15 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR PROGRAMMERS

Job interviews are never easy; the interviewee is always full of nerves. Psychologically, even for the simplest of things, as humans, we always want to win.

So the fear of going for an interview and not being successful is something we all live with. But if you want to be an employee, then we can avoid job interviews.

As programmers, it is even more particularly because the job of a programmer is very important is this fast-paced and tech world. And employers of labour usually want to make sure they pick the right person for the job. So in order to avoid being completely overwhelmed with fear, it is important to go for the interview prepared.

Getting acquainted with possible job interview questions before the interview would go a long way in preparing you for the interview and helping you get the job of your dreams.

1. Tell us about yourself.

This might seem like a question asked to hear everything about you, including your best food and how you love to travel, but it isn’t. When interviewers ask you this question, they want to know everything about you as it relates to the job. That means, for instance, if your love for travel is in anyway going to help with the required job responsibilities, then you can mention it. This is basically where you sell yourself. Talk about your qualifications, skills, talent and any other qualities you know will come in handy for the job. This is also a good time to mention the number of years you have been working as a programmer as well as the languages you know.

2. When did you first start programming and what was the first language you learnt?

If you learnt to programme at a very young age, this is the time to mention it and impress them. Most programmers learnt to programme before they got to college or university, but even if you don’t fall into that category and you started programming at the tertiary institution, you still have a chance to sell yourself with further questions. Don’t lie about when you first started or the language you first learnt, it might affect your chances of getting the job if you are found out.

3. What programming languages are you familiar with and what is your favourite?

Most programmers are self-taught. Although some end up getting professional training, good programmers show enthusiasm by learning further outside of the four walls of the classroom or lecture hall. The interviewers want to know that you are an enthusiastic programmer and you go the extra mile to learn more. You might not have come across programming until you got to college but did you take the initiative to do more? That is what the interviewer is looking for. So this is a time to let them know the programming languages you know and show the mastery of your craft.

4. What skills and personality do you possess that would make you an exceptional programmer?
   It takes more than having the technical knowledge and understanding programming languages to be a good programmer. You have to have good communication skills, mathematical skills, be creative and analytical, be a problem solver, a good time manager, a fast learner and even be a good team player. So all these are more are what the interviewers are looking for. This is a good time to sell the fact that you are not just a good programmer but you are a great one.

5. How do you handle pressure at the work-place?
   Every work environment comes with its own pressure and even certain periods that are regarded as the peak periods. Employers want their employees to be able to handle the pressure that comes with the work-place or their role. This is not a time to brag about being a grouch when pressured but having a clear head even under pressure. Giving an example of how you handled pressure in your former place of work can also help in answering this question.

6. Tell us about a conflict you faced at work and how you dealt with it.
   Although employers want a skilful person, they also want a people person or someone who can work with people without conflict. Conflict at the work-place reduces productivity and employers don’t want that. if you are someone who finds it hard to work with others, as good as you might be, employers might not want to employ you. So you have to find a way to work with conflicts and communicate it to them. Sometimes, interviewers might even give you an example of a conflict and ask you how you would resolve it.

7. How do you approach creating something new?
   Having a good knowledge of project management is what the employer is looking for when you are asked this question. Being able to explain a step by step plan to properly understand, access and analyze and then map out a good strategy is a good way to go about answering the question.

8. Describe your most current work.
   The job of a programmer is largely practical. The interviewer wants to know that you actually can do what you claim you can do. They also want to know that you have actual practical knowledge of programming and talking about your most current work will go a long way in convincing them. They might even get you a board or projector to actually showcase what you have done. This might be the most important part of the interview so try to impress so have a list of projects you have done. If you have developed any website, such as your personal project like a soccer site, you can mention it

9. What lesson can you say you have learnt all these years being a programmer?
   The interviewer wants to know that you are someone who takes away knowledge from every project you undertake. Did you learn to communicate better? Did you learn better time management? Did you learn to be more compassionate and understand the need of others? What exactly did you pick from the job you did?

10. Why should we hire you?
    This is another opportunity to “brag” about your skills. There are likely so many applicants, be what stands you apart? Why should you be hired instead of the other applicants? That is basically what the interviewer wants from you. So be specific and let them know all your qualifications and skills and how each tie to the reason they should hire you. You should not go on and on talking about what is on your resume but convince them on the reason what’s on your resume help you carry out the job responsibilities effectively.

11. Where do you see yourself in five years?
    If you are not sure where you will be or where your career goals are yet, try not to shoot yourself on the foot by mentioning unrealistic goals, just let them know you are not exactly sure what the future holds but you know the current role will set the pace for the future. And if you are certain what your career goals are, try to keep it realistic and not too ambitious. Not having an ambition is also not attractive, so if you claim you don’t have ambition, you would not impress the recruiters. Just make sure whatever you mention aligns with the present role. The recruiters want to know that you are healthily ambitious and that you would not be resigning after a year.

12. How do you keep up with updates and advances in this field?
    The interviewers just want to be sure that you are an enthusiastic programmer and one ready to learn. Technology is constantly improving and as a programmer, you have to stay abreast with changes in your field in order to stay relevant. So this is something the recruiter wants to be sure you possess before employing you.

13. Write a code
    The recruiter wants to test your technical skills. You do not have to worry; they do not exactly need you to do so much. They could probably need just a few lines of code, just to ensure you know what you are talking about. This question also helps recruiters know how to approach problems. Do you analyze or just go headlong and get stuck on the way? So this is something to consider if you are asked to write codes in an interview.

14. What are your salary requirements?
    This question is to let the interviewer know if you are expecting more than the organisation pays. You might be asked or not but be prepared to answer, just in case. This is not the time to give an outrageous amount or to drastically reduce your value. You can decide to give a vague answer that will let them tell you how much they are willing to pay but if they insist, you can give an amount. It is always better to research if you can find the salary paid in the organisation before-hand, so you can give the estimate.

15. Do you have any questions?
    Before going for an interview, have a set of at least three questions to ask. Asking questions is a good way to stand out and be remembered during an interview. Make sure you ask a question but try not to ask a question that they expect you to have gotten if you took the time to do your research before the interview or if you were listening during the interview.

Although this list is by no means exhaustive, these interview questions will go a long way to prepare you for your interview and help you in landing your dream job.