Technical Lead interview questions and answers

10 good technical lead interview questions

1. What advice would you give to a new team member to make sure they onboard well?
2. If you felt one developer on your team would be a better fit on another team, who would you discuss a potential transfer with first?
3. The deadline on a big project was just moved up. How would you motivate your team to be more productive under the earlier deadline?
4. Your team members suggest that new hardware would help them increase their performance. How do you respond, and how would assess their request?
5. What are the first things you do when reviewing someone else’s code? What tools do you use to test code quality?
6. Are you familiar with IT help desk software? How are these types of software used to monitor and improve remote systems?
7. What research methods do you use to design a new software system? What steps do you follow before deployment?
8. How can you debug a program while it’s being used?
9. What’s your favorite programming language and why?
10. What features (if any) would you like to add to this language?

Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.

1. What advice would you give to a new team member to make sure they onboard well?

This question aims to understand the candidate’s approach to team integration and ensuring that new members are set up for success from the start.

Sample answer:

I would advise a new team member to take the time to understand the team’s current projects, familiarize themselves with our coding standards, and actively seek feedback. Regular check-ins with senior members and open communication are also key to a smooth onboarding process.

2. If you felt one developer on your team would be a better fit on another team, who would you discuss a potential transfer with first?

This question assesses the candidate’s approach to team dynamics and their communication skills, especially in potentially sensitive situations.

Sample answer:

I would first discuss it with the developer in question to understand their perspective and feelings about a potential move. If they are open to the idea, I would then approach the other team’s lead and HR to discuss the possibility.

3. The deadline on a big project was just moved up. How would you motivate your team to be more productive under the earlier deadline?

This question evaluates the candidate’s leadership skills and their ability to handle pressure and unexpected changes.

Sample answer:

I would first assess the scope of work remaining and prioritize tasks. I’d then communicate the importance of the new deadline to the team, ensuring they have all the resources they need. Recognizing their efforts and providing regular feedback can also boost motivation.

4. Your team members suggest that new hardware would help them increase their performance. How do you respond, and how would assess their request?

Understanding how a technical lead evaluates and responds to team feedback is crucial, especially when it involves potential investments.

Sample answer:

I would ask the team members to provide specific details on how the new hardware would improve performance. After evaluating the cost and potential benefits, I would discuss the request with the IT Manager and other relevant stakeholders.

5. What are the first things you do when reviewing someone else’s code? What tools do you use to test code quality?

Code review is an essential part of a technical lead’s role. This question assesses the candidate’s approach to ensuring code quality and consistency.

Sample answer:

I first look for code clarity, consistency, and adherence to our coding standards. I use tools like SonarQube and CodeClimate to assess code quality, checking for potential issues and ensuring best practices are followed.

6. Are you familiar with IT help desk software? How are these types of software used to monitor and improve remote systems?

This question gauges the candidate’s familiarity with tools that can aid in remote system management and support.

Sample answer:

Yes, I’m familiar with IT help desk software like Jira Service Desk and Zendesk. These tools help in tracking issues, providing remote support, and monitoring system health, ensuring timely resolution and improved system performance.

7. What research methods do you use to design a new software system? What steps do you follow before deployment?

Understanding the candidate’s approach to system design and deployment is crucial for ensuring successful project outcomes.

Sample answer:

I start with requirement gathering, followed by system architecture design. I then prototype, conduct user testing, and iterate based on feedback. Before deployment, I ensure thorough testing, code reviews, and documentation are completed.

8. How can you debug a program while it’s being used?

Debugging in a live environment can be challenging. This question assesses the candidate’s problem-solving skills in real-time situations.

Sample answer:

I would use tools like log analyzers and real-time monitoring systems to identify issues. If possible, I’d replicate the issue in a staging environment to debug without affecting the live users.

9. What’s your favorite programming language and why?

This question provides insights into the candidate’s technical preferences and their rationale behind them.

Sample answer:

My favorite programming language is Python because of its versatility, readability, and extensive libraries. It’s suitable for web development, data analysis, and even machine learning.

10. What features (if any) would you like to add to this language?

Understanding what a candidate feels might be lacking in their preferred language can provide insights into their depth of knowledge and innovative thinking.

Sample answer:

While Python is powerful, I’d love to see improvements in its performance for certain applications. Incorporating features for better concurrency support would be a great addition.