17 EDI Developer Interview Questions and Answers

Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI, is the process of exchanging business data between organizations using a standard format. This format allows businesses to automate the exchange of information, which can save time and money. EDI developers design, build, and maintain the systems that allow businesses to exchange data.

If you’re looking to work in this growing field, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough EDI developer interview questions. In this guide, we’ll provide you with some tips on how to answer common interview questions, as well as some sample questions and answers that will help you prepare.

Are you comfortable working with tight deadlines?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the demands of working in a busy environment. They want employees who are able to work independently and meet deadlines without needing constant supervision. In your answer, explain that you enjoy working with tight deadlines as long as you have all the resources you need to complete the project on time.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with tight deadlines because I know how important it is for businesses to stay competitive. When I’m given a deadline, I immediately get started on my project so I don’t fall behind. I also like to plan ahead so I can anticipate any challenges that may arise. This helps me avoid missing any major milestones.”

What are some of the programming languages you’ve worked with in the past?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the programming language they use at their company. If you don’t, it can be a good idea to mention that you are willing to learn new languages and adapt to different coding styles.

Example: “I’ve worked with Java, C++ and Python in my past roles. I enjoy working with these languages because of how versatile they are. They allow me to create programs that work well for businesses of all sizes. However, I am always open to learning new languages as needed.”

How would you go about troubleshooting a problem with an existing EDI system?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. Use examples from past experiences where you had to troubleshoot a problem with an existing EDI system, how you identified the issue and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “In my last role as an EDI developer, I was tasked with integrating new data into our current system. After running several tests on the new data, I noticed that some of the information wasn’t being processed correctly. I went back through all the coding to ensure there were no errors in the syntax. Once I confirmed this, I re-entered the code and ran another test. This time, the results came out successfully.”

What is your process for testing a new program before deploying it to the live system?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you approach your work and ensure that it’s done correctly. Your answer should show the interviewer that you have a system for testing new programs before they’re deployed, as well as your attention to detail when doing so.

Example: “I always test my new programs on a separate server or network before deploying them to the live system. I do this because it allows me to identify any errors in the program before it goes into production. This helps me avoid any issues with the program once it’s being used by customers.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to provide technical support to a business partner who was having issues with the EDI system you created.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with your business partners and clients. It can also show them how you handle conflict, as well as how you use your problem-solving skills to find solutions to issues that may arise.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked with a client who was having trouble integrating their EDI system with our company’s software. They were having issues sending us data files in the format we needed, which caused delays in processing orders. After speaking with the client about their system, I realized they had not properly configured their settings for file type and encoding. Once I explained this to them, they were able to fix the issue and send us the correct data.”

If hired, what would be your priorities during your first few weeks on the job?

This question helps the interviewer determine how you plan to get started in your new role. Your answer should include a list of tasks that show you are eager to learn and perform well at your job.

Example: “I would start by learning about my company’s EDI processes, including which systems we use for data exchange and what types of information we send and receive. I would also want to meet with all stakeholders involved in the process so I can understand their roles and expectations. After this, I would begin testing our current system to ensure it is working properly before implementing any changes.”

What would you do if you received conflicting requirements from two different departments about what they wanted from the new EDI system?

This question is a good way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. Your answer should show that you can collaborate with different departments, understand their needs and find solutions that satisfy everyone involved.

Example: “I would first try to understand the reasons behind each department’s request. Then I would meet with both departments to discuss my findings and see if there are any commonalities between their requests. If so, I would use this information to create a solution that satisfies both parties. If not, I would explain to both departments that we cannot implement two conflicting requirements into the system at once. Instead, I would ask them to prioritize which requirement they want implemented first and then develop the other requirement after.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see if you can handle the pressure of working in a fast-paced environment. They want to know that you are able to work quickly and efficiently when under stress. In your answer, explain how you manage stress and provide an example of a time where you had to perform under pressure.

Example: “I am very good at managing my stress levels. I have worked in a high-pressure environment before, so I am used to it. When I was working as an EDI developer for my previous employer, we were given a tight deadline to complete our project. We all worked hard to meet the deadline, and we did so successfully.”

Do you have any experience working with XML?

