These 15 Questions Are Asked in Technical Job Interviews by Hiring Managers

Are you concerned about the technical interview process? If so, this article is here to help. Here is a list of 15 technical interview questions that are commonly asked by recruiting managers from a variety of companies:

Recruiting managers ask technical interview questions

1. Could you describe an instance when you failed?

   It may come as a shock to many, but Megan Grey, the Team Operations Manager at Marxrent, believes that by beginning an interview with the question of “What failures have you experienced?”, the interviewer can effectively assess the applicant’s ability to bounce back from difficult circumstances. According to Grey, “Employees who are unwilling to acknowledge their failures are simply wasting time and causing commotion.” A true professional, however, will not only be aware of their mistakes, but they will be able to recognise what they can learn from them and how they can use that knowledge to progress further in life.

2. Technical recruiting manager interview questions: How does the Internet work?

   Robert Gibbons, Chief Technology Officer at Datto, explains that seemingly simple questions asked during technical interviews can provide insight into the individual being interviewed. For instance, some candidates may choose to describe the internet as similar to a post office, where a request is sent out and a response is received. Conversely, other candidates may choose to focus on the fundamentals, such as setting IP addresses and DNS servers, which can provide the interviewer with an understanding of the candidate’s technical interests.

3. Describe the ideal traits of a manager or leader

   According to Margaret Freel, a recruiter at Tech Smith, asking unconventional questions during the interview process can be useful in determining an applicant’s management or leadership style, as well as their self-awareness and interest in the position. Moreover, it can also provide insight into whether the candidate’s expectations of the company’s leadership align with reality. Ultimately, it is the leadership that encourages employees to perform their tasks with excellence.

4. What are the most recent fascinating difficulties you’ve conquered in your technical interview?

   According to Tim Julien, Vice President of Engineering at Bonobos, this question may help to put a nervous applicant at ease. When the interviewer inquires about an issue the candidate is facing, it gives the applicant an opportunity to control the narrative and be in charge of the information they choose to share, which can help them feel more comfortable. Julien suggests that the interviewer should take the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the candidate’s difficulty, rather than simply the content of it.

5. Questions to ask throughout the recruiting process: How would your previous employees characterise you?

   Asking a question such as this can provide the interviewer with invaluable insight into how the applicant is perceived by their colleagues. Michael Boufford, Vice President of Engineering at Greenhouse, has noted that responses to this type of question can vary from being seen as reliable to being highly opinionated. In order to gain further comprehension of the applicant, the interviewer may wish to explore why their colleagues view them in such a positive light. By looking at the candidate from a different perspective, it may then be possible to assess their compatibility with the existing team.

6. The technical interview question, “Why do you get out of bed every day?”

   This question seeks to identify whether the candidate’s enthusiasm and dedication align with their career aspirations. According to Miguel Quiroga, Head of Digital at Verizon Fios, startups tend to have rapidly growing teams, so it is important to determine if the applicant is well-suited to this kind of fast-paced work environment. By gauging the applicant’s passion, we can ascertain whether they would be a good fit for the job.

7. Technical hiring manager interview questions: What qualities do you look for in a co worker?

   Nate Smith, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Lever, seeks to gain insight into the opinion of job applicants regarding the individuals they would like to work with by posing a particular question. An applicant’s response to this question can help the interviewer gauge whether they are a fantastic or merely a mediocre candidate. A fantastic applicant will provide in-depth answers, highlighting their ability to distinguish between the varying skills and contributions of their potential colleagues. On the other hand, a mediocre applicant may only provide a brief overview of the situation, failing to demonstrate the level of discernment that would make them an ideal team member. In other words, this question allows the interviewer to accurately determine if the candidate will be an amazing or difficult colleague.

8. Technical interview questions: What is the first thing you do if you are unable to solve a problem?

   Annette Stone, Senior Manager of Recruiting at Wayfair Engineering, explains that this line of questioning is designed to help evaluate an applicant’s problem-solving competency. Specifically, it is meant to assess their ability to independently identify and address an issue before bringing it to their manager. By understanding the applicant’s approach to problem-solving, the interviewer can gain valuable insight into their capabilities.

9. Give us the lowdown on the occupation of your dreams

   No matter the position a candidate is applying for, it is essential for them to be passionate about their work. If a candidate isn’t excited about the job they are applying for, it raises the question of how they can be thrilled to speak about their ideal job. Sara Hetyonk, Talent Acquisition Manager at Ontraport, states that this question can tell you more about a candidate than what is contained in their résumé. It also provides insight into the candidate’s broader objectives and ambitions. As such, it is important for candidates to be honest and open when addressing this question.

10. Have you been working on anything on the side?

    According to Brain Pugh, Vice President of Engineering at Lucid Software, a side project can serve as an impressive indicator of a potential coding candidate’s enthusiasm. Furthermore, since the code is often publicly accessible, interviewers may have the opportunity to review the quality of the candidate’s coding skills.

