FDM Group Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

FDM Group is a leading business and technology consultancy that recruits top talent to become innovators in various industries.

As a Software Engineer at FDM Group, you will play a crucial role as a consultant delivering projects for major clients in the banking sector. This position encompasses a range of responsibilities, including software development, technology modernization, and quality engineering throughout the application lifecycle. You will be expected to demonstrate strong teamwork, communication, and organizational skills, with a keen interest in business and technology. Familiarity with object-oriented programming concepts, database management (especially SQL), and basic web technologies (HTML, CSS) will also be essential.

Your journey will involve working within an agile environment, where you can take on various roles such as Software Engineer, Dev Ops Engineer, or Cloud Platform Engineer, depending on your interests and career aspirations. FDM Group values a non-linear approach to career development, offering numerous upskilling opportunities through their Skills Lab. This role is particularly suited for individuals transitioning from military or blue light services, leveraging the skills and experience acquired in those fields.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the skills and knowledge areas you should focus on, as well as the types of questions you may encounter. By understanding the expectations of the role, you can present yourself as a well-qualified candidate who aligns with FDM Group's values and objectives.

The interview process for a Software Engineer position at FDM Group is structured to assess both technical and behavioral competencies, ensuring candidates are well-suited for the dynamic environment of technology consultancy. The process typically unfolds in several stages:

1. Initial Phone Interview

The first step involves a phone interview with a recruiter. This conversation is designed to gauge your interest in the role and the company, as well as to collect basic information about your background, skills, and motivations. Expect questions about your previous experiences, your interest in technology, and your understanding of FDM's mission and values.

2. Online Assessment

Following the initial phone interview, candidates are required to complete an online assessment. This assessment usually consists of two parts: a technical component that tests your knowledge of programming concepts, algorithms, and problem-solving skills, and a behavioral section where you will answer pre-recorded questions. The technical questions may cover topics such as object-oriented programming, SQL, and basic coding logic.

3. Video Interview

Candidates who perform well in the online assessment will be invited to a video interview. This round typically includes both technical and behavioral questions. The technical portion may involve discussing your approach to coding challenges or explaining fundamental programming concepts, while the behavioral segment will focus on situational questions that assess your soft skills and cultural fit within the company.

4. Assessment Centre

The final stage of the interview process is the assessment centre, which may be conducted virtually or in person. During this day, candidates participate in various activities, including group exercises, additional technical assessments, and one-on-one interviews with FDM staff. This stage is crucial for evaluating how candidates collaborate with others and apply their skills in a team setting.

5. Final Interviews

Depending on the outcomes of the assessment centre, candidates may have one or more final interviews. These interviews often involve discussions with senior team members or managers, focusing on both technical expertise and alignment with FDM's values and culture. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their career aspirations and how they envision contributing to the company.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during each stage of the process.

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

Understand the Interview Process

FDM's interview process typically involves multiple stages, including a phone interview, online assessments, and behavioral and technical interviews. Familiarize yourself with each stage and prepare accordingly. Knowing what to expect will help you feel more confident and organized. Be ready to discuss your background, interests, and motivations for joining FDM, as well as your technical skills.

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Technical assessments at FDM often cover fundamental programming concepts, object-oriented programming (OOP) principles, SQL, and basic algorithms. Brush up on these topics and practice coding problems that reflect the level of difficulty you might encounter. Focus on understanding key concepts such as encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism, as well as common data structures and their applications.

Emphasize Your Soft Skills

FDM values strong teamwork, communication, and organizational skills. Be prepared to provide examples of how you've demonstrated these skills in past experiences. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, particularly for behavioral questions. This approach will help you articulate your experiences clearly and effectively.

Show Your Interest in Technology

During the interview, express your enthusiasm for technology and your desire to grow within the field. FDM is looking for candidates who are genuinely interested in IT and innovation. Be ready to discuss any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your passion for technology, as well as your willingness to learn and adapt.

Research the Company Culture

Understanding FDM's culture and values is crucial. They emphasize diversity, inclusion, and continuous growth. Familiarize yourself with their Ex-Forces Programme and how it supports individuals transitioning from military or blue light services into tech roles. This knowledge will help you align your responses with the company's mission and demonstrate your fit within their culture.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenges. Prepare to discuss specific situations where you've overcome obstacles or worked effectively in a team. Highlight your adaptability and resilience, as these traits are highly valued at FDM.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of your interview, take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the role, team dynamics, and growth opportunities within FDM. This not only shows your interest in the position but also helps you gauge if the company aligns with your career goals.