XML is a markup language that’s used to describe data. It’s often used in conjunction with EDI, and your interviewer may want to know if you have experience working with it. If you do, share an example of how you’ve used XML in the past. If you don’t, explain why you haven’t worked with it before and what you would do differently if given the opportunity.

Example: “In my previous role as an EDI developer, I was responsible for creating and maintaining all of our company’s XML files. This included ensuring they were properly formatted and contained all necessary information. In addition, I also had to ensure that any changes made to the XML file were reflected in the corresponding EDI file.”

When working with large amounts of data, what is your process for ensuring accuracy?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your attention to detail and organizational skills. Your answer should demonstrate that you have the ability to work with large amounts of data while maintaining accuracy.

Example: “I use a variety of methods for ensuring accuracy when working with large amounts of data. First, I always double-check my work before submitting it to ensure there are no errors. Second, I make sure to thoroughly test all programs and applications before using them in production. Finally, I regularly check reports to monitor any changes or discrepancies.”

We want to make it easier for businesses to integrate with our system. What is SOAP and how would you use it in this role?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the different types of integration methods. It also allows you to show how you can make processes easier for clients and other businesses that work with your company.

Example: “SOAP stands for Simple Object Access Protocol, which is an XML-based protocol used for web service communication. SOAP uses HTTP as its transport protocol, so it’s easy to use over the internet. I’ve worked on several projects where we needed to integrate with multiple systems, so using SOAP was helpful because it allowed us to create one interface that could be used by many different companies.”

Describe your experience with SQL.

SQL is a database language that’s used to create, read and update data. It’s an important skill for EDI developers because it allows them to work with the data they receive from trading partners. Your answer should show your interviewer that you have experience using SQL and can explain how it works.

Example: “In my previous role as an EDI developer, I worked with SQL on a daily basis. I would use SQL to write queries that would help me find specific information in the company’s databases. For example, if I needed to find all of the invoices that were sent to customers who had placed orders within the last 30 days, I would write a query that searched through the database for those details.”

What makes you stand out from other EDI developers?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and experience. They want to know what makes you unique from other candidates. When answering, think of a skill or two that you have that others may not. Try to choose something that is relevant to the job description.

Example: “I am an expert in XML coding. I can create EDI documents using XML standards. Many developers use UBL standards, but I find that many companies are moving toward XML. This means they will be able to read my files without having to translate them. In addition, I am familiar with several different types of EDI formats. I understand how each one works and can implement them into my work.”

Which industries do you have the most experience working in?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience level and how it relates to their industry. It’s important to show that you have relevant experience for this role, but also that you’re willing to learn new things.

Example: “I’ve worked in healthcare for over five years now, so I’m very familiar with the terminology and processes used there. However, I also have some experience working in retail, which helped me understand the importance of quick processing times when dealing with large amounts of data. This is why I enjoy working as an EDI developer because I like helping businesses streamline their operations.”

What do you think is the most important skill for an EDI developer to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine your priorities and how you view the role. Your answer should show that you understand what is important in this job, but it also gives you an opportunity to highlight a skill that you feel confident about.

Example: “I think the most important skill for an EDI developer is their ability to communicate with others. This job requires working with many different people from all over the organization, so I need to be able to clearly explain my ideas and listen to theirs. I find that when I am able to do this well, everyone has more confidence in me and our work.”

How often do you update or modify existing programs?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with updating and modifying existing programs. Use examples from past projects to explain how you update or modify existing programs, including any challenges you may have faced when doing so.

Example: “I typically update or modify existing programs when I notice a problem with them. For example, on one project, I noticed that some of the data was not being transmitted correctly between two companies. After investigating the issue, I found out that there were several issues with the coding language used in the program. I updated the coding language to resolve the issue.”

There is a bug in the program you’ve been working on, but the deadline is still a few days away. What do you do?

This question is a great way to see how you handle pressure and make decisions. It’s important to show that you can prioritize tasks, manage time effectively and communicate with your team members about the changes in schedule.

Example: “I would first determine if there are any other bugs in the program. If not, I would work on fixing this bug as quickly as possible so it doesn’t affect the deadline. However, if there are other bugs, I would fix them before working on this one. This ensures that the entire system works properly once the deadline arrives.”