1. Where can I find a portfolio of your work?

8 non-technical interview questions for developers

Master your next interview with these must-know questions

Listen up, developers. You’ve got the technical abilities. But are you ready for the formal, non-technical interview to land your next developer role? Now more than ever, businesses want programmers who can do more than crack code. They want professionals who deliver seamless products efficiently and timely. To prove you are a well-rounded developer and trusted business partner, be ready to answer these key IT interview questions below to pass your next vetting process with flying colors.

Software developers must be ready to showcase their portfolio during the interview. Interviewers examine past performance and achievements to gauge how they can expect you to perform in the future if they hire you. Be sure to provide links to your past work via Behance, Dribble, GitHub, Stack Overflow, Apple App Store, Google Play Store and more. Also, be prepared to explain your role in projects and how you arrived at the end product. If you are an entry-level software engineer with no professional portfolio, showcase solid, completed projects you have built yourself. School and passion projects are always welcomed.

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2. Why are you leaving your previous position?

Interviewers use this question to learn what you are looking for in an employer and to identify potential red flags. Often, interviewers misinterpret short job stints and contract work as red flags. However, in today's gig economy, there’s an undeniable presence of job hopping, especially among the millennial workforce. If you find yourself in this boat, it's okay. Most employers will consider factors such as your career progression and why you left. Be prepared to articlutate why you have chosen this type of work and how it has broadened your skill set. To prevent employers from making inaccurate assumptions about your professional brand, it is important to ensure you are effectively explaining the reasons you moved from one position to the next. Turn this misinterpreted negative into a positive and have it work to your advantage.

3. What is your ideal work environment?

When organizations and programmers collaborate, better products get built. In this new era of product development, developers, designers and stakeholders work together to ensure projects are completed on time and successfully. Today, developers seldom operate in standalone roles. Most roles now require you to work in team environments with some form of agile or hybrid thinking. The role of a developer is no longer a code farm—you must be a team player. In response to a question like this, it is critical to express your work process and how you embrace a collaborative approach that includes open channels of communication and regular stakeholder meetings to provide status updates and reviews. Discuss your preferred project management tools, processes and communication methods to show the interviewer you are an effective communicator and partner.

4. What coding languages or skills are you proficient in?

You may be thinking, ‘I thought this article was about NON-technical interview questions,’ but we can’t exclude this important question. Your knowledge will always be a topic of discussion during an interview. However, don’t get too caught up in pitting one language or skill over another when answering this question. The interviewer is more interested in how well you maneuver between multiple skill sets based on business needs than your knowledge in a particular skill set. Often, employers are searching for candidates who have T-shaped skills: expertise in at least one area and the ability to collaborate across other disciplines. This skill set enables organizations to minimize dependencies and reduce knowledge silos. When speaking to your T-shaped skill set, identify your top skills and those that compliment it. For example, if you specialize in front-end development, discuss your additional knowledge of UI, UX and web design, and how this allows you to predict requirements ahead of time.

5. Do you understand my project, business and customer needs?

When crafting an answer for this IT interview question, use past examples and leverage work with similar companies to show prospective employers how you align with their initiatives. Be sure to also research the company and their platforms before your interview. Are there notable things you can improve immediately? Are there product issues they are unaware of? Leveraging your knowledge of a business to highlight what you have to offer to a prospective employer will show you have done your homework prior to the interview and prove you are invested in the role.

6. How do you feel about QA (quality assurance)?

Software engineers typically work with QA, whether it is with a dedicated team or is a process they have to conduct themselves. As a developer, you will need to explain how you manage quality control. Do you perform tests to discover bugs? How do you practice code-reviews? Quality assurance is critical for the successful release of any project. No one wants to hire a candidate who may be at odds with their QA. During your interview, be sure to effectively explain that you value QA and how you approach the process.

8. How are you different from other developers?

All too often, companies end up hiring the wrong developer for a project, leading to delays, wasted time and money. Set yourself apart from the competition by selling more than your technical abilities. (Your portfolio should speak to that.) Show your accountability, communication skills and your understanding of customers’ needs by describing previous experiences. Most companies are hyper-aware of how a candidate will affect the culture of a team, whether it be work ethic or demeanor. Culture and soft skills can sometimes trump the technical match when employers are choosing which candidate(s) to hire. These traits and past behaviors determine what kind of partner you will be. Remember it’s up to you to persuade interviewers to invest in you. Anticipate these non-technical questions to waltz through your next interview like a pro!

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7. What are your rates and terms? Salary needs?

Salary is a topic that often comes up during an interview. To avoid being caught off guard and floundering when this question arises, prepare your answer ahead of time to articulate your expectations. Do you offer an upfront, one-time fee? A deposit? Do you have a minimum salary? Show your professionalism by being transparent about your service model or your salary needs. If this process is too daunting, enlist a trusted recruiter who can help you navigate salary talks. Recruiters have extensive experience in salary negotiations, and they are experts at finding the salary you deserve.

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