Prepare for your Scrum Master interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of the Scrum framework. This is a popular method of project management, and many organizations use it to manage their projects. If you are not familiar with the Scrum framework, you should try to answer this question with what you do know about it.
Answer Example: "I am familiar with the basics of the Scrum framework. I have worked on several projects where we used this method of project management, so I am familiar with the different stages of the process. For example, in the planning stage, we would create a product backlog where we listed all of the tasks we wanted to complete. Then, we would break those tasks down into smaller ones and estimate how long it would take us to complete each one. Finally, we would determine when we would release the product."
This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of the role and how you would perform it. Your answer should include a list of some of the most important responsibilities of a Scrum Master, along with an explanation of why these responsibilities are important.
Answer Example: "As a Scrum Master, I believe the most important responsibilities are to ensure the Scrum process is followed, help the team reach its goals and objectives, and provide support and guidance when needed. I would make sure that the Scrum process was implemented correctly by ensuring everyone was aware of their responsibilities, providing training when necessary and helping resolve any issues that arise."
This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you would motivate team members to follow the Scrum framework. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped teams improve their processes or behavior.
Answer Example: "I would first try to understand why they are not following the framework, then I would meet with them individually to discuss their concerns. If the issue is something that can be resolved quickly, I would help them find a solution right away. For example, if they are waiting on another team member to finish their task before they can continue working, I would help them find ways to work around the issue until the other team member is ready."
The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with leading change initiatives within your organization. This experience can be valuable for a Scrum master role because change is a constant in the software development industry. Your answer should highlight your ability to lead change initiatives, communicate effectively with stakeholders and manage projects effectively.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a Scrum master, I led a team of developers who were working on an e-commerce website. We were tasked with creating a new feature that allowed customers to purchase products online. The project required us to change some of the existing code in order to create the new feature."
Stakeholders are individuals who have a vested interest in the success of a project. They may be managers, customers or other people who have a role in the organization. When interviewing for a scrum master position, it’s important to show that you can manage difficult people and situations. In your answer, explain how you handled the situation and what steps you took to resolve it.
Answer Example: "I recently had to manage a difficult stakeholder who was constantly demanding updates on the progress of the project. This person would call me several times per day asking for information about the project. I tried to be as accommodating as possible by providing him with updates as soon as I received them. However, this did not seem to be enough for him. Eventually, I had a meeting with him where I explained that I could not give him updates more than once per day. He agreed to this but continued to call me multiple times per day."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your problem-solving skills to improve the team’s process. Use examples from your experience to explain how you would identify the cause of the issue and implement solutions to help the team make progress.
Answer Example: "When I notice that the team is not making progress, I first look at the Scrum board to see if there are any impediments that are preventing us from completing tasks. If not, I will ask the team members what they are doing and how they are feeling. This helps me understand if there is anything preventing them from making progress."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to confront team members who are not meeting their responsibilities and help them improve their productivity.
Answer Example: "If a team member was not productive, I would first try to understand why. Maybe they were having trouble with a specific task or they were just having a bad day. Once I knew the reason, I would work with them to find a solution. For example, if they were having trouble with a task, I would help them understand it better or provide resources that could help them complete it. If they were having a bad day, I would encourage them to take a break or get some fresh air."
As a Scrum master, you will need to communicate with many different departments within the company. The interviewer wants to know how well you can communicate with other teams and individuals, as well as what your communication style is like. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you are able to communicate effectively with everyone in the company.
Answer Example: "I have a strong communication skills, which I’ve developed over my years of working in the industry. I know how important it is to communicate effectively with everyone in the company, so I always make sure to be clear and concise with my messages. I also take the time to listen carefully to what others are saying so I can better understand their needs. This has helped me build strong relationships with my colleagues."
The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with a remote team. If you have worked with a remote team before, share your experience and how it helped you succeed in your role as a Scrum Master. If you have not worked with a remote team, consider explaining how you would approach working with a remote team.
Answer Example: "I have worked with a remote team before and found it to be an exciting challenge. My previous company had a remote team of developers who were located across the country. As a Scrum Master, I had to adapt my communication strategies to ensure everyone was on the same page. For example, I would use video conferencing tools like Skype or Zoom to hold daily stand-up meetings with the team. This allowed me to see their faces and body language, which helped me understand if someone was having trouble or needed help."
