Introduction
Guidewire Co. is a famous software company based in America. Its shortlisting and selection process consists of various stages including, the coding test and the interview stage. Further, the hiring process can vary according to the job applied by you. But the interview stage is common for all. So, in this article, we will tell some mock guidewire interview questions that will help you polish your preparation.
Top interview questions for Guidewire:
Q1: Introduce yourself.
The introduction is the very first part of an interview. You have to tell relevant details of your personality. Starting with your name, tell the interviewer about your education and industry-specific experience.
Mock answer: Good morning, sir. My name is ABC. I have completed my degree in software engineering from ABC University. I was fortunate enough to get a job in a reputed software company and gained three years of experience. Now I look forward to enhancing my knowledge by working with Guidewire.
Q2: What do you know about continuous delivery and deployment of software, and have you used it earlier?
Since Guidewire is a software company, you have to be well versed with essential software terminologies. Read thoroughly about the services of Guidewire in advance and what the specialties of the company are. The software update is also a vital part of Guidewire services. Therefore it’s obvious to expect questions like this.
Model Answer: Sir, I am familiar with the use of automated software deployment. In the present job also whenever new changes are introduced to software, automated testing is used. Under this process, correct code changes are deployed automatically after validation. The best part about this process is that human interference in this process is reduced. Therefore I can work well with continuous delivery and deployment processes if I am hired for this role.
Q3: Can you tell what the reasons for leaving your previous job were?
In this question, you have to list positive reasons. Don’t mention negative things like differences with management or staff, etc., as this can create a negative impression. You can elucidate better growth opportunities, learning exposure, desire for a new location, or other factors.
Model Answer: Sir, I learned a lot from my previous job. But now, I want to get better opportunities and apply the practical knowledge that I have gained so far. The great things about your company, like the customer-first approach, employee-friendly environment, opportunity to deal with highly skilled people combined with great exposure draw me to this role. While working with Guidewire, I aspire to apply all the skills learned so far and learn quickly to gain more knowledge.
Q4: If you were allowed to hire suitable candidates for this post, what qualities would you look for?
You can use this question to your benefit and mention relevant skills that you have. But don’t forget to keep in mind the qualities required for the job. Thorough knowledge of job offers can come in handy for this question. Also, it would help if you have gone through the requirements of the job on the company website.
Mock Answer: Sir, if I were the interviewer, I would look for a person who has a strong work ethic and problem-solving skills. Practical knowledge of software is also much required for the job. Also, he or she must possess basic industry-specific skills like teamwork, work-life balance, organizational skills, etc. To understand whether they possess these skills, their experience would be beneficial.
Q5: Tell us about your ability to work under pressure.
A big company like Guidewire has to handle a lot of customers. Therefore they would like to hire a person who can work under pressure. You have to show that you can work under pressure through your organizational skills. You try to sort all the tasks according to priority and don’t let the pressure build upon you. Back your answer with experience, if any.
Mock answer: I know the importance of working under pressure, and faced stressful situations many times in my previous role. But I don’t give up and prioritize my work. In my previous job also, we had to deal with several customers daily, but by keeping a to-do list I managed to sail through the pressure.
Q6: How would you describe your dream job?
This can be a little tricky question. But don’t say that the present job that you are applying for is your dream job as that can show you as unreliable. The best answer is to describe the qualities of a good job rather than naming any particular position. Tell the interviewer that your dream job would have required qualities where your work is being valued and you have the opportunity to show your potential.
Mock answer: Sir, my dream job is the one where I get the chance to show my abilities and they are also valued. I would like to work in a job where I have ample opportunity to make a difference through my skills.
Q7: What are your views about the use of technology in the workplace?
Being a software and technology-driven company, you can expect technology-oriented questions at the Guidewire interview. Mention positive points about Technology and how it makes our life easy.
Answer: Technology plays a great role in the workplace because it makes communication faster. It helps businesses to reach their customers and solve their problems. Enhanced productivity and reduced efforts and time are all a result of technology.
Q8: Why should we hire you at Guidewire?
This is a crucial question. The question can be molded, and you might be asked about the relevant skills that make you a suitable candidate. In both cases, you have to show how your skills and experience are helpful for the present role. Understand the demand of the present job and answer accordingly.
Mock answer: Sir, I have relevant skills required for the job like the ability to work under pressure, thorough knowledge of various software (you can name a few to add emphasis), three years experience in this industry, and the zeal and dedication to work with best efforts. In my previous job also, I played a key role in increasing sales and enhancing customer satisfaction. Similarly, I can add value to the present role.
Q9: Tell us about a time when you disagreed with a collective decision.
The question to this answer can be either affirmative or negative. If you have such an experience where you did not align with the majority decision, support it with valid reasons. Don’t tell that the boss was arrogant and everyone just aligned with him. Show the implications of a wrong decision and how you were right.
If you haven’t disagreed, you can say that in the future, if anything happens which makes my decision different from the collective decision, I would have solid reasoning for the same. You can say that company interest is crucial for you, and you won’t hesitate to challenge the collective decision if it can hamper the company’s interest.
Mock answer: In my previous role, I witnessed a situation where the majority decision was to collaborate with another software company. But I was not in its support. The reason being the company was not credible enough. To prove my point, I brought some good evidence, and at last, we were saved from entering into a wrong deal.
Q10: If you have a conflict with your co-worker in Guidewire, how would you handle the situation?
Conflicts are normal in a company, but the interviewer wants to know your presence of mind and how you deal with a situation like this. You have to sound positive and think of practical solutions like talking with your co-worker, understanding the root of the problem, and work towards company interest by forgetting personal conflicts.
Mock answer: In case I have a conflict with my co-worker, I’ll talk to him or her and understand what the cause of the conflict is. Then I would note down the things upon which we agree and things that conflict. I would try to reach an amicable solution and look towards the Company’s interest. My priority will be to solve the conflict in the best possible manner to prevent any loss to the Company.
Q11: How do you think your former boss would define you?
You have to list the positive things that your boss had told about you. Don’t bluff because the interviewer might know your former employer. You can tell about the qualities for which you were commended. Make sure the qualities are relevant to the present job.
Mock answer My boss used to appreciate my sense of humor. He always praised my organizational skills because I kept a detailed record of our customers. I think my boss would describe me as a responsible and meticulous person who can work under pressure and gives priority to customer satisfaction.
Conclusion:
Interview with Guidewire is indeed stressful. But you can nail the interview if you are prepared in advance with interview questions. Be confident and keep a smile on your face. Even if you are unsure about something, be honest. Remember, no one knows you better than you, and if you qualified stages till now, you can do wonders in the interview round, too.
