Problem Solving

Problem solving is a critical skill for any software engineer, and it’s not just about finding a solution to a technical challenge. It’s also about identifying the right problem to solve, breaking it down into manageable pieces, and communicating your approach and progress to others. That’s why many job interviews for software engineering positions include questions about problem solving.

When answering questions about problem solving in a behavioral job interview, it’s important to focus on your process, not just your end result. Explain how you approached the problem, the steps you took to analyze and break it down, and any roadblocks you encountered along the way. Be sure to emphasize your communication skills, both with technical and nontechnical stakeholders, as collaboration is a crucial aspect of problem solving in the workplace. Finally, highlight any lessons you learned from the experience and how you would approach similar problems in the future.

“What was the most difficult bug you have encountered and how did you fix it?”

“Tell me about a time you found a creative solution to a problem”

“What is the most challenging aspect of your current project?”

“Tell me about a time you developed a new method or process that improved the efficiency of a task”

“Tell me about a time you encountered a major roadblock at work”

“Tell me about a time you found a simple solution to a complex problem”

“Tell me about a time you had to work on a project with inadequate resources or support”