20 Pure Storage Interview Questions and Answers

Pure Storage is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team. If you’re considering applying for a job at Pure Storage, you should be prepared to answer some company-specific interview questions.

Pure Storage is an all-flash enterprise storage company that enables broad deployment of flash in data centers. As a result, they are always looking for candidates with a strong technical background who are able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to problems.

Some of the questions you can expect to be asked in an interview with Pure Storage include:

– What do you know about flash storage? – Why do you want to work for Pure Storage? – What do you think are the benefits of all-flash storage? – What do you think are the challenges of all-flash storage? – Tell me about a time when you had to come up with a creative solution to a problem. – Tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex issue. – Tell me about a time when you had to manage a difficult customer or client issue.

Answering these questions well will give you a leg up on the competition and increase your chances of getting hired by Pure Storage.

Pure Storage Interview Process

The interview process at Pure Storage can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require you to complete an online assessment, followed by a phone screening with a recruiter. If you pass the phone screening, you will be scheduled for one or more in-person interviews. The in-person interviews may be conducted by a panel of interviewers and may include both technical and behavioral questions.

1. Tell us about one of your most successful projects and how you approached it.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience working on projects and can apply the skills you learned in previous roles. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight how your skills helped you complete the project successfully.

Example: “In my last role as an IT specialist, I worked with a client who was looking for a new storage solution. They were having issues with their current system because of its lack of scalability and performance. We decided to implement Pure Storage FlashBlade into their existing infrastructure to help them scale up their operations while improving performance.”

2. How would you describe your sales style?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your personality and how you might fit in with their team. Your answer should include examples from previous jobs that show your sales style, but it’s also important to highlight any unique or positive qualities about yourself.

Example: “I’m very outgoing and friendly, which helps me build trust with clients. I’ve found that this is an effective way to close deals because my clients feel more comfortable buying from someone they know and like. In my last job, I closed over $1 million in sales for my company.”

3. What is the biggest challenge in selling flash storage solutions to companies?

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to overcome challenges and develop strategies for overcoming them. Use examples from previous experiences where you overcame a challenge in selling flash storage solutions.

Example: “The biggest challenge I’ve encountered when selling flash storage solutions is helping clients understand how they can use it to improve their business processes. In my last role, I helped create an informational presentation that explained the benefits of using flash storage technology. This allowed me to show clients exactly how flash storage could benefit their company’s performance.”

4. Do you have any experience working with Python or C++?

Python and C++ are two of the most common languages used in the IT industry. If you have experience with either language, it can be beneficial to mention this during your interview.

Example: “I’ve worked with Python before but I’m more experienced with C++. In my last role as a software engineer, I was tasked with creating an application that would allow users to manage their data on multiple devices. Using C++, I was able to create a program that allowed for cross-platform compatibility.”

5. Please tell us a bit about yourself.

This is a common question that an interviewer will ask to get to know you better. It’s important to be honest and highlight your relevant skills, experience and education in your response.

Example: “I graduated from the University of California with a degree in computer science. I have been working as a software engineer for three years now, where I’ve gained valuable experience in coding and developing applications. My previous employer was a startup company, so I learned how to work on a small team and develop new products quickly. I’m excited about this opportunity at Pure Storage because it allows me to use my skills to create innovative solutions.”

6. Describe a time where you failed at something, what did you learn from that failure?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s ability to take responsibility for their actions and how they’ve grown from past mistakes.

Example: “I once had an opportunity to work with a client who was looking for a new storage solution that would help them reduce costs while improving performance. I recommended Pure Storage, however, after implementing our solutions, we realized there were some issues with the product. The company lost trust in us as a result of this failure, but I learned that it’s important to be honest with clients when something goes wrong. We worked with the client to find a resolution and gained back their trust.”

7. If hired, what steps would you take to reach out to new customers?

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you would approach a new customer. You can use examples from previous jobs or talk about what you would do if you were hired for the position.

Example: “I would start by reaching out to them via email, introducing myself as a representative of Pure Storage and offering my assistance with any questions they may have. I would also offer a free trial period so that they could see the benefits of using our product. If they are interested in learning more, I would schedule a time to speak on the phone and answer their questions.”

8. How do you keep up with current trends in technology?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your passion for technology and how you stay up-to-date on industry news. Your answer should show that you are passionate about technology, eager to learn new things and willing to put in the time to keep up with trends.

Example: “I am constantly reading tech blogs and following influencers in the IT space. I also subscribe to several newsletters that deliver relevant information straight to my inbox. I find this is an easy way to stay informed without having to spend too much time searching for content.”

9. Why do you want to work at Pure Storage?

This question is a great way to gauge your level of interest in the company and its culture. When you answer, make sure you highlight what attracted you to Pure Storage and how it aligns with your career goals.

Example: “I want to work at Pure Storage because I am passionate about helping businesses optimize their data storage. In my last role, I worked on several projects that involved flash storage, and I saw firsthand how effective it was for companies like yours. I would love to be part of a team that helps organizations improve their efficiency through innovative technology.”

