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Interview · Computer Programmer

Computer Programmer interview questions, with what they test.

13 questions built from what the job actually involves: its core duties, the skills rated most important and the tools in use. Switch on practice mode to rehearse before you look.

13 questions · practice mode
Updated Nov 2, 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0
Quick answer

Computer Programmer interviews test whether you can do the core work, such as write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart…, and the skills rated most important for the role: programming, complex problem solving and active listening (O*NET). Prepare one true, specific story for each, with a result.

Had it 0Practise 0Practice mode
Q01Walk me through how you write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram, and applying knowledge of computer capabilities, subject matter, and symbolic logic.Core duty
What they are really testing

Hands-on experience with one of the duties workers rate most important for computer programmers, and the judgment calls inside it.

Likely follow-ups
  • How does this connect to how you conduct trial runs of programs and software applications to be sure…?
  • What went wrong the last time, and what did you change?
Answer approach
  1. Step 1Where you did it, how often and for whom
  2. Step 2Your steps in order, including how you used Extensible markup language XML
  3. Step 3One judgment call you made, and why
  4. Step 4The result, with a number you can defend
Q02Walk me through how you correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to ensure that the desired results are produced.Core duty
What they are really testing

Hands-on experience with one of the duties workers rate most important for computer programmers, and the judgment calls inside it.

Likely follow-ups
  • How does this connect to how you prepare detailed workflow charts and diagrams that describe input…?
  • What went wrong the last time, and what did you change?
Answer approach
  1. Step 1Where you did it, how often and for whom
  2. Step 2Your steps in order, including how you used Git
  3. Step 3One judgment call you made, and why
  4. Step 4The result, with a number you can defend
Q03Walk me through how you perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to increase operating efficiency or adapt to new requirements.Core duty
What they are really testing

Hands-on experience with one of the duties workers rate most important for computer programmers, and the judgment calls inside it.

Likely follow-ups
  • How does this connect to how you compile and write documentation of program development and subsequent…?
  • What went wrong the last time, and what did you change?
Answer approach
  1. Step 1Where you did it, how often and for whom
  2. Step 2Your steps in order, including how you used SAS
  3. Step 3One judgment call you made, and why
  4. Step 4The result, with a number you can defend
Q04Walk me through how you write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle specific jobs such as tracking inventory, storing or retrieving data, or controlling other equipment.Core duty
What they are really testing

Hands-on experience with one of the duties workers rate most important for computer programmers, and the judgment calls inside it.

Likely follow-ups
  • How does this connect to how you consult with and assist computer operators or system analysts to…?
  • What went wrong the last time, and what did you change?
Answer approach
  1. Step 1Where you did it, how often and for whom
  2. Step 2Your steps in order, including how you used Adobe Illustrator
  3. Step 3One judgment call you made, and why
  4. Step 4The result, with a number you can defend
Q05Walk me through how you consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify program intent, identify problems, and suggest changes.Core duty
What they are really testing

Hands-on experience with one of the duties workers rate most important for computer programmers, and the judgment calls inside it.

Likely follow-ups
  • How does this connect to how you perform systems analysis and programming tasks to maintain and…?
  • What went wrong the last time, and what did you change?
Answer approach
  1. Step 1Where you did it, how often and for whom
  2. Step 2Your steps in order, including how you used Adobe Photoshop
  3. Step 3One judgment call you made, and why
  4. Step 4The result, with a number you can defend
Q06Tell me about a piece of code you are proud of and why.Programming
What they are really testing

Code quality, reasoning and ownership. Programming is rated 4.8 of 5 for this job, +3.1 against the average occupation (O*NET).

Answer approach
  1. Step 1What it did
  2. Step 2A key decision
  3. Step 3How you tested it
  4. Step 4Pick the example from the core work, for instance when you had to write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using workflow chart and diagram…
Q07Tell me about a time you worked out what a process or tool needed to do before changing it.Operations Analysis
What they are really testing

Analysing requirements before acting. Operations Analysis is rated 3.1 of 5 for this job, +1.1 against the average occupation (O*NET).

