Bmw software engineer interview

Various employees from the company may ask you questions about the work they do and supervise you as you complete coding problems. Although the specifics of the skill tests depend on the company and the role, they often involve these topics:. Problem-solving: It's typical for a software engineer interview to include coding problems for candidates to solve in front of interviewers so potential employers can understand your thinking process, strengths and applied knowledge.

During this portion of your interview, you may solve two to three coding problems while explaining your work to interviewers. Software architecture: Another test for many software engineering roles is how you understand and apply knowledge about software architecture. For these tests or questions, interviewers may expect you to describe how you would design a system when given a broad concept and a set of parameters or limitations to keep your idea within.

Language knowledge: With so many programming languages with which you can code, interviewers may want to test your ability to use a specific language or languages.

If the job for which you're applying requires knowledge of a specific language, you may answer questions about your experience with that language and solve problems using that language. For some software engineering roles, interviewers may ask you to complete a take-home project and return the result to them. Whether you have this test in your interviews depends on the responsibilities of the role and the preferences of the interviewers, but the typical process for a take-home test involves receiving instructions to create or debug a piece of software and a time frame in which you must complete it.

Often, the purpose of take-home projects is to test your ability to finish a project and make it work, which is a valuable skill for many software engineers. Consider the following FAQs to help you prepare for your software engineer interviews:. Each section of a software engineer interview typically lasts for a certain amount of time, but the total length of the interview process depends on the level of the role for which you're applying and the number of sections in your interview.

Typically, phone screens last for 15 to 45 minutes but vary depending on the personality of the interviewer and the information they give you. For on-site interviews, each section of the interview process may last for one to three hours, and the entire process may take an entire day. The people who may interview you for a software engineering role range from recruiters to high-level managers who want to test different levels of your abilities and fit for the company.

Typically, you can expect to talk with recruiters and hiring managers during the initial phone screens and introductory phases of the interview process. However, on-site interviews and tests may involve other employees from the company and different levels of managers who can determine whether they think you would benefit their company or teams.

There may be a different employee conducting each section of your interview process, and they all gather after your interview is complete to compare notes and decide as a group to hire you.

The company for which you're interviewing may provide many things during your interview process, especially if it takes an entire day or longer. To be prepared, it's still a good idea to bring your own pencil and paper for working coding problems out, the questions you prepared for your interviewers and snacks and water to help you stay energized throughout the process.

You may also bring hard copies of your resume to look over during your interview or give to interviewers. The location of a software engineer interview depends on the size of the company and whether they're hosting an interview event for multiple candidates. Often, technology companies host interviews in the office building where you're likely to work if hired, but they may host multiple candidates at once at their large headquarters for hiring and interview events.

In your opinion, what sets the BMW product apart from our competitors? How to Answer BMW prides itself on producing a high-quality luxury vehicle based on precise engineering and technology. James McMechan wrote: "I have researched BMW Group a great deal and feel that the one thing that sets your product apart from others is the fact that you have the most incredible manufacturer's guarantee of 4 years or 50k miles with complimentary maintenance.

Luxury buyers want security when they make such a large purchase, and BMW Group offers just that. I loved reading about the balance and performance standards that BMW insists on. I also have a friend who owns a BMW, and every time I drive her car, I am very impressed with how it handles on the road. I have to say that it is by far one of the best cars I have ever experienced,". Tell me about a time when you might have disagreed with your supervisor and how you handled the situation. James McMechan wrote: "I believe that it's my job as a professional to adapt to all types of people, and respect leadership even when I disagree with decisions they make.

My previous employer and I did not always agree, but I respected his position and carried out his wishes to the best of my ability.

I believe that you will find me to be a loyal employee who is willing to do what is asked of me. If I were to experience conflict in the workplace, I would wait until the customer was gone and discuss it privately with my supervisor. I try very hard not to take constructive criticism personally, but instead, use it to better myself as a person and a sales professional.

How to Answer Companies want to know they are hiring loyal and honest employees. James McMechan wrote: "In my previous position, I was forced to take credit applications over the phone. I had to be very careful not to leave any applications on my desk unattended. We had a responsibility to keep those things private for our guests. I have been a victim of identity theft, so I know what a hassle it can be when that happens.

