IMC·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

Intermediate

Jul 2026

Summary

Had a round at IMC for a software engineering role where they asked me to walk through a project as if I were talking to someone with zero technical background. Simpler premise than it sounds.

Questions Asked (1)

Walk me through one of your projects as if you were explaining it to someone non-technical. What problem were you solving, how did you solve it, and what was the actual impact?

Stakeholder ManagementCross-functional Alignment

Author's notes

I kept wanting to slip into technical terms and caught myself doing it like three times.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Choose a project where you can clearly articulate the problem, your technical solution, and the measurable impact, while avoiding jargon. Use analogies and simple language to explain technical concepts, and focus on the value delivered to users or the business. Structure your answer as a story: context, problem, solution, impact.

Pro tip: Quantify the impact with concrete metrics (e.g., time saved, revenue increase, error reduction) and relate it to business outcomes. This shows you understand the bigger picture and can communicate value to non-technical stakeholders.

1. Set the Context

Briefly describe the project and your role, and why it mattered to the business or users. Keep it high-level and avoid technical details.

2. Explain the Problem

Describe the problem in simple terms, focusing on the pain points experienced by users or the business. Use an analogy if helpful.

3. Describe Your Solution

Explain what you built and how it solved the problem, using non-technical language. Highlight key features or approach without diving into code.

4. Highlight the Impact

Share the measurable outcomes: how did the solution improve things? Use metrics like time saved, cost reduced, or user satisfaction increased.

5. Reflect and Connect

Briefly mention what you learned and how it demonstrates your ability to work with non-technical stakeholders. Tie back to the role at IMC.

Key Points to Mention

Clear problem statement with business relevance
Simple explanation of technical solution (avoid jargon)
Quantifiable impact metrics (e.g., % improvement, time saved)
Your specific role and collaboration with non-technical teams
Lessons learned about communication or stakeholder management
Alignment with IMC's values or business context

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