Apex Systems Interview Questions: How to Prepare and Ace Your Interview

Looking for a job at Apex Systems? As one of the largest IT staffing and services companies in the US, Apex Systems hires thousands of technology professionals each year for contract and full-time roles. Landing a job here can open up many exciting career opportunities.

However, Apex Systems’ interview process is quite rigorous. You will need to thoroughly prepare to stand out among other candidates. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover:

• An overview of Apex Systems and its interview process
• Common interview questions asked at Apex Systems
• Tips to prepare and ace your Apex Systems job interview

About Apex Systems

Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Virginia Apex Systems specializes in placing IT professionals on contract, contract-to-hire and direct hire jobs. It staffs for roles like software developers data scientists, cloud engineers, cybersecurity experts, and various IT project-based positions.

Apex Systems has over 100 locations across the US, Canada and Mexico. It has around 10,000 customers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups and places around 70,000 contractors annually.

The company culture emphasizes collaboration, transparency, diversity and career growth through training programs like Apex Systems University. Employees get access to healthcare, retirement and other standard benefits.

Apex Systems Interview Process

The interview process at Apex Systems typically comprises:

1. Initial Screening Call: A short 15-20 mins call with a recruiter to discuss your background and experience relevant to the job opening.

2. Technical Phone Screen: A 45-60 mins call with a technical recruiter or hiring manager focused on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities and cultural fit.

3. Video Interview: A 1 hour long interview over video call to deeply assess your technical and soft skills. May involve writing code or discussing complex architecture.

4. Onsite Interview: 3-5 rounds of in-person interviews including technical discussions, behavioral interviews, whiteboard coding, and management interviews. Spans 4-5 hours.

5. Reference Checks: The final step involves contacting your professional references to verify details and get feedback.

The process is quite rigorous even for contract roles as Apex Systems wants to hire only the top talent in technology.

Common Apex Systems Interview Questions

Let’s look at some frequently asked interview questions at Apex Systems across various stages:

Screening Interview Questions:

• Walk me through your most recent experience particularly relevant to this position.

• Why are you looking to make a job change?

• What are your salary expectations for this role?

• What are the technologies you have worked on that relate to this job?

Technical Interview Questions:

• Explain your experience with [Ruby on Rails, React, Python etc.] in depth.

• What CI/CD tools have you used like Jenkins, CircleCI etc.?

• How would you go about debugging a performance issue in production?

• How do you stay updated on the latest developments in the tech landscape?

Behavioral Interview Questions:

• Tell me about a challenging technical problem you solved. What was the situation and how did you approach it?

• Describe a time you made a mistake at work. How did you handle it?

• What kinds of people do you find it difficult to work with? How do you deal with them?

• How do you respond to criticism from managers or team members?

Case Study/Coding Questions:

• Design a new feature for an app like Twitter/Netflix/Uber.

• Optimize this slow database query or function.

• Find bugs in this code sample or provide test cases.

• Write code for problems like fizzbuzz, anagrams, string manipulation etc.

How to Prepare for the Apex Systems Interview Process

Here are some tips to thoroughly prepare and ace your Apex Systems interview at every stage:

1. Study the Job Description Extensively

• Carefully go through the job description and highlight the must-have tech skills, frameworks and methodologies required.

• Brush up your knowledge thoroughly in these areas. Review coding concepts relevant to the tech stack.

• Also make note of any desirable skills, qualifications or experience listed.

2. Review Your Resume

• Study your resume in depth and be prepared to talk about every project, achievement and skill listed on it.

• Have thorough knowledge of your roles and responsibilities, measurable accomplishments and technologies worked on in each job.

3. Prepare Relevant Projects and Code Samples

• Refresh your memory on 2-3 major projects from your work experience relevant to the role.

• Revisit the code you wrote for these projects and be ready to discuss details.

• Have code samples ready to share for technical interviews.

4. Research the Company

• Thoroughly explore the Apex Systems website to learn about the company’s services, clients, culture, career paths and recent news.

• Browse through their social media pages like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to get further insights.

• Check out glassdoor to learn about employee experiences at the company.

5. Practice Common Interview Questions

• Use the typical questions listed above to practice your responses.

• Reflect on your projects, skills and accomplishments you can refer to while answering questions.

• Practice thinking aloud while solving technical problems.

• Rehearse on online coding platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank etc.

6. Prepare Smart Questions to Ask

• Come up with thoughtful queries to ask the interviewers that demonstrate your engagement.

• Ask about the team culture, expectations from the role, opportunities for growth and challenges faced by the team.

7. Dress Professionally and Arrive Early

• Ensure you pick appropriate professional attire for the interview.

• Plan your commute to arrive 10-15 mins early at the interview venue.

• Carry extra copies of your resume and other relevant documents.

How to Make a Strong Impression in Your Apex Systems Interview

Here are some additional tips to help you stand out during your Apex Systems job interview:

• Greet the interviewers warmly and introduce yourself with confidence.

• Listen attentively to the questions asked. Seek clarification if you don’t understand it completely.

• Use specific examples and anecdotes to back your responses. Quantify your achievements.

• Use technical terms precisely but avoid excessive jargon. Modulate your voice and maintain eye contact.

• Stay calm under pressure such as during technical grilling or rapid-fire behavioral questions.

• Ask smart, thoughtful questions that show your engagement and curiosity about the role.

• Thank the interviewers before leaving and express your enthusiasm for the job opportunity.

• Follow up promptly with thank you emails to each person who interviewed you.

Common Hiring Manager Expectations

Understanding what impresses Apex Systems hiring managers can give you an advantage. Here are some of their key expectations from candidates:

• Expert-level technical expertise including depth and breadth of experience

• Knowledge of latest tools and technologies used in the industry

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to write clean, well-documented and efficient code

• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities

• Ability to adapt quickly and manage change

• Highly motivated, independent and self-driven working style

• Strong work ethic and commitment to getting work done

Keeping these expectations in mind and following the preparation tips will help you put your best foot forward. Stay confident in your abilities and experience while showcasing your passion for technology to ace your Apex Systems interview.