20 edX Interview Questions and Answers

edX is a massive open online course provider. It hosts online university-level courses in a wide range of disciplines to a worldwide student body, including some courses at no charge. It also conducts research into learning based on how people use its platform.

If you’re interviewing for a position at edX, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with online learning, as well as your knowledge of the company’s mission and values. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample edX interview questions and answers.

edX Interview Process

The interview process at edX can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least a phone screen and an in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to complete a homework assignment or skills assessment. The interview process can be lengthy, so be prepared to commit several hours to the process. Overall, the interviews are fairly standard and relaxed. However, for some positions, the interviewers may not be very well prepared.

1. What is your experience with Python?

Python is a popular programming language used by edX developers. Your answer should show that you have some experience with Python and can use it to complete tasks in your current or previous role.

Example: “I’ve been using Python for the past five years, ever since I started my career as an edX developer. In my last job, I was responsible for creating new courses and maintaining existing ones. Python helped me automate many of these processes so I could focus on more important things like improving user experience.”

2. Do you have any experience working on a team project where you had to coordinate different teams?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to lead a team. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects where you had to coordinate different teams, manage multiple deadlines and communicate effectively with other members of your team.

Example: “In my last job as an IT specialist, I worked on a project that required me to collaborate with several departments within the company. We needed to create a new system for tracking inventory in our warehouse, so I met with each department to discuss their needs and expectations. After gathering all the information, I created a plan for implementing the new system and communicated it to everyone involved.”

3. How do you think edX can improve their platform?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the edX platform and how you can improve it. You should answer this question by describing what you would change about the platform, why you would make those changes and how you would implement them.

Example: “I think that one of the best ways edX could improve their platform is by making it easier for students to find courses they want to take. Currently, there are so many different categories that finding a course can be difficult. I would create a search function where users could enter keywords or phrases into a search bar to find the exact course they’re looking for.”

4. What are some of the challenges that come along with coordinating multiple teams?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to work with others and manage multiple projects. Use examples from past experiences where you had to coordinate a team of people or groups, such as when managing a group project in school or coordinating different departments at an internship.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for scheduling meetings between our marketing department and sales team. This required me to communicate with both teams regularly to ensure everyone knew about upcoming meetings and who would be attending. It also helped that I am familiar with both departments’ processes and procedures so I could answer questions they may have had about each other’s roles.”

5. Why do you want to work at edX?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about edX that interests you or what drew you to apply for the role.

Example: “I want to work at edX because I am passionate about education and technology. I believe that online learning is an effective way to teach students of all ages, and I would love to be part of a company that is making such a positive impact on people’s lives. I also think your mission statement is inspiring, and I would love to be able to contribute to helping millions of learners access quality content.”

6. Tell me about a time when you were faced with an ethical dilemma, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your decision-making process and how you apply it in the workplace. When answering, consider a time when you faced an ethical dilemma and how you resolved it.

Example: “In my previous role as a teacher, I had a student who was struggling with their work. They were missing deadlines and turning in assignments late. I spoke with them privately and learned that they were going through some personal issues at home. I decided to give them extra time on their assignment so they could focus on their family situation. In the end, they turned in their assignment before the deadline.”

7. Describe a time when you used data analytics to solve a problem.

This question can help the interviewer understand your analytical skills and how you use them to solve problems. Use examples from previous work or school projects that highlight your ability to analyze data, interpret results and make decisions based on what you learn.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for monitoring student engagement in online courses. I used a variety of tools to track this information, including surveys, social media channels and video analytics. Based on these metrics, I noticed students were having trouble with one particular concept in an introductory course. I worked with the instructor to create more engaging content and resources to support students as they learned the material.”

8. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews. It allows you to highlight your strengths and weaknesses while also showing the interviewer that you are self-aware. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what skills you have developed over time or which ones you would like to improve.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always looking for ways to help others succeed and find success myself when working as part of a team. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on helping others that I forget to take care of myself. I’ve learned to make sure I’m taking breaks throughout the day to stay energized.”

9. How well do you work under pressure?

This question is often asked to determine how well you can handle stress. Employers want to know that you can complete tasks in a timely manner and maintain your composure when faced with challenges. In your answer, explain what strategies you use to manage pressure and provide an example of a time you were able to do so successfully.

Example: “I am someone who thrives under pressure. I find that having a deadline helps me stay focused on the task at hand. When working for my previous employer, I was responsible for creating weekly reports for our sales team. The company had strict deadlines for submitting these reports, but sometimes there would be last-minute changes or updates that needed to be included. I found that if I created the report one week ahead of time, it gave me enough time to make any necessary adjustments.”

10. Can you tell us about a time when you worked on a team project and there was conflict? How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether you’re able to work with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked on a team project and had to resolve conflict.

Example: “In my last role as an instructional designer, I was working on a project that required input from multiple stakeholders. One stakeholder in particular would often disagree with our ideas for the project and make suggestions without providing any reasoning behind them. This made it difficult to determine if their suggestions were valid or not. Eventually, I met with this stakeholder one-on-one to discuss their concerns. They explained why they disagreed with some of our decisions and we were able to come up with a compromise.”

