Behavioral Questions are the type of questions that assess your soft skills, for example, how you acted in a certain situation. As a software engineer, you go through situations where your soft skills are greatly tested. Recruiters while hiring ask questions that assess a candidate’s skills and how they have acted in the past while facing a difficult situation. Asking questions based on behavior helps employers to make well-informed decisions. In this blog, we talk about a few behavioral questions for software engineers. 

1- Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses as a software engineer

One of the most common things asked in an interview is asking about your strengths and weaknesses. During a software engineer interview, recruiters ask this question to assess self-awareness and the candidate’s ability to reflect on their skills. 

To answer this question effectively, you need to streamline your answer and divide it into two parts. The first part may talk about your strengths, which can include the areas you are good at and you excel in. You can talk about the skills you possess and the advantages you can give if hired. Furthermore, the second part should talk about weaknesses, which can include your weak areas. While answering this question, you can include your personal experiences from a previous role or a life example.

2- Describe a challenging problem you faced in a code and how you had to debug it

Being a software engineer, debugging is a term widely used. Recruiters ask this question “Describe a challenging problem you faced in a code and how you had to debug it” to assess problem-solving skills and troubleshooting abilities. Moreover, this question helps understand how well you understand and navigate complex code. 

It is important to understand the importance of debugging because it directly reflects upon candidates’ technical proficiency and how they manage challenges. Technical proficiency means to understand complex code structures and their implementation. Moreover, perseverance and tenacity are equally important. It reveals the determination to overcome challenges, as debugging can be a time-consuming process. 

While answering this question, use a relevant example from your past experiences. Explain a time when you faced a challenging problem in a code and how you led the debugging. Provide context of the problem and explain your role in the whole process. Try explaining the bug completely and later talk about the debugging approach used. Talk about your experience and step-by-step approach to the problem. In the end, conclude with the outcome of the debugging and talk about what you learned.

3- Tell me about a time when you had to manage tight deadlines

Today’s fast-paced work environment demands people who have pressure-handling abilities. This question is used to assess a candidate’s ability to prioritize tasks and meet time constraints. Time Management, Prioritization, and Stress Management play an important role, especially in software engineering. 

You can use the STAR method to answer this question. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Using this method will provide a structured and comprehensive response. To begin with, use an example for your work and explain the complete situation where you faced a tight deadline. Talk about the task which was to be done and describe the action plan. Lastly, share the outcome of your efforts and highlight what you learned.

4- Describe a project where you had to quickly learn a new technology or programming language

During a software engineering interview, this is a commonly asked question. Recruiters ask about a candidate’s past experiences with new technologies and situations to understand and assess their adaptability and willingness to learn. Being a software engineer demands constant upgrading and learning. Adaptability, problem-solving, and continuous learning are required as an engineer. Resourcefulness is also essential because seeking and acquiring knowledge is important. 

To stand out while answering this question, make sure you share a relevant example from your experience. Briefly describe the project and its goals as well as the new technology you used in it. Specify the programming language you used and talk about the challenges you faced. Moving forward, describe your approach towards the project and what steps you followed to effectively work on it. Lastly, talk about the challenges you faced throughout and conclude with what you learned.

5- Describe a project that you consider some of your best work.

The question “Describe a project that you consider some of your best work” is a common one in job interviews, and it provides you with an opportunity to showcase your skills, accomplishments, and the impact of your work. 

Recruiters ask about your previous work and projects to understand more about your skillsets. This is a good time to showcase your skills and accomplishments. This question holds a lot of importance because it demonstrates your achievements as an engineer and illustrates your abilities.  

Effectively answer this question by quoting a relevant project experience that you label as your best work. Talk about what makes this project your best one so far and how it helped you grow. Provide complete context to the interviewer and describe the challenges you faced. Focus more on the solutions you implemented and highlight your learning experience as a whole. Express enthusiasm while answering this question to show your interest. 

6- What excites you about the field of software engineering?

Software engineering as a field requires full dedication and interest. It’s a complex niche which is why without love for the field, you can’t stay consistent. Recruiters ask this question to understand the driving force of the candidate. It is commonly asked to gauge your passion, motivation, and alignment with the role. This question plays an important role in understanding the passion of the candidate for the software engineering field. Moreover, cultural fit and long-term commitment are also assessed based on the candidate’s response. 

Answer this question with complete honesty. Be genuine while explaining your interest in the field and highlighting your experience. Talk about what makes you enjoy working as a software engineer. Brief the interviewer about your skills and how can you be an impactful team worker.

7- Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult client

Being a software engineer means dealing with different types of clients and working on multiple projects. This question assesses the candidate’s interpersonal and communication skills. Recruiters ask this question to evaluate a candidate based on their professionalism and communication skills. 

The best way to answer this question is to choose a relevant example that illustrates your ability to handle difficult times. As discussed earlier you can use the STAR method again. Highlight your communication skills and talk about what you have learned from the experience. Conclude your answer with the resolution to the problem you faced with any past client.

8- Tell me about a time when you had to work on multiple projects simultaneously

The field of technology is fast-paced, which means as an engineer you would be working on multiple projects simultaneously. Recruiters ask this question to know more about the candidate’s ability to manage workload and prioritize tasks. Software engineers need to have strong time management skills as well as organizational skills. Organizational skills include setting priorities and maintaining clear communication. It also requires you to be adaptable to different tasks and stay productive. 

To stand out while answering this question, talk about your experience with working on multiple projects simultaneously. Briefly describe the projects you’ve worked on and how different they were from each other. Explain your role and talk about how you dealt with the challenges. In conclusion, you can highlight your management skills that make you the perfect fit for the role.