projects? If so, would you recommend it?

"Modularization is a software development methodology that divides the software into different modules or components. Each component is worked on simultaneously by the development team best suited for the specific task. The finished modules are then combined into a single working product, which is tested and optimized. This process accelerates the software development lifecycle and ensures that the best resources are applied to each project module."

By asking this question, the interviewer wants to know if you are familiar with the concept of modularization in software development. This concept is widely employed across the industry and enables software development managers to assign development tasks based on each team member's capabilities. By breaking the development process into individual modules, the code is worked on in parallel and is not dependent on completing the previous or subsequent modules. However, it does require a great deal of coordination by the management team. The interviewer wants to ensure that you are familiar with the concept and know how to manage it to increase the software development team's work efficiency.

Since this is an operational question describing how you perform this job, you should keep your answer brief and to the point. Try to align your methodology with that of the organization if you know it. You may want to provide an example of how you used modularization in one of your previous jobs and the benefit your team and the organization accrued.

Please describe your experience with working with agile software development.

"Agile software development encompasses methodologies that are based on iterative development. The project is reviewed each day to review the previous day's activities, identify any issues which need to be resolved, and plan for the upcoming day's activities. This creates a partnership between cross-functional and self-organizing teams and orients them toward a common goal. Agile development enables the team to deliver projects faster with greater value, higher quality, and less need for patches and rework."

Agile is one of the more common software development methodologies used in the industry. Virtually every software developer and development manager has used agile at some point during their career. Hiring managers know this and will expect you to be well versed in the process, being able to describe each step, the benefits, and how it is implemented.

You will always be asked about this during an interview, so be prepared. If you have not used agile development recently, go back and review the methodology, so you completely understand it. If you're interviewing remotely, make some notes about the process and have them handy. This will enable you to easily answer the interviewer's questions, even if they are obscure.

What are some of the project management tools you use in your software development projects?

"Some of the project management tools I use as a software development manager to facilitate the planning and implementation of projects include PERT charts, Gantt charts, milestone checklists, MS Excel, MS Project, and status reports."

Interviewers will ask you about the tools you use in this job for several reasons. The first is to confirm that you are familiar with the common tools used in this industry. The second is to explore how you use these tools to manage software development projects. The third reason they ask this question is to determine if the tools you use are the same ones used by their organization. This latter point will demonstrate your fit for the team and ability to be quickly onboarded.

A trap you can fall into when responding to this question is to provide too much information. Many candidates will list each tool and then explain how it is used and its function. This goes well beyond the scope of the question. Simply list the tools you use and be prepared to elaborate on them if the interviewer asks you a follow-up question.

Please describe the components of the Software Development Life Cycle.

"SDLC is a framework for developing software products. It consists of distinct phases that begin with gathering customer requirements, conducting a feasibility study, planning, and analysis. It then progresses to the development, testing, implementation, and maintenance phases. This structured software development approach produces high-quality software efficiently, with little need to debug the product."

The software development lifecycle, also known as SDLC, is one of the first things novice developers learn during their education. Interviewers expect you to have an intimate knowledge and understanding of SDLC and be able to talk about each phase. They're interested in your ability to manage the development lifecycle and ensure that projects are completed on time and under budget.

When responding to a question about the software development lifecycle, begin with an overview of what this is and then describe each phase. Discuss how you manage this to ensure that the individual phases are completed on time and contribute to advancing the development of the product to the next phase. You should be prepared for a follow-up question about any of these topics, which the interviewer will use to test your capabilities or better understand how you manage SDLC.

What is your process for managing defects in your team's programs?

"My goal during any software development project is to reduce the number of defects and deliver an error-free product. I do this in several different ways. I prefer to use the agile methodology, which allows me to identify errors and bugs in the code at each stage of the project. My team and I then correct these before moving on to the next stage so that the errors are not compounded. Other techniques I use include quality assurance throughout the project and turning the product over to a quality control team as the last check for any errors my team and I may have missed. Together these practices always result in a bug-free product that meets the client's specifications."

