Workiva Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Workiva is dedicated to powering transparent reporting for regulated industries through its innovative cloud platform that connects data, documents, and teams seamlessly.

As a Software Engineer at Workiva, you will play a crucial role in developing high-quality software solutions that enhance the company’s core products. Your responsibilities will encompass designing, implementing, and maintaining scalable and maintainable code across various languages such as Python, Java, or TypeScript. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, actively participate in code reviews, and contribute to an inclusive, collaborative environment that fosters creativity and growth. Success in this role requires a strong foundation in computer science principles, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and an eagerness to learn and adapt to new technologies. Workiva values a "people-first" culture, so demonstrating effective communication skills and the ability to mentor others will be essential in aligning with the company's values.

This guide will help you prepare for a job interview by providing insights into the key responsibilities and expectations for the Software Engineer role at Workiva, assisting you in presenting your qualifications confidently.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Workiva is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically consists of several structured stages that allow candidates to showcase their abilities and align with the company's values.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process begins with an initial phone screen, usually conducted by a recruiter or a member of the HR team. This conversation lasts about 30 to 60 minutes and focuses on understanding the candidate's background, motivations, and fit for the role. Expect questions about your experience, technical skills, and why you are interested in Workiva. This stage is also an opportunity for candidates to ask questions about the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screen, candidates typically undergo a technical assessment. This may take the form of a coding challenge or a live coding session, where candidates are asked to solve problems in real-time. The focus is on assessing problem-solving skills, coding proficiency, and familiarity with relevant programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript. Candidates may also be asked to debug existing code or explain their thought process while tackling technical challenges.

3. Behavioral Interviews

Candidates will then participate in one or more behavioral interviews. These interviews are often conducted by team members or hiring managers and focus on assessing how candidates handle various work situations. Expect questions that explore past experiences, teamwork, conflict resolution, and how you align with Workiva's values. The STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method is commonly used to frame responses.

4. Team Fit Interviews

In some cases, candidates may have additional interviews with potential team members. These sessions are designed to evaluate how well candidates would integrate into the existing team dynamics. Interviewers may ask about collaboration experiences, how you handle feedback, and your approach to working in a team-oriented environment. This stage is crucial for assessing cultural fit and ensuring that candidates share the company's commitment to a collaborative and inclusive workplace.

5. Final Interview

The final stage often involves a more in-depth discussion with senior leadership or key stakeholders. This interview may cover strategic thinking, long-term goals, and how the candidate envisions contributing to Workiva's mission. Candidates may also be asked to present a project or a piece of work they are proud of, showcasing their technical skills and thought processes.

As you prepare for your interview, be ready to discuss your technical expertise, past projects, and how you can contribute to Workiva's innovative environment. Next, let's delve into the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during the process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Interview Structure

Workiva's interview process typically involves multiple stages, including phone screenings, technical assessments, and behavioral interviews. Familiarize yourself with this structure and prepare accordingly. Expect to demonstrate your technical skills through coding challenges, such as debugging or building simple applications. Additionally, be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role, as interviewers often focus on your approach to problem-solving rather than just the final answer.

Emphasize Your Problem-Solving Approach

During the interviews, interviewers at Workiva are particularly interested in your thought process. When faced with technical challenges, articulate your reasoning and the steps you would take to arrive at a solution. This approach not only showcases your technical skills but also demonstrates your ability to think critically and adaptively, which aligns with the company's values.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your fit within the team and company culture. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Reflect on past experiences where you faced challenges, resolved conflicts, or contributed to team success. Highlight your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively, as these are key traits valued at Workiva.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

Be prepared to discuss your proficiency in relevant programming languages and technologies, such as Python, Java, or TypeScript. You may be asked to solve coding problems or explain your previous projects. Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to demonstrate your understanding of algorithms, data structures, and best practices in software development.

Align with Workiva's Culture

Workiva values a "people-first" culture, so it's essential to convey your commitment to teamwork and collaboration. Share examples of how you've supported your colleagues, mentored others, or contributed to a positive work environment. Demonstrating your alignment with the company's values will help you stand out as a candidate.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, company culture, and future projects. This not only shows your genuine interest in the role but also helps you assess if Workiva is the right fit for you. Inquire about the challenges the team is currently facing and how you can contribute to overcoming them.

Follow Up with Gratitude

After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Mention specific points from the conversation that resonated with you, reinforcing your interest in the role and the company. This small gesture can leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you'll be well-equipped to make a strong impression during your interview at Workiva. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Workiva. The interview process will likely assess both your technical skills and your fit within the team and company culture. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, problem-solving approaches, and technical knowledge in a collaborative manner.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the concept of object-oriented programming and its key principles?

Understanding object-oriented programming (OOP) is crucial for a software engineer. Be ready to discuss concepts like encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.

