Learn how to prepare for IBM interviews with this in-depth guide.
IBM is a deep-rooted global company in the tech industry, having been around for over a century. IBM is most widely known for its software and hardware products, but it also offers consulting services, data analytics, AI, and hybrid cloud solutions. IBM also hosts a range of entry-level opportunities, so it can be a great option for starting your career in tech.
Below, we summarize the IBM interview process and top questions you should expect to answer.
- IBM Offering Manager (OM) Interview Guide
IBM Interview Process
IBM has a fairly standard interview process, but it can vary greatly depending on your role, team, seniority level, and country.
The IBM interview process typically takes about 6 weeks and involves:
- Online screening,
- Initial interview,
- Final round.
Online screening
After submitting your resume, the first step in becoming an IBMer is an online screening assessment that varies depending on your role. Technical roles get a short coding challenge—typically a two-question, 30-minute assessment on HackerRank.
Non-technical roles must complete a recorded video assessment, where you record answers to mainly behavioral questions. Non-native English speakers also get an English language assessment that assesses their proficiency in English.
Initial interview
The next step in the IBM interview process is an initial interview, which again depends on your role. Technical roles get a technical screen, similar to the first coding challenge but more in-depth.
The tech screen is a 1-hour coding challenge on HackerRank with data structure and algorithm questions at an easy to medium difficulty level.
At this stage, non-technical roles typically have an initial interview screen with the hiring manager. Expect a 30–45-minute conversation with a mixture of domain and behavioral questions.
Some IBM roles get an interview at an IBM assessment center. If this is your interview, you’ll likely participate in several group exercises, and you may also have a 1-on-1 in-person interview there.
No matter the type of interview, IBM recommends demonstrating knowledge of the company, the team, and the product you want to work with during this round. Do this research and prepare questions highlighting your interest and dedication to the job.
Final rounds
Your final round at IBM can be conducted via phone, virtually, or in person, depending on your role and location. Final round interviews are usually 30–45 minutes long. IBM interviewers focus on general domain questions and less on practical or real-life questions.
Top IBM Interview Questions
These are examples of real interview questions asked at IBM as reported by candidates.
Behavioral
- Tell me about yourself.
- Tell me about a time you had to deal with ambiguity.
- Why do you want to work at IBM?
- Tell me about your experience.
- Describe a time you faced a difficult task.
Coding
- Group anagrams
- Merge Intervals
- Move all zeros to the end of an array.
- Given an array, find the two sum.
System design
- Design Netflix.
- Design a distributed message queue.
- Design a distributed LRU cache.
- Design WhatsApp.
- Design an application performance monitoring system.
Machine learning
- Explain overfitting.
- What are the advantages and limitations of linear regression?
- Explain gradient descent.
- Implement K-Means clustering.
- How is gradient descent and model optimization used in linear regression?
Data science
- Tell me about a significant project you led in a previous role.
- What programming languages are you proficient in? Can you provide an example of a project where you applied these skills?
- What is inheritance and abstraction?
- What is CAP theorem? How does it apply to various databases?
Product management
- Design a grocery list app.
- What is your favorite product?
- What was a successful project or feature that you were a part of or led from idealization to launch?
- What is the importance of project initiation in the project cycle?
- Explain how you’ve managed a project team across different countries, cultures, and time zones.
IBM Interview Loops
Behavioral
The behavioral round at IBM is typically conducted by HR and included in the final round. Prepare for standard behavioral interview questions that are largely scenario-based (e.g., “Tell me about a time when…”) and based on IBM’s core values: dedication to every client's success, Innovation that matters—for our company and for the world, and Trust and personal responsibility in all relationships.
Because IBM doesn’t have a standard recruiter phone screen to start the interview process, expect to get logistical questions in this HR round, too, such as “What are your salary expectations?”
Coding
IBM’s coding round combines discussions of previous projects and medium-difficulty coding questions that you must solve whiteboard-style.
Expect data structure, algorithm, and problem-solving questions. And remember, it’s not all about the answers. Interviewers assess your approach to problems, too, so be sure to talk through your work.
Common coding topics at IBM include:
- Java
- SQL databases
- Arrays
- Linked lists
- Trees and graphs
- Strings
- Binary search tree
- HTTP methods
- OOPS
- Cloud computing
System design
The system design round at IBM is typically included for mid- to senior-level technical roles. Expect a standard system design question that you’ll have to solve on a whiteboard. Talk through your solution as you solve it, and leave time for follow-up questions from your interviewers at the end.
Because IBM focuses on standard interview questions over practical questions, prepare for a high-level question that involves designing a scalable and efficient system. The design question may be unrelated to the role and product you’re interviewing to work with.
Machine learning
IBM’s machine learning interview starts with your initial tech screens. Expect a mixture of data structure and algorithm coding questions, SQL and Python, and ML coding in these online assessments.
The final round includes ML concepts and ML coding questions. IBM interviewers want to see your knowledge of ML fundamentals, technical know-how, past ML experience and applied ML knowledge through case questions related to the role or team.
Data science
For the data science round at IBM, expect an online SQL and Python assessment as your initial interview. In your final round, prepare to answer standard data science and estimation questions assessing your DS fundamentals.
You’ll likely get a case interview with a question related to the area of the company you’ll be joining.
Product management
The product management round at IBM features standard PM interview questions. Study up on common product strategy, analytical, design, execution, and estimation questions. Interviewers often include the hiring manager, a software engineer manager, and a peer PM.
Come prepared to discuss your previous PM experience with stories to answer behavioral, scenario-based questions. You’ll likely also receive a digital take-home assignment to complete early in the interview process, including behavioral and product sense questions.
IBM Interview Tips
IBM prioritizes technical knowledge #1.
Technical proficiency is assessed first by IBM interviewers. This is why you’ll likely have two coding challenges before meeting a real person. Prioritize studying standard interview questions in your domain. Behavioral and practical questions come behind technical knowledge at IBM.
IBM values openness, collaboration, and trust.
Highlight these skills when you get behavioral questions or questions about your past roles. Ahead of your interviews, think through stories that demonstrate how you build open, trusting relationships and are a great collaborator.
Know IBM inside and out.
- Get to know all of IBM’s products.
- Read up on news and current ventures on IBM’s blog.
- Understand the background and values of IBM.
- Look into IBM client case studies.
FAQs
How competitive are IBM interviews?
IBM interviews are competitive but achievable. Prepare for coding challenges at a medium difficulty level and study standard interview questions in your domain.
Lastly, be ready for anything. IBM’s interview process varies a lot depending on your role, seniority, and location, so your process may vary quite a bit compared to your friend who just interviewed at IBM.
How should I prepare for my interview at IBM?
- Before applying, get a resume review.
- Brush up on your coding skills and behavioral interview questions.
- Study interview questions asked at IBM.
- Prep for interviews according to your role: ML engineering, data science, SWE, system design, or PM.
- Get expert coaching ahead of your IBM interview.
Does IBM hire students or new grads?
Yes, IBM offers a breadth of entry-level opportunities, including internships for current university students, entry-level jobs for new grads, and apprenticeships for people interested in a new career without a Bachelor’s degree. Explore these programs on IBM’s Entry Level jobs page.
More IBM Interview Prep Resources
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