The Wagner Act of 1935, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and several Supreme Court decisions since then have all made it illegal to ask certain questions in job interviews. It is important to remember, though, that on some roads it is also illegal to go faster than 35 mph. The point is that just like you’re likely to see cars going too fast on your way to the job interview, you may also meet an interviewer who asks questions that are against the law.
It doesn’t matter if the questions you are asked in a job interview are illegal because the company doesn’t know any better or because they are trying to get around rules they think are unfairly put on them. How will you respond if someone asks you a question you know is inappropriate? That’s what you need to think about.
An example of an illegal interview question that might be asked by accident in a casual conversation is “How old are you?” Or it could be a careful attempt to get information from you in a sneaky way by using deception. If someone asks you a question that you know is against the law, you can always choose not to answer it. The problem is that even if you follow the law, you can’t be sure if you won’t end up on the wrong side of the unemployment line. Refusing to answer illegal job interview questions gives you the high moral ground. Answering them makes you complicit in the lawbreaking. It is up to you to determine which stance your prospective employer finds more appealing.
“Do you have any outstanding debt?” This question is only legal if you have given the interviewer permission to ask about your money situation ahead of time. Be aware that deciding to answer illegal job interview questions can be a slippery slope. You can say that you know the questions are illegal, but you’re ready to answer anything because you have nothing to hide. That decision only pays off if you really and truly have absolutely nothing you would rather not discuss. If you say you are willing to answer the question about debt, the interviewer might feel free to ask other illegal questions about your religion, sexual orientation, arrest (not conviction) record, and health. If you choose to answer illegal job interview questions without telling the interviewer that they are illegal, the interview could go in directions you would probably rather not go. Still, how honest you are may end up being the deciding factor in whether you get the job or not.
“You mentioned your husband is a teacher…. “Is he a member of the teachers’ union?” This is the option you should think about the most before deciding to go with it. It starts with refusing to answer illegal job interview questions and ends with leaving the interview. You might be ready to swallow your pride and answer questions you know are against the law, as long as they aren’t too bothersome or put you in a tough spot. Perhaps you don’t mind admitting your age or letting a potential employer know that you are certain medications. For you, it might be questions about your family or the six months you saw a psychiatrist that you can’t answer.
If you get to the point where illegal job interview questions make you want to quit right away, you should think about how you want to do this. If you went too far too quickly because of rude or sleazy behavior, it might make you feel better to leave without any doubt that you want to never work for that company again and that you will report them for asking questions that are against the law. If, on the other hand, the illegal questions came up naturally and you still feel like you wouldn’t turn down an offer, tell them politely why you had to end the interview and make it clear that you aren’t against accepting the job. You should also say sorry.
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Landing a job at Akraya can be a very competitive process. As a leading IT staffing and consulting firm, Akraya receives thousands of applications every year for a limited number of openings. Therefore, it is crucial to be fully prepared for the Akraya interview process if you want to stand out from the crowd and impress the recruiters.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top 15 most common Akraya interview questions, providing tips on how to best answer each one. With over 20 years of experience in IT staffing, Akraya’s interview questions aim to get to the core of a candidate’s technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and compatibility with the company’s collaborative culture.
Mastering your responses to these Akraya interview questions will get you one step closer to potentially kickstarting your career with this highly-regarded organization. So let’s get started!
1. Walk me through your resume. Why did you make certain choices in your education and career?
This is one of the most frequently asked Akraya interview questions. It gauges your thought process behind your academic and professional journey so far. When answering:
- Walk chronologically through your resume, explaining your rationale behind major decisions.
- Highlight how specific experiences align with the role you are applying for.
- Demonstrate a logical progression in expanding your skills and responsibilities over time.
- Convey your eagerness to take on new challenges and commitment to lifelong learning.
Example: “After earning my computer science degree, I joined XYZ Company as a software developer. This first role allowed me to build core coding skills in Java and SQL. After 2 years, I transitioned to ABC Inc. because I wanted exposure to large-scale enterprise projects. There, I led development for a cloud migration initiative, which expanded my expertise in cloud architecture and Agile methodologies. This breadth of experience has equipped me to take on more senior-level responsibilities which align closely with the current open position at Akraya.”
2. Why do you want to work at Akraya?
Akraya wants to understand your motivation for specifically wanting to join their organization. When answering:
- Research the company thoroughly and highlight aspects that appeal to you.
- Show enthusiasm for their people-focused culture and values.
- Explain how their training programs and challenging projects will further your career goals.
- Share your own values and passion for technology/business and how they align with Akraya’s vision.
Example “I am extremely excited by Akraya’s mission to nurture talent and help individuals unlock their full potential. The company’s emphasis on mentorship and continuous learning strongly resonates with me as I am eager to keep developing my skills under the guidance of Akraya’s experts. I am also drawn to innovative projects like the cloud migration initiatives Akraya has spearheaded for clients. Being part of such cutting-edge implementations is the type of engaging work I am passionate about.”
3. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the tech industry?
The tech landscape evolves at lightning speed. Akraya needs people who can keep up. When answering:
- Demonstrate your hunger for learning and passion for technology.