The purpose of a retrospective meeting is to evaluate how well the team is working together and make changes if necessary. This is an important meeting, but it’s also one that can be held at any time. The interviewer may ask this question to make sure you know when it’s appropriate to hold a retrospective meeting and when it’s not.
Answer Example: "I believe it’s always appropriate to hold a retrospective meeting. As a Scrum Master, it’s my job to make sure the team is working effectively together. If they aren’t, I want to know about it so I can help them fix it. I also think it’s important to have regular retrospectives so we can track our progress and make sure we’re heading in the right direction."
This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of scrum and how you apply it in your work. Use examples from your experience to show your ability to plan and organize projects effectively.
Answer Example: "I use a sprint planning meeting at the beginning of each sprint to discuss what we’ll be working on during the sprint. I also use it as an opportunity to get input from my team members about their availability and any obstacles they might face during the sprint. This helps me create an effective sprint backlog that meets everyone’s needs."
This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the Scrum framework and how it can be used to increase productivity. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would implement a Daily Scrum in your previous role as a Scrum Master.
Answer Example: "I would start by educating the team on the importance of the Daily Scrum and how it can help them achieve their goals. Then, I would create a schedule for when each person should attend their Daily Scrum so that everyone has an opportunity to speak. Finally, I would encourage the team to use the questions listed in the Scrum Guide to ensure they are addressing all necessary aspects of their project."
The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your process-management skills and how you use them to improve the efficiency of a project. Use examples from previous projects to describe how you identify and remove items from the backlog that are no longer relevant or necessary for the project.
Answer Example: "During my last project, I noticed that we had several items on our backlog that were no longer relevant. For example, we had an item for a new feature that allowed users to upload images, but we had already implemented this feature in an earlier iteration. In this case, I would remove the item from the backlog so we could focus on more important tasks."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you are suited for this role. Before your interview, make a list of all of your skills and experiences that relate to the job. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and explaining how they make you an ideal candidate.
Answer Example: "I am an experienced Scrum Master with a proven track record of success. I have worked with multiple teams to implement Scrum processes, improve productivity and increase team morale. My expertise in this area has helped me develop strategies for managing projects effectively while meeting deadlines. In addition, I am an excellent communicator who can effectively communicate ideas and concepts to others. My communication skills have helped me build relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. Finally, I am passionate about the field of software development and enjoy working with teams to create high-quality products."
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of expertise with programming languages. If the company uses a specific language, you should mention any previous experience using it and how it helped you complete projects more efficiently.
Answer Example: "I have extensive experience working with Java, C++ and Python. I’ve used these languages to develop applications for both desktop and mobile devices. In my last role, I developed a software program that helped businesses manage their inventory more efficiently. The project required me to use multiple programming languages to ensure the application worked properly."
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what it takes to be successful in this role. You can answer by identifying one or two traits and explaining why they are important for Scrum Masters.
Answer Example: "I believe the most important trait for a successful Scrum Master is their ability to communicate effectively. A Scrum Master needs to be able to explain Scrum concepts to team members, stakeholders and other stakeholders, so they need to be able to speak clearly and effectively. They also need to be able to listen to feedback from team members and adjust their strategies accordingly."
The release party is a celebration held by the team after they’ve completed a sprint. It’s an opportunity for the team to show their product to stakeholders and receive feedback on their work. The interviewer may ask this question to learn how you plan and organize the release party. Use your answer to highlight your ability to plan events and meetings for the team.
Answer Example: "I believe that the team should hold a release party after every sprint. This allows them to show their progress to stakeholders and receive feedback on their work. It also helps the team stay motivated by seeing what they’ve accomplished so far. Holding release parties after each sprint also helps me as the Scrum Master because I can use the feedback from the stakeholders to help the team improve in future sprints."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether you have experience solving it. Use examples from past experiences to explain how you resolved the conflict and helped the team members work together again.
Answer Example: "I would first try to resolve the conflict myself by having a private conversation with each team member. I would listen to their side of the story and help them understand why the other person felt the way they did. Then, I would have another conversation with both team members together so they could discuss the issue together. If the conflict still isn’t resolved, I would ask the team members to take some time away from each other to think about what was said and come up with a solution."
