Interviewing for the Senior Developer Advocate Position at GitHub

Interviewing for the Senior Developer Advocate position at GitHub involves a series of steps that test both your technical knowledge and your ability to engage with the developer community. Below, I’ll outline the interview process, the types of questions you can expect, and real-world examples based on my experience as a candidate.

Overview of the Interview Process

Initial Screening (HR Interview)

The first step typically involves an HR screening. The focus here is more on cultural fit and understanding your motivation for applying. You will be asked about your previous experience with developer advocacy, your understanding of GitHub’s products, and why you’re interested in the role. For example:

• “Tell me about a time when you had to build a developer community from scratch. What tools did you use?”
• “How do you stay updated with trends in developer tools and technologies?”

Technical Screening

This round evaluates your technical competence, particularly how well you communicate complex topics to developers. You may be asked to demonstrate problem-solving skills or explain technical concepts in simple terms.

Example questions could include:

• “Explain the difference between monolithic and microservices architectures and their impact on developer productivity.”
• “How would you advocate for a new GitHub feature to a community of developers who are resistant to change?”

In my case, I was asked to describe how GitHub Copilot works and how I would educate a developer team unfamiliar with AI-assisted programming. The key is to show not just your understanding of the technology but also your ability to explain it effectively.

Live Coding Exercise or Presentation

You may be asked to either:

• Write code: Solve a problem live to demonstrate coding ability. A common question for Developer Advocates is something like:
  • “Write a function to reverse a string without using built-in methods.”
• Present a Topic: Prepare and deliver a technical presentation as if you’re speaking at a conference. In my interview, I was tasked with presenting how GitHub Copilot improves developer workflow. This test assesses your presentation skills and your ability to break down complex topics for diverse audiences.

Behavioral Interview

The behavioral round dives into your previous work experience, how you handle challenges, and your interaction with teams and communities. Expect questions like:

• “Tell me about a time when you disagreed with a product decision. How did you handle it?”
• “Describe a situation where you had to mentor junior developers or help your team grow.”

Here, they are looking for examples that showcase leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, which are essential in a senior role.

Cultural Fit and Final Interview

In this final round, you’ll likely meet senior leaders or team members who will assess if you align with GitHub’s values, especially their focus on inclusivity and developer success. Questions could be:

• “How do you create inclusive content for a global developer audience?”
• “How would you handle a situation where a developer community is unhappy with a product update?”

Key Skills and Expectations

As a Senior Developer Advocate at GitHub, you’re expected to blend strong technical skills with excellent communication abilities. Here’s a summary of key competencies:

Technical Expertise

You should be comfortable discussing advanced topics, like CI/CD pipelines, APIs, cloud computing, and GitHub’s own products. For instance, when I was asked about GitHub Actions, I needed to explain how it could streamline workflows for enterprise teams.

Community Engagement

GitHub values advocates who not only represent their products but also actively build and engage with the developer community. Be prepared to discuss your experiences organizing meetups, writing blog posts, and speaking at conferences. I was asked about my experience with GitHub Discussions and how I would use it to foster community engagement.

Content Creation

Writing blog posts, tutorials, and creating videos are part of the role. You might be asked to critique an existing piece of content or explain how you would go about creating a tutorial on GitHub Copilot for beginners.

Example Real-World Scenarios

Advocacy for GitHub Copilot

In one of my personal projects, I wrote a blog post on “How GitHub Copilot Can Boost Your Team’s Productivity.” The feedback I received from GitHub’s internal team helped refine the product’s documentation, showcasing how an advocate can influence product direction. If asked about this during an interview, it’s important to show how you can turn feedback into actionable insights that benefit both the product and the community.

Conference Speaking

GitHub values advocates who can speak at conferences and write compelling content. In my case, I delivered a session titled “Boosting Your Developer Productivity with GitHub Actions.” During my interview, I was asked how I would adapt this talk for a specific audience, demonstrating my flexibility in content delivery based on the audience’s technical background.

Tips for Success

1. Prepare Technical and Soft Skills: While coding knowledge is important, your ability to communicate and influence is just as crucial. Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms, and refine your presentation skills.

2. Know GitHub’s Products Inside and Out: Make sure you are familiar with GitHub’s current tools like Copilot, Codespaces, Actions, and Packages, as well as new initiatives like GitHub Sponsors and GitHub Discussions.

3. Be Ready for Community Engagement Questions: Be prepared to showcase your experience with developer communities and how you’ve contributed to growing them, whether through events, content, or forums.