- Share the online publications, blogs, newsletters, and thought leaders you follow.
- Mention conferences/seminars/courses you have attended to upgrade your skills.
- Highlight involvement in tech communities like GitHub and Stack Overflow.
- Discuss how you have applied emerging trends/tech to past projects.
Example “I make it a priority to dedicate time each week to exploring new developments in tech I subscribe to various blogs and podcasts like MIT Technology Review and Software Engineering Daily to get different perspectives I also regularly browse online communities like GitHub and DEV to examine how other developers are solving problems. I try to attend local Meetups and tech conferences when possible. For example, last year I participated in a 2-day AI summit which gave me exposure to cutting-edge use cases. I also take online courses on Udemy during my personal time to expand my skillset. These continuous learning efforts allow me to stay nimble as I encounter new challenges.”
4. How do you handle situations when priorities suddenly shift?
In the dynamic world of IT consulting, plans can change on a dime based on client needs. This question tests your flexibility. When answering:
- Share an example of when you rapidly adjusted to changing priorities.
- Emphasize keeping stakeholders looped in and realigning team efforts.
- Discuss utilizing planning tools like Kanban to re-prioritize and communicate changes.
- Convey that while adaptability is key, you ensure changes align with overarching goals.
Example: “When priorities shift, I leverage tools like Trello to re-map workflows and keep both my manager and team aligned. For example, when a client unexpectedly requested platform migration be accelerated by 2 weeks, I immediately met with the team to reevaluate our timeline. By streamlining testing cycles and implementing automation, we were able to meet the accelerated deadline without compromising quality. Throughout the process, I provided regular updates to both client and internal stakeholders. While remaining adaptable to changing needs, I also ensured the accelerated timeline still mapped to the project’s overall objectives.”
5. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. What did you learn?
Akraya wants to know you can acknowledge and grow from mistakes. When answering:
- Share a real example of a mistake you made. Do not downplay or blame external factors.
- Demonstrate taking ownership and being proactive in mitigating impacts.
- Discuss the lesson you learned and changes implemented to prevent recurrence.
- Emphasize how the experience ultimately made you stronger.
Example: “Early in my career as a consultant, I was leading development of a client portal. Due to my inexperience at the time, I did not build in enough checkpoints with the client during the design phase. As a result, when we presented the completed portal prototype, they were unhappy with the overall user experience. I immediately apologized for this breakdown in confirmation and worked closely with their team to redesign key workflows based on their feedback. This taught me the importance of over-communication, especially when stakeholders are outside of your immediate team. I now institute consistent review checkpoints at multiple stages of any client project to avoid misalignment.”
6. How do you balance delivering urgent client requests with long-term development projects?
Consulting involves managing competing priorities between client work and internal initiatives. This questions assesses those skills. When answering:
- Explain how you categorize and prioritize tasks using tools like matrices.
- Discuss framing trade-offs to stakeholders when balancing conflicting priorities.
- Share an example of negotiating with a client to find a mutually agreeable timeline.
- Emphasize meeting urgent needs while progressing long-term goals incrementally.
Example: “Balancing urgent requests with long-term initiatives starts with transparently communicating trade-offs and timelines to stakeholders using project management tools. I categorize tasks based on complexity, resources required, and impact. When a pressing short-term client request threatens to derail progress on an internal project, I frame the risks of delay to my manager to align on adjusting timelines. For the client, I convey impact and negotiate a reasonable timeline for the request, often suggesting we implement it in phased releases. For example, when Client X asked for a last-minute enhancement right before a product launch, I was able to get leadership’s approval for a partial rollout in Phase 1 and the full build-out post-launch. This balanced both urgent needs and longer-term plans.”
7. How would you explain a complex technical process or problem to a non-technical stakeholder or teammate?
Communication and collaboration skills are highly valued at Akraya. This question tests your ability to bridge the technical/non-technical divide. When answering:
- Share an example of having to distill complex details into simple terms.
- Emphasize leveraging analogies, visualization, and non-technical language.
- Discuss encouraging questions and feedback to gauge understanding.
- Convey patience and commitment to ensuring concepts are demystified for non-technical audiences.
Example: “When explaining complex technical processes, I use relatable analogies and avoid jargon. For example, when conveying how blockchain works to non-developers, I compare it to a shared Google Doc. Just as multiple people can view and update a Google Doc, I explain that multiple participants can view and verify blockchain transactions transparently. I’ll also use visualization tools like diagrams to clarify relationships between components. Most importantly, I check for understanding by welcoming questions and feedback. My goal is to create a judgement-free environment where team members feel comfortable asking me to explain concepts in as simple terms as needed.”
8. How do you stay motivated on projects that get stalled or discouraging?
IT projects often encounter hurdles that can sap motivation. This questions tests resilience. When answering:
- Share an example of a project that became challenging and how you persisted.
- Discuss reframing setbacks as learning experiences rather than failures.
- Explain how you break large goals into smaller milestones to maintain momentum.
- Share how you leverage your team for encouragement and brainstorming when faced with blockers.
Example: *
Cisco Diversity interviews Sonu Ratra, Co-founder of Akraya Inc
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