I believe that you will find out that I am an employee that is hyper-diligent in this area. I believe that our guests recognize when you are vigilant in this area. At BMW, we seek to hire individuals who excel at self-motivation. Describe some things that you do to motivate yourself. How to Answer A huge part of sales is motivating yourself toward achieving your sales goals. James McMechan wrote: "I believe that my self-motivation is best displayed when things don't go as I planned.

I do my utmost to keep my promises so that if I commit to doing something, I stay with that task until I complete it. I listen to motivational tapes, like Tony Robbins, in the mornings just to make sure my head and thinking are right. I am not a person who requires constant affirmation, but I do appreciate it when a supervisor recognizes a job that I have done well.

I spend just a few minutes getting my mind right before I attack the day's tasks. I love to hear words of encouragement from my supervisor and my teammates. That kind of affirmative culture can go a long way to helping us all reach our goals. At BMW Group we seek to hire individuals who have a keen interest in the automobile industry. How familiar are you with automobiles and BMW in particular? I think that my love for cars began when I was a kid, watching my father work on an old Ford we had.

Cars have come a long way since then, but I still get excited by them. I am really interested in learning more about the technology that you have in your models. Should you decide to hire me, I look forward to sharing that passion with every customer I encounter. BMW has a reputation for creating the Ultimate Driving Experience and is a global leader in manufacturing luxury automobiles.

I want to be a part of the culture of excellence. If you were to hire me, I believe you will see that passion and commitment shine through. How to Answer The interviewer would like to know that you have done some research into the company. James McMechan wrote: "I did some research into BMW and was interested to learn how long your company has been in business.

I didn't realize that your company started making engines for aircraft and motorcycles and then moved into making automobile engines a few years later. I also learned that your logo is based on the flag of Bavaria with the blue and white colors of the flag and represents an airplane propeller. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work for a company with such a rich history as the BMW Group.

It is one of the best luxury models on the road today, with excellent engineering and safety features. In addition, you have a strong presence in manufacturing your M series, which is a luxury sports model.

I look forward to learning more about how great your models truly are. I see that you have recently worked for one of our direct competitors. Do you have a non-compete agreement in place? How to Answer In competitive markets such as the automobile industry, you may sometimes be asked to sign a non-compete or non-disclosure agreement.

James McMechan wrote: "I did sign a non-compete with my current company; however, it just asks that I do not purposefully poach any of my clients from the past 3 years. I am not restricted when it comes to accepting offers of employment from competing dealerships. I am excited about the possibility of working for BMW. At BMW, we believe in a sales process that guides our interactions with our clients, tell me about what experience you may have with sales.

How to Answer The interviewer would like to know how much experience you have had in the art of selling. James McMechan wrote: "In my last position, I was trained on a process called the Road to the Sale, which basically outlined the steps from how to Greet a customer, to Performing a Needs Analysis, to Presenting a Product and closing the Sale.

I learned from a wonderful trainer who had been in the car business for many years, and I am eager to show what I learned should BMW decide to hire me. I am also looking forward to incorporating your sales process into my own so that I can develop my skills. They might want information. In that case, A needs analysis is important.

They may have already done their research and are ready to make a purchase. In those cases, you can often perform a demonstration and moved to negotiations. I think no matter where the guest is in the buying process, a good salesperson meets them there and guides them toward making a purchase.

At BMW Group, we believe in supporting social responsibility and community causes, such as education initiatives. Tell me about any charities or social causes you support and why they are important to you. How to Answer The interviewer is attempting to determine if you are an employee who will capture the company's vision and work to support it. That cause is dear to me because my father passed away from a heart attack several years ago.

I love the fact that BMW sponsors the Robotics Challenge every year, which allows area high school students to show off their engineering skills.

I was on one of those teams a few years ago. I want to be a part of this kind of culture. Every Christmas, you support the Salvation Army and the Angel tree programs, which help needy families. During the summer, you offer scholarships for math and science students. I support Habitat for Humanity which builds low-cost housing for needy families to have a place to live.

I'd be thrilled to join your team. Tell me about your sales performance this year. How to Answer Numbers and percentages don't lie. I have been the top sales performer in our dealership for the past 5 months. I attribute this success to my ability to do follow-ups as well as my strong cold calling skills. I look forward to an opportunity to perform as well for BMW. I look forward to showing you what I can do, should you hire me.

