How to Pass an Interview for Software Engineer

1. How to Pass an InterviewHow to Pass an Interview
for a Software Engineer?for a Software Engineer?
What to Do andWhat to Avoid?What to Do andWhat to Avoid?
Nikolay KostovNikolay Kostov
academy.telerik.comacademy.telerik.com
TechnicalTrainerTechnicalTrainer
http://nikolay.ithttp://nikolay.it
Telerik AcademyTelerik Academy

2. Table of ContentsTable of Contents
1.1. What is a Job Interview?What is a Job Interview?
2.2. Preparation for an InterviewPreparation for an Interview
3.3. Typical Interview Questions andTypical Interview Questions and
Answers for Software EngineersAnswers for Software Engineers
 Classical QuestionsClassical Questions
 Technical QuestionsTechnical Questions
 Non-Technical (Personality) QuestionsNon-Technical (Personality) Questions
 Questions to AskQuestions to Ask
4.4. Typical Mistakes and How to Avoid Them?Typical Mistakes and How to Avoid Them?
2

3. What is a Job Interview?What is a Job Interview?
A Stressful Situation or a Chance toA Stressful Situation or a Chance to
DemonstrateYour Knowledge and Skills?DemonstrateYour Knowledge and Skills?

4. What is a Job Interview?What is a Job Interview?
 AA job interviewjob interview is a meeting aimed to assess ais a meeting aimed to assess a
candidate for a certain job positioncandidate for a certain job position
 The candidate should prove he or she is theThe candidate should prove he or she is the
right person for the offered positionright person for the offered position
 The interviewers asses theThe interviewers asses the skillsskills of theof the
candidate and his or hercandidate and his or her personalitypersonality
 By questions and small tasksBy questions and small tasks
 The candidate tries to prove his or her skillsThe candidate tries to prove his or her skills
 The candidate demonstrates his or her personalThe candidate demonstrates his or her personal
charactercharacter 4

5. How to Overcome the Stress?How to Overcome the Stress?
 The job interview is aThe job interview is a stressful situationstressful situation!!
 You need to present yourself in the best wayYou need to present yourself in the best way
 In most cases candidates fail to demonstrateIn most cases candidates fail to demonstrate
their skills due to stresstheir skills due to stress
 How toHow to overcome the stressovercome the stress??
 Just be well prepared!Just be well prepared!
 Prepare yourself for the technicalPrepare yourself for the technical
and non-technical questionsand non-technical questions
 Expect the questions and have good answersExpect the questions and have good answers
5

6. Interview PreparationInterview Preparation
What is the Best Way to PrepareWhat is the Best Way to Prepare
Yourself for an Upcoming Interview?Yourself for an Upcoming Interview?

7. Steps to Prepare for an InterviewSteps to Prepare for an Interview
 Once you have scheduled and interview, be sureOnce you have scheduled and interview, be sure
toto prepare yourselfprepare yourself for itfor it
 It is important to put enough effort in yourIt is important to put enough effort in your
interview preparationinterview preparation
 Half an hour is not enough, invest at least few daysHalf an hour is not enough, invest at least few days
 Steps to prepare for an interviewSteps to prepare for an interview
 Research the company and the HRsResearch the company and the HRs
 Research the offered positionResearch the offered position
 Prepare for technical questionsPrepare for technical questions
 Prepare for personality questionsPrepare for personality questions
7

8. Research the CompanyResearch the Company
 Always research the company you apply forAlways research the company you apply for
 You should expect a question at the interviewYou should expect a question at the interview
like "like "What do you know about our company?What do you know about our company?""
 If you answer "Nothing", you will failIf you answer "Nothing", you will fail
 If you say something incorrect, it is even worseIf you say something incorrect, it is even worse
 HowHow to find information?to find information?
 Obligatory explore in details the company WebObligatory explore in details the company Web
site, brochures, publications, ads, etc.site, brochures, publications, ads, etc.
 Look for articles, blogs, forums, etc.Look for articles, blogs, forums, etc.
 Ask your friends what do they knowAsk your friends what do they know 8

