Mastering the Interview Process: Essential Questions and Resources
I’m crafting this post to highlight essential questions crucial for interview preparation.
Key Questions to Pose to Recruiters During Screening Phone Calls
- Role Details
- Can you provide more details about the specific responsibilities and day-to-day tasks of the role?
- Could you elaborate on the day-to-day responsibilities associated with this role?
- Candidate Qualifications
- What are the key skills and qualifications the ideal candidate should have?
- Company Culture
- Can you tell me more about the company culture and work environment?
- Can you provide insights into the company culture and work environment?
- Hiring Timeline
- What is the timeline for the hiring process?
- Professional Development
- Are there opportunities for professional development and growth within the company?
- Team Dynamics
- Can you provide more information about the team I’ll be working with?
- Could you share more about the team I’ll be working with?
- OnBoarding Process
- What is the onboarding process like for new hires?
- How is the onboarding process structured for new hires?
- Current Challenges/Projects
- Are there any specific challenges or projects the team is currently facing?
- Success Metrics
- What does success look like in this role, and how is performance measured?
- Compensation and Benefits
- Can you provide more details about the compensation and benefits package?
- Career Path
- How would you describe the career path for someone in this role?
- Remotely Work Policy
- What is the remote work policy or flexibility for this position?
- Diversity and Inclusion
- How does the company promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace?
- Interview Process
- Can you share more about the interview process and what I can expect in the next steps?
- Additional Insights
- Is there anything else you think is important for me to know about the role or the company?
“Tell Me About Yourself” Script
Short version
Hello, my name is Thomas Ngo. I hold a Master’s degree in Computer Science from California State University, Fullerton, graduating with a GPA of 3.81. My technical skills span web development, desktop applications, and software engineering, with proficiency in Python, JavaScript, C#, and C/C++. At Siemens, I contributed to projects like NX Mold Connect and NX X Workspace, showcasing my expertise in Siemens Web Framework and MongoDB. Certified as an AWS Cloud Practitioner and SAFe 5 Practitioner, I’m currently working on projects like CodeTrack, an ASP.NET Core MVC Web application. I’m eager to bring my diverse skills and passion for continuous learning to your team.
Long version
Version 1
Hello, my name is Thomas Ngo. I hold a Master’s degree in Computer Science from California State University, Fullerton, with a solid academic background reflected in an overall GPA of 3.81. Prior to my master’s, I completed my Bachelor’s in Computer Science with an overall GPA of 3.65.
I bring a diverse set of technical skills with experience in web development, desktop applications, and software engineering. My proficiency includes programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, C#, and C/C++, along with a range of frameworks and libraries.
In terms of professional experience, I have contributed significantly as a Software Engineer at Siemens, where I played a key role in projects like NX Mold Connect and NX X Workspace, leveraging technologies like Siemens Web Framework (SWF) and MongoDB.
I hold certifications as a Certified AWS Cloud Practitioner and a Certified SAFe 5 Practitioner, demonstrating my commitment to staying current with industry best practices.
Apart from my professional work, I’ve developed a personal project called CodeTrack, a web application using ASP.NET Core 7 for tracking problem-solving progress on LeetCode. I’ve also established a personal website to refine my writing skills and curate knowledge
Version 2
Sure, I’d be happy to. My name is Thomas Ngo. I hold a Master’s degree in Computer Science from California State University, Fullerton, where I graduated with a commendable GPA of 3.81. Prior to that, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a GPA of 3.65.
In terms of technical skills, I bring a robust background in Web Development, Desktop Applications, and Software Engineering. My programming proficiency includes languages such as Python, JavaScript, C#, and C/C++. I’ve worked with various frameworks and libraries, such as ASP.NET Core, Flask, React, and more.
I’m proud to have contributed significantly to projects during my tenure at Siemens as a Software Engineer. I played a key role in developing the Mold Cost feature for NX Mold Connect, utilizing Siemens Web Framework and Zeus NoSQL Datastore Service. My experience extends to MongoDB, Express.js, and creating database service APIs.