How to Answer

Provide a clear definition of OOP and explain its principles with examples. Discuss how these principles can be applied in real-world scenarios.

Example

“Object-oriented programming is a programming paradigm based on the concept of 'objects', which can contain data and code. The key principles include encapsulation, which restricts access to certain components; inheritance, which allows a new class to inherit properties from an existing class; and polymorphism, which enables methods to do different things based on the object it is acting upon. For instance, in a banking application, a 'BankAccount' class can be inherited by 'SavingsAccount' and 'CheckingAccount', allowing them to share common features while also having their unique attributes.”

2. Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you resolved it.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenges.

How to Answer

Choose a specific example that highlights your analytical skills and the steps you took to resolve the issue. Emphasize the outcome and what you learned.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced performance issues with our database queries. I analyzed the slow queries and identified that we were not using indexes effectively. I proposed a solution to implement indexing on frequently queried columns, which improved the query performance by over 50%. This experience taught me the importance of database optimization and proactive performance monitoring.”

3. How do you ensure the quality of your code?

Quality assurance is vital in software development, and interviewers want to know your approach.

How to Answer

Discuss your practices for writing clean, maintainable code, including code reviews, testing, and using version control.

Example

“I ensure code quality by adhering to coding standards and best practices. I regularly participate in code reviews, which not only helps catch potential issues early but also fosters knowledge sharing among team members. Additionally, I write unit tests for my code to validate functionality and use continuous integration tools to automate testing, ensuring that any new changes do not break existing features.”

4. What is your experience with cloud services, particularly AWS?

Given Workiva's focus on cloud infrastructure, familiarity with cloud services is essential.

How to Answer

Share your experience with specific AWS services and how you have utilized them in past projects.

Example

“I have worked extensively with AWS, particularly with services like EC2 for hosting applications, S3 for storage, and RDS for managing relational databases. In my last project, I set up an EC2 instance to host a web application and used S3 for static file storage, which allowed us to scale efficiently and reduce costs.”

5. Can you explain the concept of microservices and their advantages?

Microservices architecture is becoming increasingly popular, and understanding it is crucial for modern software development.

How to Answer

Define microservices and discuss their benefits, such as scalability and maintainability.

Example

“Microservices are an architectural style that structures an application as a collection of loosely coupled services. Each service is independently deployable and can be developed in different programming languages. The advantages include improved scalability, as services can be scaled independently based on demand, and enhanced maintainability, since teams can work on different services without affecting the entire application.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a time when you had a conflict with a team member and how you resolved it.

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.

How to Answer

Choose a specific instance, explain the conflict, and detail the steps you took to resolve it.

Example

“In a previous project, I had a disagreement with a teammate regarding the implementation of a feature. I suggested we sit down and discuss our perspectives openly. By actively listening to each other, we were able to find a compromise that incorporated both of our ideas, ultimately leading to a better solution. This experience reinforced the importance of communication and collaboration in a team setting.”

2. How do you prioritize your tasks when working on multiple projects?

Time management is crucial in software engineering, and interviewers want to know your approach.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for prioritizing tasks, such as using project management tools or frameworks.

Example

“I prioritize my tasks by assessing their urgency and impact. I use tools like Trello to organize my workload and set deadlines. I also communicate regularly with my team to ensure alignment on priorities. For instance, when working on multiple projects, I focus on tasks that are critical to project deadlines while also allocating time for long-term improvements.”

3. What motivates you to work in software engineering?

Understanding your motivation helps interviewers gauge your passion for the role.

How to Answer

Share your enthusiasm for technology and problem-solving, and how it aligns with your career goals.

Example

“I am motivated by the challenge of solving complex problems and the opportunity to create impactful software solutions. I enjoy the continuous learning aspect of technology, as it allows me to grow my skills and contribute to innovative projects. Being part of a team that values collaboration and creativity is also a significant motivator for me.”

4. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

This question assesses your ability to accept and learn from feedback.

How to Answer

Discuss your openness to feedback and how you use it for personal and professional growth.

Example

“I view feedback as an essential part of my growth as a software engineer. When I receive criticism, I take the time to reflect on it and identify areas for improvement. For example, after a code review, I appreciate constructive feedback and actively implement suggestions in my future work. This approach has helped me become a better developer and a more effective team member.”

5. Why do you want to work at Workiva?

This question gauges your interest in the company and its culture.

How to Answer

Express your alignment with Workiva’s mission and values, and how you see yourself contributing to the team.

Example

“I am drawn to Workiva because of its commitment to transparency and innovation in regulated industries. I admire the collaborative culture and the emphasis on continuous improvement. I believe my skills in software development and my passion for creating user-friendly solutions align well with Workiva’s goals, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to impactful projects.”