Interviewing Questions
The Technical Interview
Technical interviews involve testing the applicant on systems or processes necessary to be successful in the position. Although most popular in the IT field, technical questions can also come up in a variety of other fields as well. Oftentimes, you will find that the technical interview will be employed in conjunction with a resume-based interview or behavioral interview.
Here are some suggestions for how you can best prepare for this unique interviewing experience.
Know your resume inside and out. Review your resume in advance (many, many times!) and be sure that you can confidently speak to every point. Have short anecdotes prepared for each bullet point you have listed. And, be ready to expand upon numerous points if the interviewer presses.
Be honest. If you say you know Java, can you prove it? If you say you have network administration experience, can you talk an interviewer through the process of setting up a mailbox and giving multiple users access to it? Be prepared to answer questions about how to build a particular application or tackle a specific problem.
If you don’t know the answer—say it. It is not unusual for an interviewer to ask a difficult question that no student could reasonably answer. Simply respond that you do not know but list the various avenues you might pursue to figure it out.
Dress for success. It may be that the interviewer is dressed casually but, remember, he/she already has the job. Unless you have been otherwise instructed, you should dress in business attire and remain professional throughout the entire interview.
Ask questions. By thoroughly researching the company in advance and listening well during the interview itself, you should be able to ask some thoughtful, intelligent questions. Don’t wait until the end of the interview. Feel free to raise points or ask questions throughout.
Sample Technical Questions:
Because technical questions are so specific to the position itself, it is difficult to list sample questions that you could expect to receive. We recommend that you thoroughly review the job description and any responsibilities that might be included in the description. Check out the company’s website to see if it can provide additional insight into the requirements of the position. Once you have greater clarity around the necessary skills, create your own questions. For example, if you are pursuing an opportunity at Arnold Communications as a Graphic Designer, you can reasonably expect to receive questions regarding your proficiency in such computer programs as QuarkXPress, Photoshop, and Illustrator. If you are pursuing a Systems Analyst position, you should be prepared to display your expertise in Java, Oracle and Firewalls.
Sample “Typical” Questions (can often be used as “icebreakers” before getting to the crux of the interview):
Tell me a little about yourself.
Have you enjoyed your experience at Bentley University thus far?
What do you know about the company, our products or services?
Why are you interested in this job and, conversely, why should we be interested in you?
What courses have you taken? What are your favorite/least favorite classes? Why?
What interests do you have outside of school?
Walk me through your work experience. What did you like/dislike about your positions?
How did you select your major?
What is your GPA? Do you think it reflects your abilities? Why?
Greatest strengths/weaknesses.
Do you have any questions for me? (Hint: you should have a minimum of three, see below for some examples)
Describe your ideal job.
What are your career goals? Two year plan? Five Year Plan?
What are your salary requirements?
Questions you should consider posing in an interview……
What kind of skills attributes are you seeking in a candidate?
What kind of assignments might I expect in the first six months on the job?
How is performance measured?
What type of training is provided to keep the staff on the cutting edge of technology?
What is the culture of the firm?
What do you like best/least about working for the company? How did you ultimately decide to work for this firm?
What are the next steps?
What is the greatest challenge facing your office/staff today?
Is travel involved or expected with this position?
What characteristics do the highest achievers in this company seem to share?
Questions for you to research prior to any interview…
(hint: please see our “Researching Employers” handout or speak to your reference librarian for more information on how to find the answers to the questions below.)
Who are the key players in the field? What role does the company play in this industry?
What is the history of the field? Where is it heading? What are some recent trends?
What skills are required to succeed in this field?
What are the company’s key products? Market Share?
What makes this firm different from its competitors?
