Computing & IT Interview Questions & Answers

It started with phone interview, where it asked basic questions about my knowledge, education and the role, after passing the phone interview I was invited to join assessment day in Worthing offices and was warned about Java basic test that will be held in assesment day. During the assessment day I was 20min early and had a good chat with the consultant manager. The assessment day started at 9am and finished at around 4pm. In the begining all of us took Java basic test (Even tho I never studied Java, I was learning C++ in university, I found the test very simple, it's only basic knowledge of programming), after the test we had to take on tasks. There was around 13 tasks to do, where we had to split the work to deliver all the tasks by the deadline. Also we had to arrange our lunch break, everyone was focused on work, so we just ordered Dominos pizza for delivery. Through all the day there was business (personality and character) and technical (programming and education) interviews keeping place, where we had to arrange the order who is going to the interview next, they took 15mins each. At the end of the day we had to present all the tasks we did to the current employees and explain what challenges we faced.

Explain the principles of Object Orientated programming.
What is the difference between Java and C++.

Before the assessment day, read about basic Java programming and its principles. Look smart, act smart, don't compete against other candidates, because they take people in intakes, so there is no set number how many people they are taking, if they will like you, they can take the whole group, it's all about showing yourself working inside a group, not competing against each other.

Tasks were very different from each other, from creativity tasks to technical tasks. We had to select our project manager and arrange tasks for each of us, so we would fit into time limit.

Describe a situation where you had to show responsibility.

PRE ASSESSMENT CENTRE
Initial telephone interview was very relaxed, basic questions such as 'why IT'.
One way video interview consisted of around 4 questions such as 'why FDM?', ''Tell us about yourself'. Given 60 seconds to answer each question with prep time before each question.

ASSESSMENT CENTRE
3 interviews lasting 5 minutes each, see below for more info.

Would you sacrifice the quality of work to meet a deadline.

Technical and business pathways are assessed together so do not stress if you lack knowledge of coding. Be confident and friendly, show an interest in technology and a willingness to learn. Don't be afraid to engage in conversation with interviewers. Professional dress code.

Introductory presentation. Short exercise where candidates introduce themselves to the group.
Venn diagrams/set notation test. Information booklet provided for test and revision material given prior to assessment day was very useful.
Maths test. GCSE level maths.
Aptitude test. General knowledge, logic, basic coding and IT questions.

3 interviews (5 minutes each): Very friendly interviewers. Each interview has an un-assessed practice question.
Interview topics: -Interest in IT/FDM
-Degree/education
-Personal qualities

First I received a call for a phone interview which was very basic:
Why FDM?
Why you chose your degree?
Where do you see your self in five years?
Why I.T?
Then I was told straight away, I am through to the assessment centre. Was given a tour of the organisation. Then had to introduce ourselves as an icebreaker. Overall it was a comfortable environment.

"Describe a situation where you had to respond to demand?"

Research the company, have examples to relate to, brush up on communicating skills. don't go unprepared otherwise you will trip up, there are 3 5 minute interviews all competency based, they are all very friendly interviewers just relax and say what you got to say in a concise style.

3 tests, first was a maths test very easy nothing to worry about, brush up on GCSE maths. 2nd was an aptitude test, some I.T related stuff on there so maybe just research a little. Third was ven diagram, very confusing if you dont prepare, was challenging.

My initial interview was with a recruitment agency that works on behalf of Atos and it lasted around 30ish minutes. The interviewer was really friendly which helped my nerves. The questions were generic competency questions as I had prepared well with STAR model it let little room for the interviewer to ask me questions.
Also, there were questions regarding my interest in IT and why I applied for this company in particular, so make sure you are aware of competitors and what they are doing better this gives you room to show that you have done your research.

I don't remember any difficult questions

It is vital to prepare well and definitely follow STAR model. As far as your interests in the company go don't be generic be more specific about what you like about the company- it could be the way one department works to charity work.

For Atos it is important to see that you match their culture and drive to succeed

We had two interviews, a group exercise and a presentation. The day started with group exercise in a group of 6 ( all the people that attended A/C), all three assessors were present. After this, we had interviews which are split between two interviewers one asks 2 competency questions and the other asks you more about your interests and a talk through your CV.

