17 Software Developer Intern Interview Questions and Answers

As a software developer intern, you will be working with a team of developers to create and maintain software applications. Your responsibilities will include writing and testing code, debugging programs, and documenting software development processes.

To be successful in this role, you will need to have strong problem-solving and analytical skills. You should also be able to work independently and be able to adapt to changes quickly.

In this guide, you will find a list of common software developer intern interview questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the software development life cycle?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your knowledge of the software development process. This is an important part of being a developer, so it’s likely that they’ll want someone who understands how the process works and can use it effectively. In your answer, try to explain what the life cycle is and give examples of when you’ve used it in past projects.

Example: “I am familiar with the software development life cycle, which is essentially the steps involved in creating a new piece of software. I have used this process many times throughout my education, including during my internship at TechTronix where I developed a new app for the company.”

What are the different types of software development processes?

This question is a basic knowledge test that many employers ask to ensure you have the necessary background in software development. They want to make sure you understand the different processes and how they work, so you can apply them correctly when working on projects for their company. In your answer, define each process and explain what it entails.

Example: “There are several types of software development processes. Waterfall is one of the most common because it’s easy to follow and implement. It involves five phases—requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing and deployment. Agile is another popular process because it allows teams to respond quickly to changes as they occur. There are several variations of agile processes, including scrum, extreme programming and Kanban.”

How do you determine which programming language to use for a project?

This question can help the interviewer understand your decision-making process and how you apply critical thinking skills to your work. Use examples from past projects where you chose a programming language based on factors like project goals, time constraints or other important considerations.

Example: “I first consider what type of software I’m developing—whether it’s web-based, desktop or mobile. Then, I look at the requirements for the project, including any specific features that need to be included in the final product. Finally, I assess my own skill set and determine which languages I am most comfortable using to complete the project.”

What is the most challenging part of being a software developer?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you handle challenges. It also helps them understand what your priorities are in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something that is challenging but also gives you an opportunity to talk about how you overcame it or plan to overcome it.

Example: “The most challenging part of being a software developer for me is when I have to work with a team member who isn’t as motivated or invested in their work as I am. In my last internship, I had a teammate who didn’t always meet deadlines and sometimes missed important details. This was frustrating because I wanted our project to be successful, so I started meeting with my teammate one-on-one to go over the project and make sure they understood everything we needed to do.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with a program you created.

Troubleshooting is an important skill for software developers to have. Employers ask this question to see if you can use your problem-solving skills to fix issues with programs you create. In your answer, explain the steps you took to troubleshoot the issue and how you fixed it.

Example: “When I was in college, I created a program that would help my professor grade essays more efficiently. However, when I tested the program, I found out that it had some bugs. I spent several hours trying to figure out what was causing the bug. Eventually, I realized that I forgot to include one of the grading criteria in the program. Once I fixed the error, the program worked perfectly.”

If given the opportunity, what area of software development would you like to explore?

This question can help the interviewer determine your interests and goals as a software developer. Use this opportunity to share what you find most interesting about software development, including specific technologies or processes that excite you.

Example: “I’m very interested in learning more about artificial intelligence and machine learning. I’ve been following some of the latest developments in these fields and have found them fascinating. I think it would be great to work on a project where I could apply my knowledge of AI and ML to solve real-world problems.”

What would you do if you were assigned to a project you were unfamiliar with?

Employers ask this question to see how you adapt to new projects and learn quickly. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to familiarize yourself with the project as quickly as possible.

Example: “If I were assigned to a project that I was unfamiliar with, I would first ask my manager or mentor for more information about the project. Then, I would research the company’s website and any other sources of information to find out more about the company’s goals and objectives. Finally, I would speak with my team members who are working on the project to get their insight into the project.”

How well do you communicate with other members of the development team?

As a software developer, you’ll likely work with other members of the development team. Employers ask this question to see if you can communicate effectively and collaborate with others. In your answer, explain that you enjoy working in teams and collaborating with others. Explain that you are willing to listen to input from others and provide feedback when appropriate.

Example: “I have found that I am most productive when I work independently. However, I also understand that collaboration is important for creating effective solutions. Throughout my career as a software developer, I have learned how to balance both independent work and collaboration. I always make sure to listen to input from others on the team and provide constructive feedback when asked.”