11. How does edX differ from other online learning platforms?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of the industry and how you compare different platforms. Use examples from your experience to highlight what makes edX unique.

Example: “EdX is a nonprofit organization that offers free online courses, while other learning platforms are for-profit businesses. In my previous role as an instructional designer, I worked with several companies to create their own online training programs. One company wanted to offer free courses but also generate revenue through advertising. They asked me to integrate sponsors into our course design so they could make money without charging students. I helped them use edX’s open source platform to develop their own program.”

12. What type of development environment do you prefer?

This question can help the interviewer determine your comfort level with different types of software and hardware. It’s important to show that you’re flexible when it comes to working in a variety of environments, as edX may require you to work on multiple platforms.

Example: “I prefer using an IDE because I find it easier to use than other development environments. However, I’m also comfortable working in a command line environment or a text editor. In my last role, I worked primarily in an IDE but occasionally used a command line interface for certain tasks.”

13. Describe a time when you made a mistake or failed at something. What did you learn from this experience?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s ability to reflect on their own performance and how they use it to improve. When answering this question, you can discuss a time when you made a mistake or failed at something but also explain what you learned from that experience.

Example: “When I first started working as an online instructor for edX, I was very nervous about my teaching style and worried about whether or not students were understanding the material. One day, one of my students asked me a question during class, and I didn’t know the answer. I felt embarrassed and disappointed in myself because I thought I should have known the answer. However, after talking with other instructors, I realized that everyone makes mistakes and that it’s important to ask questions and seek help when we need it.”

14. If hired, what would be your approach to developing software for edX’s platform?

This question is an opportunity to show your technical skills and knowledge of the edX platform. Your answer should include a description of how you would approach this task, as well as what software development tools you would use.

Example: “I would start by researching the current state of the edX platform. I would then create a list of all the features that are currently available on the platform and compare it with the list of features that students need. Next, I would develop a plan for implementing new features based on my research. Finally, I would implement the new features using Java.”

15. How would you describe yourself in one word?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s personality and values. It also helps you determine if they are a good fit for your team. When answering this question, try to choose a word that describes your positive qualities as well as your passion for education.

Example: “I would describe myself as passionate. I am passionate about helping students succeed in their learning goals. I am passionate about finding new ways to improve our current educational system. I am passionate about making sure every student has access to quality education.”

16. What types of tools do you use to manage projects?

This question can help the interviewer determine your technical skills and how you apply them to a project. Use examples of tools that you have used in the past, such as Microsoft Project or Basecamp, and explain why they are effective for managing projects.

Example: “I use several different types of tools to manage my projects. I find Trello is an excellent tool for organizing tasks and keeping track of what needs to be done. It’s also useful for collaborating with other team members on specific aspects of a project. Another tool I like to use is Asana because it allows me to create checklists and assign tasks to myself and others. This helps me stay organized and ensures that everyone has access to important information.”

17. How many years of experience do you have as a Software Engineer?

This question is a great way to gauge your experience level and how you can apply it to the role. If you have less than five years of experience, explain what you’ve learned in that time and how it applies to this position. If you have more than five years of experience, highlight some of your most recent accomplishments.

Example: “I have three years of experience as a Software Engineer. In my first two years, I focused on learning the basics of coding languages and developing software applications. During my third year, I was promoted to lead developer where I worked with other developers to create new courses for edX.”

18. Are you comfortable working remotely?

Working remotely is a common practice in the technology industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with remote work and that it won’t negatively impact your performance. If you have experience working remotely, share what made you feel comfortable doing so. If you haven’t worked remotely before, explain why you think you would be able to do so successfully.

Example: “I am very comfortable working remotely because I’ve done it for several years now. In my previous role, I was one of only two employees who worked from home. This allowed me to spend more time with my family while still getting all of my work done. I find that when I’m at home, I can focus better than when I’m in an office setting.”

19. Have you ever led a team before? If so, how did you go about doing it?

This question is a great way to see how you work with others and your leadership skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific projects or initiatives that you led in the past and what steps you took to ensure they were successful.

Example: “In my last role as an IT manager, I was responsible for leading a team of five other employees. We worked together on many different projects, including updating our company’s website and creating new software programs. To lead my team effectively, I made sure everyone knew their roles and responsibilities, set clear deadlines and provided regular feedback.”

20. What is your experience with SQL?

SQL is a database language that is used by many developers. Your experience with SQL can help you in your role as an edX developer, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any experience using it. If you do, share what kind of projects you worked on where you needed to use SQL. If you don’t have much experience with SQL, explain that you are willing to learn and apply yourself to learning new skills.

Example: “I’ve had some experience working with SQL in my previous roles. I was tasked with creating reports for our company’s data using SQL. It took me a while to get used to writing queries, but once I got the hang of it, I found it quite easy to work with.”