Top Interview Questions for Software Architect
A Software Architect is an IT professional who is responsible for making high-level design choices and tries to enforce technical standards, including software coding standards, tools, and platforms.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth for this job role is projected to grow by 22% from 2020 to 2030.
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Hard Skills
Use these questions to identify a candidate’s technical knowledge and abilities
Soft Skills
Use these questions to assess a candidate’s personality traits and cognitive skills
What to look for while interviewing for a Software Architect?
Since the required skills for a Software Architect require experience with SDLC. Therefore, look for a candidate who has knowledge of all these.
Here are some skills to look out for when hiring a Software Architect,
Role-specific skills to look for: Knowledge of the software development process, architectural styles and design patterns, coding methods and computer languages, data modeling and database design, and SDLC processes
Soft skills to look for organization, problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, and adaptability.
Pro Tip: Always screen before you interview. Use Online Assessment to screen applicants for a Software Architect position before blocking your time for an in-person interview.
Questions to ask while interviewing a Software Architect
We have compiled a set of questions with the help of 70+ hiring managers at different organizations.
Top Role-based interview questions for Software Architect
How do you choose between web applications and locally installed applications?
Purpose of this interview question:
This question is designed to help the interviewers evaluate the candidate’s ability to make important decisions based on the client’s requirements.
What to listen for:
- Top candidates would explain their method for applying client specifications and deciding on the solutions that best meet the client’s needs to highlight their communication and analytical skills.
What do you know about SOLID?
Purpose of this interview question:
As object-oriented design remains fundamental to modern software architecture, hence it is important the candidate understands the five concepts.
What to listen for:
- An ideal candidate shows an understanding of the five core concepts and appreciation for the fundamentals of object-oriented design.
What is dependency injection and in which scenarios would you opt to use it?
Purpose of this interview question:
This question is designed to let the candidate demonstrate what they know about dependency injection, as it allows the interviewer to understand if they understand SOLID and how to achieve goals in a real-world scenario.
What to listen for:
- Top candidates would explain what is dependency injection and with the help of scenarios.
How to screen Software Architect for soft skills?
What skills do you think are necessary for this job role?
Purpose of this interview question:
Since software developers rely on a combination of technical knowledge and transferable skills to be successful. Therefore it is important for an applicant for this role to show the required skills.
What to listen for:
- Look for evidence of the required skills for this job role.
What is one of your proudest moments as a software architect so far?
Purpose of this interview question:
This question is designed to understand and gain insight into how a candidate thinks and feels within the context of their field.
What to listen for:
- Top candidates would describe what was achieved in the project and how does it stack up with what your company does.
How do you handle pressure if you are equipped with multiple tasks at a time?
Purpose of this interview question:
This question is designed to test the candidate’s management skills.
What to listen for:
- Look for evidence of management qualities related to project planning and execution.
Start Optimizing your Software Architect Hiring today
Find and hire talent with confidence. If your candidate doesn’t know the answer to the above questions and you’re hiring for a Data Analyst position, then they’re probably not a great fit.
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