I’ve also honed my skills at ETAP - Operation Technology, where I contributed to projects like eWeb, HMIViewer, and HMIDesigner, gaining expertise in C#, JavaScript, and SQL. Additionally, I’ve interned at UPS, collaborating on the MDVA Dashboard project and working with jQuery, Chart.js, and Leaflet.js for data visualization.
Beyond my professional experiences, I’m a Certified AWS Cloud Practitioner and SAFe 5 Practitioner, showcasing my commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.
Currently, I’m working on personal projects like CodeTrack, an ASP.NET Core MVC Web application that tracks problem-solving progress on Leetcode. I’ve also created a personal blog at thomasngoswe.com to refine my writing skills and share my knowledge.
In summary, I’m a dedicated and versatile software engineer with a strong academic background, hands-on experience in diverse projects, and a passion for continuous learning and personal projects. I’m excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and enthusiasm to your team.
Explaining Gaps Between Employments
Short Version
During employment gaps, I intentionally invested time in personal and professional development. After completing my Master’s in 2021, I pursued certifications like AWS Cloud Practitioner and SAFe 5. Additionally, I worked on personal projects like CodeTrack and my blog, ensuring I stay current with industry trends and bring valuable insights to any role.
Long Version
During the periods where you see gaps in my employment history, I deliberately took time to invest in my personal and professional development. After completing my Master’s degree in Computer Science from California State University, Fullerton in June 2021, I wanted to ensure that I was not only well-versed academically but also equipped with the latest industry knowledge.
In that interim, I took the opportunity to pursue certifications, such as becoming a Certified AWS Cloud Practitioner and SAFe 5 Practitioner. This allowed me to deepen my understanding of cloud technologies and agile methodologies, aligning my skills with the evolving demands of the industry.
Additionally, I embarked on personal projects, such as developing CodeTrack, an ASP.NET Core MVC Web application, and managing my personal blog at thomasngoswe.com. These experiences not only honed my technical skills but also gave me a chance to explore my creative side.
Overall, these intentional breaks were instrumental in my continuous learning journey, ensuring that I stay at the forefront of technological advancements and bring valuable insights to any role.
Explaining Short-Term Employments
Short version
Short-term employments provided opportunities to diversify experiences. At UPS, I collaborated on the MDVA Dashboard project, gaining valuable insights into data visualization. Similarly, at ETAP, I contributed to projects like eWeb and HMIViewer, enriching my skill set. Despite being brief, these experiences added depth to my capabilities.
Long version
In terms of my shorter-term employments, I see them as valuable opportunities to diversify my experiences and contribute to different projects. For instance, my role at United Parcel Service (UPS) as a Software Developer Intern was a short-term commitment where I collaborated on the MDVA Dashboard project within an agile software development team.
During this time, I actively contributed to the development of dispatch time usage and map reports, gaining valuable experience in jQuery and JavaScript libraries. While the tenure was brief, it provided me with insights into data visualization and agile methodologies.
Similarly, my role at ETAP - Operation Technology, Inc. as a Software Engineer for the first half of 2022 allowed me to work on projects like eWeb, HMIViewer, and HMIDesigner. I was able to implement new features based on incident requests, conduct debugging, and enhance internal tools.
In both cases, even though the employments were short-term, the experiences were rich, and I believe they added depth to my skill set. I’m now eager to bring this diverse skill set and knowledge to a long-term position where I can make a meaningful impact.
Explaining Reasons for Leaving a Job
I left my last position to seek a new challenge and better career growth opportunities. As my values evolved, I found misalignment with the company’s mission. I’m excited about contributing my skills to a role aligned with my aspirations and values.
Websites for Interview Preparation
- Leetcode
- HackerRank
- GeeksforGeeks
- InterviewBit
- Cracking the Coding Interview
- CodeSignal
- Pramp
- TopCoder
- Google Interview warmup