Identifying defects in a software development project is critical to completing the project on time, under budget, and to the client's specifications. Interviewers will want to learn about your process for completing this and its effectiveness. They want to ensure you can manage the project from start to finish with zero defects since these require additional time to correct or rework.

Your answer to this question should contain a systematic, well-tested methodology for identifying and correcting software development defects. You may want to discuss using agile methodologies and including quality assurance and quality control practices in the development process. As with any operational question, providing the interviewer with an example of how you have successfully accomplished this will strengthen your answer.

Do you incorporate unit testing into your software development process?

"I believe unit testing is extremely important when developing software because it helps to identify coding and logic errors at each stage of the development process. This prevents defects from being included in the final product. Additionally, frequent testing helps to prevent regressions, where bugs that were already fixed reappear. Unit testing is considered a best practice in software development and code maintenance and is part of my overall testing strategy."

Unit testing is a critical element of the software development process. Regardless of which development process, you are employing, frequently testing the code and correcting any errors before the compound themselves in later versions accelerates the development cycle and reduces the chance of errors being introduced into the production version of the product. Interviewers will always ask you about this and expect you to have a well-defined program to quality test your work as the project proceeds.

When responding to a question about unit testing, your answer should include an outline of a plan you use. Elements of the plan should include the frequency, the tests you run, and actions you take if errors are found. If you have a definitive plan you used in your previous employment, you may want to have this available to share with the interviewer, as long as it is not proprietary to the organization you worked for. As with any operational question, keep your answer brief and to the point, and be prepared for a follow-up question.

What are some of the key elements you focus on when reviewing the code developed by your team?

"When reviewing the code produced by my team, I start by looking at the code's functionality, security, and efficiency. I look for indications that the code is concise, doesn't contain anything that isn't needed, and executes efficiently. I determine how much of the program is unnecessary and should be removed or re-written. I also look for vulnerabilities that may make the program subject to hacking. Finally, I confirm that the code meets the design criteria and customer needs."

Software development managers must possess key skills to evaluate software, identify issues, and make recommendations for resolution. Interviewers will ask you about the process you use to review code to confirm that you are capable of doing this effectively. It is always better to produce error-free code than to have to remediate it once it is released into production.

Your answer to this question should demonstrate your ability to review code effectively. Your methodology should identify the issues that need to be corrected and educate your team on how to avoid similar errors in the future. Try to convince the interviewer that hiring you will result in their code being produced more efficiently and error-free.

What are some ways to improve the performance of a website?

"There are many different techniques you can use to improve the website's performance. Some of these involved optimizing the code, while others require you to cache objects, avoid excessive operations, or optimize network performance. Some of the more common methodologies I employ include Utilizing versatile pictures, implementing store, reserve, store processes, joining pictures into CSS sprites, enabling HTTP keep-alive reaction headers, and minimizing the use of JavaScript and CSS."

You have probably noticed that many of the questions you are asked during an interview involve the creation of websites and web applications. This is because executing applications over the web has become more common than standalone applications designed for specific platforms. As a software development manager, most of your work will likely involve web development. Therefore, hiring managers will ask you many questions about this topic during the interview.

You should review your web development methodologies, processes, procedures, and techniques when preparing for an interview. Since you'll be asked many questions about these, having them in front of your mind is important. If you are interviewing remotely, you may want to have a list of these available that you can refer to during the questioning.

Describe a situation where you needed to persuade someone about an idea or process.

"I take great pride in my ability to convince others of my ideas and suggestions. First, I solicit others' input, carefully listening to their ideas and acknowledging them. If their suggestions are appropriate, we move forward. However, if I believe we can improve on them, I state my ideas and recommendations and explain why I believe in them. I then answer any questions they may have and drive for a consensus in which all the parties are satisfied we are moving in the right direction."

The interviewer will ask you this question because they are interested in learning about your communication and leadership skills and how you apply them to accomplish the tasks required in this role. Persuading other people about your ideas and suggestions is a valuable skill. Interviewers recognize that this will make you more effective in the job and reduce conflict between you and other team members.