9. Research the Company (2)Research the Company (2)
 WhatWhat information you should know?information you should know?
 The company products / services portfolioThe company products / services portfolio
 The target market and customersThe target market and customers
 The technologies used in the development (e.g.The technologies used in the development (e.g.
C#, Silverlight, SQL Server, RIA Services, etc.)C#, Silverlight, SQL Server, RIA Services, etc.)
 Download the products and play with themDownload the products and play with them
 You will be asked what you know about theYou will be asked what you know about the
products related to your prospective jobproducts related to your prospective job
 The company mission, vision, projects, etc.The company mission, vision, projects, etc.
 The corporate culture, corporate valuesThe corporate culture, corporate values
9

10. Research the Offered PositionResearch the Offered Position
 ObligatoryObligatory research the offered positionresearch the offered position,,
requirements, advantages and responsibilitiesrequirements, advantages and responsibilities
 You should research all mentioned products,You should research all mentioned products,
services and technologies in the job descriptionservices and technologies in the job description
 E.g. if you see "E.g. if you see "Experience with Selenium is aExperience with Selenium is a
plusplus", be sure to install and play with Selenium", be sure to install and play with Selenium
 Be sure to know all "unknown words andBe sure to know all "unknown words and
acronyms" in the job descriptionacronyms" in the job description
 Be ready to demonstrate skills and experienceBe ready to demonstrate skills and experience
in the fields from the job descriptionin the fields from the job description
10

11. Prepare for Technical QuestionsPrepare for Technical Questions
 How to prepare for theHow to prepare for the technical questionstechnical questions??
 Typical general technical questionsTypical general technical questions
 Data structures and algorithmsData structures and algorithms
 Logical thinking and puzzlesLogical thinking and puzzles
 Software engineering questionsSoftware engineering questions
 Object-oriented programming (OOP)Object-oriented programming (OOP)
 Specific questions for the offered positionSpecific questions for the offered position
 If the job description says "If the job description says "JSF and RichFacesJSF and RichFaces",",
you should learn these technologiesyou should learn these technologies
11

12. Prepare for Technical QuestionsPrepare for Technical Questions
 How do youHow do you prepare for a certain technologyprepare for a certain technology??
 Pass a course / tutorial / read a book / blogPass a course / tutorial / read a book / blog
article about the unknown technologyarticle about the unknown technology
 ObligatoryObligatory create a small projectcreate a small project usingusing
the technology and play with itthe technology and play with it
 This is the only way to get someThis is the only way to get some
real-life experience, live in a projectreal-life experience, live in a project
 If you have never used a certain technologyIf you have never used a certain technology
(e.g.(e.g. JSFJSF) you cannot say you are prepared) you cannot say you are prepared
 The best way to learn it is by practicingThe best way to learn it is by practicing
12

13. The Interview ProcessThe Interview Process
Typical Scenario for aTechnical InterviewTypical Scenario for aTechnical Interview

14. Technical Interview: The ProcessTechnical Interview: The Process
 AA technical interviewtechnical interview for software engineer / ITfor software engineer / IT
professional consists of the following parts:professional consists of the following parts:
 The candidate presents himself or herselfThe candidate presents himself or herself
 The interviewers present the company, itsThe interviewers present the company, its
business, products, services, etc.business, products, services, etc.
 Technical assessment – solve few technicalTechnical assessment – solve few technical
problems and demonstrate the way of thinkingproblems and demonstrate the way of thinking
 Personal character assessmentPersonal character assessment
 Negotiation – salary expectations, start date, …Negotiation – salary expectations, start date, …
14

15. Presenting the Company / PositionPresenting the Company / Position
 TypicalTypical start of an interviewstart of an interview::
 The interviewers presents themselvesThe interviewers presents themselves
 Usually there is more than one interviewerUsually there is more than one interviewer
 HR (or HRs) and senior devs and / or team leadersHR (or HRs) and senior devs and / or team leaders
 The interviewer presents in short the company,The interviewer presents in short the company,
his department, his team, the current andhis department, his team, the current and
upcoming projects, technologies used, etc.upcoming projects, technologies used, etc.
 Some companies skip this step and expect theSome companies skip this step and expect the
candidate to know all this stuffcandidate to know all this stuff 15
My name is … Our company is … bala-bla-bla … We areMy name is … Our company is … bala-bla-bla … We are
leader in … bla-bla-bla … Our products bla-bla-bla …leader in … bla-bla-bla … Our products bla-bla-bla …
Our projects … bla-bla-bla … We are the best!Our projects … bla-bla-bla … We are the best!

