Aon is a global professional services firm that provides a broad range of risk, retirement, and health solutions to clients.
As a Software Engineer within Aon's Assessment Solutions, you will be part of a dynamic team tasked with developing and enhancing innovative online testing and assessment products. Key responsibilities include writing high-quality code in .Net, ensuring the scalability and security of applications, and delivering module releases within tight timelines. You will also be involved in quality assurance, adhering to coding standards, and collaborating with global teams to implement best practices. To excel in this role, you'll need strong experience in C#, .Net Core, SQL, and JavaScript, alongside a self-driven and goal-oriented mindset. Understanding database design and having prior experience in product development will be advantageous. A strong emphasis is placed on teamwork, adaptability, and a commitment to delivering impactful solutions that align with the company’s values.
This guide aims to equip you with insights and strategies to effectively prepare for your interview with Aon, helping you stand out as a candidate who embodies the company's commitment to innovative solutions and collaborative success.
The interview process for a Software Engineer at Aon is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and experiences.
The process begins with an initial phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This conversation usually lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experiences, and motivations for applying to Aon. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, ensuring that you understand what is expected.
Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in a technical interview. This may be conducted via video conferencing and will focus on your proficiency in programming languages such as C#, .Net, and SQL. Expect to solve coding problems or discuss your previous projects in detail, showcasing your ability to develop scalable and secure applications. You may also be asked to explain your understanding of database design and querying.
After the technical assessment, candidates usually undergo a behavioral interview. This round often involves multiple interviewers, including team members and managers. The focus here is on your soft skills, teamwork, and how you handle various work situations. Be prepared to discuss past experiences, particularly those that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and how you work within a team.
The final stage of the interview process may involve a more in-depth discussion with senior management or team leads. This interview is designed to assess your alignment with Aon's values and culture. You may be asked about your long-term career goals and how you envision contributing to the team and the organization as a whole.
If you successfully navigate the previous stages, you will receive a job offer. The onboarding process at Aon is designed to help new hires acclimate to the company culture and their specific roles, ensuring a smooth transition into the team.
As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that relate to your technical expertise and past experiences.
Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.
Aon values a diverse and inclusive workforce, which is reflected in their commitment to better decisions and helping colleagues and clients succeed. Familiarize yourself with their mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs. Show that you are not just looking for a job, but that you are genuinely interested in contributing to Aon's goals and culture.
Expect a mix of behavioral and technical questions during your interviews. Aon interviewers often focus on how your past experiences relate to the role. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Be ready to discuss specific examples that demonstrate your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability, especially in a tech-driven environment.
Given the emphasis on .Net programming, C#, and SQL in the role, ensure you are well-prepared to discuss your technical expertise. Brush up on your coding skills and be ready to solve problems on the spot. You may be asked to explain your thought process while coding or to discuss past projects where you utilized these technologies. Practice coding challenges and familiarize yourself with common algorithms and data structures.
Aon promotes a collaborative work culture, so be prepared to demonstrate your ability to work well in teams. Share experiences where you successfully collaborated with others, especially in a tech context. Highlight your communication skills and how you can contribute to a positive team dynamic.
During the interview, aim to create a dialogue rather than just answering questions. Ask insightful questions about the team, projects, and company direction. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if Aon is the right fit for you. Remember, interviews are a two-way street.
After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Mention specific points from your conversation that resonated with you. This not only reinforces your interest in the position but also leaves a positive impression on the interviewers.
By following these tips, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who is not only technically proficient but also a great cultural fit for Aon. Good luck!
In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Aon. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how well you fit into the company culture. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, technical knowledge, and how you approach challenges.
Understanding the distinctions between these frameworks is crucial for a role that involves .NET programming.
Discuss the key differences in terms of platform compatibility, performance, and deployment. Highlight the advantages of .NET Core, such as cross-platform capabilities and modularity.
“.NET Core is a cross-platform framework that allows for building applications on Windows, macOS, and Linux, while .NET Framework is Windows-only. .NET Core is more modular, which means you can include only the necessary components, leading to better performance and smaller application sizes.”
SQL is a fundamental skill for this role, and your ability to manipulate and query databases will be assessed.
Provide specific examples of how you have used SQL in your previous roles, including any complex queries or database design you have worked on.
“In my last project, I designed a database schema for a web application and wrote complex SQL queries to retrieve and manipulate data efficiently. I utilized joins, subqueries, and indexing to optimize performance, which significantly improved the application's response time.”
Debugging is a critical skill for any software engineer, and your methodology will be evaluated.
Outline your systematic approach to identifying and fixing bugs, including tools and techniques you use.
“I start by reproducing the issue to understand its context. Then, I use debugging tools to step through the code and identify where it deviates from expected behavior. I also review logs and error messages to gather more information before implementing a fix and testing it thoroughly.”
OOP is a foundational concept in software development, and your understanding of it will be crucial.
Discuss the four main principles of OOP: encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction, and provide examples of how you have applied them.
“OOP is based on the idea of objects that combine data and behavior. For instance, I used encapsulation to hide the internal state of an object and expose only necessary methods. In a recent project, I implemented inheritance to create a base class for common functionality, which was then extended by derived classes.”
Quality assurance is vital in software development, and your strategies will be scrutinized.
Discuss your practices for writing clean, maintainable code, including testing and code reviews.
“I follow best practices such as writing unit tests for my code and conducting peer code reviews. I also adhere to coding standards and use static analysis tools to catch potential issues early in the development process.”
Your ability to manage time and pressure will be assessed through this question.
Share a specific example, focusing on your planning, prioritization, and execution strategies.
“In my previous role, I was tasked with delivering a feature within a week. I broke down the project into smaller tasks, prioritized them, and communicated with my team to ensure everyone was aligned. By focusing on the most critical components first, I was able to deliver the feature on time without compromising quality.”
Team dynamics are important, and your conflict resolution skills will be evaluated.
Discuss your approach to resolving conflicts, emphasizing communication and collaboration.
“When conflicts arise, I believe in addressing them directly but diplomatically. I encourage open dialogue to understand different perspectives and work towards a solution that satisfies all parties. In one instance, I facilitated a meeting where team members could express their concerns, which led to a productive discussion and a resolution.”
This question assesses your proactivity and leadership potential.
Provide a specific example where you identified a need and took action without being prompted.
“I noticed that our team was struggling with deployment processes, which were manual and error-prone. I took the initiative to research and implement a CI/CD pipeline, which streamlined our deployment process and reduced errors significantly. This not only improved our efficiency but also allowed the team to focus on development rather than deployment issues.”
Understanding your motivations can help the interviewers gauge your fit within the company culture.
Discuss what drives you, whether it’s personal growth, team success, or the impact of your work.
“I am motivated by the opportunity to solve complex problems and contribute to meaningful projects. I find satisfaction in seeing my work positively impact users and the organization. Additionally, I thrive in collaborative environments where I can learn from others and share my knowledge.”
This question assesses your interest in the company and alignment with its values.
Research Aon’s mission and values, and articulate how they resonate with you.
“I admire Aon’s commitment to making better decisions that enrich lives globally. I am particularly drawn to the innovative approach Aon takes in assessment solutions, and I believe my skills in software development can contribute to enhancing these offerings. I am excited about the opportunity to work in a diverse and inclusive environment that values collaboration and continuous learning.”