You can answer this question using the STAR format, describing how you seek to understand other people's points of view, acknowledging them, then offering them an alternative and the rationale behind it. You can then describe how you addressed any questions and concerns they had and developed a win-win scenario with a positive outcome.

What are some of the elements you use to create CSS documents?

"Some of the elements I use to create CSS documents include: - layouts.css, to designate page designs and portions, including frameworks - reset.css, to reset and standardize styles - typography.css, to define text fonts, sizes, and styles for headings and body text - lists.css, to define list-explicit styles - tables.css for table-explicit styles"

Cascading Style Sheets or CSS is a core technology for building Web pages. While HTML provides the page's structure, CSS defines the visual layout and how the page is displayed for various devices. Hiring managers will ask you questions about CSS even though you may not be applying for a job that requires webpage front-end development. Knowing how to use this technology and supervising others who are employing it is a fundamental qualification for any software development manager.

Your response to this question can begin by describing what CSS is, its benefits, and how it is used. You can then list several CSS functions to demonstrate your knowledge of the technology. As with any technical question, be prepared for a follow-up question.

What are some common web routines in HTML5, and what do they do?

"Since JavaScript is single-threaded, simultaneousness and synchronous tasks are hard to execute. However, they can be simulated using functions such as setTimeout and setInterval. They accomplish this by simulating multi-threading within JavaScript, permitting concurrent content to run. HTML5 web routines also help execute functions in a web application without impacting updates in the UI."

HTML5 has become one of the more popular web development formats used in the industry. Software development managers are expected to have an intimate knowledge of this technology and be able to answer a wide range of questions about it. You can anticipate being asked about HTML5 during every interview you attend. This provides the hiring manager with a confirmation of your qualifications and ability to manage teams who utilize HTML5 in their work.

Your answer to this question should note JavaScript's single-threaded characteristics and how this limits the execution of components of the programs you help develop. You can then discuss how HTML5 simulates multi-threaded code execution and thereby overcomes this limitation of JavaScript. You can strengthen your answer by providing examples of how you have used this in your previous software development efforts.

What are the differences between impeding and non-hindering calls, and how are they related to Node.js?

"Impeding calls are those where the execution of extra JavaScript needs to stand by until a non-Javascript activity is completed. This is an example of coordinated activity. Non-hindering calls can execute non-concurrently and will be faster. This is important since JavaScript is single-threaded and serially, using a single storage stack. Most of the I/O operations in Node.js use impeding calls. An example is executing fs.readFileSync, which results in the reader being fully executed before the program proceeds."

JavaScript and Node.js are common programming languages used when developing software. Interviewers will expect you to understand this and be able to optimize how these programs function. Since JavaScript is single-threaded, you are expected to be able to use both impeding and non-hindering calls appropriately to ensure that the programs perform per the specifications and with the best performance values possible.

You can answer this question by first describing how impeding calls function and why they are used within a JavaScript program. You can then describe the advantage of non-hindering calls and the benefits they provide. Note that the question asks you how these relate to Node.js. Make sure to include this in your answer. Many candidates don't listen to the complete question and neglect to provide the information the interviewer asks about.

Describe how Dijkstra's Shortest Path is used in software development.

"Dijkstra's Shortest Path is a calculation used to determine how to transmit data across the shortest paths between network elements. This helps me design software that is optimized for execution over a network. I use various tools like this when I develop software products to optimize their performance without creating a great deal of additional code."

Dijkstra's calculation is a technique utilized to determine the shortest path between hubs in a network. Software developers use this concept to accelerate the execution of their programs over the network. Interviewers will expect you to be familiar with Dijkstra's shortest path and know how to calculate it. You may even be asked to demonstrate how you use this. Since you are a manager and have a great deal of software development experience, it is almost certain that you'll be asked this question during the interview.

When responding to this question, emphasize the importance of using various calculations to optimize the performance of the products you develop. This is likely just one of the methods within your portfolio of tools. You may want to reinforce your ability to use these calculations by mentioning some of the other methodologies, such as those developed by Floyd-Warshall. Be prepared to demonstrate how you use these by solving a case the interviewer will present to you.

How is an exhibit different from a stack?

