Technical Knockout Questions
Stop wasting engineering time on unqualified applicants. Use these lists to build screening quizzes that verify core technical competencies before the first interview, even if you're not a technical recruiter.
Screen Tech Talent Without The Technical Overhead
Screening technical talent is notoriously difficult and time-consuming. Resumes are filled with keywords, but they don't prove proficiency. This leads to countless hours wasted by your senior engineers in first-round interviews with candidates who lack fundamental skills.
These question lists are designed to solve that problem. They focus on objective, experience-based questions that any recruiter can use to build a Sift quiz. By asking "Have you used Terraform for Infrastructure as Code?" instead of asking a candidate to write Terraform code, you create an effective first-pass filter that respects everyone's time. For more ideas, read our guide on hiring developers without technical knowledge.
Frontend Developer
Screen for React, JS, CSS, and performance skills.
Backend Developer
Filter for database skills, API design, and cloud experience.
Full Stack Developer
Screen for frontend/backend proficiency and database skills.
Mobile Developer
Filter for iOS, Android, and cross-platform skills.
Machine Learning Engineer
Screen for Python, TensorFlow/PyTorch, and deployment.
Cybersecurity Analyst
Filter for SIEM tools and incident response experience.
Cloud Architect
Screen for AWS/GCP/Azure and high-availability design.
Database Administrator
Filter for performance tuning and backup/recovery.
QA / Test Engineer
Screen for manual/automated testing and API testing.
Network Engineer
Filter for routing, firewall, and cloud networking skills.