This is an hour long interview during which my technical abilities will be assessed. It will be a tech test most likely

Todo

  • Research what will be part of this interview (Algorithms, UI, JavaScript most likely)
  • Prepare introduction
  • Prepare walk through the CV
  • Prepare motivational Alignment questions and answers
  • Prepare role alignment questions and answers (What skills and experience you can bring to the role)
  • Prepare cultural alignment competency based questions on Values
  • Practice Coding Challenges
  • Practice UI Challenges
  • Prepare questions to ask

Q&A

Why you are looking for a new job
I’m looking for a new role because I’m looking for new opportunities. I’ve outgrown my current position. [Say something about organisation and pay the compliment]

Normi Foxley

Technical
Role Alignemtn
Technical

Event cycle
When to use functions

Introduction

Hi, I’m Oskar, a Full Stack Software Engineer with 3 years of experience, specialising in Frontend development. I have a proven track record of building high-performance, scalable web applications using React, TypeScript, Redux, and cloud technologies (primarily AWS). I’ve also worked with React Native, Next.js and other React meta frameworks, built design systems, modernised legacy applications, and developed new solutions by closely collaborating with both internal and external stakeholders.

Most recently at Pfida, I was a Software Engineer and apart from working across the whole stack (BE and FE), I led key projects: revamping our customer-facing finance application, building an internal admin panel, designing our system, and enabling tenanting/white-labeling. I also introduced BFFs, ephemeral environments, and contract-driven practices to improve team efficiency and collaboration.

In my spare time, I enjoy learning new things. Currently exploring Go for backend development and I’m always digging into the latest tools. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with Tanstack Start, Go, gRPC and diving into map visualisations to build a personal project: a photography trip planning app that will provide relevant information. When I’m not coding, you’ll likely find me behind a camera!

I’m particularly excited about the opportunity at Lloyds because I see a clear alignment and I believe my background and mindset make me a great match for this role. Also, I see this as an opportunity to grow and learn how to build financial systems at scale.

Why do you want to work for Lloyds

My experience at a fintech startup has provided a solid foundation in developing software within a regulated environment and use cutting-edge technologies. The natural next step for me is to apply my foundation to larger, more complex projects within a bigger organisation like Lloyds Banking Group, which I see as a logical step in my career progression.

This role within MADS team is appealing for serval reasons

  • Lloyds invests in technology and aims to modernise its software. This aligns well with my interest in contributing to forward-thinking initiatives and having an impact on people’s experiences, particularly within a key growth area for the bank.
  • I am excited by the opportunity to work on software that serves a large and diverse customer base and to work with existing systems. This role offers a chance to build solutions with a real and positive impact on how people interact with finances, which aligns with my personal values of building helpful software.
  • While my main focus in this role is Front-End development, I am excited about the potential opportunity to work across the stack and to collaborate on improving how the company builds software at scale. Coming from a smaller company that used cutting-edge technologies, I believe I can offer a fresh perspective. I believe there’s a mutual benefit, and both parties can learn from each other.
  • The way you build software aligns with my way as well

Questions to ask

  • When is the anticipated starting date for this position?
  • When I will start, what kind of projects I will be involved in?
  • What are some of the challenges you expect the person to face?
  • Thinking back to people you’ve seen do this work previously, what differentiated the ones that were good from the ones that were really great?
  • What are you hoping this person will accomplish in their first six months and first year?
  • I’ve been researching MADS and I bumped into Lloyds Bank 360 and its focus on providing a unified mobile experience for a certain demographic within the mass affluent. I know that this is probably a product that is not part of this team, but considering that a portion of this customer group might prefer or require alternative channels beyond mobile apps, what is Lloyds Bank’s broader strategy across its other offerings to ensure accessibility and a consistent quality of service for mass affluent customers who are not primarily digital users?
Other
  1. How this team interact with other teams in the business?

  2. What are the priorities for this role within 3 to 6 months?

  3. What are some of the unique challenges or learning opportunities that developers get on your team versus other companies?

  4. What are the kinds of projects I could expect to work on if I were to join your team?

  5. How does the way this team operates differ from other teams in the company?

  6. Does this team work closely with other teams? Which ones and how so?

  7. Can you walk me through the process of a typical project?

  8. Where do you see this position evolving over 2/3 years?

  9. What are the current projects the engineering team are working on?

  10. How is the team structured?

  11. Can you tell me what is a typical week for the team?

Hi Normi,

Thanks again for taking the time today. I really enjoyed conversation with you and Callum it felt relaxed and genuine, which isn’t always the case in interviews!

One thing that stuck with me was your point about what separates good developers from great ones at Lloyd, especially how autonomy plays a big role. That really resonated with me. In my last role at Pfida, I led several projects and was trusted to figure things out and get things done, even when things got tricky. I love that this team values that kind of independence, and it makes me even more excited about the role.

That’s why this opportunity feels like a natural next step for me. Coming from a fintech startup, I’ve built a solid foundation working in regulated environments and the chance to help to build Lloyds’ software and contribute in meaningful ways makes this opportunity even more exciting.

Thanks again for your time today. I’m looking forward to hearing about the next steps from the hiring team.

Kind regards,
Oskar