25 Questions to Ask an Interviewer as a Software Engineer

As a software engineer, the interview process can be nerve-wracking. You want to make sure that you ask the right questions so that you can determine if the company and role are a good fit for you.

This blog post will discuss 25 questions you should ask during an interview for a software engineering role. These questions will help you learn more about the position and the company. Keep reading!

1. What are the duties you have determined for this position?

The question on the responsibilities is a great way to start the interview. It will give you a good idea of what the company is looking for in this position and whether or not your skills match what they are expecting.

If the interviewer does not have specific expectations set for the role, ask about the company’s desired outcome for the position. This will give you a better idea of the company’s goals for the role and whether or not they align with your own career goals.

2. What metrics are you using to assess performance in this job?

Performance is key for any software engineer role. Asking the interviewer how they measure performance will help you understand what to aim for and whether or not you would be a good fit for the position.

If there are specific areas that you excel in, make sure to bring this up as well. For example, if you’re particularly strong in coding or debugging, be sure to mention it. This will show the interviewer that you’re proactive and have taken the time to understand what the role entails.

3. What technology and tools does the team use?

Asking this question will give you an idea of what you’ll be working with and whether or not you’re familiar with it. Asking this question also shows your interviewer that you’re interested in the job and want to make sure it’s a good fit for you.

Technology is constantly changing, and it’s essential to be familiar with the latest trends to stay ahead of the competition. If your interviewer tells you that the team uses technology that you’re not familiar with, don’t worry! It’s okay to ask questions about how much they use that technology and if there will be an opportunity for you to learn more about it.

4. What are the current priorities of the company?

The interviewer will be able to give you an idea of where the company is currently focusing its efforts. This information can help you determine if the company’s priorities align with your own career goals. Additionally, it can provide insight into whether or not the company is growing and expanding, which could lead to opportunities in the future.

Asking about the company’s current priorities also shows that you are interested in more than just your own role. You are interested in the company as a whole and its long-term success. This can be an attractive quality to potential employers.

5. Tell me about the team I will be working on?

Knowing about the team is crucial because you want to see if their culture and working style is a good fit for you. You also want to make sure that the team can help you grow in your career. Do they have the resources and knowledge to help teach you what you need to know? Will they be able to challenge you?

These are all important things to consider when looking at a team. You also want to make sure that the team is stable and has been around for a while. New teams can be fun, but they can also be high-risk environments if the company is struggling.

6. What are the initial responsibilities for young software engineers?

The initial responsibilities for young software engineers can vary depending on the company, but oftentimes they will be assigned to a specific project and tasked with completing certain milestones or goals.

Asking this question can help you get an idea of what to expect in your first few weeks on the job, and whether the company is willing to invest in training and mentorship.

7. How does the software engineering department prepare projects?

Asking about the team’s project planning process can give you a sense of how well they work together and whether or not their methods will mesh with your own working style. Additionally, finding out about their process will help you understand what to expect once you’re on board.

For example, if they use a lot of agile methodologies and you’re used to working in a more traditional waterfall model, there could be some initial friction. However, with some open communication and willingness to adapt on both sides, most conflicts can be resolved.

8. What is the culture of the software engineering department like?

A company’s culture can be a major deciding factor when accepting a job offer. Some people may prefer a more formal environment, while others may prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.

The same goes for the software development department of the company. Some people may want to work in a department where the focus is on collaboration, while others may want to work in a department that focuses on individual achievement.

Asking the interviewer about the company’s culture and the software engineering department can help you get a better idea of whether the company and department are a good fit for you.

9. What are the prospects for professional growth in this role?

The interviewer can give you an idea of what the career path looks like for someone in this position. If there is no clear path, ask about the company’s plans for growth and how the role might develop over time.

This question shows that you’re interested in long-term development and not just a job to get you through the next few months. It also shows that you’re proactive and willing to think ahead about your career.

Growth opportunities are significant to many people, so this question can help you figure out if the company is a good fit for you. If the answer is no or they can’t give you an answer, it might be a sign that the company isn’t doing well or doesn’t have many plans for the future.

10. What development methodology does the team use?

The software engineering field is constantly changing, and as a potential employee, it’s important to know if the company uses an up-to-date development methodology. For example, some companies are now using Scrum, an agile development methodology. Asking this question will help you understand how the company approaches software development.

If the interviewer says that the company isn’t using a specific methodology, ask about their plans for adopting one in the near future. It shows that you’re keeping up with industry trends and are interested in working for a company that uses modern development methods.

11. What is the biggest challenge for the team?

This question will help you know a bit more about the team’s struggles and how you can potentially help the team. It also shows that you are interested in the team’s well-being and not just your personal success.

The interviewer may not be able to divulge too much information, but they should at least be able to give you a general idea of the team’s biggest challenge.

This question can help you understand what the team is struggling with and how you could potentially help them. It also shows that you’re interested in helping the team overcome their challenges.

If the interviewer cannot answer this question, you can ask a more specific question about the team’s current or future projects. Either way, this question will help you understand the team’s biggest challenge.

12. What are the hours and location of this role?

The software engineering field often requires working long hours, especially when deadlines are looming. Asking the interviewer about the flexibility of hours and location can help you determine whether or not this position would be a good fit for your lifestyle.

If the position is located in a different city than where you currently live, ask about the company’s relocation policy. Some companies offer reimbursement for moving expenses, while others provide a lump sum payment.

If you have children or other family members who rely on you for care, ask the interviewer about the company’s flexible work arrangements policy. For example, many companies now offer telecommuting and compressed workweeks as options for their employees.

