25 Interview Questions in Electronics (With Example Answers)

Updated 12 August 2022

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Electronics is a stream of engineering associated with electronic circuits, devices and equipment. Electronics engineers design and test circuits using electromagnetic properties to achieve a particular functional result. If you are interviewing for an electronics role, it is imperative to prepare for a technical round. During your interview process, you may need to answer questions that test your knowledge and your ability to apply theoretical principles in practical life situations. In this article, we explore 25 interview questions for electronic engineers and technicians and provide sample responses for them.

16 Interview Questions In Electronics

Here are some interview questions you may receive during the hiring process:

1. What do you understand from the word electronics?

This question aims to test your theoretical knowledge of the subject. Use examples to elaborate on your answer.

Example: "It involves the study, design and use of electrical devices that operate by controlling the flow of electrons through terminals. Electronics is what helps facilitate the invention of devices that helps improve our daily practices."

2. What are passive and active electrical components?

This question aims to gauge your understanding of the fundamentals of electronics. Discuss the two components by using relevant examples from your practical experiences.

Example: "Passive components are those that do not require external sources to function, while active components require them. I have previously worked with passive components to make inductors, resistors and capacitors."

3. What is a passband?

With this question, the interviewer aims to judge your knowledge about frequency, wavelength and communication.

Example: "Passband is the variety of frequencies or wavelengths that can pass through a filter without attenuation. The passband signals are usually of high frequency and use modulation to transmit through long distances while having their frequency spectrum concentrated around the carrier wave's frequency."

4. What is an ideal current source?

The interviewer intends to test your knowledge about basic electronics engineering principles. Elaborate your answer with relevant examples to demonstrate your technical aptitude.

Example: "In an electrical circuit, if a current source provides constant current, with maximum efficiency at any given point, it becomes an ideal source. The resistance in such cases is infinite. I have been successful in creating components that used ideal current sources to improve battery efficiency."

5. What is an ideal voltage source?

This question aims to judge your electronics skills. Keep the definition short and simple, and provide examples from your experience.

Example: "By definition, an ideal voltage source is a two-terminal element having a specified voltage across the terminals at any instant in time. Any current in any direction can flow through it. Batteries are an example of an ideal voltage source."

6. Can you explain what feedback means?

This is another question to test how thorough your knowledge is of the basics of control theory. Answer this question by defining feedback and illustrating examples.

Example: "Feedback is a way of providing a part of the output back to the input. It is unidirectional flow, current or voltage, and can be positive or negative. It is predominantly used in control systems, amplifiers or oscillators."

7. How and when do you use a resistor?

This question aims to see if you can apply the fundamentals of electronics in designing everyday circuits.

Example: "The purpose of a resistor is to oppose the flow of current, creating a drop in voltage across the terminals. These small devices ensure components like transistors or integrated circuits do not destroy due to a sudden increase in the current that reaches them."

8. What are the two main types of communication?

This question helps the interviewer gauge your knowledge of the basics of communications principles. Describe the two forms of communication.

Example: "There are two main types of communication, analog and digital. Analog takes an audio or video signal and translates it into electronic pulses. Digital breaks the signal into binary code represented by 0's and 1's. Since digital provides better quality of transmission and reception, it is a preferred form of communication."

9. Does the Norton theorem apply to linear circuitry?

An interviewer may ask you this question to see how well you understand electronics engineering concepts in real-life situations. Include examples in your answer to substantiate your point.

Example: "Yes, Norton's theorem applies to linear circuitry. It helps measure the equivalency of batteries and resistors in the circuit. This further helps determine the amplitude of distortion within the electrical signals. This theorem is useful when we are designing sound systems and stereo equipment."

10. What is an operational amplifier?

This question aims to test your knowledge and application of an operational amplifier. When answering such a question, including examples can help add value.

Example: "Operational amplifiers are mostly used with components like capacitors and resistors as a voltage amplifying device. They are core to an analog device. Since operational amplifiers can perform different operations, I have used them as resistors and capacitors in some of my earlier projects."

11. How is Ohm's law used to calculate the current of an electrical device?

With this question, an interviewer evaluates your knowledge of the theories and practical applications of electrical engineering. Use this question to show how you think critically and apply concepts to everyday life situations.

Example: "I first determine the voltage and resistance of the electrical device. Once I understand these values, I divide the voltage by resistance to calculate the current inside the device."

12. What is an integrated circuit? Have you worked with them before?

This is another question to test if you can apply your theoretical knowledge in designing practical devices. Elaborate your answer by explaining what an integrated circuit is and how you have used them in the past.

Example: "An electronic circuit etched onto a silicon chip is an integrated circuit or a microchip. The main advantage of this device is that it is low cost and low power and delivers high performance. I have used integrated circuits while designing amplifiers and switches."

13. When designing an electric switch, which diode are you likely to use and why?

This question shows the interviewer how well-versed you are with diodes and their uses. It also puts to test your ability to use diodes in everyday objects. Describe comparisons between the choice of diodes to make your case.

Example: "When designing an electric switch, I would use a silicon diode over a germanium diode. This is primarily because a silicon diode has lower conductivity and higher heat resistance. This makes it an ideal choice in designing electrical applications."

14. Can you define extrinsic semiconductors and their types?

This question aims at gauging your understanding of the basic principles of semiconductors. While answering, you can get into the specifics of making extrinsic semiconductors.

Example: "Semiconductors are materials that have an electrical conductivity value that lies between that of an insulator and a conductor. To improve the conductivity of the pure or intrinsic semiconductors, impurities get added to them by the process of doping. This gives rise to extrinsic semiconductors. These get further classified into n-type and p-type semiconductors."

15. What is modulation and where is it used?

This question aims to assess your ability to put theoretical knowledge into practical life. Use examples to elaborate your answer.

Example: "Modulation is the process of encoding information from a message source. It requires alternating the characteristics of the wave by superimposing the message on a high-frequency radio signal known as the carrier wave. Modulation is necessary when information needs to travel over long distances. Its very common practise in communication."

16. What is the heating principle used in a microwave oven?

This question puts to test your theoretical knowledge in practical applications. An interviewer is likely to ask you this question to gauge your understanding of everyday devices and their working.

Example: "The microwave oven uses an electron tube called magnetron which helps produce the microwaves. These electromagnetic waves reflect within the interiors and get absorbed by the food. This causes the water particles in them to vibrate; thus, heating the food."

9 Additional Electronics Interview Questions

Here are some additional questions a hiring manager may ask you, some of them more technical, but a number of them related to you as an individual and candidate for the role:

What is demodulation?
How does a capacitor work?
What is a bipolar junction transistor?
Can you explain the principle of bluetooth?
Why did you choose to apply with our organisation?
What is your favourite part about working with electronics?
What was your favourite college course? Why?
Tell us more about a project or accomplishment you are particularly proud of. Why is it important to you?
How do you keep up-to-date on trends and news in the industry?

Tips To Prepare For An Electronics Interview

When preparing for an electronics interview, the interviewer may test both your hard and soft skills. Here are some tips that can help you prepare for it:

Research the company. Understand the organisation's fundamentals, company culture and business model so you can determine where your skills can add value.
Do mock interviews to prepare yourself. Taking part in a mock interview with a trusted friend or colleague can help you practise describing your soft skills so you be more confident when speaking with a hiring manager.
Review your fundamentals for the interview. Revisit the basics in electronics and research the company to see if there is a solution you can offer for them.