Staff Software Engineer

How do you deal with situations where you're not sure how to move forward or solve a problem?

The aim here is to see how you manage when things are unclear, if you are willing to seek help when necessary, and to know if you are open to learning and adapting when challenges come up.

Do:

Emphasize cross-functional collaboration when handling uncertainty or solving complex problems.
Show your ability to break down complex problems into manageable pieces and systematically address them.
Highlight your experience with leveraging documentation, online resources, and team knowledge to overcome challenges.
Demonstrate your willingness to learn and adapt when dealing with new technologies or methodologies.
Showcase an example where your solution had a positive impact beyond your immediate team.

Don't:

Avoid suggesting that you never face situations where you are unsure of how to proceed or that you are unwilling to seek help when needed. Don't give an example where you failed to find a solution or did not learn from the experience.

Sample Answer 1

When I'm unsure of how to proceed or solve a problem, I start by researching and gathering information across multiple teams to expand the collective understanding of the issue. If necessary, I consult with peers or supervisors from different departments to seek their input or guidance. For example, when leading the implementation of a feature using an unfamiliar technology, I initiated a collaborative study session with teams to understand the documentation and various online resources. I also reached out to a colleague who had experience with the technology to ask for their advice. By leveraging both self-learning and collaboration across teams, I was able to successfully implement the feature, benefiting our project as a whole and expanding the team’s overall skill set.

Sample Answer 2

In situations where I'm unsure of how to solve a problem, I first try to break the problem down into smaller components and analyze each one with input from various teams. If I'm still uncertain, I seek assistance from colleagues across different departments or refer to online resources and documentation. In one instance, I was struggling to optimize a complex algorithm integral to multiple teams. After attempting various solutions without success, I consulted with a senior developer from another team who suggested a different approach that I hadn't considered. By being open to seeking help and learning from others, I was able to resolve the issue and improve our entire system’s performance, showcasing an impact beyond just my immediate team.