Purpose of the Interview
App Academy’s programs are intense and require self-motivation, collaboration through pair programming, and resilience. The goal of this interview is to gauge whether you are a good fit for App Academy — and whether we are a good fit for you!
How the Interview Works
Your Admissions Specialist will provide you with a link to schedule your interview through YouCanBook.Me. When you book your interview, you’ll receive a Zoom link via email.
A few minutes before your interview starts, your interviewer will resend the same Zoom link so you can join.
The interview lasts approximately 30 minutes. To complete it, you will need the following:
- Computer (you cannot take the interview on your phone)
- Steady internet connection
- Zoom account
- Microphone
- Webcam
Once you join, the interviewer will introduce themselves and ask you questions. You’ll also have time to ask any questions you may have.
Our interviewers are recent App Academy graduates who are working part-time during their job search — a great resource to ask about the App Academy experience!
What We’re Looking For
App Academy’s Selections team reviews interviews to determine your readiness for the bootcamp. You’ll be assessed on several criteria:
- Professionalism – How you carry yourself in a professional context.
- English language proficiency – The program is taught in English; professional fluency is required.
- Passion for coding – A love for coding will help you manage the intensity of the program.
- Understanding of software engineering – Learn what a day in the life of a software engineer is like. App Academy teaches web development. The following are not covered: game development, IT, cybersecurity, VR, mobile development, or blockchain.
- Resiliency and work ethic – You’ll need strong time/stress management and motivation.
- Teamwork – You’ll be pair-programming for half the day, so collaboration is essential.
- Openness to diversity – We foster a respectful, inclusive environment. Learn more:
- Persistence in the job search – Graduates may take months to secure a job, so determination is crucial.
Interview Tips
Do:
- Practice a 2–3 minute personal pitch about your background, career history, interest in coding, and why App Academy.
- Research software engineering to ensure it aligns with your goals.
- Explain why App Academy stands out to you. Visit our blog, watch our YouTube channel, and explore:
- Practice interview questions with a friend or mirror.
- Smile, sit up straight, and maintain eye contact.
- Present yourself as you would in a professional setting.
- Focus on the positive and reframe challenges as growth opportunities.
Don’t:
- Give vague answers about your motivation or goals.
- Ramble, mumble, slouch, or avoid eye contact.
- Provide generic, unpersonalized responses.
- Take the interview in a chaotic, dark, or unprofessional environment.
- Speak negatively about yourself or others.
- Eat, vape, smoke, or curse during the interview.
- Frame your success by comparing yourself to others.
- Read directly from a script.
Top Five Reasons Candidates Are Rejected or Asked to Re-Interview
- No clear reason for pursuing software engineering beyond pay or remote work benefits.
- Misalignment between candidate’s goals and App Academy’s offerings (e.g., wanting to build video games).
- Attempting to “wing it” without preparation.
- Generic answers or lack of relevant personal/educational background.
- No clear connection between past experiences and readiness for the program.
Example Questions
We don’t provide exact interview questions in advance to ensure authentic responses. Here are sample types of questions:
- What is your background and what are your career goals?
- Besides salary and flexibility, why do you want to be a software engineer?
- What does a software engineer do?
- What have you done to explore coding?
- Why is App Academy right for you?
- How have you resolved challenges when working on a team?
- What personal obstacles have you overcome?
- What experiences prepared you for this program?
- How do you stay motivated and organized?
Interview Checklist
On the day of your interview:
- Wear professional clothing to make a strong first impression (optional but encouraged).
- Use a computer — not a phone — for your interview.
- Ensure your webcam and internet connection are working.
- Position your camera at eye level (use books or a stand if needed).
- Test your microphone for clarity.
- Make sure your background is tidy and your face is well-lit.
- Take a deep breath and smile — we’re excited to meet you!
We wish you the best of luck in completing the non-technical interview — you’ve got this!