16. Presenting YourselfPresenting Yourself
 Typical next step in an interview:Typical next step in an interview:
 The candidate is expected toThe candidate is expected to say few words aboutsay few words about
himself / herselfhimself / herself
 Be prepared to talkBe prepared to talk 33--55 minutesminutes
 Explain how did you start programmingExplain how did you start programming
 Your last job and projects (if you have)Your last job and projects (if you have)
 Your current occupation (e.g. student at NBU)Your current occupation (e.g. student at NBU)
 How did you learn about the position and yourHow did you learn about the position and your
motivation to applymotivation to apply 16
Present yourself in short – your relevant experience,Present yourself in short – your relevant experience,
education, how did you start programming, etc.education, how did you start programming, etc.

17. Technical AssessmentTechnical Assessment
 The technical assessment is one of the twoThe technical assessment is one of the two
most important parts of the interviewmost important parts of the interview
 You will be givenYou will be given technical questionstechnical questions to answerto answer
andand technical taskstechnical tasks to solveto solve
 Always come with a pen and writing padAlways come with a pen and writing pad
 It is not so important whether you solveIt is not so important whether you solve
correctly the tasks or answer correctlycorrectly the tasks or answer correctly
 You should demonstrate your way of thinking!You should demonstrate your way of thinking!
 The interviewer wants to know how you attackThe interviewer wants to know how you attack
the problem, not whether the result is correctthe problem, not whether the result is correct
17

18. Technical Question – ExampleTechnical Question – Example
 You shouldYou should demonstrate your way of thinkingdemonstrate your way of thinking byby
saying what you think at the moment, e.g.saying what you think at the moment, e.g.
 Being silent for a minute while you think is evil!Being silent for a minute while you think is evil! 18
In C# which explain the fastest algorithm to sort aIn C# which explain the fastest algorithm to sort a
list of customers by their first name?list of customers by their first name?
…… I know the build-in Array.Sort() method, but I amI know the build-in Array.Sort() method, but I am
not sure it is the fastest.not sure it is the fastest.
If I had a computer I would perform a Google search.If I had a computer I would perform a Google search.
For multi-core CPUs I could try the parallel sortingFor multi-core CPUs I could try the parallel sorting
using LINQ with parallel extensions.using LINQ with parallel extensions.
I should either implement own comparer or use a lambdaI should either implement own comparer or use a lambda
function to sort by the FirstName property.function to sort by the FirstName property.

19. Technical Task – ExampleTechnical Task – Example
 Suppose you are given a simple problem like:Suppose you are given a simple problem like:
 The first thing to do it to get the writing padThe first thing to do it to get the writing pad
andand write an examplewrite an example!!
 This shows a correct and serious way of thinkingThis shows a correct and serious way of thinking
 By using the pen explain how you couldBy using the pen explain how you could
randomize the sequence of cardsrandomize the sequence of cards
 Explain how you will represent a single card andExplain how you will represent a single card and
a sequence of cards (data structures)a sequence of cards (data structures)
 Explain how you could test your solutionExplain how you could test your solution 19
How do you can randomize a sequence of playing cards?How do you can randomize a sequence of playing cards?

20. Personal Character AssessmentPersonal Character Assessment
 Assessment of yourAssessment of your personal characterpersonal character
qualities is very important for the company!qualities is very important for the company!
 Good software companies will weight yourGood software companies will weight your
personal skills more than your technical skillspersonal skills more than your technical skills
 You will be asked somehow irrelevantYou will be asked somehow irrelevant
questions that reveal your character, e.g.questions that reveal your character, e.g.
20
Do you have experience working in a team? What do youDo you have experience working in a team? What do you
prefer – being a leader or a player?prefer – being a leader or a player?
Do you play some kind of sport? At what position?Do you play some kind of sport? At what position?
How do you react if you are about to miss a deadline?How do you react if you are about to miss a deadline?