It was a series of technical questions along with questions of why are you interested in this job, and some questions based on past experience with networking. The questions were in groups, so once one set of questions were done you could tell that the what the next set of questions were going to be based on the next question.

Some of the technical questions were difficult coming from a Students perspective as they were questions that I never though that I would come across, and I had never heard of some of the technical parts that I was asked to describe so I really struggled on those questions.

I would say read up on a lot of technical information for the role you are applying for before considering this type of job. Definitely make sure that you are prepared to answer a number of different questions based on the job role(s). Read into a lot of information about the company and what they thrive to achieve.

I was not asked to the assessment centre.

Having made an online application I was contacted by a member of their graduate recruitment team within about an hour to book a telephone interview within the next few days. That telephone consisted of simply asking why I had applied, what interested me about IT and what I liked about FDM specifically. I was then told that I had passed the telephone interview stage and was asked to book an assessment day. The assessment day consisted of three tests; mathematics, set notation and Venn diagrams and aptitude tests. Also, there were to be three, five minute interviews consisting of four set questions each. On arrival we were given a short introductory presentation as well as the opportunity to ask any questions regarding the positions available. We were also given a tour of the office and encouraged to ask people there questions. Then we had to fill in a form which asked for, amongst other things, any modules that we had failed and any criminal convictions we had that were not yet spent. Then we had the first of the three tests, which lasted an hour, followed by the three interviews. In the interviews it was stressed that the interviewer would ask just the four questions; they would not ask anything to follow up on what you had said or encourage you to answer more fully in any way, so it was up to you to say as much as you could about anything they asked, especially considering the fact that each interview was only five minutes. Then we had the second test, broke for lunch, and then the final test afterwards.

The mathematical test was GCSE standard and not difficult at all; however, having used a calculator for three years of study, suddenly being asked to do mental arithmetic was a bit of a struggle. Also, the aptitude test contained some tricky questions relating to probabilities and coding, but for the most part wasn't too bad.

Practice mental arithmetic if you feel that you might struggle without a calculator and think about how you would answer interview questions in a short space of time, whilst giving as full an answer as possible; the questions themselves are fairly standard, apart from one which was "what does success look like to you", which is just one of those where you have to think on your feet a little bit.

A GCSE-level mathematical test, without a calculator; a GCSE/A level Venn diagram and set notation test; an aptitude test, which included logic problems, questions about defining IT-related terms (such as SQL), coding problems and the sort of problems you might expect on an IQ test.

1. Online Application very wordy,
2. Online test (IPAT)
3. Online test for English comprehension
4. Phone interview
5. Assessment center ??? lots of tasks

What salary are you looking for?
What are your weeknesses?

No tricks in the Interview, just a chat over your application form. Maybe be prepared for 'What value would -you- bring to the organization?

The final assessment center started with a software engineering test that was mainly decision mathematics. You then have various tasks and teamwork activities to complete. This includes a presentation about yourself, a group logic puzzle, a reading task, where you have a large amount of information to read and are then questioned about what you have read, a group interview where you are asked about a fictional scenario and what you would do about it. For the group exercise, we were split into two in the morning and business presentation and one-to-one interview was in the afternoon for me. The one on one interview is where they ask about your application form, why IBM, what your long term goals are.

The first step I took was to apply online, after that I got an email asking me if I would to attend an assessment centre at the HQ in Leeds. I booked the assessment day online using the link that the Asda Graduate team provided. There were no personality questionnaires or online tests during the process, just apply online and invited to assessment centre also know as Asda Reality.

The day comprised of the following (which I will discuss in more detail later on):
· Group discussions - these can involve the whole candidate group or smaller sub-groups who must work together to meet an Asda challenge
· One-to-one meetings - You will work with another candidate to come up with some solutions to a range of issues
· Interview - You will spend some time with an Asda manager to explore your application in greater depth

IMPORTANT (the attachment below is what was provided to me before the day. Pre-work)
http://adeel718.com/docs/Graduate%20Reality%20Pre%20Work.pdf

The penny-wise scenario is important and the exercises carried out on the day was based on this scenario.