At BMW, we pride ourselves in being able to listen to our customers. What are some things that you do to be a good listener? How to Answer Listening to your customers' feedback is extremely important in the luxury market.

James McMechan wrote: "I feel that listening to our guests is the first crucial step in being able to meet their needs and wants. A salesperson shouldn't just be a good talker but also a good listener.

I strive to engage in active listening, which means that I ask questions and create a dialogue with the guest to understand them completely. Many luxury customers know exactly what they want, and my job is to deliver that product or type of service to them.

I can hardly wait to do this for BMW. If we do not listen to what our customers tell us, how can we ever deliver excellent service? I believe that excellence should be the goal in every interaction we have with a guest. I try to listen to my guest as they express their desires about what they need in a vehicle. If BMW prides itself on being the Ultimate Driving Experience, a big part of that must center around listening to our guests' feedback. The automobile industry is competitive. Are you comfortable working in a competitive environment?

How to Answer Oftentimes, positions within the automotive industry are sales and numbers-driven. James McMechan wrote: "I am certainly accustomed to working in a competitive environment. My previous positions include keeping track of daily, weekly, and monthly sales metrics.

I am absolutely able to thrive in a competitive environment. I look forward to showing BMW what I can do. I use the performance of my teammates to motivate myself to do more and be better. I feel that you will find me to be one of your top performers. At BMW Group we put a lot of pride in our customer service. How do you go above and beyond for your clientele? How to Answer At times, Luxury customers can be demanding in their expectations.

I believe in going above and beyond with my customers by committing to my follow-up calls because I believe in service after the sale. I have a strong sense of organization, and I always follow up when I say that I will. In which instances would you apply "set" logic? How do you know when to follow "procedural" logic?

Consider the following example questions and answers to better prepare for your senior software engineering interview:. The interviewer is likely to ask high-level technical questions that test your abilities as a senior engineer. While your answer can showcase your technical aptitude and senior experience, you can also use your response to demonstrate your ability to make decisions, delegate tasks and lead teams to successful project outcomes. Example: "In my last organization, I implemented scaling to streamline our digital customer communication services.

Before integrating my scaling methods, I looked at several factors like the number of databases, message queues and caching layers before deciding on AWS to organize and manage the processes of ongoing customer interactions within the system. This resulted in faster communication times between service representatives and clients, increasing our company's customer retention rates and overall revenue.

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into how much research you've done to learn about their organization and how you plan to address current challenges and support the company's mission. Use your answer to discuss one or two aspects of the company to which you can contribute to achieving successful results. Example: "Through my research of Unlimited Tech Solutions, I notice your organization has multiple portals for clients to access account and technical support services.

Although I realize your organization has multiple types of clients it serves through its software solutions, I also understand the necessity of efficiency and high productivity. To increase efficiency and product delivery speeds, I would plan to scale the additional client access points into a single portal. From there, I would program each account type to reflect the support services available to better focus the company's software solutions to relevant clients.

Your approaches to design and integration can help the interviewer gauge your ability to incorporate the most suitable delivery methods for their organization to get products to clients.

Use your answer to highlight your decision-making process when updating software clients and delivering products in order to support customer service and business goals. Example: "In my last software builds, I used continuous integration to merge changes to the programming back to the main branch of the design as often as possible.

This helped me avoid having to integrate changes into the final product at its release. Continuous delivery also helped with that particular software build, as I could update and release new versions of the product each time I addressed bugs, implemented new code and automated overlapping processes. Because of these integrations, my organization was able to meet client demand continuously, leading to increases in market share, revenue and better reputation among consumers.

The interviewer may want to get an idea of how you make decisions early in the design process that reduce technical debts and improve the functionality of software products for clients. Use your answer to highlight your ability to deconstruct multiple classes into different groupings and responsibilities for team members to incorporate into a project. Example: "One of my first designs as a senior engineer integrated refactored classes. The company I worked for at the time relied on one large system framework to perform multiple subtests for various financial processes and calculations.

I determined this design impeded the implementation of new features when I wanted to update the software code as the company increased its client base.