21. Personal Character Assessment (2)Personal Character Assessment (2)
 At the personal assessment questions there isAt the personal assessment questions there is
no correct or wrong answerno correct or wrong answer
 Just be youJust be you
 Don't recite some other's wordsDon't recite some other's words
 Very important:Very important: be positive!be positive!
 Negative people are not welcome anywhereNegative people are not welcome anywhere
 Be confidentBe confident
 Avoid saying "Avoid saying "I don't knowI don't know""
 Demonstrate willingness and ability to work inDemonstrate willingness and ability to work in
a harmony and with pleasure with the othersa harmony and with pleasure with the others 21

22. NegotiationNegotiation
 If your interview runs well, you will reach theIf your interview runs well, you will reach the
""negotiationnegotiation" part" part
 Salary expectations – always have a good answerSalary expectations – always have a good answer
 Eventual start dateEventual start date
 Other terms of the contract (bonuses, holidays,Other terms of the contract (bonuses, holidays,
working time, etc.)working time, etc.)
 Companies don't like "money-driven" employeesCompanies don't like "money-driven" employees
 You should demonstrate motivation to work hardYou should demonstrate motivation to work hard
for long-term and continuously improve your skillsfor long-term and continuously improve your skills
22

23. Your QuestionsYour Questions
 Finally you will have a chance toFinally you will have a chance to ask yourask your
questionsquestions
 Having no questions is not goodHaving no questions is not good
 Demonstrate interest to start workingDemonstrate interest to start working
 Ask about your first project, about theAsk about your first project, about the
development process, about your team, etc.development process, about your team, etc.
 Never ask about salary raises, bonuses, parkingNever ask about salary raises, bonuses, parking
space, fitness and sport facilities, etc.space, fitness and sport facilities, etc.
 You should demonstrate motivation to workYou should demonstrate motivation to work
hard, not claimshard, not claims
23

24. Typical InterviewTypical Interview
Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers
(for Junior Software Development Positions)(for Junior Software Development Positions)

25. Typical Interview QuestionsTypical Interview Questions
 At a technical interview you will be givenAt a technical interview you will be given
questions fromquestions from several categoriesseveral categories::
 General questionsGeneral questions
 Technical questionsTechnical questions
 Abstract thinking questionsAbstract thinking questions
 Personal character questionsPersonal character questions
 The "salary" questionThe "salary" question
25

26. General QuestionsGeneral Questions
Experience, Education, Future PlansExperience, Education, Future Plans

27. Typical General QuestionsTypical General Questions
27
Where are you from?Where are you from?
What High school have you graduated?What High school have you graduated?
What University have you graduated / studying now?What University have you graduated / studying now?
When you started programming?When you started programming?
How many books about computer programming you haveHow many books about computer programming you have
read? What was the name of the last?read? What was the name of the last?
Do you believe that computer programming is yourDo you believe that computer programming is your
passion and your future job?passion and your future job?
Can you work on full time (8 hours/day)? If not howCan you work on full time (8 hours/day)? If not how
many hours a week you can work?many hours a week you can work?

28. Typical General Questions (2)Typical General Questions (2)
28
What are your English skills? Can you freely talk onWhat are your English skills? Can you freely talk on
the telephone in English?the telephone in English?
What are your plans for the next few years? How youWhat are your plans for the next few years? How you
see your career after 2 or 3 years?see your career after 2 or 3 years?
How you inform yourself about new technologies? Do youHow you inform yourself about new technologies? Do you
read news or blogs? Which sites?read news or blogs? Which sites?
Shall you study more after you graduate your currentShall you study more after you graduate your current
University degree? Maybe abroad?University degree? Maybe abroad?
How will you describe your typical work day?How will you describe your typical work day?
What do you know about our company?What do you know about our company?

29. Technical QuestionsTechnical Questions
Algorithms, Databases, WebTechnologies, Etc.Algorithms, Databases, WebTechnologies, Etc.

30. Typical Technical QuestionsTypical Technical Questions
 Algorithms and data structures:Algorithms and data structures:
30
Explain what is a hash-table and how it works.Explain what is a hash-table and how it works.
Explain how the QuickSort works. How fast is it?Explain how the QuickSort works. How fast is it?
You are given a set of words. Find all their subsets.You are given a set of words. Find all their subsets.
Can you draw a picture of a linked list?Can you draw a picture of a linked list?
You have to implement a Web spider which runs on aYou have to implement a Web spider which runs on a
cluster of machines. How you will design it?cluster of machines. How you will design it?
Explain how polymoprhism works in the object-orientedExplain how polymoprhism works in the object-oriented
programming (OOP)?programming (OOP)?
What is typical for the Strings in C# / Java / PHP?What is typical for the Strings in C# / Java / PHP?

