other questions Flashcards
(43 cards)
Tell me about yourself
- Last job was as a project manager at a UX/UI web design & development agency for 3 years, where I collaborated closely with developers and designers to drive projects
- Through this role, I developed strong skills in communication, collaboration, UI/UX design curation and development testing
- Some of my notable achievements include 1) Successfully leading and delivering close to 40 UI/UX web development, retaining satisfied clients like Banyan Tree Group and PropertyGuru, 2) Ensured excellent quality and functionality for hundreds of desktop and mobile pages via meticulous testing.
- I’m excited about working at fileAI because of the positive impact that the company is making in so many industries, from manufacturing to insurance, by massively driving down costs and hours associated with file processing. With fileAI now scaling up it’s reach impact, I’m highly keen to contribute to this effort through my skills and experience.
- I also believe that coming from a small agency that has a very start-up like culture like fileAI, aligns me well for this role.
- Also, people know me as someone who’s a quick learner and an effective communicator. And I love dogs, I have three of them
Why did you decide on a career switch to software development?
- It all started in my previous role as a PM working closely with developers, I became fascinated with what the developers were doing, which involved an interesting mix of both logic and creativity.
- From there, I started to teach myself web development through online courses. The turning point came when I found myself really enjoying building things and how empowering the skill was, as well as the rigour and logic behind. and also how Software development is a lifelong learning journey, something that appeals to me greatly as I personally believe that we should never stop learning.
- I decided to pursue this as a career by completing a full-time diploma in full stack web development, where i acquired practical experience with modern web technologies, industry best practices, and built projects.
- What excites me about this role is the chance to apply my UI/UX background and technical skills to build user-friendly user interfaces. and also leverage my valuable soft skills gained as a PM to collaborate effectively with other team members.
Why do you want to work here?
- I’m excited about joining fileAI as I admire how it’s revolutionising productivity for so many business through automation, ranging from supply chain and banking, to accounting and insurance. I understand that fileAI has processed over 200 million documents last year and saved over USD 7 million for companies. The fact that it recently secured $14 million Series A funding in feb is testament to the impact that it is making, not to mention the confidence that people have in its solution. i’m very excited about joining the team and contributing to fileAI’s work
- My background in UX/UI design, as well as skills in frontend development aligns well with what the role calls for, which is not just frontend development expertise, but also experience with UI/UX practices and principles. So i feel this is a role where i can add good value
- Looking to join a place that’s highly collaborative and where everyone is passionate about what they’re doing. From what I’ve read online about the company, fileAI seems to be that way
- Hence, I’m keen to work at fileAI and contribute through my skills and experience
Why should we hire you? / Why would you be a good fit for this role?
- With a full stack development diploma that has trained me in JavaScript, HTML, CSS, React and other technolgies, as well as a portfolio of projects that include frontend development, I believe I have the core skills required.
- Unlike traditional candidates, my 6 years of experience in UI/UX web
agency gives me a good grounding in UI/UX principles, which will be essential in building applications that are highly functional and user-centric. - My project management experience and overall 9 years of work experience also gives me a firm foundation in valuable soft skills like collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management. Allowing me to collaborate effectively with other team members in fileAI.
- My experience working in a small and dynamic web development agency also sets me up well in working in a startup like fileAI, which presumably would have a fairly similar environment.
How would you describe your working style?
- I’d describe my working style as adaptable and results-oriented.
- For example, in my previous role, I can be managing several projects at once.
- And I’m constantly tailoring my working style based on the nature of the project
For example, if I’m managing a project that is very structured very tight deadline.
- The working style is more analytical, methodical and results-oriented.
- For example, im ruthless prioritising critical tasks, having a very clear execution plan, and focus on meeting deadlines.
On the other hand, if i’m managing a project that less urgent and requires a lot of creativity
- The working style tends to be more innovative, collaborative, and relationship-oriented
- For example, I’ll facilitate brainstorming sessions, encourage open dialogue and concept sharing, and also ensure everyone feels that their contributions are heard and valued
- there is still structure, but less so that in the other scenario i shared
- I also focus on outcomes over effort. For example, in my previous job, seeing that our QA process was tedious and and repetitive elements, I implemented a new streamlined QA process that shortened the QA time by at least 40%.
What are you looking for in your next job?
- Firstly, I’m looking for a job where I can apply my skills in front-end development to build solutions that have a very high positive impact
- Secondly, continuous learning and growth. I believe there will be plenty to learn to learn about fileAI. Apart from just deepening my frontend development skills, I believe I’ll also be able to be exposed and learn more about how different clients who use our service operate, the AI engineering behind the solution, and also the wider business context.
- Thirdly, I’m also looking for a environment that’s dynamic, passionate and also, highly collaborative
I believe this role at fileAI manages to tick all of the boxes
How do you handle pressure or stress?
- I view stress as an inevitable part of work. What matters is how you react to it and channel it.
