Last Updated on 2024-10-11
Are you hiring software engineers? If youโre trying to hire for an entry-level position, youโll need to ask the right entry-level software engineer interview questions to find the best candidate for the job. In this blog post, we outline 10 of the most common questions asked in interviews with budding software engineers.
Entry-level software engineers are professionals with little to no industry experience. However, they may already be well-versed in using programming tools, frameworks, and general or common languages.
They’re often assigned smaller tasks in a software team, usually under the supervision of a senior software engineer or development manager. They perform tasks such as software enhancements and bug fixes. As they gain experience, they can train their way into seniority with greater responsibilities.
In this article, we’ll list some common software engineer interview questions that you can ask your applicants.
10 Entry-Level Software Engineer Interview Questions
As a recruiter, you must carefully curate your questions based on the specific job. In this case, it’s essential to note that these applicants donโt have long-term work experience.
So, take a look at the following interview questions to get a better idea of whatโs appropriate for entry-level software engineers:
1. Do you have experience coding in [insert language/framework]?
This question reveals the applicantโs expertise in a specific programming language. You can ask about the language or framework most relevant to the job in question. The goal is to make the applicant share how their tech skills apply to this role.
2. How much object-oriented programming experience do you have?
Object-oriented programming or OOP is foundational knowledge in software engineering. This concept involves turning data into โobjectsโ that interact with each other within a larger system. The applicant must be able to explain OOP and describe how they’ve used it.
Sample answer:
My experience with object-oriented programming started in college. It is one of the leading components of modern-day programming. I was able to build school-related and personal software projects using OOP.
3. What is your experience with version control systems, such as Git?
Versioning is a crucial habit for software engineers. At this early stage in their careers, it’s vital for engineers to continually update and manage their code.
When listening to the answer, it’s most important to consider how the software engineer handles version control. You could ask a job candidate to walk you through the process of managing code individually or within a team.
4. What are some of the most challenging problems that you’ve solved as a software engineer?
Engineers must be analytical, especially when faced with software development challenges. This question gives you a chance to understand how the applicant approaches and solves problems.
5. Do you have any experience working in a team environment? And if so, what role did you play within the team?
These questions aim to reveal facts about the candidateโs organizational experience. What have they done that involved working with other people? What were their contributions? And so on.
Entry-level engineers donโt have much industry experience, so try to be flexible. However, itโs ideal to ask about their academic experience or passion projects.
6. What are your thoughts on software design patterns?
Design patterns are repeatable solutions that address problems in software designs. They’re not finished products but more like templates or workflows that ease the design process.
This question looks at an applicantโs understanding and appreciation of principles and paradigms that make software design more efficient.
Sample answer:
Design patterns greatly improve the software design process. They can speed up development while making sure that you create a well-rounded user interface.
7. How would you solve a problem that you’ve never encountered before?
Entry-level software engineers may hesitate to seek help because they feel intimidated or embarrassed. So, itโs vital to find out if they’re afraid to make mistakes or ask questions when problems arise.
A great software engineer has the humility to understand that he or she can’t solve every problem independently. An applicant who exhibits this trait will surely go a long way in the industry.
8. Why do you think this role is a good fit for you?
This question provides an excellent opportunity for the candidate to talk more than the basic job qualifications. Take note of the other abilities or experiences that an applicant mentions. You could also inquire about soft skills that would help them perform the job successfully.
9. What is your experience with Agile methodology?
The Agile methodology is a popular software development practice. Knowledge of Agile methods will play a major role in determining how long it takes a new hire to adjust to team dynamics.
10. What questions about the position do you have for us?
Finally, ask the applicant what they want to know about the job. You might learn just as much from answering questions as you do from asking them. Are they only interested in making money (or taking time off)? Do they want to know the career path of the role? Or are they genuinely enthusiastic about the position?
You’ll gain an insight into their motivations based on the types of questions they ask.
Hire Software Engineers of Any Level From Full Scale!
Software engineering is a broad field with many specializations, so you should tailor your questions to the specific position that you hope to fill. That said, these 10 questions provide a solid foundation for any entry-level software engineering interview.
If you want to skip the tedious screening process, you can let Full Scale find software engineers for you!
Full Scale is a top-notch offshore software development company headquartered in Kansas City. We help our clients hire full-time, long-term team members through our wide roster of tech talent from various fields, such as software engineers, QAs, project managers, and content specialists.
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Matt Watson is a serial tech entrepreneur who has started four companies and had a nine-figure exit. He was the founder and CTO of VinSolutions, the #1 CRM software used in today’s automotive industry. He has over twenty years of experience working as a tech CTO and building cutting-edge SaaS solutions.
As the CEO of Full Scale, he has helped over 100 tech companies build their software services and development teams. Full Scale specializes in helping tech companies grow by augmenting their in-house teams with software development talent from the Philippines.
Matt hosts Startup Hustle, a top podcast about entrepreneurship with over 6 million downloads. He has a wealth of knowledge about startups and business from his personal experience and from interviewing hundreds of other entrepreneurs.