6 Coding Bootcamp Interview Questions With Answers And Tips

Updated 18 March 2023

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Many aspiring programmers and software developers enroll in coding bootcamps. While these initiatives are an excellent way to hone your skills, they often require candidates to complete an interview process before they get into the programme. Whether you are planning to apply or already preparing for an interview, familiarising yourself with common interview questions can help improve your chances of advancing to the next round of the interview. In this article, we explore six frequently asked coding bootcamp interview questions, explain why interviewers ask them and provide sample answers that you can use as inspiration to prepare for your interview.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

Six common coding bootcamp interview questions with answers

Depending on a specific bootcamp's learning focus and your level of programming knowledge, interviewers may choose to ask you a variety of general and in-depth questions that test your soft and hard skills. Here are some common questions that aspiring programmers may expect to hear during bootcamp interviews:

1. What is your experience with coding?

This is one of the most popular questions that interviewers often ask at the beginning of interviews. They use your answer as a base for assessing your level of experience and choosing which questions to ask you next. How you reply also allows them to determine if the bootcamp to which you have applied is the right fit for you or if there is another programme that would be a better option for you. Make sure to answer this question honestly, for example, by mentioning some of the projects that you completed.

Example: 'I first came across coding as a skill four years ago, which is when I started creating and launching websites for my friends' small businesses. This experience allowed me to learn the basics of CSS, JavaScript and HTML. Earlier this year, I have started working as a programming assistant at a local tech company, where I primarily work with Python. I am hoping to continue expanding my coding skills and focus on new coding languages, which I can use to pursue a career as a software developer.'

2. What inspired you to learn to code?

To secure a place at some of the most popular coding bootcamps, it is necessary that you go through a competitive recruitment process. During this time, interviewers want to test your potential and existing skills, but also determine if you are truly passionate about coding. To test that, they may ask you a question like this one. In your answer, consider discussing things that motivate you or people who have inspired you to pursue this path.

Example: 'Ever since I was a child, I was passionate about technology and how computers can influence and improve the quality of your lives. When I was in primary school, I came in contact with the concept of using HTML to customise layouts and create mods for my favourite PC game. A few weeks later, I began designing custom layouts for my school and online friends. Coding and designing have become something that relaxes me and helps me express myself creatively, which is why I would like to pursue it as a full-time career.'

3. Do you have experience leading projects?

By asking this question, interviewers can determine if you have any project management experience or skills. The ability to lead projects can be helpful for programmers and software developers, as it allows them to advance their careers to leadership roles, for example, as team leader or heads of departments. If you had an opportunity to lead a project in the past, make sure to describe it to the interviewer and explain your role and responsibilities.

Example: 'Last year, during my first programming internship, I had the opportunity to lead a team of entry-level programmers and IT specialists as we worked on an end-of-year project together. Our primary goal was to analyse and report on the company's performance that year, assessing each department's software-related needs. During that time, we determined that the company's human resources and communications departments were the ones that required IT modernisation. As a result, we managed to come up with beta versions of new software that they could use to optimise their processes.

As a team leader, I was responsible for setting goals, monitoring our progress and reporting it to our supervisors. During the last stage of the project, I also delivered the final presentation to the head of IT. Our project was a success, and the company decided to implement our ideas to their existing software systems.'

4. How do you feel about working remotely?

Many coding bootcamps aspire to teach aspiring programmers the skills necessary to succeed in today's work environment. One of the qualities that the interviewer may focus on is your ability to adjust to working with remote teams. By asking you this question, they can determine if you would quickly adjust to the dynamics of a remote workplace. In your answer, make sure to recognise the challenges that people often face when working remotely and highlight your relevant remote skills.

Example: 'I enjoy the flexibility that working remotely allows. Working with people from all around the world located in different time zones allows me to set my own working hours and make sure I can spend as much time as I want on a task that requires more effort. As a result, I can deliver higher quality work. Last year, I even participated in a fully remote coding bootcamp. That experience showed me that thanks to my organisational and written and verbal communication skills I can easily work from home full-time.'

Related: How To Work From Home Online

5. What are your professional goals and aspirations?

This question allows the interviewer to see if you are serious about pursuing a career in coding and if you are determined to put enough effort into developing the necessary skills. In your answer, you can give an overview of your long-term plans or discuss where do you see yourself in a few years. It is also a good idea to briefly share how you plan to accomplish your goals related to coding, tech or software development.

Example: 'In the future, I would like to become a full-stack web developer. I believe that this bootcamp can help me learn more about MySQL and MondoDB databases, which are things on which I want to concentrate in the next few years. To increase my chances of success with this, I also have several shorter-term goals on my list, including obtaining an AWS certification.'

6. How do you make sure you meet all your important deadlines?

Questions of this type assess your soft skills. Learning about your soft skills is important for interviewers because it allows them to determine your work style and see if you can easily collaborate with others to support any project's or company's goals. Your answer also tells them if you can easily keep up with the workload the bootcamp assigns.

Example: 'As soon as I start working on a new project or task, I make sure to identify and schedule key milestones in it. Doing this allows me to determine how much time I want to spend on completing the task and make sure I stay motivated throughout the process. I typically use a combination of digital and traditional tools, such as planners and calendars, to schedule my work and give myself enough time in between tasks to relax.

In addition, I try to complete all tasks at least one week before the deadline. Thanks to this approach, I typically have some extra time to address any issues that may arise as I go through the different stages of the project. Lastly, I keep track of the things I have completed and those that I plan to tackle next, which helps me monitor my progress and determine if I am on track.'

10 important questions to ask during your coding bootcamp interview

While knowing how to answer an interviewer's questions is a priority, it is also important that you know what questions you want to ask to learn more about the opportunities that the bootcamp can create for you. Here are some questions you can ask to better understand its policies and programme:

Do you require participants to do any pre-work before the first day?
What does a typical week of work and assignments look like for participants?
Who are the instructors and what are their specialities?
What is the bootcamp's acceptance rate?
Do you offer career support for graduates?
What is the instructors' approach towards sharing and receiving feedback?
What is the job placement rate?
Is there a final exam at the end of the semester or year?
Are there any scholarship programmes available?
Is there a refund policy?