Skip to main content

Behavioral Interview Questions for Software Engineers

Behavioral interviews can often feel unstructured compared to technical interviews. However, most interviewers aim to understand you better by asking a consistent set of questions designed to evaluate your experiences, values, and problem-solving abilities. Below are 30 of the most commonly asked behavioral questions, grouped for easier preparation.

Motivations and Career Goals​

  1. Why do you want to work for [Company Name]?
  2. Why are you leaving your current or previous company?
  3. What are you looking for in your next role?
  4. What would you hope to achieve in the first six months if hired?
  5. If this were your first annual review here, what feedback would I be giving you?

Teamwork and Collaboration​

  1. Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a coworker. How did you resolve it?
  2. Describe a time you had a disagreement with your manager and how you handled it.
  3. Tell me about a time you needed to influence someone to resolve a conflict.
  4. What words would your colleagues use to describe you?
  5. Tell me about a problem you’ve had getting along with a work associate and how you managed it.

Projects and Challenges​

  1. What project are you currently working on, and what is the most challenging aspect of it?
  2. Talk about a project you’re most passionate about or where you did your best work.
  3. Name a difficult challenge you faced while working on a project, how you overcame it, and what you learned.
  4. What is something you had to persevere at for multiple months?
  5. Tell me about the most interesting projects you’ve worked on and how they might be relevant to our environment.

Problem-Solving and Adaptability​

  1. What was the most difficult bug you fixed in the past six months?
  2. How do you approach tackling challenges at work?
  3. Tell me about a time you met a tight deadline.
  4. What is something you had to push for in a previous project?
  5. How do you handle criticism of your work, and what aspects of your work are most often criticized?

Self-Awareness and Reflection​

  1. What is the most constructive feedback you’ve received in your career?
  2. What strengths do you think are most important for this role?
  3. What frustrates you at work, and how do you handle it?
  4. What excites you about your work?
  5. What does your best day at work look like?

Future Vision and Fit​

  1. Imagine it’s your first day here. What would you want to work on, and what features would you improve?
  2. What time-management skills have you developed and applied in your work?
  3. Why do you believe you’re a good fit for this position?
  4. How would you ensure your skills and experiences align with our company’s needs?
  5. What words would you use to describe your work ethic and style?