31. Typical Technical Questions (2)Typical Technical Questions (2)
 Databases and SQL:Databases and SQL:
31
What is database constraint? How constraints work?What is database constraint? How constraints work?
You have a table consisting of: EmployeeId (PK), Name,You have a table consisting of: EmployeeId (PK), Name,
Salary, ManagerId (FK), DeptId (FK).Salary, ManagerId (FK), DeptId (FK).
Write a SQL query to find the name, salary andWrite a SQL query to find the name, salary and
department of the employee that has minimal salary indepartment of the employee that has minimal salary in
his/her department. If many employees take the minimalhis/her department. If many employees take the minimal
salary, display just one of them.salary, display just one of them.
How we implement one-to-many and many-to-manyHow we implement one-to-many and many-to-many
relationship in relational databases?relationship in relational databases?
When we use "1 x 1" relationships in databaseWhen we use "1 x 1" relationships in database
modelling? Give an example.modelling? Give an example.

32. Typical Technical Questions (3)Typical Technical Questions (3)
 XML questions:XML questions:
 Multithreading questions:Multithreading questions:
32
How we execute multiple tasks in the same time in C#?How we execute multiple tasks in the same time in C#?
What is the difference between DOM, SAX and StAXWhat is the difference between DOM, SAX and StAX
parsers for XML? How you use DOM in C# / Java / PHP?parsers for XML? How you use DOM in C# / Java / PHP?
What is XPath and how it works? Give an example. HowWhat is XPath and how it works? Give an example. How
you use Xpath in C# / Java / PHP?you use Xpath in C# / Java / PHP?
You have to download 500 files from Internet but yourYou have to download 500 files from Internet but your
network bandwidth is not too wide to handle 500network bandwidth is not too wide to handle 500
downloads simultaneously so you want to download thedownloads simultaneously so you want to download the
files by 10 at a time. How you implement this?files by 10 at a time. How you implement this?

33. Typical Technical Questions (4)Typical Technical Questions (4)
 Web development questions (front-end):Web development questions (front-end):
33
Explain the meaning of the following CSS rule:Explain the meaning of the following CSS rule:
.newscolumn {.newscolumn {
width: 400px;width: 400px;
float: left;float: left;
clear: both;clear: both;
}}
Explain the difference between HTTP GET and POSTExplain the difference between HTTP GET and POST
requests.requests.
We have a <div> element in a HTML page which isWe have a <div> element in a HTML page which is
visible. How to hide the <div> with JavaScript?visible. How to hide the <div> with JavaScript?
How to do the above in jQuery?How to do the above in jQuery?

34. Typical Technical Questions (5)Typical Technical Questions (5)
 Web development questions (server side):Web development questions (server side):
34
What is custom tag / user control in a ASP.NET / JavaWhat is custom tag / user control in a ASP.NET / Java
based Web application? How it works? When we need thisbased Web application? How it works? When we need this
technology?technology?
How you could implement a shopping cart in ASP.NET /How you could implement a shopping cart in ASP.NET /
Java / PHP?Java / PHP?
What is AJAX and how it works? How we use AJAX inWhat is AJAX and how it works? How we use AJAX in
ASP.NET / jQuery / PHP / Java based Web application?ASP.NET / jQuery / PHP / Java based Web application?
We have a list of products that have name, price andWe have a list of products that have name, price and
photo. We need to display them in a Web application.photo. We need to display them in a Web application.
Describe the steps to do this in ASP.NET / Java / PHP.Describe the steps to do this in ASP.NET / Java / PHP.
How we implement URL rewriting in ASP.NET / Java WebHow we implement URL rewriting in ASP.NET / Java Web
application / PHP?application / PHP?

