Alight Solutions Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Alight Solutions is dedicated to enhancing the employee experience through innovative technology and solutions that promote a healthy, engaged, and financially secure workforce.

As a Software Engineer at Alight Solutions, you will be an integral part of our IT Operations team, responsible for designing and building quality software solutions that align with both functional and technical requirements. You will collaborate closely with business teams and solution leaders to develop our product vision, ensuring successful delivery of high-quality software applications primarily utilizing .NET Core, C#, Angular, and SQL Server. Your role will involve working in an Agile environment, where you will participate in rapid development cycles, support production applications, and maintain documentation to enhance overall project efficiency.

The ideal candidate for this role is not only proficient in software development but also embodies Alight’s core values of championing people, growing with purpose, and acting with integrity. Strong experience in object-oriented programming, web-based applications, and API layers will set you apart, as will your ability to communicate effectively across cross-functional teams and share best practices with the developer community.

This guide is designed to help you prepare for your interview by providing insight into the role's expectations and key competencies that Alight Solutions values, allowing you to present yourself as a strong candidate who aligns with the company's mission and culture.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Alight Solutions is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. Typically, candidates can expect a series of three rounds, each designed to evaluate different aspects of their qualifications and experiences.

1. Initial Screening

The first step in the interview process is an initial screening, usually conducted by a recruiter. This round typically lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on understanding the candidate's background, previous work experiences, and motivations for applying to Alight. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, ensuring that candidates have a clear understanding of what to expect.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates will participate in a technical interview. This round may involve a combination of coding exercises, problem-solving scenarios, and discussions about past projects. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency in relevant technologies such as .NET, C#, SQL, and any other tools mentioned in the job description. Additionally, candidates may be asked to complete practical assessments, such as coding challenges or system design questions, to showcase their technical capabilities.

3. Managerial and Behavioral Interview

The final round typically involves interviews with senior management or technical managers. This round focuses on behavioral questions and situational scenarios to assess how candidates handle challenges and work within a team. Interviewers will be interested in understanding the candidate's approach to problem-solving, collaboration, and their ability to adapt to the fast-paced environment at Alight. Candidates may also be asked about their experiences with Agile methodologies and how they have contributed to past projects.

Throughout the interview process, candidates should be ready to discuss their technical skills, past experiences, and how they align with Alight's values of championing people, growing with purpose, and acting with integrity.

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 Alight's Values and Culture

Alight Solutions emphasizes a culture of empathy, integrity, and empowerment. Familiarize yourself with their core values: Champion People, Grow with Purpose, and Be Alight. During your interview, demonstrate how your personal values align with these principles. Share specific examples from your past experiences that reflect your commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

Prepare for a Multi-Round Interview Process

Expect a structured interview process that typically includes multiple rounds: an HR screening, a technical interview, and a final round with senior management. Each round serves a distinct purpose, so prepare accordingly. For the HR round, be ready to discuss your background and motivations for joining Alight. In the technical round, focus on showcasing your problem-solving skills and technical expertise, particularly in .NET, C#, SQL, and Agile methodologies.

Brush Up on Technical Skills

Given the technical nature of the role, ensure you are well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, such as .NET Core, C#, Angular, and SQL Server. Be prepared to solve coding problems or discuss your previous projects in detail. Practice common technical interview questions and coding challenges, especially those that involve SQL queries and object-oriented programming concepts.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Abilities

Alight values candidates who are keen problem solvers. Be prepared to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached them. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, highlighting your analytical thinking and decision-making processes. This will demonstrate your ability to tackle complex problems effectively.

Emphasize Collaboration and Communication Skills

Collaboration is key at Alight, as the role involves working closely with cross-functional teams. Be ready to discuss your experience in team settings, particularly how you’ve contributed to successful project outcomes. Highlight your communication skills by sharing examples of how you’ve effectively conveyed technical information to non-technical stakeholders or facilitated discussions within a team.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your soft skills and cultural fit. Questions may include scenarios like "Describe a time when you faced a challenge" or "How do you manage multiple tasks?" Reflect on your past experiences and prepare concise, relevant stories that showcase your adaptability, teamwork, and leadership qualities.

