Common Interview Q/A
Interview Questions and Answers
Tell me about yourself.
My name is Priyanka, and I’m from Bangalore. I completed my graduation from XYZ University. I’m a software developer with 3 years of experience, mainly working with React and Node.js to build backend systems and APIs. I enjoy solving problems, optimizing performance, and writing clean, maintainable code.””
Why: They want to know who you are and if your skills fit the job.
Why do you want to work here?
“I like the projects your company works on and the technologies you use. I think I can learn a lot here and also add value with my coding skills.”
Why: They want to see that you are interested in them, not just any job.
What do you know about our company?
“I know your company builds software for e-commerce businesses and recently moved to cloud-based systems. That is exciting because I enjoy working with cloud tools.”
Why: They want to check if you researched the company.
Why are you leaving your current job?
“I learned a lot in my current job, but I’m looking for new challenges and more chances to grow my skills.”
Why: They want to know you are leaving for a good reason.
What are your greatest strengths?
“I’m good at finding and fixing bugs quickly. I also write clean code and help my teammates with code reviews.”
Why: They want to know what you do best.
What are your biggest weaknesses?
“I sometimes spend too much time making code perfect. I’m learning to focus on finishing work on time while keeping good quality.”
Why: They want to see if you are honest and improving yourself.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
“I want to grow into a senior developer and work on bigger projects, maybe even lead a small team.”
Why: They want to see if you plan to stay and grow with them.
Why should we hire you?
“I know how to build and improve backend systems, make them faster, and fix problems quickly. I can start helping your team right away.”
Why: They want to know what value you bring.
Tell me about a challenge you faced at work and how you handled it.
“One project had very slow API calls. I found the problem in the database queries and fixed them. The API became much faster.”
Why: They want to see how you solve problems.
Describe a time you worked in a team.
“I worked with frontend and QA teams to launch a payment feature. I made sure the API worked well and helped fix bugs before release.”
Why: They want to see if you can work well with others.
Tell me about a time you disagreed with a coworker or manager.
“I disagreed with how we handled login security. I showed a better option with data to support it. The team agreed, and we used the better solution.”
Why: They want to know you handle disagreements respectfully.
What’s your proudest professional achievement?
“I built a caching system that made our app load twice as fast. Our users were very happy with the speed.”
Why: They want to know what you consider success.
How do you prioritize tasks when everything is urgent?
“I talk to my manager to know what is most important. Then I fix the most critical problems first before working on other tasks.”
Why: They want to know if you can stay organized.
Tell me about a mistake you made and what you learned.
“I once pushed code without enough tests and caused a bug in production. I fixed it fast and now always add tests before pushing code.”
Why: They want to see if you take responsibility and learn.
What motivates you?
“I like solving problems and seeing my code help users. Learning new tools also keeps me excited.”
Why: They want to see what keeps you happy at work.
How do you handle pressure or stressful situations?
“I stay calm, break the problem into smaller steps, and work with my team to solve it quickly.”
Why: They want to know how you act in tough times.
What is your leadership style (or how do you work with managers)?
“I like open communication. I give updates often and ask questions to be sure I’m on the right track.”
Why: They want to see if you fit their work style.
What are your salary expectations?
“Based on my skills and market rates, I expect around Rs.XXXXXXX, but I am open to discussing it.”
Why: They want to know if they can afford you.
Do you have any questions for us?
“Yes — what is the biggest challenge your developers are working on right now?”
Why: They want to see if you are curious and serious about the job.
When can you start?
“I can start in two weeks after giving notice at my current job.”
Why: They need to plan your start date.