“How would you test that function?”
It’s a simple question, but one that reveals the stark differences between junior, regular, senior, and expert developers. As someone who has been a senior software engineer for years—working as an interviewee, interviewer, and mentor—I’ve learned what it takes to truly stand out during technical interviews. Let me walk you through eight key areas to focus on when answering open programming questions. These tips will help you showcase your expertise and make a lasting impression.
Understanding the Purpose of Open Questions
During an interview, you’re not just being evaluated for your coding skills. You’re also being tested on problem-solving, teamwork, foundational and domain knowledge, cultural fit, passion, and how well you can tackle real-world industry challenges. When interviewers ask open questions, they’re not just looking for an answer—they’re reading between the lines. They’re gauging your depth of understanding, your thought process, and even your ability to communicate effectively.
1. Start with the Basics—But Go Beyond
When you’re asked a question, the first step is to provide a clear, accurate answer. For example, if the question is, “What is Django?” you can start by stating that Django is a Python web development framework. But don’t stop there. Show your deeper knowledge by sharing some historical context.
For instance:
- Django was first released in 2005, with development starting three years earlier.
- It was originally built for a news website (the Lawrence Journal-World) to handle frequent updates and database-driven content.
- Fun fact: That site now runs on WordPress!
By adding historical context and fun facts, you not only answer the question but also demonstrate a genuine interest in the topic. Just remember to keep it concise and organized—long-winded answers can backfire.
2. Discuss Trade-Offs
Experts don’t just know how something works; they understand the pros and cons. For example, if you’re discussing Django, you could compare it to other frameworks like Flask or FastAPI. Talk about where Django shines (e.g., rapid development, built-in admin interface) and where it might fall short (e.g., less lightweight compared to Flask). Showing that you can weigh options demonstrates a level of strategic thinking essential for senior roles.
3. Share Real-World Experience
Nothing beats practical examples. If you’ve used Django in a project, talk about the specific challenges you faced and how you solved them. For instance:
- “In one project, Django’s ORM saved us hours of manual SQL writing, but we also had to optimize it to handle complex queries efficiently.”
Sharing such stories not only validates your technical skills but also proves you’re not just parroting theory—you’ve lived it.
4. Explore Alternative Solutions
Sometimes, the best way to show expertise is to brainstorm multiple approaches to a problem. For instance:
- “Using Django solved our immediate issue, but if scalability becomes a concern in the future, switching to Flask with a modular setup might be more efficient.”
This shows you can think ahead and understand the long-term implications of technical decisions.
5. Show Awareness of Project-Level Decisions
Junior and Regular developers often focus solely on code. Stand out by discussing higher-level decisions, such as:
- Why your team chose a particular tech stack.
- How project management influenced technical decisions.
- Budgetary constraints that impacted the approach.
Even if you’re not directly responsible for these decisions, showing curiosity and understanding demonstrates maturity and a broader perspective.
6. Highlight Soft Skills
Technical knowledge is crucial, but don’t underestimate the power of soft skills. You can weave them into your answers like this:
- “When explaining state management in React to a junior developer, I used the analogy of a checklist, which made the concept much clearer.”
- “In one project, I simplified technical details to help non-technical stakeholders understand why we needed additional resources.”
This highlights your ability to communicate effectively—a vital skill for senior roles.
7. Be Creative and Use Visuals
Creativity can set you apart. For example:
During one online interview, I noticed my whiteboard was visible on camera. I asked if I could use it to explain my answer visually. The interviewers loved it!
Whether it’s a whiteboard, an anecdote, or a metaphor, creative explanations make you memorable.
8. Reverse Engineer the Interview
Here’s a pro tip: When you provide deep, well-rounded answers, you might end up addressing multiple questions at once. This saves time and shifts control of the interview in your favor. For example:
- If you’re asked about React’s useState hook, you can:
- Quote the documentation.
- Share the historical context of state management, how it looked in previous versions.
- Connect it to the broader concept of state design pattern.
The more ground you cover, the fewer questions they’ll ask- simply because of the lack of time—and the more confident you’ll appear.
Bonus Tip: Demonstrate Results
Whenever possible, share measurable outcomes. For example:
- “By switching to this library, we reduced database queries by 30%, which cut processing time from 8 hours to 2.” Concrete results speak louder than theoretical knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Answering open programming questions is an art. By combining technical knowledge, historical context, practical experience, and strong communication skills, you can position yourself as a true expert. Remember: it’s not just about what you know—it’s about how you convey it. Approach each question as an opportunity to showcase your depth, creativity, and passion.
Good luck on your next interview, and remember: go deeper, stay concise, and always leave a lasting impression!
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Senior Software Engineer with over 7 years of experience and entrepreneurial background. Most often, apart from delivering good quality code on time, responsible for introducing good practices, teaching programmers and building team bonds andestablishing communication on the line of development-management. Privately Kākāpō and Wombat enthusiast, traveler and retired acrobat.
