Mastering the Art of Pre-screening: Essential Questions to Ask Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Architect

What is Robotic Process Automation?

To determine the candidate's understanding of RPA, it is always a good idea to start with the basics. This question can assess their fundamental knowledge and their ability to explain complex topics in a straightforward, easily understandable manner.

Can you explain your experience in RPA development?

The answer to this question reveals the applicant's practical experience in RPA development. It provides insight into their hands-on experience, tasks accomplished, and the roles they've played in previous projects.

What are the main challenges that you have faced in past RPA projects?

This question will let you know the candidate's problem-solving abilities. Ideally, candidates should share experiences where they overcame unexpected challenges or obstacles, showing their persistence and drive.

What tools and technology have you used for RPA?

Asking this will give you a clearer understanding of the candidate's technical skills. Familiarize yourself with specific tools such as UiPath, Blue Prism or Automation Anywhere to better assess responses.

Have you ever designed a bot from scratch? What was its task?

The answer not only reveals the candidate's technical abilities in bot creation, but it also provides insight into their understanding of process design and automation strategy.

How familiar are you with programming languages like C#, Java, Python used in RPA?

Understanding programming languages greatly aids in the development of RPA bots. This question can help you to gauge the depth of the candidate's programming knowledge and their ability to adapt to different scripting languages.

Can you explain how a robot follows the instructions in layman's terms?

This response will demonstrate the candidate's ability to articulate complex concepts in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. It serves to evaluate their communication skills and people skills.

Can you describe a situation where you improved a business process through automation?

This can offer glimpses into the candidate's business acumen and their ability to apply RPA knowledge to achieve tangible results. A specific, measurable example is ideal here.

Can you give an example of a situation where you applied exception handling in an automation scenario?

This query helps to assess the kandidat's ability to manage errors or exceptions, a crucial element in any automation project.

What major programming paradigms do you have experience with?

A proficient RPA developer should be familiar with different programming paradigms. This question can help you determine the breadth and depth of a candidate's programming expertise.

How do you ensure the security of data being used by bots?

Data security is a key concern for organizations using RPA. With this question, you can gauge the candidate's understanding of security concerns and experience with taking necessary preventative measures.

What type of RPA projects have you lead or been a part of?

Answering this can provide insights into the candidate's team skills, leadership skills, and past experiences in differing roles and project types.

Do you have experience in handling bots that support strategic and operational business processes?

This focuses on the candidate's understanding of strategic and operational aspects of a business and their experience in creating bots that cater to these processes.

Which RPA certification do you have? Can you explain what you've learned from it?

Having a certification demonstrates the applicant's commitment to their RPA development skills. It’s also a good time to assess what they have learned during the certification process.

What is the most complex process you have automated?

This question can give you an idea of the boundaries that the applicant has pushed and the complexity of the systems they've worked with. It will also reveal their problem-solving skills and ability to cope with complex processes.

How do you handle bot failures during execution?

Understanding how the candidate reacts in the face of a bot failure can provide insights into their problem-solving skills, persistence, and ability to learn from setbacks.

What is your approach to designing the workflow for a bot?

With this question, you can learn more about the candidate's approach to planning and organizing projects, as well as their understanding of bot architecture and workflow.

Can you provide an example of a bot that you have designed which improved productivity?

This provides an opportunity to understand the candidate's ability to create practical solutions that have a positive impact on productivity and process efficiency.

How do you ensure that your automation design aligns with the existing IT infrastructure?

The answer will give you an idea of how the candidate might fit into and enhance your existing IT structure, as well as their ability to keep up with IT trends and align their work with broader company goals.

Have you worked on any large scale RPA deployments? If so, what role did you play in the process?

By asking this question, you will get an insight into the candidate's experience in large scale RPA projects and their role within a team working on a bigger scale.