General Assembly Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

General Assembly is one of the most reputable but challenging bootcamps to be accepted into within the industry. With a General Assembly acceptance rate of just 15 percent, prospective applicants must pass a rigorous admissions process, including numerous General Assembly interview questions to stand a chance. 

If you’re interested in embarking on a tech career path, keep reading. Regardless of your previous experience, there are ways to prepare for the big day and break into this lucrative field. This article will guide you through what to expect in your General Assembly interview. 

What to Expect in Your General Assembly Interview

There are two forms of interviews at General Assembly. First, you’ll interview over the phone and then you’ll need to attend a coding interview. However, you cannot proceed with the coding interview without first meeting with an admissions representative from General Assembly. 

General Assembly Technical Interview

The technical or coding interview at General Assembly tests your current coding skills. Note that the challenge and questions change based on the bootcamp program you’re pursuing. So, while the software engineering bootcamp interview might include coding or website development questions alone, the data science bootcamp will involve data-related questions. 

General Assembly Behavioral Interview

Behavioral questions usually come during the telephone interview. The goal is for the interviewer to find out if your soft skills match the core values of the bootcamp. Behavioral interview questions are meant to assess if you are mentally ready to see the program through.

Is the General Assembly Interview Hard?

Yes, the General Assembly interview is hard, especially when you haven’t prepared and don’t know what to expect. The interview is part of an extensive screening process designed to determine if you are an ideal candidate for the bootcamp. Out of every cohort, only 15 percent of interviewees have a chance to attend the bootcamp, so you need to be well prepared to be included in that percentage. 

How Long Does the General Assembly Interview Process Take?

The entire General Assembly interview process takes three to four weeks, depending on the bootcamp program you’re applying to. This timeframe includes the online application process and the final interview that precedes enrollment. 

General Assembly Technical Interview Questions You Should Expect

What Programming Language Would You Consider Ideal for Front End Development? 

Front development is one of the core aspects of the software engineering curriculum at General Assembly. Anyone who wants to dive into the industry should have a fundamental knowledge of it. The interviewer wants to know if you know the pillars of front end technology. 

Sample Answer

JavaScript is the best programming language for front end development. Used with HTML and CSS, professionals can use JavaScript to create interactive user interfaces for a range of products. Additionally, React and Vue.Js are critical front end technologies that are currently in demand. 

Would You Say Beta Testing is a Necessary Part of Product Development? 

Beta testing is one of the final stages of software development that allows you to test a product in an actual consumer environment. The interviewer doesn’t just want to know if you understand the meaning of the term. They want to know if you have an idea of how the software project development and life cycle work.

Sample Answer

Yes, beta testing is necessary for product development because testers’ feedback helps fix bugs or change the interface and functionality. I believe that beta testing is just as crucial as traditional software testing techniques because it is also a marketing strategy that targets the end-users of a product. 

What are the Differences Between High Level and Low-Level Programming Languages? 

The difference between high and low-level programming languages is one of the essential things you should know if you have any interest in different types of programming languages or computer science. Even if you do not have vivid details or experience in this subject, the interviewer will want to know if you’re familiar with it. 

Sample Answer

Low-level programming languages are machine languages that are difficult for humans to understand or read. High-level programming languages are more advanced user-oriented languages that coders use to create programs. Python is one of the most popular examples of high-level programming languages, while machine code and assembly language are examples of low-level languages. 

What are the Vital Features of an Algorithm? 

Since the foundation of most of your projects as a software developer will require algorithms, the GA interviewer will want to know if you understand what the term means. However, simply asking you to define algorithms may not provide the interviewer with the insight they seek.  

Sample Answer

Algorithms play vital roles in every software engineering project. They consist of rules that the computer must follow precisely to ensure successful execution. For this reason, an algorithm must be finite, precise, and efficient. It must have the correct calculations of inputs and outputs. 

Is Front End Or Backend Development More Important? 

The interviewer already knows that there is no straightforward answer to this trick question, but they want to see if you know that. As someone interested in technology, you should be able to provide a solution that doesn’t discredit any aspect of development.  

Sample Answer

Front end development is just as important as backend development. It would be inaccurate to say that the server-side is more important since a lack of a user interface means the clients will be unable to interact with the product. On the other hand, the interface will have no actual function without the backend.

General Assembly Non-technical Interview Questions You Should Expect

Do You Have Any Professional Experience With Software Engineering?

This question gauges how much experience you have with software engineering. So, even if you do not have any prior professional experience, you can mention your projects. You are enrolling in the bootcamp to learn, so there is nothing wrong with not having the required skills. 

Sample Answer

I have never developed software professionally, but I have some projects on GitHub that might interest you. My friends and I designed an employee management system and I was part of the front end design team. It wasn’t an enterprise-scale system, but I learned a lot from the project and it is one of the things that motivated me to be a software engineering major. 

What Inspired You to Choose a Career in Software Engineering?

The admissions team will ask this question to determine what drives you. It is the perfect opportunity for you to show that learning software engineering is more than a phase and that it is the first step to launching a lifelong career in technology. 