35. Typical Technical Questions (6)Typical Technical Questions (6)
 Software engineering questions:Software engineering questions:
35
What is source control repository? Which sourceWhat is source control repository? Which source
control software you have used and when?control software you have used and when?
What is software requirements specification (SRS)?What is software requirements specification (SRS)?
What is the typical structure of such document?What is the typical structure of such document?
What is unit testing? When we need it? What unitWhat is unit testing? When we need it? What unit
testting frameworks you have used?testting frameworks you have used?
How the continous integration works?How the continous integration works?
Explain what is agile development. What is SCRUM?Explain what is agile development. What is SCRUM?
Explain the most important practices of SCRUM.Explain the most important practices of SCRUM.

36. AbstractThinking QuestionsAbstractThinking Questions
Puzzles, Unsolvable Problems, Etc.Puzzles, Unsolvable Problems, Etc.

37. Abstract Thinking QuestionsAbstract Thinking Questions
 Questions in the category "Questions in the category "abstract thinkingabstract thinking""
aim to check the level of alertness, ability toaim to check the level of alertness, ability to
think and to attack unsolvable problemsthink and to attack unsolvable problems
 In some cases there is no correct answer andIn some cases there is no correct answer and
your task is to demonstrate your thinkingyour task is to demonstrate your thinking
37
Estimate how many gas stations exist in Sofia.Estimate how many gas stations exist in Sofia.
Do you see the tree outside on the street? Can youDo you see the tree outside on the street? Can you
calculate how many leaves it has?calculate how many leaves it has?
You have 8 balls. One of them is defective and weighsYou have 8 balls. One of them is defective and weighs
less than others. You have a balance to measure ballsless than others. You have a balance to measure balls
against each other. In 2 weighings how do you find theagainst each other. In 2 weighings how do you find the
defective one?defective one?

38. Personal Character QuestionsPersonal Character Questions
Your Best andWorst Qualities, Ability to Work in aYour Best andWorst Qualities, Ability to Work in a
Team, How do you Handle a Stressful Situation?Team, How do you Handle a Stressful Situation?

39. Typical Personal CharacterTypical Personal Character
Assessment QuestionsAssessment Questions
 Questions to assess your personal character:Questions to assess your personal character:
39
Describe the ideal software company from your dreams.Describe the ideal software company from your dreams.
Can you describe an ideal collague / team member?Can you describe an ideal collague / team member?
What are your 5 best personal character qualities?What are your 5 best personal character qualities?
What are your 5 worst personal character qualities?What are your 5 worst personal character qualities?
What kind of sport do you practice? At which positionWhat kind of sport do you practice? At which position
do you play?do you play?
What shall you do if you have a deadline untilWhat shall you do if you have a deadline until
tomorrow and your project is not completed?tomorrow and your project is not completed?
How do you resolve a conflict with a colleague?How do you resolve a conflict with a colleague?

40. Typical Personal CharacterTypical Personal Character
Assessment Questions (2)Assessment Questions (2)
 Questions to assess your personal character:Questions to assess your personal character:
40
Do you prefer to work independently or in a team?Do you prefer to work independently or in a team?
Give some examples of a team work from your experience.Give some examples of a team work from your experience.
Describe a difficult work situation / project you haveDescribe a difficult work situation / project you have
experienced and how you overcame it.experienced and how you overcame it.
What does motivate you and what does not?What does motivate you and what does not?
How do you handle stress and pressure?How do you handle stress and pressure?
How you can evaluate your results. What is success?How you can evaluate your results. What is success?

41. Typical Personal CharacterTypical Personal Character
Assessment Questions (3)Assessment Questions (3)
 Questions to assess your personal character:Questions to assess your personal character:
41
What were your responsibilities at your last job /What were your responsibilities at your last job /
last project?last project?
What major challenges and problems did you face? HowWhat major challenges and problems did you face? How
did you handle them?did you handle them?
Why are you leaving your current job?Why are you leaving your current job?
What interests you about this job?What interests you about this job?
What challenges are you looking for in this position?What challenges are you looking for in this position?
Why we need to hire you, not someone else?Why we need to hire you, not someone else?