- I notice then stress arises when i feel a lack of control. Hence, whenever i get this feeling, I’ll consciously tell myself to remain calm, and then craft a plan on how to tackle the problem at hand. For me, simply creating the plan creates a sense of control, which reduces a lot of stress
- For e.g. when i was dealing with a project where the timeline was much tighter than usual as the client has a hard website launch date, I told myself to calm down, then crafted a very detailed timeline, in consultation with team members, on how we would tackle the project stage by stage.
- During the project, i executed this plan, and also quickly communicated technical blockers to my manager, who then quickly guided us in tackling the issue.
- We not only completed the project on time. The client also commended us on the quality of the work done.
At the same time, I also make it a point to do some deep breathing and meditation whenever i encounter stress.
Describe a situation where you exhibited problem solving skills (JD) / were resourceful
For example, the QA process in my previous role used to be very long. I identified the most significant problem as the tediousness of recording bugs. I created a streamlined solution that cut QA time by 40%.
Describe a situation where you exhibited communication skills (JD)
S:
I was managing a project that involved working with freelance designers of a different nationality, and English wasn’t their first language
T:
My role was to ensure the project would be delivered on time and in line with the requirements, and that my communication them was clear and easily understood
A:
- When speaking with them, I made sure to simplify my language as much as possible, and keeping it extra concise
- Whenever sharing new information with them, I was also proactive to check their understanding
- In times where I needed to communicate more important information, I made it a point to arrange a call instead, where it would be easier to seek clarification from both sides
R:
- The project proceeded smoothly. and we continued working with those freelancers
Describe a situation where you exhibited collaboration/teamwork skills (JD) / Describe a situation where you exhibited leadership skills
S:
There was a special project that involved working not just with UI/UX designers, but also another visual department that we didn’t usually work with.
T:
I needed a way to ensure everyone was on the same page in terms of the expectations and requirements to ensure project success.
A:
- I created a kickoff meeting for all involved to brief on the requirements and workflows, and for them to voice out any concerns or opinions
- Created a single shared project management dashboard
- Developed clear communication protocols
- Where needed, scheduled and facilitated meetings to brainstorm ideas discuss how to overcome blockers
R:
- We delivered the project on time, with the client commending us on the speed and quality of the work
- Also maintained team morale and fostered better collaboration across departments.
Describe a time when you failed
S:
For my first few projects as a project, i was handling a project, which was facing a major technical roadblocks.
T:
I was in charge of the project and responsible for delivering it on time.
A:
Feeling lost but not wanting to inconvenience others incl. my boss (even though who had technical experience), I tried figuring out approaches and solutions on my own together with the developer, even when i didn’t have the required expertise. We were so engrossed researching and testing that we ended up wasting a lot of time and delaying the project.
R:
When the client checked in on the overall project progress, I realised that it was now off schedule by a few days.
I then decided to seek help from the technical lead, who quite quickly was able to direct us to a solution,
I learnt that I should have let the domain experts handle a problem and not try to handle everything on my own.
This was a very valuable learning experience for me.
I applied this advice to all future projects. This created a much clearer division of responsibility, faster problem solving, and overall smoother project progress.
I learn the important of delegating, so that we can better work as a team and more effectively leverage the talents of each individual.
Describe a situation where you had to learn a new skill quickly
S:
When i went from content lead to project manager, with no prior experience.
T:
I needed to quickly learn how to project manage projects effectively, as I was already assigned live projects
A:
I asked myself what are the top 3 areas i needed to focus on in order to make each project a success.
I identified the 3 core areas to focus on
- timeline management
- information management
- stakeholder management
And focused on doing these areas well.
for timeline
- At the start of each project, I made sure a timeline was meticulously planned, in consultation with team members
for information management
- I made sure i understood every project inside out, and that all information inputs (whether it was a new requirement, or a piece of feedback) were organised and acted upon and tracked where needed.
for stakeholder management
- My key stakeholders were my team members and clients. Where possible, I made sure to manage them carefully to ensure positive working relationships
R:
- Successfully delivered close to 40 projects over 3 years, while retaining several clients who were happy with our services
Describe a difficult situation and how you handled it.
S:
I was handed a very big rebranding project as my superior was going on maternity.
- I had no experience managing such a project
- The project had a very large number of sub-deliverables and also designers i had to work with, both internally and externally
T:
I had to find a way to competently manage this project and make it a success.
A:
Whenever i face difficult situations, i would first try to remain calm, and them make a plan. And then execute the plan.
- I first identified what i could do to make the project much easier to manage. they were
– Understanding the project inside out
– Creating a project management system that would make it much easier to manage all the complexity.
Hence,
- Dedicated time blocks to deep dive into the project scope, to know it inside out, from the requirements to the design standards
- I designed a robust project management framework specially catered for the project that was able to manage all the ins and outs of the projects in easy manner
R:
- The client spoke to my boss and commended me for my performance in how I managed the project.
As a project manager, are you really able to step down and become a software engineer and take instructions?
Yes, I don’t really see it as a step down.
I feel that skills learned as a PM are valuable as a software engineer.
- Im able to collaborate and communicate effectively across teams and with different types of stakeholders
- As a former project manager, I know what’s needed to work effectively with my project manager or technical lead.
- I’m also able to better understand broader business contexts
- I’m also experienced in breaking down complex challenges.