Group Exercise 1 - A handful of pennies was provided to us, there were many challenges and as a group we had to figure out a strategy on how the challenges could be met, i.e. work as a group but complete as many challenges as possible within 5 mins, or work individually but have more time to complete as many challenges in 15 mins, or work in a sub-group with time limit of 10 mins. After the strategy was decided (as a team), the team decided to work as a group, the list of challenges was given to us from which we could complete as many challenges in which ever order. 1st challenge, line up the pennies in 1 row with 8 pennies, now stack the pennies so that they are in groups of two's (you can only move the pennies in one direction). 2nd challenge, you have a total of £1.20 with 2 coins, one of them is not a £1 coin, what are the 2 coins?. 3rd challenge, create a rectangle with the pennies (4x5 rows) now create a square by only removing 6 of the pennies.

The other exercises were related to team decision making and showing that you are a leader, a quick example if that every team member is given a different option or decision Asda can make based on a Scenario that is given to you at the assessment centre, You have to pick out the advantages and disadvantages of each option on how this could impact Asda etc and discuss the findings with the rest of the team. The scenario I had was on how Asda could meets its challenge of bringing more to the community, more jobs, less waste etc. The option I had was giving more money to diary farmers who produce the milk. Some other member had the option of setting up a web-cam so that shoppers can see live chicks in farms, which would in return create IT jobs (maintaining the web cams) etc.

The last exercise was again based on your leaderships skills, each member was given a scenario and a range of options/ actions that I could take depending on what I seemed best fit for the business and its customers. The scenario I had was on the Grants that Asda gives to individual charities, The amount of applicants for the grants has fallen over the past few years and it is my duty to increase the number of charities that apply for the grant, the options are: advertise the grant to increase awareness, create a web-site, decrease the value of the grant, increase the value of the grant. Since you are the project manager it is your decision on what option should be taken.

Lastly the interview. The type of questions that were asked at the interview were things like, 'how did you find about this role?' , 'how did you find the activities and how well do you think you have done?'. More questions about the skills that I have and what I can bring to Asda, things like 'Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision?'' and 'Tell me about a time when you had to handle the costs of something?', 'Tell me about a time when you had to remain confident'.

The interview lasted around 45 mins and we were given a tour around Asda House.

Tips:
Remain confident, and show the assessors that you are prepared and are driven to becoming a leader, they want to see your leadership skills and how you can make an impact to the business. Please remember to consider the customers when making decisions or answering questions.

Describe a time when you had to manage the costs of something, for example when you were given the responsibility to manage costs.

Be confident. Show you leadership side and make sure you remember the customers when making decisions.

There were 5 people in the team and occasionally we were split in to one group of 2 and one group of three during the exercises but then had to come back together as a team to discuss our ideas etc. During the exercises we sometimes had to write down our ideas on paper or the flip-board.

The assessors were very friendly. Over all the day lasted approximately 5 hours.

There was no telephone interview for the role, instead the interview was a group assessment day which included group exercises, a presentation and a one on one interview. The group consisted of approx 10 applicants and around the same number of staff.

After introductions, the group was split and while one toured the facilities, the other conducted a group exercise. The groups then swapped over after an hour or so. There was then a further individual exercise before a one on one interview.

At the one on one interview, which lasted around 20 minutes, the assessor discussed your individual exercise and then asked a series of questions to show your competency for the role. For these they asked you to apply scenarios where you could prove your knowledge. Any questions about the role were answered here.

Following the one on one interview, applicants had the opportunity to speak to employees who had completed the scheme and ask any questions they wanted.

Describe how you would improve the communication within the company using IT equipment?

Tell me about a time you had an innovative idea?

Don't just research standard interview questions, be prepared to think outside the box and provide real-life examples.

The assessment day for around 10-15 people included a tour of the offices, a presentation about the company, a one on one interview including a presentation made by the applicant, a question and answer session with employees and management and group exercises.