Do you have experience working in a team environment?

Working in a team environment is an important skill for software developers. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience working with others and how well you collaborate. In your answer, explain what makes teamwork successful. Share any experiences you’ve had collaborating with other people on projects or ideas.

Example: “I have worked in a team environment before, but I prefer to work independently. When I was in college, I took a class where we were assigned groups of three. My group members and I decided to each do our own thing instead of working together. We all got good grades, but I learned that collaboration can be more effective than doing everything yourself.

Now, when I’m given the opportunity to work in a team, I take it. I find that having someone else’s perspective helps me think of new solutions to problems. Collaborating also gives me the chance to learn from my peers.”

When was the last time you updated your knowledge on programming languages?

This question can help the interviewer determine how passionate you are about your career and whether you’re willing to learn new things. It’s important to show that you’re committed to learning more about programming languages, especially if you’re applying for an internship at a company that uses specific programming languages.

Example: “I’ve been taking online courses on Java coding since I was in high school. I’m currently enrolled in a college course where we use C++ as our main language. I also attend monthly meetups with other programmers who discuss different aspects of programming languages.”

We want to improve our customer support software. What features would you add to it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and creativity. It also shows how you can apply your knowledge of software development to improve existing systems. When answering this question, try to think about what features would make the customer support software more efficient or user-friendly.

Example: “I’d add a feature that allows users to submit questions through social media channels like Facebook Messenger and Twitter. This would allow customers to ask questions without having to call in, which could save time for both them and the company. I’d also create an FAQ page where customers can find answers to common questions. This would help reduce the number of calls the company receives.”

Describe your process for testing a new program.

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer how you use a systematic approach to testing and debugging programs. Use examples from previous projects where you used the same process for testing new software, including any challenges you faced along the way.

Example: “I start by identifying all of the bugs in the program before I begin testing it. Then, I test each function of the program separately to ensure that there are no errors or issues with the code. After this, I run the entire program to see if there are any additional bugs or problems. If so, I go back to my original method of debugging the program until I find the source of the issue.”

What makes you the best candidate 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 you have that are relevant to this position. Focus on highlighting your most impressive skills and explaining why they’re important for this role.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator with strong problem-solving skills. I always try to find solutions to problems by asking questions and researching information. In my previous internship, I worked as part of a team where we had to solve several issues during our project. I was able to use my communication skills to help my teammates understand what I was doing when solving complex coding issues. My problem-solving skills helped me figure out how to complete the task.”

Which programming languages are you most comfortable using?

This question is a great way to see how much experience you have with different programming languages. It’s important for employers to know that you’re comfortable using the language they use in their company, so it’s best to mention the one or two languages you feel most confident using and why.

Example: “I’m most comfortable using Java because I’ve been working with it since my first coding class in college. However, I also understand C++ and Python fairly well, as I took classes on both of those languages during my computer science degree.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of software development?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate thinks about their work. It’s also an opportunity for them to show you what they value in software development and why it matters to them.

Example: “I think that communication is the most important aspect of software development. When I’m working on a project, I always make sure that my team members know exactly what I’m doing and when I expect to have something ready. This helps me stay organized and ensures that everyone else knows what’s going on with the project. If someone has questions or needs more information, I’m happy to provide it.”

How often do you update your personal website or portfolio?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your work ethic and how you present yourself to others. Your answer should show that you are dedicated to your craft, but also that you have other interests outside of coding.

Example: “I update my portfolio at least once a month, usually when I complete a new project or add something significant to an existing one. I find it’s important to keep my website up-to-date because it helps me remember what projects I’ve worked on in the past and gives me a chance to reflect on them. It also shows potential employers that I’m committed to my career as a software developer.”

There is a bug in a program you’ve been working on. How do you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle challenges in the workplace. It’s important that your answer shows you can take initiative and solve problems on your own.

Example: “I would first try to find out what caused the bug, then I would fix it. If I couldn’t figure out what caused the bug, I would ask my supervisor for help. Once I know what caused the bug, I will make sure to avoid making the same mistake again. Then I would test the program to ensure there are no other bugs.”