13. Is there time for team bonding activities outside of the workplace?

This is a fantastic question to ask since it might help you gain an insight into the team’s dynamics. If the team is close-knit, it might be a good sign that they work well together and support each other.

However, if the team doesn’t seem to get along very well, it could mean that there is some tension or conflict within the team. This could lead to a less productive work environment for you.

14. What are the potential learning opportunities for this position?

As the software engineering field is always evolving, it’s crucial to ask an interviewer about the learning opportunities available to you in the position. This question can help you determine whether or not the company invests in their employees and if they’re willing to help you grow as a professional.

If you are always looking to learn and grow, this is something you must ask. Unfortunately, not all companies offer learning and development opportunities, so it’s critical to know what you can get yourself into.

15. What are your company’s immediate goals?

You will want to have an idea of where the company is headed and its growth plans. This will give you a good idea of whether or not the company is stable and has a solid future.

The interviewer may give a vague answer, such as “We’re looking to grow and expand” or “We want to be the best company in our industry.” In this case, you can ask follow-up questions to get more details.

For example, you could ask how the company plans to grow or what specific areas they are focusing on. This will give you a better idea of whether the company is in a healthy state and has a promising future ahead of it.

16. What are some great achievements of the team I’ll be joining?

Asking about the team’s recent successes shows that you’re interested in being a part of a winning team, and want to contribute to their continued success. It also allows you to gauge how well the team works together and celebrates its accomplishments.

When your interviewer starts talking about the team’s achievements, listen for clues about the company’s culture. Are they humble and quick to give credit to the team, or do they take all of the credit themselves? This can be a good indicator of how egocentric your potential future boss may be.

17. What are the traits that would make someone successful in this job?

When interviewing for a software engineering role, it’s necessary to ask the interviewer what qualities are required to excel in the position. By asking this question, you can better understand what the interviewer is looking for and see if you fit that description.

Additionally, this question allows you to showcase qualities that would make you successful in the role. For example, if the interviewer says that someone who is successful in this role needs to work independently, you could mention how you have a history of working independently on projects.

18. What databases do you use?

This is another question that can help you get a sense of the company’s technical sophistication. If they mention a database that you’re not familiar with, it might be worth asking them to explain what it is and how it’s used.

This question also gives you an idea of the company’s data management practices. You’ll want to make sure the company has rigorous data management practices in place before you accept a job offer, especially if your work will involve dealing with customer data.

19. How much does the software engineer team need to interact with other teams?

This question helps you understand how the company works and how well you will be able to work with other teams. If the company is very siloed, it may be difficult for your team to get work done. Alternatively, if the company is very collaborative, it will be easier for you to get up to speed.

You can also get a sense of how the company values collaboration. If they mention that collaboration is important, but don’t ask any questions about it, it may not be something that they prioritize.

20. What is the process for making design choices on the team?

Design decisions are an important part of the software engineering process, and it’s essential to understand how they are made on a team. This question can help you know how much input you’ll have in the design process and whether you’ll be able to push your own ideas forward.

It can also give you a sense of how well the team works together and how comfortable you’ll feel voicing your opinions. Moreover, it helps you gauge the interviewer’s opinion on taking design risks. A good interviewer will be open to taking risks when appropriate but also be mindful of not putting the team in a difficult position.

21. Do I need any non-technical skills?

This question is important to ask because as a software engineer, you will need to have strong technical skills. However, you will also need to be able to communicate well with others and work in a team. Asking this question will help you understand what the company is looking for in an ideal candidate.

Non-technical skills are necessary for a software engineer because they will help you be successful in your career. Good communication skills are important so that you can explain your ideas to others and work well in a team. Asking this question will help you understand what the company is looking for in an ideal candidate.

22. Who is the person that I would report to?

This question is essential because you want to know who you’ll be working with and their roles. You also want to get an idea of the company’s hierarchy.

Ask this question to gauge the potential for upward mobility in the company. If the person you report to is a director or higher, that’s a good sign. If you report to someone in a lower role, it may be more challenging to move up in the company.

23. How many meetings does the software engineer attend?

The software engineer should ask the interviewer how many meetings they would be expected to attend. This is important to know because it will help the engineer gauge how much time they will need to dedicate to attending meetings.

If the engineer knows that they will be expected to attend a lot of meetings, then they can plan their work around that accordingly. 

24. What is the size of the team?

The size of the team is important to know because it will give you an idea of the work environment. If the team is small, then you may have more responsibility and be required to work on a variety of tasks.

If the team is large, then you may specialize in one area and have less responsibility. Asking this question will help you determine if the team size is a good fit for your skills and personality.

The size of the team can also help you determine if the company is growing. A company with a large team may be expanding and have opportunities for growth in the future.

25. What is the nicest aspect of being a part of this team?

This question allows the interviewer to brag about their team a bit. It also gives you some insight into what the team values and what they think is important. If the team values kindness and friendliness, then it might find it a bit hard to fit in if you are more introverted. However, if the team values hard work and dedication over anything else, then it could be a perfect fit.

Asking this question also shows that you are interested in being a part of the team and that you care about finding the right fit for yourself. It shows that you want to be more than just a cog in the machine, but rather someone who will contribute to the team in a positive way.

Conclusion

Asking questions during an interview is a key way to assess whether or not the role and the company are a good fit for you. By asking these questions, you’ll be able to gain a better understanding of what the interviewer is looking for, the team’s challenges, the company’s plans, and everything else.

They will also help you stand out from the other candidates and show that you’re serious about the role. Be sure to ask follow-up questions if you need more information, and thank the interviewer for their time once the interview is over.