Landing a tech role—from embedded systems to IoT to software development—often hinges on your performance in technical interviews. If you’re preparing for placements, internships, or full-time offers in Nagpur, Maharashtra, or anywhere in India, knowing common technical interview questions and how to answer them is essential.
At Curiosity Tech Nagpur, we train students not just in IoT and embedded systems, but also in the interview skills that help you present your technical knowledge with confidence. In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why technical interviews matter
- Categories of questions you will face
- Sample common questions (with tips)
- How to prepare — strategically
- Local angle: how Curiosity Tech helps students in Nagpur
Let’s dive in.
Why Technical Interview Questions Matter
A technical interview is more than a quiz. It’s your chance to demonstrate:
- Problem-solving and coding ability
- Understanding of core CS / engineering concepts
- Ability to communicate your reasoning
- Depth in your specialization (IoT, embedded, databases, systems)
- Your thinking process, not just correct answers
Many companies use questions that mirror real challenges — bug fixing, system design, algorithmic logic. Doing well separates you from candidates who only know theory.
According to interview guides like InterviewBit, common technical interview questions span across programming, system design, data structures, algorithms, and core CS topics. InterviewBit
Categories of Technical Interview Questions
Below are broad categories you should expect, along with what each tests:
Category | What It Tests | Common Topics |
---|---|---|
Coding / Algorithmic | Ability to solve problems with code | Sorting, searching, dynamic programming, recursion, greedy |
Data Structures & Theory | Understanding how data is organized | Arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps |
System Design / Architecture | High-level thinking on scalable systems | APIs, microservices, load balancing, caching |
Domain-specific / Hardware / IoT | Specialized knowledge | Microcontrollers, sensors, protocols, embedded systems |
Databases & Querying | Data storage, retrieval, optimization | SQL, NoSQL, indexing, normalization |
Operating Systems / Networking | Low-level foundations | Concurrency, threads, processes, sockets, protocols |
Debugging & Optimization | Your approach to issues | Profiling, memory, time complexity, refactoring |
Behavioral & Technical Rationale | How you think & communicate | Walkthrough your solution, trade-offs, past projects |
You might get a mix of questions from multiple categories, especially in interviews for IoT or hardware roles, where coding is combined with device logic and communication protocols.
Sample Common Technical Interview Questions (with Tips)
Here are some frequently asked questions and how you should approach them:
1. “Reverse a linked list / reverse a string / reverse an array”
- Why asked: tests your pointer handling, iteration, recursion
- Tip: clearly explain your approach (iterative or recursive), show space/time complexity
2. “Find longest common prefix among an array of strings”
- Tests string manipulation, edge-case handling
- Tip: handle cases like empty strings, one string, mismatched prefixes
3. “Implement binary search / find an element in sorted rotated array”
- Tests divide-and-conquer logic
- Tip: walk through mid-point logic and edge cases
4. “Design a system or small device for X (e.g. IoT temperature sensor network)”
- Tests system thinking + domain knowledge
- Tip: sketch architecture (sensors → gateway → cloud), mention protocols, error-handling
5. “Explain the difference between processes and threads”
- Tests OS / concurrency fundamentals
- Tip: focus on memory sharing, isolation, context switching
6. “SQL join: inner, left, right, full — differences?”
- Tests database understanding
- Tip: use small table examples to illustrate
7. “How would you optimize a slow-running query / code snippet?”
- Tests performance mindset
- Tip: discuss time complexity, caching, indexing
8. “What is polymorphism / inheritance / interfaces / OOP principles?”
- Tests object-oriented design understanding
- Tip: relate to real-life example or project you built
9. “What is a race condition? How do you prevent it?”
- Tests concurrency knowledge
- Tip: mention locks, semaphores, thread safety, synchronization
10. “Walk me through one of your projects (especially IoT / embedded projects)”
- Tests your hands-on experience + communication
- Tip: explain architecture, challenges, trade-offs, improvements
These sample questions are consistent with patterns seen across interview compilations and advice sources. Adaface+2Foundit+2
How to Prepare Smartly for Technical Interviews
Getting good at interviews isn’t just about solving many problems. Here’s a strategic approach:
1. Build a Strong Foundation
- Ensure fundamentals in algorithms, data structures, OOP, OS, networking
- For IoT roles, supplement this with embedded systems, hardware protocols, cloud integration
2. Solve Problems from Trusted Platforms
- Use sites like LeetCode, HackerRank, CodeChef, etc., to simulate interview problems
- Start easy → medium → hard
- Time yourself, simulate pressure
3. Review and Learn From Mistakes
- After solving, review editorial / optimal solutions
- Maintain a journal: your approach, alternate approach, mistakes
4. Mock Interviews & Peer Review
- Practice with friends or mentors
- At Curiosity Tech Nagpur, students do mock rounds where they code out loud, receive feedback
5. Domain-Specific Prep
- If targeting IoT or embedded roles, prepare sensor networks, real-time constraints, RTOS
- Brush up on protocols (MQTT, SPI, I2C, etc.)
6. Communication & Explanation Skills
- Always narrate your thought process
- Ask clarifying questions: “What is constraint on input size?”, “Is memory limited?”
- Before coding, outline in pseudocode
7. System Design for Senior / Specialized Roles
- Prepare to design scalable systems — even for small features
- Use diagrams, discuss trade-offs, consider performance, reliability
8. Stay Updated & Practice Regularly
- Regular practice keeps you sharp
- For example, Curiosity Tech includes coding challenges and interview prep in its curriculum
Local Angle: Interview Culture in Nagpur / Maharashtra, and How Curiosity Tech Helps
Students from Nagpur and Maharashtra often tell us that their biggest challenges in interviews are:
- Facing domain questions specific to IoT / embedded
- Explaining projects clearly, especially in English
- Handling unexpected or hybrid questions (e.g. combining sensor logic + cloud + error recovery)
At Curiosity Tech Nagpur, we address these by:
- Conducting weekly mock technical interviews with local context
- Encouraging IoT and embedded projects you can present — this gives you context for architecture / domain questions
- Coaching communication of your solutions in a clear, structured way — which helps you in both national and local placements
- Providing curated question banks and domain-specific questions relevant to industries in Maharashtra
By blending local relevance with national-level technical rigor, learners are better prepared for interviews across companies, in and outside Nagpur.