Common Technical Interview Questions & How To Answer Them

September 29, 2023

11 min read

Hiring technical staff is a big decision for any company. But it is especially critical for IT field businesses. 65% of CIOs said there is a deficiency of tech talent, which is one of the main problems in the industry. Technologies are changing rapidly; therefore, in addition to current technical skills, employers must also check candidates for flexibility, teachability, creativity, and the capacity to think outside the box, which is a lot to evaluate in an interview. Preparing a list of technical questions interview, covering all the critical areas required, is complex and time-consuming. We are going to simplify this task for you in this article. We will review the essential questions to ask in a tech interview, so keep reading to learn more!

Technical Interview Questions

Interview questions for technical positions typically focus on assessing a candidate’s specific technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and knowledge relevant to the role. These questions aim to evaluate a candidate’s expertise in areas such as programming languages, data structures, algorithms, and domain-specific technologies. Technical IT interview questions delve into topics such as network protocols, system administration, cybersecurity, and software development methodologies.

A technical interview is a part of the job interview process designed to assess a candidate’s technical competence and suitability for a particular role. It often involves asking candidates to solve real-world technical problems, write code, answer domain-specific questions, and discuss their past experiences and projects. Technical interviews are common in fields such as software development, data science, IT support, and engineering, to ensure that candidates have the necessary skills to excel in the position. Moreover, according to a survey by Glassdoor, around 20% of candidates who pass technical interviews are ultimately offered the job.

Standard Technical Interview Questions

Standard technical interview questions cover a range of topics and are commonly asked to assess a candidate’s technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Here are some standard technical interview questions across different domains:

1. Programming and Algorithms:

Implement a binary search algorithm.

Explain the difference between a stack and a queue.

Solve a coding problem, like finding the factorial of a number or reversing a string.

2. Data Structures:

Describe the characteristics of an array.

Explain the concept of a linked list and its types.

How does a hash table work, and what are its use cases?

3. Database Management:

Write a SQL query to retrieve data from multiple tables.

What is database normalization, and why is it important?

Discuss the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases.

4. System Design:

Design a URL shortening service.

How would you architect a scalable web application?

Explain load balancing and its role in system design.

5. Networking and Security:

What is the OSI model, and how does it relate to networking?

Explain common network protocols such as HTTP, TCP/IP, and DNS.

How would you secure a web application from common security threats?

6. Operating Systems:

What is virtual memory, and why is it used?

Explain the difference between a process and a thread.

Discuss the role of an operating system kernel.

7. Software Development Practices:

What is version control, and why is it important?

Describe the Agile development methodology.

How would you ensure code quality and maintainability in a software project?

8. Machine Learning and AI (for relevant roles):

Explain supervised and unsupervised learning.

How do you handle overfitting in machine learning models?

Implement a basic machine learning algorithm like linear regression or k-means clustering.

These questions serve as a foundation for assessing a candidate’s technical expertise and problem-solving abilities. Depending on the job role and company, interviewers may tailor questions to specific skills and requirements. Candidates should prepare by reviewing these topics and practicing problem-solving to excel in their technical interviews.

Questions for Behavioral Interviews

Behavioral interviews are based on the idea that past behavior is a good indicator of future behavior. Recruiters use this interviewing technique to understand how candidates have responded to real-life situations, assess their problem-solving skills, and gauge their interpersonal abilities. In essence, they want to know if you have the qualities and experiences necessary to succeed in the specific role and within their organization.

These are non-technical tech job interview questions. They are designed to assess a candidate’s experience handling specific situations that usually arise in any role. For instance:

  • Tell us about a time when a tight deadline forced you to change your plans.
  • Describe a time when you had to come to terms with a difficult client.
  • Tell us about a time when you had to work on a team.

Situational Interview Inquiry Examples

Situational interviews, also known as situational judgment tests or situational interview inquiries, are a type of job interview that assess how candidates would handle specific workplace scenarios. Instead of focusing on past experiences, situational interviews present hypothetical situations and ask candidates how they would respond. This method helps employers predict a candidate’s future behavior and decision-making abilities in a job-related context.

Here are Some Common Situational Interview Inquiry Examples:

  • Conflict Resolution: “You are a team leader, and two of your team members are in a heated argument during a critical project. How would you handle this situation?”
  • Time Management: “You have multiple tasks with tight deadlines. How would you prioritize your work and ensure you meet all your deadlines?”
  • Customer Service: “A dissatisfied customer is upset about a product issue. How would you handle the situation to ensure their customer satisfaction?”
  • Leadership: “You’re assigned to lead a team that includes members with diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience. How would you motivate and manage this team effectively?”
  • Educational Background Interview Queries

During a job interview, it’s common for interviewers to inquire about a candidate’s educational background. These questions help employers assess qualifications, gauge their commitment to learning and development, and determine if the candidate’s academic experiences align with the job requirements.

