← Navan Interview Insights

Navan·Software Engineer·Hiring Manager Screen·Intermediate

IntermediatePrefer not to say
Jun 2026

Summary

Behavioral screen at Navan, just one question but it had a lot of sub-parts packed in.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Tell me about a project you're most proud of. What did you specifically contribute, what was the hardest challenge you faced, and how did you work through it? What came out of it?

Adaptability & AmbiguityCross-functional Alignment
Author's notes

This felt like four questions stapled together and I kind of lost the thread halfway through.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Choose a project that demonstrates both technical depth and cross-functional collaboration, ideally with ambiguous requirements. Structure your answer using a narrative arc: context, your specific contributions, the hardest challenge, how you overcame it, and measurable outcomes. Emphasize how you navigated ambiguity and aligned with stakeholders to deliver impact.

Pro tip: Quantify the impact of your project (e.g., reduced latency by 30%, increased conversion by 15%) and explicitly connect your actions to the company's values or business goals. This shows you think like an owner, not just a coder.

1. Set the Context

Briefly describe the project, its goals, and why it mattered to the business or users. Highlight any ambiguity or cross-functional dependencies to set up the challenge.

2. Detail Your Contribution

Clearly state your specific role and actions. Use 'I' statements to distinguish your work from the team's, focusing on technical decisions and collaboration.

3. Describe the Hardest Challenge

Explain the most difficult obstacle, whether technical, organizational, or ambiguity-related. Be specific about why it was hard and the stakes involved.

4. Explain Your Approach to Overcome It

Walk through the steps you took to resolve the challenge, including any pivots, cross-functional alignment, or innovative solutions. Emphasize adaptability and problem-solving.

5. Share the Outcome and Learnings

Quantify the results (e.g., metrics, launch success) and reflect on what you learned. Connect the outcome to broader team or company impact.

Key Points to Mention

  • Specific technical contributions (e.g., architecture design, coding, testing)
  • Cross-functional collaboration (e.g., working with product, design, or other engineers)
  • Navigating ambiguity (e.g., unclear requirements, shifting priorities)
  • Problem-solving approach (e.g., breaking down the problem, experimenting, iterating)
  • Measurable impact (e.g., performance improvements, user growth, cost savings)
  • Learnings and how they apply to future work

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