10. What are some of the latest developments in data storage?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your knowledge about the industry and how you keep up with new developments. You can use this opportunity to show that you are passionate about technology and eager to learn more.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my data storage skills, so I regularly attend webinars and read articles on the latest developments in the field. In fact, I recently attended a webinar where an expert discussed the benefits of using flash memory over traditional hard drives. He also talked about some of the challenges associated with implementing flash storage solutions.”

11. Can you give us an example of when you had to adapt to changing goals on a project?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you adapt to change and your ability to work under pressure. Use examples from previous projects where you had to adjust your goals or objectives in order to meet a deadline or complete a task successfully.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with creating an enterprise-level storage system for a client’s database. The project started out as a simple upgrade but quickly became more complex when we realized that the current system couldn’t handle the new software. We decided to scrap the original plan and start over with a brand new system. It took longer than expected, but it allowed us to create a better solution for our client.”

12. Have you ever worked for a start-up company before?

If you have, the interviewer may want to know how your experience with a start-up company can help them. If you haven’t worked for a start-up before, they may ask about your ability to work in an environment where there are fewer resources and less structure than a larger organization.

Example: “I’ve never worked for a start-up company before, but I think my previous experience working at a small IT firm would be beneficial to Pure Storage because it taught me how to work efficiently with limited resources. In my last position, we didn’t have as many employees or budget as other companies, so I learned how to prioritize tasks and manage my time more effectively.”

13. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation that helped you understand how much effort you put into helping the customer.

Example: “I once had a client who was having issues with their storage system. They were unable to access any of their data and needed assistance as soon as possible. I stayed late at work for two nights in a row until we figured out what was causing the issue. We then worked together to create a solution so they could access their data again.”

14. Are you willing to travel frequently?

If the position requires you to travel, employers may ask this question to determine if you are willing to do so. If they ask this question, it is important to be honest about your willingness to travel and provide a reason why you would enjoy doing so.

Example: “I am happy to travel for work as long as I have enough time to prepare before my trip. In fact, I find traveling exciting because it gives me an opportunity to see new places and meet new people. I also like that it allows me to get away from my daily routine.”

15. What are the challenges associated with being part of a rapidly growing company?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. It also allows you to demonstrate that you are aware of the challenges associated with working for a rapidly growing company and how you would overcome them.

Example: “The biggest challenge I’ve experienced as part of a rapidly growing company is keeping up with new technology. In my previous role, I was responsible for managing our entire network infrastructure, including servers, routers and switches. As we grew, I had to hire additional IT professionals to help me manage all of these systems. This led to some confusion among employees who were unsure which employee they should go to when they needed assistance.”

16. How do you communicate effectively with members of your team?

This question can help the interviewer assess your communication skills and how you interact with others. Use examples from past experiences to show that you’re a strong communicator who’s able to collaborate with others.

Example: “I believe it’s important for everyone on the team to understand what their role is, so I make sure to clearly communicate any changes or updates to my team members. In addition, I hold weekly meetings where we discuss our progress and challenges. This helps me get feedback from my team about how they feel about the project and allows them to ask questions.”

17. Do you consider yourself a creative person?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to innovate. Your answer should show that you are willing to take risks and try new things, even if they don’t always work out.

Example: “I definitely consider myself a creative person. I’ve been known to come up with some pretty innovative solutions to problems at my previous job. For example, when we were having issues with our backup system, I was able to use my creativity to find an alternative solution that saved us thousands of dollars.”

18. What was the last book you read related to software engineering?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better as a person and how your interests outside of work may relate to your qualifications for the job. You can use this opportunity to share something about yourself that isn’t directly related to your professional experience, such as an interest in reading or writing fiction.

Example: “I recently read ‘The Martian’ by Andy Weir. I’ve always been interested in space exploration, so it was fun to read a book from the perspective of someone on Mars. It’s also interesting to see how much technology has advanced since the book was published in 2011.”

19. Would you say you are more concerned with accuracy or speed?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your priorities and determine if you are a good fit for their company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention that both accuracy and speed are important in enterprise storage systems.

Example: “I would say I am more concerned with accuracy than speed. In my previous role as an IT specialist, I was responsible for maintaining the integrity of data within our organization’s servers. This meant ensuring that all information was backed up regularly and that any changes were documented properly. While speed is certainly important when working with large amounts of data, I believe it is equally important to ensure that the data being stored is accurate.”

20. We want our employees to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

This question is a great way to determine if the company’s culture aligns with your own. If you’re looking for an environment where you can work independently, this is a good sign that Pure Storage might be a good fit.

Example: “I think I would be a great fit for working at Pure Storage because I’m used to working in environments where I have autonomy and am able to make my own decisions. In my last job, I was responsible for managing our entire server infrastructure, so I’ve already had experience working in an independent role.”