11. What steps do you take to ensure the success of a new project? is a common technical interview question

    As Monster’s Director of Global Talent Acquisition, Matt Doucette uses the following question to evaluate whether a potential applicant possesses the essential characteristics of passion, strategy, action, persistence, and persuasiveness in both words and deeds. He is interested in gaining insight into the story behind the candidate’s career choices, their strategies for implementation, their ability to deal with both success and failure, and so on.

12. If you started programming, when did you do so, and what was the first item you created?

    This assessment is not designed to test the candidate’s capability, but rather to evaluate their level of enthusiasm when discussing a defining moment in their professional journey. According to Harj Taggar, co-founder and CEO of Triplebyte, this question is used to assess the candidate’s proficiency in both verbal and written communication. He further emphasises that this question is capable of bringing out the best in the candidate.

13. Did you check out our website? Where do we go wrong?

    According to Kenn Peters, Vettery’s Director of People, the candidate’s response to questions asked during the interview process is a substantial indicator of their level of excitement for the role and the organisation. It can provide insight into whether or not the applicant has the ability to think about the product from the perspective of its creator, as opposed to merely considering it as an end consumer. A recurring issue that is experienced by hiring teams is that applicants often neglect to research the company online. As a result, the interviewer should be attentive to a candidate who has not taken the time to familiarise themselves with the company prior to the interview.

14. Why are you taking the time to speak with me? is a common technical interview question

    The growing demand for IT professionals means that the best and brightest in the field are presented with a variety of options when it comes to employment. To ensure that the needs of both the company and the candidate are met, it is essential to have an understanding of what the candidate desires from the role. Emoke Starr, Head of Human Resources at Prezi, recommends that employers ask candidates about their motivations in order to effectively customise their services to the individual.

15. Please tell us everything about yourself that we don’t already know

    Courtney Graham, the Senior Director of Human Resources at ReadyTalk, believes that this line of questioning is instrumental in gaining an understanding of an applicant’s abilities, beyond their technical skills for the position. Graham argues that even those with the most impressive resumes must be able to effectively articulate their capabilities and demonstrate why they are the right person for the job. According to Graham, this question is a great indicator of an individual’s interest in the position, as those who are truly passionate about it will be able to provide a satisfactory answer.

How to Answer Technical Interview Questions for an Engineering Manager Position

Technical interview questions that are designed to evaluate a job candidate’s soft skills, such as their communication abilities, confidence, and their capacity to handle pressure, provide engineering managers with an accurate insight into how well-suited the individual will be to their team. Unfortunately, these interviews can also cause considerable anxiety among applicants.

It is important to remember that the technical interview questions posed to potential hiring managers, such as those related to prior projects, previous management experience, motivation, ideal teammates, dream jobs, and career challenges, are aimed at examining their personality and talents. Through these questions, the interviewer can gain insight into the candidate’s relevant capabilities and determine whether they would be a suitable fit for the organisation.

In order to maximise the chances of success in technical interviews, it is essential to communicate effectively with the engineering or recruiting manager. It is important to ask for clarification if the question or response is not clear, as this demonstrates enthusiasm and interest in the position. Doing so will help to ensure that the hiring manager sees that you are eager and committed to the role.

At the conclusion of a technical interview, it is wise to ask questions about the role you are applying for, the team you will be working with, and the company’s overall mission. Doing so can help you make an informed decision when considering the offered position. Furthermore, this will demonstrate to the technical recruitment manager your eagerness and enthusiasm for the position.

However, how about inquiries about the prospective employer and the organisation itself? If you’re curious, keep on reading!

Questions to ask the recruiting manager in an interview

During the interview, the hiring manager may ask you a variety of technical and analytical questions in order to evaluate your qualifications for the position they are seeking to fill. Additionally, many businesses may offer you various deals. To gain a better understanding of the business, you may wish to ask the hiring manager some of the following questions during the interview:

1. Just what exactly am I going to be doing on a daily basis if I accept this position?
2. When can I expect to start receiving assignments?
3. Where does the firm see itself in the months and years to come?
4. Can you give me any insight into the atmosphere at your company?

Summary

As a hiring manager, it is important to delve deeper into a candidate’s qualifications beyond their technical capabilities. Practicing for technical interview questions can help the candidate feel more confident and ready for their interview. Furthermore, the responses to these questions will be used to evaluate the candidate’s soft skills and their adaptability to the workplace. To ensure an effective and successful interview, it is advisable to research the company and the position in advance, as well as to have questions prepared to ask the hiring manager during the interview.

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FAQs

1. What does it signify if a recruiting manager wants to talk to you? Is the technical interview with the recruiting manager?

   The hiring manager will assess candidates’ eligibility for the role by posing questions which test their knowledge of the role, their proficiency in the field, their relevant credentials, their capacity for teamwork and their capability to work under pressure. Recruiters often rely on technical questions to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude in certain areas.

2. If you’re a recruiting manager, how many interviews do you do annually?

   Depending on the nature of the post being filled, an employer may conduct anywhere from one to three interviews with each applicant.

3. Do technical questions arise during the interview with the recruiting manager?

   Interviewers will test your technical knowledge and analytical prowess, as well as your compatibility with the company’s values and work style.