17 Integration Consultant Interview Questions and Answers

An integration consultant is a professional who helps companies install, configure, and use software to improve their business operations. They work with clients to identify their needs and find the best software to meet those needs. They also work with the software vendor to ensure that the software is installed and functioning properly.

If you’re looking for a job as an integration consultant, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions asked in integration consultant interviews. We’ve also included sample answers to help you develop your own responses.

Are you familiar with the technical aspects of integrating systems?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the technical aspects of integration. You can answer this question by describing a time you used your technical skills to solve a problem or complete a project.

Example: “I have experience with all types of systems, including ERP, CRM and POS. I’ve worked on projects where we needed to integrate these systems together. In one instance, my client had two different POS systems that they wanted to combine into one system. We first analyzed both systems to determine what data was important to keep and how it would be integrated. Then, we created a new system that combined the best features from each system.”

What are some of the most important qualities for an integration consultant to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight your communication, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills.

Example: “Integration consultants need to be able to communicate effectively with both technical and nontechnical people. They also need to be highly organized and detail-oriented because they are often working on multiple projects at once. I am a strong communicator who is always prepared for meetings and presentations. My attention to detail helps me ensure that all of my work is accurate and complete.”

How would you go about explaining technical concepts to non-technical clients?

This question can help the interviewer assess your communication skills and ability to explain technical concepts in a way that clients or other non-technical individuals can understand. Use examples from past experiences where you had to clearly explain complex ideas to clients so they could easily understand them.

Example: “I find it helpful to use analogies when explaining technical concepts to non-technical clients because this helps them relate the concept to something they already know. For example, I once worked with a client who was having trouble understanding how to integrate their marketing strategy into their overall business plan. I explained that integrating is like combining two ingredients together to make a new recipe. The client understood my analogy and used it as a reference point for future discussions about integration.”

What is your experience with working with legacy systems?

Legacy systems are older computer programs that may be difficult to integrate with newer ones. An interviewer might ask this question to learn more about your experience working with different types of software and how you approach integrating them into a company’s existing technology. In your answer, try to explain what legacy systems are and why they’re important. Share an example of when you worked with one in the past.

Example: “Legacy systems are older computer applications that can sometimes be challenging to integrate with new ones. I’ve had some experience working with legacy systems before, but it was mostly during my internship at TechCo where we were tasked with updating their outdated database system. We used a few different strategies to update the old system, including using a third-party integration service.”

Provide an example of a time when you identified and resolved a technical issue.

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving skills and ability to identify issues. Use examples from previous work experiences that highlight your technical knowledge, analytical skills and communication abilities.

Example: “In my last role as an integration consultant, I was working with a client who had multiple ERP systems in place. The company wanted to integrate these systems so they could access data more efficiently. After conducting research on the best solutions for this client, I recommended they implement a single system that would allow them to manage their financial operations while also integrating other business functions like human resources and inventory management. This solution helped the company save money by eliminating redundant software.”

If you had to choose one area of technology to focus on, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate prioritizes their work. It also shows you what they find most interesting and challenging about working in technology. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention two or three areas of technology that are important to you and why.

Example: “I would say security because I think it’s so important for businesses to have secure systems. If someone were to hack into your system, it could cause major problems for the business and its customers. Another area I would focus on is artificial intelligence because I’m fascinated by how computers can learn new things and make decisions based on those lessons.”

What would you do if you noticed that a system you integrated was no longer working properly?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you respond to challenges and solve problems. Your answer should show that you are willing to take initiative, communicate with others and use your problem-solving skills to find solutions.

Example: “If I noticed a system was no longer working properly, I would first try to identify what caused it to stop functioning. If I could fix the issue myself, I would do so immediately. However, if I needed assistance from other IT professionals or my client, I would contact them right away. In either case, I would document everything I did to troubleshoot the problem and make sure all of my notes were clear and easy to understand.”

How well do you think you can adapt to new technologies as they are released?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to adapt to new technologies and integrate them into existing systems. Your answer should show that you are willing to learn new things, but also highlight any experience you have with integrating new technologies.

Example: “I am always eager to learn about new technologies as they’re released because I enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to implement them into my work. In my last role, I was tasked with integrating a new technology into an existing system, so I spent time researching it and learning how to use it. After some trial-and-error, I figured out how to successfully integrate the new technology into the old one.”

Do you have any experience working with large teams of IT professionals?