Follow Up

After your interview, consider sending a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. This small gesture can leave a positive impression and reinforce your interest in the role.

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

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at FDM Group. The interview process will assess both technical and behavioral competencies, focusing on your understanding of software engineering principles, problem-solving abilities, and your motivation for joining the company. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role.

Technical Knowledge

1. What are the four pillars of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)?

Understanding OOP is fundamental for a software engineer, and this question tests your grasp of core programming concepts.

How to Answer

Explain the four pillars: encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction. Provide examples of how you have applied these principles in your projects.

Example

“The four pillars of OOP are encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction. For instance, in a project I worked on, I used encapsulation to hide the internal state of an object and expose only necessary methods, which improved security and maintainability.”

2. Can you explain the difference between a class and an object?

This question assesses your foundational knowledge of OOP.

How to Answer

Define both terms clearly and illustrate the relationship between them with a practical example.

Example

“A class is a blueprint for creating objects, defining properties and methods. An object is an instance of a class. For example, if 'Car' is a class, then 'myCar' is an object of that class with specific attributes like color and model.”

3. What is polymorphism, and how is it implemented in programming?

This question evaluates your understanding of advanced OOP concepts.

How to Answer

Discuss the concept of polymorphism and provide examples of method overloading and overriding.

Example

“Polymorphism allows methods to do different things based on the object it is acting upon. It can be implemented through method overloading, where multiple methods have the same name but different parameters, or method overriding, where a subclass provides a specific implementation of a method already defined in its superclass.”

4. Describe the different types of SQL join operations.

This question tests your knowledge of databases and how to manipulate data.

How to Answer

Explain the various types of joins and their use cases in SQL.

Example

“There are several types of SQL joins: INNER JOIN returns records with matching values in both tables, LEFT JOIN returns all records from the left table and matched records from the right, RIGHT JOIN does the opposite, and FULL OUTER JOIN returns all records when there is a match in either left or right table.”

5. What is the difference between an array and a list?

This question assesses your understanding of data structures.

How to Answer

Clarify the differences in terms of structure, flexibility, and use cases.

Example

“An array is a fixed-size data structure that holds elements of the same type, while a list is a dynamic data structure that can grow and shrink in size and can hold elements of different types. For example, I prefer using lists in Python for their flexibility when the number of elements is unknown.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Why do you want to work for FDM Group?

This question gauges your motivation and alignment with the company’s values.

How to Answer

Discuss your interest in technology and how FDM’s values resonate with your career goals.

Example

“I want to work for FDM Group because I admire its commitment to training and developing talent, especially for those transitioning from different careers. I believe my background in the military has equipped me with strong teamwork and problem-solving skills that align well with FDM’s mission.”

2. Tell me about a time you faced a significant challenge and how you overcame it.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response.

Example

“In my previous role, we faced a tight deadline for a project. I organized daily stand-up meetings to track progress and address issues promptly. As a result, we completed the project on time, and it received positive feedback from the client.”

3. How do you manage multiple deadlines approaching at the same time?

This question assesses your time management and prioritization skills.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritizing tasks and managing your time effectively.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, often using tools like Trello to visualize my workload. When multiple deadlines approach, I break down tasks into smaller, manageable parts and allocate specific time slots to focus on each one.”

4. Describe a time when you worked as part of a team. What was your role?

This question evaluates your teamwork and collaboration skills.

How to Answer

Share a specific example that highlights your contributions and the outcome of the team effort.

Example

“I was part of a team developing a mobile application. My role was to handle the backend development. I collaborated closely with front-end developers to ensure seamless integration, which resulted in a successful launch and positive user feedback.”

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question assesses your career aspirations and alignment with the company’s growth.

How to Answer

Discuss your career goals and how they align with the opportunities at FDM.

Example

“In five years, I see myself in a senior software engineering role, leading projects and mentoring junior developers. I believe FDM’s commitment to continuous learning will help me achieve this goal while contributing to innovative solutions for clients.”