Ancestry·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

Intermediate

May 2026

Summary

Interviewed for a software engineer role at Ancestry and the main focus was a deep dive into my research background. Pretty much the whole session was me walking through past projects one by one, which I wasn't fully prepared for.

Questions Asked (1)

Walk me through your resume, focusing on your research experiences. For each project, describe what it was about, what you personally contributed, the methods you used, the results, and what you'd change if you did it again.

Adaptability & AmbiguityTechnical Trade-offs

Author's notes

This sounds simple but it absolutely is not when you have multiple projects and they want the full breakdown for each one.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Structure your answer as a chronological narrative that highlights 2-3 research projects most relevant to software engineering, using the STAR method for each. Emphasize your personal contributions, technical decisions, and lessons learned, and connect them to the skills required for the role at Ancestry.

Pro tip: Focus on the 'what you'd change' part to show self-awareness and growth mindset—interviewers value candidates who can critically evaluate their work and apply lessons to future projects.

1. Introduction and Overview

Briefly introduce your academic and professional background, then outline the research projects you'll discuss, highlighting their relevance to software engineering.

2. Project 1: Context and Contribution

For the first project, describe the problem, your specific role, the methods/technologies used, and the outcomes. Quantify results where possible.

3. Project 1: Reflection and Improvement

Discuss what you would do differently if you repeated the project, focusing on technical trade-offs, adaptability, or process improvements.

4. Repeat for Additional Projects

Follow the same structure for 1-2 more projects, ensuring each highlights different skills or challenges relevant to the role.

5. Connect to the Role

Summarize how your research experiences have prepared you for the software engineering position at Ancestry, emphasizing transferable skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and technical adaptability.

Key Points to Mention

Specific technical skills and tools used (e.g., programming languages, frameworks, data analysis methods)
Your individual contribution versus team effort, demonstrating ownership and collaboration
Quantifiable results or impact of the research (e.g., performance improvements, publications, adoption)
Challenges faced and how you overcame them, showing adaptability and problem-solving
Lessons learned and how you would apply them to future projects, especially in a software engineering context
Alignment with Ancestry's values or technologies, such as data-driven solutions, scalability, or user impact

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.