42. The "Salary" QuestionThe "Salary" Question
How to Answer in the BestWay?How to Answer in the BestWay?

43. The "Salary" QuestionThe "Salary" Question
 The typical salary question is like this?The typical salary question is like this?
 Your answer should demonstrate that your workYour answer should demonstrate that your work
is more important than the paymentis more important than the payment
 Examples of possible answers:Examples of possible answers:
43
What salary do you expect?What salary do you expect?
I don't care about the payment. I want to work at theI don't care about the payment. I want to work at the
company for long-term and I believe that if my resultscompany for long-term and I believe that if my results
are good I will be paid accordingly.are good I will be paid accordingly.
I understand that I have to learn a lot. Thus now II understand that I have to learn a lot. Thus now I
think I could start with a salary of XXX leva and in athink I could start with a salary of XXX leva and in a
year I expect to become more skillful and get a pay riseyear I expect to become more skillful and get a pay rise
of YYY (or be fired if I don't meet your expectations).of YYY (or be fired if I don't meet your expectations).

44. The "Salary" Question (2)The "Salary" Question (2)
 You always talk about aYou always talk about a net salarynet salary (after all the(after all the
taxes are deducted) for a full-time job (8 hours)taxes are deducted) for a full-time job (8 hours)
 Some candidates will say:Some candidates will say:
 Some companies have a policy for this case:Some companies have a policy for this case:
 Most companies will force you to say a certainMost companies will force you to say a certain
number and you should say something –number and you should say something – be readybe ready!!
44
I don't know what salary to expect. Please make anI don't know what salary to expect. Please make an
offer for me.offer for me.
You will be a junior developer (trainee). For thisYou will be a junior developer (trainee). For this
position our salary range is from XXX to YYY leva.position our salary range is from XXX to YYY leva.

45. The "Salary" Question (3)The "Salary" Question (3)
 Typical net salary ranges (Sofia, JanuaryTypical net salary ranges (Sofia, January 20122012))
for full-time software engineer jobs:for full-time software engineer jobs:
 Junior .NET / Java developer –Junior .NET / Java developer – 900900--13001300 levaleva
 Junior PHP / Web site developer –Junior PHP / Web site developer – 600600--900900 levaleva
 Junior QA engineer –Junior QA engineer – 600600--900900 levaleva
 Junior support officer –Junior support officer – 400400--700700 levaleva
 Junior system administrator –Junior system administrator – 600600--900900 levaleva
 After aAfter a 1-1.51-1.5 years you could expect twiceyears you could expect twice
 Senior developer (4-5 years) –Senior developer (4-5 years) – 2000-30002000-3000 levaleva
45

46. Typical Mistakes andTypical Mistakes and
How to AvoidThem?How to AvoidThem?
OneWrongWord Could Spoil the Deal!OneWrongWord Could Spoil the Deal!

47. Typical MistakesTypical Mistakes
 Never say bad wordsNever say bad words about former employers,about former employers,
colleagues, etc. (don’t hate anyone)colleagues, etc. (don’t hate anyone)
 AlwaysAlways be positivebe positive!!
 Typical "catch-you" questionTypical "catch-you" question
 Possible nice answer:Possible nice answer:
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Did you have colleagues or classmates who you can'tDid you have colleagues or classmates who you can't
stand? What were they? Why you can't stand them?stand? What were they? Why you can't stand them?
Generally I can stand anyone. I don't like too much XXXGenerally I can stand anyone. I don't like too much XXX
kind of people but if I need to work in a team withkind of people but if I need to work in a team with
such colleagues I will defenitely find a way.such colleagues I will defenitely find a way.

48. Typical MistakesTypical Mistakes
 Generally all kinds ofGenerally all kinds of inadequate claims orinadequate claims or
pretentions are evilpretentions are evil
 Requesting too high salary, too high position,Requesting too high salary, too high position,
too short work-time (less than 8 hours / day)too short work-time (less than 8 hours / day)
 Being negative about something or someoneBeing negative about something or someone
 Be positive, be successful, be skillful, beBe positive, be successful, be skillful, be
professional, don't blame somebody else!professional, don't blame somebody else!
 You should demonstrate high motivation toYou should demonstrate high motivation to
work hard for long-termwork hard for long-term
 Anything confirming the opposite is harmfulAnything confirming the opposite is harmful
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49. Typical Mistakes (2)Typical Mistakes (2)
 Requesting too high salaryRequesting too high salary
 Requesting too high position for a startRequesting too high position for a start
 You should always show willingness to workYou should always show willingness to work
for a long-termfor a long-term
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This is my first job and I want to start with 1800 levaThis is my first job and I want to start with 1800 leva
net salary because I am very smart and experienced.net salary because I am very smart and experienced.
I will work in your company for few months and will goI will work in your company for few months and will go
abroad for a better job after I get some experience.abroad for a better job after I get some experience.
I want to start a job at some management positionI want to start a job at some management position
because I have graduated University in UK.because I have graduated University in UK.