Large projects often require a large team of IT professionals to complete them. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with teams and how well you collaborate with others. Use examples from your past work experience to show the interviewer that you can be part of a team and contribute to its success.

Example: “In my last role, I worked on a project where we had to integrate multiple systems into one platform. We had a team of five integration consultants, two developers, three quality assurance specialists and two business analysts. It was important for us all to communicate effectively so we could understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I made sure everyone knew what their tasks were and when they would need to be completed by.”

When working with legacy systems, how do you go about determining the original intent of the code?

This question can help the interviewer understand your process for working with older systems and how you apply your knowledge of business processes to ensure that clients receive the best possible solutions. Use examples from past projects to highlight your ability to work with legacy systems and achieve positive outcomes.

Example: “I first start by understanding what the original intent was when the code was written. This is important because it helps me determine whether or not I need to make changes to the system, which could result in a loss of functionality. For example, on one project where I worked with an older system, we needed to integrate new features into the system without changing any of the existing ones. By determining the original intent of the code, I was able to implement new features while maintaining the old ones.”

We want to encourage our employees to be able to make technical decisions on their own. How would you teach someone who had no technical background to do so?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would train their employees to be able to make technical decisions on their own. Use your answer to show that you value collaboration and teamwork, as well as helping others learn new skills.

Example: “I believe it’s important for everyone to have a basic understanding of technology so they can make informed decisions about what solutions are best for them. I would start by teaching them the basics of IT infrastructure and then move into more complex topics like coding languages and database management systems. This way, they could understand why certain solutions work better than others.”

Describe your process for testing a new system before integrating it into the existing infrastructure.

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you plan and execute your work. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for testing new systems before integrating them into the existing infrastructure.

Example: “I start by identifying the requirements of the system I’m testing, including what it needs to do and any specific data it must integrate with the current system. Next, I create test cases that simulate real-world scenarios to ensure the system can handle these conditions. Then, I run the tests on the new system to see if it meets all the requirements. If not, I make adjustments until the system is ready to be integrated.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your relevant experience and soft skills.

Example: “I have five years of experience as an integration consultant, which makes me highly qualified for this position. I also have extensive knowledge of various software integration platforms, including Microsoft BizTalk Server, Oracle Service Bus and IBM WebSphere MQ. In my previous role, I helped my team develop strategies for integrating enterprise applications with cloud-based solutions. This experience has given me valuable insight into the challenges companies face when implementing new technology.”

Which business intelligence tools have you used in the past?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your experience level and determine if you have any expertise with tools they use. If you haven’t used a specific tool, consider describing how you would approach using it or what you’ve learned from working with other tools.

Example: “I’ve worked with several business intelligence tools in my past roles as an integration consultant. I’m most experienced with Microsoft Power BI, which is a cloud-based data analytics platform that allows me to create reports and share insights with clients. It’s also helpful for collaborating with team members on projects because of its social media capabilities. Another tool I’ve used is Tableau, which is another cloud-based software that helps me analyze large amounts of data and perform predictive modeling.”

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when integrating legacy systems?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the process and how you apply it. Your answer should include a specific example from your experience that shows your ability to integrate legacy systems successfully.

Example: “The most important thing I think about when integrating legacy systems is communication. When working with multiple teams, there are many different opinions on what needs to be done and how to do it. It’s my job as an integration consultant to make sure everyone understands the plan and knows their role in making it happen. This means holding regular meetings where we discuss our progress and address any concerns or questions team members have.”

How often do you perform system audits to check for errors or issues?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with system audits. They want to know how often you perform them and what types of issues you look for when conducting an audit. Use examples from past projects where you performed a system audit and the results you found.

Example: “I usually conduct system audits every six months or so, depending on the client’s needs. I find that performing regular audits helps me identify any errors or issues before they become major problems. For example, in my last role as an integration consultant, I conducted a quarterly system audit for one of my clients. During one of these audits, I noticed some discrepancies in their inventory tracking software. After further investigation, we discovered that our client had lost several shipments of products due to a coding error.”

There is a bug in the system you integrated. How do you go about finding the cause and fixing it?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot. It also shows the interviewer that you are willing to go above and beyond to ensure the system works as intended.

Example: “I would first try to narrow down the cause by eliminating all other factors. I would then look at the integration plan, check for any errors in coding or configuration and make sure there aren’t any issues with the hardware. If none of these things seem to be the issue, I would contact my client to see if they have made any changes recently that could affect the system.”