Answer approach
  1. Step 1What needed to change
  2. Step 2How you gathered the requirements
  3. Step 3What you recommended
  4. Step 4Pick the example from the core work, for instance when you had to correct errors by making appropriate changes and rechecking the program to…
Q08How do you check that work meets the standard before it goes out?Quality Control Analysis
What they are really testing

Inspection habits and standards. Quality Control Analysis is rated 3.5 of 5 for this job, +1.1 against the average occupation (O*NET).

Answer approach
  1. Step 1The standard
  2. Step 2Your checks
  3. Step 3A defect you caught
  4. Step 4Pick the example from the core work, for instance when you had to perform or direct revision, repair, or expansion of existing programs to…
Q09Describe something you designed or adapted to meet a specific need.Technology Design
What they are really testing

Designing to requirements, with trade-offs. Technology Design is rated 2.8 of 5 for this job, +1.0 against the average occupation (O*NET).

Answer approach
  1. Step 1The need
  2. Step 2Your design
  3. Step 3The trade-offs
  4. Step 4Pick the example from the core work, for instance when you had to write, update, and maintain computer programs or software packages to handle…
Q10Tell me how you used scientific reasoning to solve a problem at work.Science
What they are really testing

Use of evidence, hypotheses and tests rather than guesswork. Science is rated 2.8 of 5 for this job, +0.8 against the average occupation (O*NET).

Answer approach
  1. Step 1The problem
  2. Step 2Your hypothesis
  3. Step 3How you tested it
  4. Step 4Pick the example from the core work, for instance when you had to consult with managerial, engineering, and technical personnel to clarify…
Q11Which of these have you used: Extensible markup language XML, Git, SAS? Tell me about a recent piece of work with one of them.Tools
What they are really testing

Real, recent use of the tools computer programmers depend on, not a list of names.

Likely follow-ups
  • How would you get up to speed on Ansible software if you haven't used it?
Answer approach
  1. Step 1Name the tool and the task, e.g. Extensible markup language XML for write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using…
  2. Step 2What you did with it
  3. Step 3A problem you solved with it
  4. Step 4What the output was used for
Q12This job runs on deadlines. Tell me about the tightest one you have met.Working conditions
What they are really testing

Composure and quality when time is short. Workers rate this 4.0 of 5 in the job's work context (O*NET).

Answer approach
  1. Step 1A specific example from your work as a Computer Programmer or similar
  2. Step 2What was at stake
  3. Step 3What you did
  4. Step 4The outcome
Q13Why do you want to work as a Computer Programmer?Motivation
What they are really testing

Whether you understand what the job really involves, and whether that is what you want.

Answer approach
  1. Step 1Name the part of the work you like: e.g. write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using…
  2. Step 2Evidence you have done it or something close
  3. Step 3Why this employer
  4. Step 4Where you want to grow

Data Duty, skill, tool and conditions questions are built from O*NET data for this occupation. Advice Answer approaches are our coaching advice.

Answer framework

Two structures that work

SSituationOne sentence of context.
TTaskWhat you owned.
AActionWhat you did, in your words.
RResultWhat changed, with a number if true.
Questions to ask them

End the interview well

Advice

  • What does a strong first 90 days look like for this computer programmer role?
  • Which part of the work takes the most time in a typical week?
  • How is performance measured here?
  • What tools and systems does the team use?
FAQ

Common questions

What are common Computer Programmer interview questions?
Expect questions about the core duties (write, analyze, review, and rewrite programs, using…), about programming and complex problem solving, and about the tools you have used. This page lists 13 with what each one tests.
How should I answer behavioral questions?
Use a short structure such as Situation, Task, Action, Result, and end with a specific, true result.
Method

How this page is built

Questions are generated from O*NET 31.0 data for the occupation: its core tasks, the skills with the highest importance ratings, the tools reported, and work-context ratings. The interviewer intent and answer approach are TryHired coaching advice.

What this page can't tell you
  • What a specific employer will ask.
  • Technical tests or licensing exams for the role.
Sources
  1. O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. TryHired selected, ranked and combined the data; O*NET is not responsible for these pages.

How TryHired builds this data: sources, methods and downloads. Spotted an error? Report a correction.

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