- im excited to contribute technically while bringing a unique perspective from my PM experience.
- Im eager to learn from the team and contribute meaningfully, and to approach this role with humility and curiosity
What is the greatest challenge faced in your diploma course?
S:
The greatest challenge was building an app using Express.js and MongoDB, that also had json web token authentication
T:
These were technologies completely new to me, with each having their own complexities.
A:
I focused on
- Deeply understanding the syntax and logic in the tutorials
- Also trying to write them out by heart where possible to fully internalise it
- I also practiced further by attempting to build a different kind of application using the same technologies
R:
I was able get a good comfort level in coding express.js, mongoDB and jwt, which set a strong foundation for the other modules and boosted my confidence.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself as a senior engineer with deep expertise in front-end and full-stack development, and becoming a go-to expert in fileAI’s engineering team.
At the same time, I would like to mentor junior developers while shaping and promoting best practices in the company.
I’m very keen on growing with fileAI and making meaningful contributions to the company.
What are your salary expectations?
Based on my research and the market rates, I’m looking at a range of between 5,500 and 6,500, depending on the the overall compensation package.
Do you have any questions for us?
What do you enjoy about working in fileAI? And how woudl you describe the company culture
What are the biggest challenges faced when starting in this position?
What are the next steps in the interview process? Are there any assessments or technical interviews I should prepare for?
What’s your greatest weakness?
I’m quite a detail-oriented person, and sometimes I spend too much time focusing on certain details, which can sometimes slow down my productivity.
However, I’ve created specific strategies to manage this, such as
- learning to prioritise important details from less important details
- setting strict time limits when dealing with tasks that have many details
This has allowed me to deliver work that’s still of good quality without compromising efficiency.
Describe a situation where you had to juggle multiple competing priorities / Describe a situation where you exhibited good time management skills
S & T: I was managing a large rebranding project that had many urgent deliverables, while also having to deliver the development work and bug fixes for two other time-sensitive projects.
A:
- Created detailed priority matrix for all the tasks i had to deal with, e.g. important-urgent, important etc. to create a hierarchy of which areas i should deal with first
- Implemented time blocks to deal with critical and time sensitive tasks
- Negotiated realistic timelines with stakeholders
R:
- Eventually able to deliver the rebranding deliverables on time, as well as the bug fixes and development for the other two projects
What are your greatest strengths?
1) Adaptability
ST:
After 3 years in a middle management role in a large public sector organisation where I did industry development work, I joined a small UX/UI design agency as a copywriter intern.
A:
At my new job and role, I needed to not only adapt to growing as a copywriter, but also to working in a much smaller, flatter and more dynamic private sector agency.
R:
I was eventually successful in this transition. I was converted to a full-timer at the end of the internship, and was even promoted to Content Strategist after about a year.
2) Attention to detail
ST:
We had a collateral rebranding project for a large insurance client. It was crucial that details like colours, capitalisation, and spacing between lines and were in line with the new style guide.
A:
I meticulously reviewed all the work from the designers, possibly at least a 100, identifying and correcting errors that would have delayed the project and made the client not unhappy.
R:
This allowed us to save time and for the project to proceed more smoothly, and maintained the good reputation we had with the client.
Describe a time you made a mistake. And how did you communicate it?
S:
I misunderstood the client’s brief for a development fix. Hence, I communicated the wrong information and requirements to the developer assigned to the task. This resulted in him having to rollback the changes and restart the task
A:
I immediately arranged a call with him where I apologised to him and took full ownership of the mistake, at the same time acknowledging the inconvenience and extra work i made him do. I also told him from now on i’d make to do a double take of the client’s brief before briefing the developer on any new task.
R:
He accepted my apology well, and we continued to maintain a positive relationship.
How do you keep up with technology?
- I subscribe to newsletters like Techpresso, TLDR, and Bytes to keep up to date with that’s happening in the tech and development worlds
- I also follow thought leaders like Kevin Naughton Jr. and Yangshun Tay on platforms like LinkedIn
- I also make it a point to obtain at least one new online certification every year. For e.g. last year, i completed two Java certifications from the University of Helsinki. Currently, I’m nearing the end of a docker/kubernetes online course
- I also work on side projects to practice more and keep my skills sharp. currently, im working on a full stack messaging app, and also a coffee/tea ecommerce site.
(- I also attend local tech meetups when free. For example, there is a group called JuniorDev where there are occasional kopi chat meetups and pair programming sessions)
Describe a situation where you demonstrated decision-making skills
S:
For a certain project that was important, we were behind schedule due to unexpected roadblocks.
T:
I needed to make a decision on whether we should request for a timeline extension from the client (risking client trust), or to launch the site on schedule but only with the core features (impacting completeness).
A:
On my own, I analysed the relationship we had with our client and also the timeline and technical, considerations to decide on a best way forward, which was launching the site first with core features.
I also out thoughts from my developer and manager, and they agreed with my approach
We presented the first option to the client where we would launch only with core features, and they agreed with that
R:
- the client valued our early transparency, the site launched on schedule with the other features added not long after.
- and we also managed to retain our contract with the client after