"The main difference between an exhibit and a stack is that an exhibit doesn't have a fixed process for how to add or recover data. A stack uses a Last In, First Out (LIFO) approach. Using both of these in the programs I create provides the flexibility of how data is managed and presented to the users in a manner that best suits their needs."

You may recognize this as a follow-up question to a topic the interviewer asked you about earlier in the interview. Interviewers use follow-up questions to explore a topic in more detail or to have you provide them with additional information. Follow-up questions can occur immediately after the original question or later in the conversation. If they occur later, the interviewer is likely trying to calibrate your answers and ensure that you are consistent throughout the interview.

Try to recall your answer to the original question when responding to a follow-up question. This will help you be consistent and will also indicate what additional information you can provide to the interviewer. Keep your answer brief and to the point, as with the original question. Don't be surprised if the interviewer asks you an additional follow-up question to two. This would indicate that the topic is of great interest to their organization.

What is a stack, and how is it used in software development?

"A stack is an information structure that manages data by performing three fundamental activities. These include push, which is the addition of a component to the stack from the top, pop, which involves the removal of the most recent component added to the stack, and look, the ability to see a component in a stack without adjusting it. Stacks are normally executed with a cluster or a connected rundown."

A stack is an element of software design that helps developers manage data within the application. Interviewers will expect you to be familiar with stacks. Even though database developers primarily use stacks, software development managers should be familiar with them and be able to discuss their properties and uses.

Since this is a technical question, make sure to keep your answer brief and to the point, and anticipate a follow-up question from the interviewer. Describe the overall structure of a stack, the three fundamental activities related to it, and how it is executed within a software program. Don't be surprised if the interviewer asks you to develop a small piece of code that would take advantage of the properties of a stack.

What is a responsive web architecture, and how does it compare to fixed and liquid formats?

"Responsive web architecture refers to a website or application's ability to adjust its format based on the user's device to access the website. It allows for the format to be flexible and adjust for orientation, size, and the font size used. Fixed formats are rigid and will not adjust. This provides stability when the website is being viewed on a computer but may be ineffective if viewed on a mobile device. Liquid sites are similar to responsive architectures but less flexible because they use rates as relative marketers for the width of website elements. The responsive web architecture is the most flexible, although it takes additional programming resources."

If you're applying for a software development manager position involving websites and web IP applications, you will definitely be asked this question. However, the interviewer may also ask you this question if you are not interviewing for a web development opportunity. Any software development manager should be familiar with responsive web architectures and be able to discuss what it is, why developers employ it, and how it compares to other formats.

When comparing different methodologies used to develop web architectures and formats, it is best to start by describing each of the approaches and their characteristics. You can then compare and contrast them. Your answer should conclude with a statement about which one of these you normally use and why you prefer it.