When it Comes to Questions about Candidates Education, Recruiters may Ask a Variety of Queries:

  • Tell us about your educational background: This open-ended question invites you to provide an overview of your academic history, including your degrees, institutions attended, and any relevant coursework or achievements.
  • Why did you choose your major/field of study? This question assesses your motivations and whether your chosen field aligns with the job you’re applying for.
  • What courses or projects did you find most interesting or challenging? Interviewers ask this to gauge your passion for the subject matter and your ability to overcome academic challenges.
  • How has your education prepared you for this role? This query aims to connect your academic experiences with the job’s requirements, emphasizing your readiness for the position.
  • Tell us about any extracurricular activities or leadership roles during your education: Interviewers may inquire about your involvement in clubs, organizations, or leadership positions to assess your teamwork and leadership skills.
  • Did you pursue any certifications or additional training related to your field? This question explores your commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

Technical Interview Questions by Experience Level

Recruiting top tech talent is a competitive endeavor, and tailoring technical interview questions to candidates’ experience levels is crucial for making informed hiring decisions. Whether you’re hiring entry-level, mid-level, or senior-level candidates, customizing your interview questions ensures that you assess their skills, knowledge, and suitability for the role effectively. Let’s take a look at the different types of questions that can be asked for a candidate, depending on their experience.

Questions for Entry-Level Positions

For entry-level candidates, it’s essential to focus on assessing their foundational knowledge, enthusiasm, and potential for growth. Here are some effective interview questions tailored to entry-level positions:

1. Basic Technical Knowledge

What inspired you to pursue this field? This question helps gauge the candidate’s passion for the industry and their motivation for entering it. 

Can you explain a fundamental concept or principle in your field? By asking this question, you can assess their grasp of basic knowledge related to the role.

2. Problem-Solving Scenarios

Describe a challenge you faced in a school project or internship. How did you overcome it? This question provides insight into the candidate’s problem-solving abilities and their approach to overcoming obstacles.

What do you do when you encounter a problem you don’t know how to solve? This question assesses their willingness to seek solutions and their resourcefulness in unfamiliar situations.

3. Learning and Adaptability

Give an example of a new skill or technology you had to learn quickly. How did you approach it? This question evaluates their ability to adapt to new tools or concepts, which is essential for growth in an entry-level role.

How do you stay updated with industry developments and trends? Assessing their commitment to continuous learning is crucial for entry-level candidates.

Questions for Senior-Level Positions

Senior-level candidates should have a deep understanding of their field, leadership capabilities, and a track record of successful projects. Here are tailored interview questions for information technology for senior-level positions:

1. Technical Proficiency

Can you discuss a complex project you’ve led or contributed to recently? This question allows candidates to showcase their technical expertise and their ability to handle challenging projects.

How do you stay current with evolving technologies and trends in your industry? Assess their commitment to staying updated and their ability to apply new knowledge strategically.

2. Leadership and Mentorship

Describe a situation where you had to mediate a conflict within your team. How did you handle it? This question assesses their leadership and conflict resolution skills.

Have you mentored junior team members or colleagues? Can you share an example? Evaluate their ability to nurture talent and contribute to the growth of the team.

3. Innovation and Strategic Thinking

Can you provide an example of a time when you introduced an innovative solution or process that had a significant impact on your organization?This question helps assess their ability to drive innovation and create value.

How do you align your team’s efforts with the organization’s strategic goals? Evaluate their strategic thinking and alignment with broader objectives.

Review of Assigned Tasks

In addition to tailored interview questions, assigning tasks or assessments can provide valuable insights into a candidate’s abilities. For entry-level positions, consider practical exercises that test their basic skills. For senior-level positions, assignments should be more complex, simulating challenges they may face in the role.

Review of CV or Resume

Finally, reviewing a candidate’s CV or resume is an essential step. Pay close attention to their educational background, professional experience, accomplishments, and any certifications or training they’ve completed. Look for alignment with the job’s requirements and use this as a starting point for interview discussions.

Conclusion

When it comes to interview technical questions, employers have many options. Although using all of them is not a guarantee that you will determine the most suitable candidate. The best IT technical interview questions are those that focus on the specific skills and qualities that are essential for the role. Utilizing with such questions and following the vacancy and companies’ culture requires experience and talent. Therefore, entrust it to our specialists if you’d like help in handling this task.

We at StaffingPartner can work on 30+ of your tech vacancies concurrently, and you will get the guarantee of the result: if our candidates do not pass your trial period, we will replace them at no charge. Drop us a message if you have unfilled tech positions. Let’s figure out tech interview questions for your company together!

FAQ

What are the top technical interview questions?

Technical questions for interview can vary widely depending on the specific job role and the company conducting the interview. However, there are some common technical interview questions that are frequently asked in various fields of technology and software development. For example, there are often questions about data structures and algorithms, programming languages, etc.

 

How can I prepare for a technical interview?
Preparing for a technical interview can be a rigorous process, but with the right approach, you can increase your chances of success. To excel in a technical interview, begin by revisiting fundamental concepts and honing your coding skills. And the most important thing is to prepare in advance to answer common IT tech interview questions.

What are 3 qualities of a candidate who possesses technical skills?

The qualities not only showcase a candidate’s technical proficiency but also their ability to contribute to a dynamic and evolving work environment. Three qualities of a candidate who possesses technical skills are: problem-solving, attention to detail, and adaptability.

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