Software Developer Questions to Determine Best Hires

Software developers are in such high demand these days. They play a vital role in the day-to-day operations of many businesses and organizations. As such, it’s important to ensure you hire the best individuals for the job. And the best way to do that is to ask the right software developer questions.

You need questions that can help you get a feel for the individual’s skills, interests, personality, and work ethic.

Save yourself a significant amount of time by looking through the questions in this article. They will surely help you choose the most qualified applicant to join the team. 

What Skills Should a Software Developer Have?

Before we get into the interview questions we’ve prepared for you; it’s helpful to know some skills the applicant should have. Each developer role will have varied requirements. But knowing these basic skills will help you determine what you should look for in selecting the best candidate.

Here are just some of the skills needed for a software developer:

Coding Languages

Programming languages are the types of source code a developer uses to write a software program. A software developer should be proficient with at least one.

Database Knowledge

People organize and organize information electronically through databases, particularly records for companies. A software developer must be familiar with searching for information, entering new lines of data, and updating the system with new material.

Data Structures and Algorithms

Different data structures are available to store data in a database, while algorithms describe the process required to complete tasks. Software developers should be familiar with various data structures and algorithms to determine which combination will maximize their code.

Testing Procedures

A company’s software program must undergo an elaborate testing process before being released to consumers. And it is the duty of software developers to test it and ensure it’s ready before a market roll-out.

Other general skills and characteristics a good software developer needs to have are:

• Mathematical aptitude
• Problem-solving skills
• Programming languages (different developer roles will require different languages)
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Understanding the latest trends in business and their impact
• Teamwork skills
• Self-development skills to keep up to date with fast-changing trends

Software Developer Questions

Basic Interview Questions

These questions are great to start off an interview. They revolve around basic facts about the candidate, their interests, goals, and so on.

• Why did you choose a career in software development?
• What do you think is your biggest weakness? 
• Why do you want to work here? 
• Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
• What do you like most about software development?
• Why do you think you’re good at what you do?
• What made you leave your previous job?
• Why should we hire you for this position?
• What is the greatest success in your career so far?
• What do you think is the biggest challenge software developers face?

Technical Questions

You can ask these questions to gather knowledge about a candidate’s skills and knowledge about the field. As mentioned earlier, different software developer roles may differ in the skills required. You may need to vary these questions depending on the role’s needs.

• What programming languages do you know? What are the pros and cons of each one?
• Give a brief description of the programs you have designed. What purpose did they serve?
• What is debugging?
• Could you describe the steps involved in software development?
• How do you ensure quality output and fix errors?
• How do you find bugs in an application and test them?
• What is the difference between a stack and an array?
• What are some techniques to make faster websites?
• How can you determine if a product is ready to be released?
• Can you define what agile software development is?

Behavioral Interview Questions

Aside from getting to know a candidate’s skills, it’s also important to know their personality. And these questions can help you do just that.

• Tell us about a time when you worked on a program with a group. How do you handle and resolve conflicts or disagreements?
• What do you do when explaining programming concepts or projects to someone unfamiliar with programming?
• Describe an instance when you had to solve a serious software problem. How did you do it?
• How do you prioritize and plan projects?
• Do you enjoy working with a team or prefer working alone?

To Wrap Up

If you’re looking for a software developer, be sure to ask the right software developer questions. Use these sample questions to better assess the candidate’s skills and potential overall. They will help you gain insight not just into their skills but also their personality. And this will ultimately help you determine if they are a good fit for the job.