Sample Answer

I have always had an interest in disruptive technologies, but I never had an opportunity to be at the front lines. I dabbled with graphic design and project management when I was younger, but neither felt like the perfect fit. So, I decided to take a bold step and chase my true passion, software engineering. 

Would You Say You Have Excellent Collaboration Skills?

Collaboration is a vital skill because software engineering often requires teamwork. Some of the projects you will complete during the software engineering bootcamp program will require group effort. The interviewer poses this question to determine if you can work effectively within a team. 

Sample Answer

Yes, I have excellent collaboration skills because I am an active listener, compelling speaker, and I know how to take responsibility for my mistakes. I understand that when it comes to teamwork, I have to listen to the opinions of others rather than impose my opinion on everyone else. 

What is Your Opinion on Deadlines?

The interviewer asks this question to gauge your commitment and time management skills. You must refrain from painting a negative picture about your ability to meet deadlines during projects. While the quality of a project should always take precedence, meeting deadlines ensures that everyone in the development team is on the same page. 

Sample Answer

Deadlines are as important as the product specifications, in my opinion. They allow me to make the best use of my time, whether I am working on a personal project or a project for a client. I also believe that it is disrespectful to the project owner and other development team members when people are not meeting predetermined deadlines. 

Do You Have Any Safety Nets to Support Yourself for Up to Three Months After the Program Without a Job? 

General Assembly currently has a job placement rate of 91.4 percent within the first six months of graduation. However, the interviewer wants to know if you are patient enough to let the career services team do their job. You should not give them the impression that you will be impatient or start posting negative reviews if you do not get your dream job. 

Sample Answer

Yes, I intend to maintain my current job, and I have already told my employer that I would like to cut hours to make time for my education. With the money I make from that job, I believe I can comfortably pay for my needs during the program and for up to six months after. 

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What Questions Should I Ask at My General Assembly Interview?

During the General Assembly interview, you will have a chance to ask the interviewer questions about the process. Limit your questions to things that aren’t clearly stated on the website. Maximize the opportunity by asking only the most relevant questions. Some questions you should ask are listed below. 

• Am I allowed to communicate with the instructor after a session is complete? 
• Will my success during the program depend on my capstone project or a final written exam? 
• If I don’t get a job the first few months after the program, how long will I have access to the GA career services?
• If I have an emergency during the immersive program and have to leave the city, can I switch to the online option? 
• Are the acceptance and graduation rates online accurate? 

How to Prepare for the General Assembly Interview

General Assembly admits people with novice and intermediate tech experience. Even if you do not have significant industry experience, you need to show the interviewer that you are naturally technologically inclined and determined to learn more. The tips below will help you prepare for the interview. 

Be Confident 

The key to acing your coding bootcamp interview is to speak confidently about your goals, skills, and determination to complete the program. Whether it’s the telephone interview, video interview, or in-person interview, speak confidently. You can showcase your confidence by verbally practicing before the interview. 

Mention Your Successes in Tech 

If you already have some experience in the tech industry, you can throw in a story about one or two successes you’ve had. For example, if you are applying to the data science bootcamp and have some fundamental knowledge of using Python for data science, mention your previous project and some technical skills you learned along the way.

Make Sure You Complete The Technical Challenge Without Aid 

Before the video or in-person interview, you will have to complete a technical challenge. You need to complete this challenge on your own because the interviewer will go through the results of this technical challenge. So, if you get someone else to do it for you, answering questions about the challenge will be difficult. 

What Students Have to Say About General Assembly Interviews

Anonymous 

Type of interview: Video interview

“The process is very seeming-less, easy and anyone can follow it without any issues and problems. The administrator that you end up speaking with is very helpful, can answer all the questions that you have and helps you through the steps the best that they can, the one I had at General Assembly was Stephanie and she was amazing.”

Anonymous 

Type of interview: On-campus interview 

“Easy application process, great admissions producers, easy to comprehend application projects Fast responses. So far it’s had a family atmosphere.”

How Long Does It Take to Hear Back From General Assembly After the Interview?

It takes about fourteen working days to find out if General Assembly has accepted you after the interview. If it takes any longer, you can send an email to the admissions team to find out if you have been accepted or not. 

What Is the General Assembly Application Process?

Applying for a program at General Assembly is similar to other bootcamps. Whether you opt for the online or in-person immersive program, you need to start your application online. Below is the step-by-step application process. 

1. Apply online with your correct details. 
2. Complete the telephone interview with a representative. 
3. Complete the technical interview. 
4. Wait and find out if you are accepted. 
5. Take the prep course and start classes. 

Am I Ready for the General Assembly Interview?

Yes. Now that you know which questions to expect and how long the interview at General Assembly usually lasts, you are ready for the interview. Finally, keep in mind that the sample answers above serve as templates to give you an idea of the constituents’ excellent answers to GA interview questions. Don’t copy them. Instead, adjust them to fit your professional specifications and experiences. You still need to come up with unique answers during your interview. 

General Assembly Interview Questions FAQ