Skip to contentSkip to footer

Software Engineer Interviews

Salaries
Interviews

Software Engineer Interview Questions

Software engineers write programs to design and develop computer software. Interviews are highly technical, so come ready to work through coding problems and math brainteasers. The specific questions you are asked will depend on what type of programming position you are looking for. Try researching a specific software discipline such as web development, application development, or system development.

Top Software Engineer Interview Questions & How to Answer

Question 1

Question #1: How would you describe your programming task process?

How to answer
How to answer: When answering a question about your process or life cycle for software development and engineering, it's helpful to consider every step, beginning with obtaining the requirements for the end product. Include as much detail as possible to help the interviewer learn more about any work you've done as a software engineer and how you handle a task to show your ability to tackle a project from start to finish.
Question 2

Question #2: Which programming languages do you know and prefer?

How to answer
How to answer: An interviewer will want to know what programming languages you're familiar with, as well as which languages you prefer. This question doesn't necessarily have a right or wrong answer, but it does provide insights into your capabilities and coding expertise. If the job listing for which you are interviewing includes specific language knowledge preferences, make sure to include them when outlining the software languages you know.
Question 3

Question 3: What is an example of a successful project that you completed?

How to answer
How to answer: When describing your success with a past project, it's helpful to identify aspects of the project that went well and detail the different task list elements. You can describe the team with whom you worked on the project, how you managed your time, and how you specifically contributed to the project.

419,484 software engineer interview questions shared by candidates

Brain teaser #1: Given 8 balls and a balance, how many weighings would it take to find one ball that does not weigh the same as the other 7. Brain teaser #2: Two boys enter a tunnel. When they are 1/3 of the way through, they hear a train coming. If the boys run in opposite directions at the same speed, and narrowly miss getting hit by the train at their respective end of the tunnel, how fast was the train traveling compared to the 2 boys?
avatar

Senior Software Engineer

Interviewed at Garmin

3.7★
Apr 24, 2018

Brain teaser #1: Given 8 balls and a balance, how many weighings would it take to find one ball that does not weigh the same as the other 7. Brain teaser #2: Two boys enter a tunnel. When they are 1/3 of the way through, they hear a train coming. If the boys run in opposite directions at the same speed, and narrowly miss getting hit by the train at their respective end of the tunnel, how fast was the train traveling compared to the 2 boys?

Viewing 1701 - 1710 interview questions

Glassdoor has 419,484 interview questions and reports from Software engineer interviews. Prepare for your interview. Get hired. Love your job.