Be Authentic and Engaged

During the interview, be yourself and engage with your interviewers. Show genuine interest in the role and the company by asking insightful questions about Alight's projects, team dynamics, and future goals. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Use this as a chance to reiterate your interest in the role and briefly mention any key points from the conversation that resonated with you. This thoughtful gesture can leave a positive impression and reinforce your candidacy.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Alight Solutions. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Alight Solutions. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, technical knowledge, and how you align with Alight's values of championing people, growing with purpose, and acting with integrity.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the use of "Option Explicit" in VBA?

Understanding the importance of declaring variables in VBA is crucial for writing clean and error-free code.

How to Answer

Discuss how "Option Explicit" forces variable declaration, which helps prevent errors due to typos or undeclared variables.

Example

"Using 'Option Explicit' in VBA ensures that all variables are declared before use, which minimizes runtime errors and improves code readability. It’s a best practice that I always follow to maintain code quality."

2. What are the different types of joins in SQL, and can you provide examples?

This question tests your knowledge of SQL and your ability to manipulate data effectively.

How to Answer

Explain the different types of joins (INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL) and provide a brief example of each.

Example

"INNER JOIN returns records that have matching values in both tables, while LEFT JOIN returns all records from the left table and matched records from the right. For instance, if we have a 'Customers' table and an 'Orders' table, an INNER JOIN would show only customers who have placed orders, whereas a LEFT JOIN would show all customers, including those who haven't placed any orders."

3. Describe your experience with .NET Core and C#.

This question assesses your familiarity with the technologies used at Alight.

How to Answer

Share specific projects where you utilized .NET Core and C#, highlighting your role and the outcomes.

Example

"I developed a web application using .NET Core and C# that streamlined the client onboarding process. By implementing RESTful APIs, we reduced the onboarding time by 30%, significantly improving client satisfaction."

4. How do you ensure code quality in your projects?

This question evaluates your approach to maintaining high standards in software development.

How to Answer

Discuss practices such as code reviews, unit testing, and continuous integration.

Example

"I ensure code quality by conducting regular code reviews with my team, implementing unit tests for critical functionalities, and using CI/CD pipelines to automate testing and deployment. This approach helps catch issues early and maintain a high standard of code."

5. Can you explain the concept of object-oriented programming (OOP) and its principles?

Understanding OOP is essential for software development roles.

How to Answer

Define OOP and discuss its four main principles: encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction.

Example

"Object-oriented programming is a programming paradigm based on the concept of 'objects', which can contain data and code. The four main principles are encapsulation, which restricts access to certain components; inheritance, which allows new classes to inherit properties from existing ones; polymorphism, which enables methods to do different things based on the object; and abstraction, which simplifies complex systems by modeling classes based on essential properties."

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a time when you faced a significant challenge in a project. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, focusing on the challenge, your actions, and the outcome.

Example

"In a previous project, we faced a tight deadline due to unexpected changes in client requirements. I organized a team meeting to reassess our priorities and delegated tasks based on each member's strengths. By increasing our communication and collaboration, we successfully delivered the project on time, and the client was very pleased with the results."

2. How do you manage multiple tasks and prioritize your work?

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization and any tools or methods you use.

Example

"I use a combination of task management tools like Trello and the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize my tasks. I categorize tasks based on urgency and importance, which helps me focus on what needs immediate attention while ensuring that long-term projects are also progressing."

3. Tell me about a time when you used data to improve a product or process.

This question gauges your analytical skills and ability to leverage data for decision-making.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where data analysis led to a positive change.

Example

"While working on a web application, I analyzed user engagement data and discovered that users were dropping off at a specific point in the onboarding process. By simplifying that step and providing clearer instructions, we increased user retention by 25%."

4. Why are you interested in working at Alight Solutions?

This question assesses your motivation and alignment with the company's values.

How to Answer

Express your interest in the company’s mission and how it resonates with your personal values.

Example

"I am drawn to Alight Solutions because of its commitment to championing people and improving lives. I believe that technology can play a significant role in enhancing employee benefits and wellbeing, and I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to such meaningful work."

5. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

This question evaluates your openness to growth and collaboration.

How to Answer

Discuss your perspective on feedback and how you use it to improve.

Example

"I view feedback as an essential part of personal and professional growth. When I receive constructive criticism, I take the time to reflect on it and identify areas for improvement. I appreciate when colleagues share their insights, as it helps me become a better team member and developer."