50. Typical Mistakes (3)Typical Mistakes (3)
 Putting university / exams as your first priorityPutting university / exams as your first priority
 You could say the same in a better wayYou could say the same in a better way
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I want to start working but my University education isI want to start working but my University education is
my first priority. Thus I will be unable to come atmy first priority. Thus I will be unable to come at
work each Tuesday and each Wednesday and when I havework each Tuesday and each Wednesday and when I have
tests, exams and projects.tests, exams and projects.
My first priority is my job. In the same time I haveMy first priority is my job. In the same time I have
some commitments in the University but I am flexible tosome commitments in the University but I am flexible to
do my best to move them out of working time. Sometimesdo my best to move them out of working time. Sometimes
(e.g. once monthly) I will have to take tests / exams(e.g. once monthly) I will have to take tests / exams
in the University and I hope we could find a way toin the University and I hope we could find a way to
avoid harmful consequences for my projects at work dueavoid harmful consequences for my projects at work due
to my eventual absence. Do you think this would beto my eventual absence. Do you think this would be
possible?possible?

51. Other HintsOther Hints
Do not Come Late, Usual Dressing, …Do not Come Late, Usual Dressing, …

52. Other HintsOther Hints
 Be sure toBe sure to come exactly at the appointed timecome exactly at the appointed time
 Not earlier, not later!Not earlier, not later!
 Eventually comeEventually come 55 minutes aheadminutes ahead
 Dressing codeDressing code
 Be sure to come withBe sure to come with clean dressesclean dresses and shoesand shoes
 Dress yourself in your everyday styleDress yourself in your everyday style
 Software engineers do not need to wear a suitSoftware engineers do not need to wear a suit
 If you are nervous, train for the interviewIf you are nervous, train for the interview
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53. Recommended BooksRecommended Books
How to Answer Hard Interview Questions,How to Answer Hard Interview Questions,
Charlie Gibbs, 2nd Revised edition, 2009,Charlie Gibbs, 2nd Revised edition, 2009,
ISBN: 1845283732ISBN: 1845283732 http://http://
www.amazon.com/dp/1845283732www.amazon.com/dp/1845283732
Programming Interviews Exposed:Programming Interviews Exposed:
Secrets to Landing Your Next Job , JohnSecrets to Landing Your Next Job , John
Mongan, Wrox, 2006, ISBN:Mongan, Wrox, 2006, ISBN: 09357134250935713425
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0935713425http://www.amazon.com/dp/0935713425
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54. HomeworkHomework
1.1. Read the recommended IT interviews bookRead the recommended IT interviews book
 Find and read IT interview web sites in InternetFind and read IT interview web sites in Internet
2.2. Practice for a sample interview with friendsPractice for a sample interview with friends
 Imagine you have applied for a certain job positionImagine you have applied for a certain job position
in certain companyin certain company
 Prepare for the interview following our guidelinesPrepare for the interview following our guidelines
 Try to play the "interviewer" roleTry to play the "interviewer" role
 Try to play the "candidate" roleTry to play the "candidate" role
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55. Homework (2)Homework (2)
1.1. Try to go to few interviews (just for practicing)Try to go to few interviews (just for practicing)
 Find in Internet a job opening related to you skillsFind in Internet a job opening related to you skills
and interests, prepare and submit a job applicationand interests, prepare and submit a job application
 Choose a small company where you don't wantChoose a small company where you don't want
really to work (some day)really to work (some day)
 Never say to the interviewer you are just practicing,Never say to the interviewer you are just practicing,
just for funjust for fun
 Practicing interview will reduce your stress, willPracticing interview will reduce your stress, will
increase your self-confidence and gain experienceincrease your self-confidence and gain experience
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56. How to Pass an InterviewHow to Pass an Interview
for Software Engineer?for Software Engineer?
Questions?Questions?

57. Thank You!Thank You!