Software Development Manager Interview Questions

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1. Describe a time when one of your projects failed. What did you learn from that experience?
2. Can you describe a time you were asked to do something you had never done before? How did you react?
3. Please describe a situation where you needed to adapt a process, procedure, or technology differently from how you usually did things.
4. 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?
5. When was the last occasion you asked for direct feedback from your manager?
6. Can you recall a time your manager was unavailable when a situation arose that demanded an immediate resolution? How did you react?
7. 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?
8. Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make in one of your previous roles.
9. Please tell me about a time when something major didn't go according to plan at work.
10. What's a misconception your coworkers have about you, and why do you believe they feel this way?
11. How do you stay up to date with the current trends in the software development industry?
12. In your opinion, which is the best software development language?
13. Tell me about an aspect of your profession that makes you the most satisfied, energized, and productive at work.
14. What role does a software project manager play in software development?
15. What are some of the key duties software development managers perform?
16. In your opinion, what are some of the qualities a qualified software development manager should possess?
17. Can you tell me what your home network consists of?
18. What is a professional achievement that you are proud of?
19. Why did you choose to interview with our organization rather than with others in our industry?
20. What's the most interesting thing about you that I didn't see on your resume?
21. What motivated you to make a move from your current role?
22. Can you give me an example of a time you led by example and describe what you did and how your team reacted?
23. Walk me through how you build your software development team?
24. How do you ensure your development efforts align with your internal or external customers?
25. What metrics do you use to measure the performance of your software development team?
26. How do you prioritize the defects you identify?
27. What are some key elements to organizing an efficient software development project?
28. How are quality assurance and quality control different?
29. Do you feel it important to conduct a feasibility study before beginning a software development project? Why, or why not?
30. What are the differences between black box testing and white box testing?
31. What is your approach to software configuration management?
32. Have you employed the modularization concept in your previous projects? If so, would you recommend it?
33. Please describe your experience with working with agile software development.
34. What are some of the project management tools you use in your software development projects?
35. Please describe the components of the Software Development Life Cycle.
36. What is your process for managing defects in your team's programs?
37. Do you incorporate unit testing into your software development process?
38. What are some of the key elements you focus on when reviewing the code developed by your team?
39. What are some ways to improve the performance of a website?
40. Describe a situation where you needed to persuade someone about an idea or process.
41. What are some of the elements you use to create CSS documents?
42. What are some common web routines in HTML5, and what do they do?
43. What are the differences between impeding and non-hindering calls, and how are they related to Node.js?
44. Describe how Dijkstra's Shortest Path is used in software development.
45. How is an exhibit different from a stack?
46. What is a stack, and how is it used in software development?
47. What is a responsive web architecture, and how does it compare to fixed and liquid formats?

Software Development Manager Interview Questions

1. Describe a time when one of your projects failed. What did you learn from that experience?

2. Can you describe a time you were asked to do something you had never done before? How did you react?

3. Please describe a situation where you needed to adapt a process, procedure, or technology differently from how you usually did things.

4. 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?

5. When was the last occasion you asked for direct feedback from your manager?

6. Can you recall a time your manager was unavailable when a situation arose that demanded an immediate resolution? How did you react?

7. 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?

8. Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make in one of your previous roles.

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

10. What's a misconception your coworkers have about you, and why do you believe they feel this way?

11. How do you stay up to date with the current trends in the software development industry?

12. In your opinion, which is the best software development language?

13. Tell me about an aspect of your profession that makes you the most satisfied, energized, and productive at work.

14. What role does a software project manager play in software development?

15. What are some of the key duties software development managers perform?

16. In your opinion, what are some of the qualities a qualified software development manager should possess?

17. Can you tell me what your home network consists of?

18. What is a professional achievement that you are proud of?

19. Why did you choose to interview with our organization rather than with others in our industry?

20. What's the most interesting thing about you that I didn't see on your resume?

21. What motivated you to make a move from your current role?

22. Can you give me an example of a time you led by example and describe what you did and how your team reacted?

23. Walk me through how you build your software development team?

24. How do you ensure your development efforts align with your internal or external customers?

25. What metrics do you use to measure the performance of your software development team?

26. How do you prioritize the defects you identify?

27. What are some key elements to organizing an efficient software development project?

28. How are quality assurance and quality control different?

29. Do you feel it important to conduct a feasibility study before beginning a software development project? Why, or why not?

30. What are the differences between black box testing and white box testing?

31. What is your approach to software configuration management?

32. Have you employed the modularization concept in your previous projects? If so, would you recommend it?

33. Please describe your experience with working with agile software development.

34. What are some of the project management tools you use in your software development projects?

35. Please describe the components of the Software Development Life Cycle.

36. What is your process for managing defects in your team's programs?

37. Do you incorporate unit testing into your software development process?

38. What are some of the key elements you focus on when reviewing the code developed by your team?

39. What are some ways to improve the performance of a website?

40. Describe a situation where you needed to persuade someone about an idea or process.

41. What are some of the elements you use to create CSS documents?

42. What are some common web routines in HTML5, and what do they do?

43. What are the differences between impeding and non-hindering calls, and how are they related to Node.js?

44. Describe how Dijkstra's Shortest Path is used in software development.

45. How is an exhibit different from a stack?

46. What is a stack, and how is it used in software development?

47. What is a responsive web architecture, and how does it compare to fixed and liquid formats?