Interview question bank for hiring managers

Interviews can be a stressful experience for both the interviewer and the interviewee. The pressure to find the right fit for the job can make it difficult to ask the right questions. To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of 75 unique interview questions to ask potential tech candidates. These questions are designed to help you gain insight into the candidate’s personality, experience, and technical abilities.

But first, what makes an excellent interviewer?

What makes an excellent interviewer

If you’re a hiring manager, you know that being good at interviewing candidates is key. Here are some tips to help you become an excellent interviewer.

Research the Candidate

Before you start the interview process, do your homework. Look at the candidate’s resume, portfolio, and any other material they provided. Read up on the company and the position you’re hiring for. The more you know about the candidate and the job, the better prepared you’ll be to ask the right questions.

Create a List of Questions

Once you have done your research, create a list of questions. Make sure you have a mix of questions that cover the skills, experience, and culture fit for the position. Have a few open-ended questions that will allow you to understand the candidate on a more personal level.

Listen Carefully

During the interview, listen carefully to the candidate’s responses. Don’t interrupt or get sidetracked. Pay attention to the candidate’s answers and ask follow-up questions if needed.

Create a Positive Environment

Interviewing can be intimidating for candidates, so it’s important to create a positive and welcoming environment. Start the interview off by introducing yourself and the company, and let the candidate know what to expect.

Take Notes

During the interview, take notes on the candidate’s answers. This will help you remember important details and also give you something to refer back to when you make your hiring decision.

Give the Candidate Time to Think

Don’t rush the candidate. Give them time to think before they answer a question. This will help them feel more comfortable and will give you the opportunity to get more information.

End the Interview on a Positive Note

At the end of the interview, thank the candidate for their time and give them a chance to ask any questions. Let them know when they can expect to hear back from you and that you’ll keep them updated.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an excellent interviewer. Remember to be prepared, listen carefully, and create a positive environment so you can make the best hiring decision possible.

With the right preparation, you can make sure that you have the tools and knowledge to conduct insightful and effective interviews. We compiled the most sought-after startup skills, and created a list of questions for each that covers a broad range of topics.

Tech Interview Question Bank

Entrepreneurial mindset

1. Describe a time when you had to think outside the box to solve a problem.
2. How do you stay motivated when facing uncertain outcomes?
3. Describe a time when you had to take initiative and lead a project.
4. If you started your own business, what would you focus on?
5. How do you develop relationships with customers?
6. How do you handle difficult conversations with customers?
7. Describe how you would build a team from scratch.
8. What kind of risks would you be willing to take to grow a business?
9. What strategies do you use to manage stress and handle failure?
10. How do you stay organized in business environments?
11. How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and competitors?
12. How would you handle a situation where you have to make a tough decision?
13. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision with limited information.
14. How do you create a culture of innovation within your organization?
15. How do you handle failure and setbacks?

Problem-solving

1. Describe a problem you faced recently, and how you solved it.
2. What have you done in the past to solve a problem when you had limited resources?
3. What do you do when you encounter a problem you don’t know how to solve?
4. How do you handle competing demands when working on a problem?
5. What strategies do you use when you need to solve a problem quickly?
6. How do you handle a situation when the solution to a problem is not immediately apparent?
7. Describe a situation in which you had to think quickly and creatively to solve a problem.
8. How do you break down a problem into manageable parts?
9. What strategies do you use to identify the root cause of a problem?
10. How do you evaluate possible solutions to a problem?

Communication

1. Describe a time when you had to deliver difficult news to someone.
2. How do you handle conflicting opinions?
3. What techniques do you use to ensure that your message is being understood?
4. How do you handle feedback from others?
5. Tell me about a time when you had to explain something complex to someone?
6. How do you handle difficult conversations?
7. What do you do to stay organized when communicating with multiple people?
8. How do you handle disagreements in a professional setting?
9. How do you ensure that all parties involved understand the message you are trying to convey?
10. How do you handle unexpected feedback or criticism?
11. How do you handle stressful situations that require communication?
12. How do you handle difficult conversations with customers?

Adaptability

1. How have you responded to changes in the workplace in the past?
2. What strategies have you used to quickly adapt to new situations?
3. Describe a time when you had to switch tasks quickly.
4. What have you done to stay up-to-date with changing technology?
5. What have you done to develop your problem-solving skills?
6. How have you handled working with different personalities?
7. How have you handled difficult conversations with colleagues?
8. What do you do to stay flexible and open to new ideas?
9. Describe a situation in which you handled a challenging deadline.
10. How did you respond and adjust when the scope of a project changed?
11. Describe an experience where you had to quickly adjust to a new process.
12. How do you deal with a disagreement on a team project?
13. How do you handle competing priorities or conflicting deadlines?
14. How have you responded when faced with a sudden change in direction?
15. Describe a time when you had to pivot quickly to stay on track.
16. What have you done to stay adaptive when faced with a new set of challenges?
17. How have you leveraged technology to stay ahead of changing trends?
18. How do you respond when faced with an unexpected obstacle?

Growth mindset

1. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career?
2. How do you respond to failure?
3. How do you stay motivated when you are facing difficult tasks?
4. Do you believe that effort plays a role in achieving success?
5. How do you approach problem solving?
6. How would you define success in your career?
7. How do you measure your progress?
8. What are some of the skills you have acquired to help you succeed?
9. What strategies do you use to stay focused on your goals?
10. How do you measure success when it comes to personal growth?
11. How do you stay open-minded when facing unfamiliar tasks?
12. How do you handle setbacks?

Ownership mindset

1. What have you done to take initiative in the past?
2. Describe a time when you took ownership of a project or task.
3. What steps have you taken to anticipate and prevent potential problems?
4. How have you used data and analytics to inform your decision making?
5. What strategies do you use to identify opportunities for improvement?
6. Describe a situation in which you had to challenge the status quo to achieve success.
7. Describe a situation where you identified a problem and took action to fix it.
8. How do you balance taking initiative with adhering to existing procedures and protocols?
9. Describe a situation where you had to go above and beyond to ensure success.
10. How do you identify and weigh risks and benefits when making decisions?
11. Describe a situation where you had to think quickly and decisively to achieve a goal.
12. Describe a situation where you had to make an unpopular decision to achieve success.
13. What have you done to stay motivated and productive when faced with a challenging task?
14. How do you stay organized and prioritize tasks?
15. Describe a situation where you had to take the lead and guide others to success.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive set of tech interview questions to help you in the hiring process, this blog post has provided you with a great starting point. With these questions, you can get an idea of the skills, experiences, and qualifications of potential candidates, as well as the best way to assess their suitability for the job. Taking the time to ask the right questions can help you find the right person for the job and ensure a successful hire.