Hiring guide for Lexico Engineers

Lexico Developer Hiring Guide

Lexico is not a recognized programming language. It may be confused with Lex, which is a computer program that generates lexical analyzers and was developed by Mike Lesk and Eric Schmidt at Bell Labs. Lex reads an input stream specifying the lexical analyzer and outputs code implementing the lexer in the C programming language. The term "lexico" could also refer to anything related to lexicography or lexicon in linguistic terminology, but it does not represent any known programming language. Please ensure you have spelled your desired topic correctly or provided enough context for more accurate information.

Ask the right questions secure the right Lexico talent among an increasingly shrinking pool of talent.

First 20 minutes

General Lexico app knowledge and experience

The first 20 minutes of the interview should seek to understand the candidate's general background in Lexico application development, including their experience with various programming languages, databases, and their approach to designing scalable and maintainable systems.

How would you describe Lexico in your own words?
Lexico is a digital platform that provides a comprehensive dictionary and thesaurus service, utilizing data from Oxford University Press. It offers a wide range of language resources, including definitions, synonyms, grammar guides, and word origins.
What are some key features of Lexico?
Lexico offers a variety of features including bilingual dictionaries, word of the day, grammar guides, word origins, synonyms and antonyms, and other language resources.
Describe the difference between Lexico and a traditional dictionary.
While a traditional dictionary provides word definitions and usage, Lexico goes beyond that by providing a comprehensive digital language resource, including grammar guides, word origins, bilingual dictionaries, and thesaurus features.
How would you use Lexico to improve your language skills?
I would use Lexico's comprehensive language resources, including its grammar guides, word origins, and bilingual dictionaries to improve my vocabulary, grammar, and overall language understanding.
What are some of the challenges you might face as a Lexico developer?
As a Lexico developer, some challenges might include ensuring the accuracy of language data, dealing with different language structures and rules, and maintaining the user-friendly interface of the platform.
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What you’re looking for early on

Does the candidate have a solid understanding of Lexico's technology stack?
How well does the candidate communicate?
Is the candidate able to solve complex problems?
Does the candidate show a willingness to learn and adapt?

Next 20 minutes

Specific Lexico development questions

The next 20 minutes of the interview should focus on the candidate's expertise with specific backend frameworks, their understanding of RESTful APIs, and their experience in handling data storage and retrieval efficiently.

Describe the difference between using Lexico's thesaurus and a traditional thesaurus.
Lexico's thesaurus is digital and thus more easily searchable and accessible than a traditional thesaurus. It also offers synonyms and antonyms within the context of specific definitions, making it a more comprehensive language resource.
How would you handle a situation where a user reports an error in Lexico's data?
I would first verify the reported error, then correct the data if necessary. I would also look into the cause of the error to prevent similar issues in the future.
What are the key considerations when updating Lexico's language data?
Key considerations would include the accuracy of the new data, the relevance to users, and the integrity of the platform's existing data.
Describe the difference between Lexico's word origins feature and a traditional etymology dictionary.
Lexico's word origins feature provides the history of words within the context of their definitions, making it easier for users to understand the evolution of language. A traditional etymology dictionary, on the other hand, often only provides the origin of words without this additional context.
How would you ensure the accuracy of Lexico's language data?
I would ensure the accuracy of Lexico's language data by implementing rigorous quality control measures, including regular checks and updates, as well as a robust system for handling user-reported errors.
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The ideal back-end app developer

What you’re looking to see on the Lexico engineer at this point.

At this point, a skilled Lexico engineer should demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, proficiency in Lexico programming language, and knowledge of software development methodologies. Red flags include lack of hands-on experience, inability to articulate complex concepts, or unfamiliarity with standard coding practices.

Digging deeper

Code questions

These will help you see the candidate's real-world development capabilities with Lexico.

What does the following code do?
{
  "name": "John",
  "age": 30,
  "city": "New York"
}
This code defines a JSON object with three properties: name, age, and city. The values of these properties are "John", 30, and "New York" respectively.
What will be the output of the following code?
{
  "employees":[
    {"firstName":"John", "lastName":"Doe"},
    {"firstName":"Anna", "lastName":"Smith"},
    {"firstName":"Peter", "lastName":"Jones"}
  ]
}
This code defines a JSON object with a single property: employees. The value of this property is an array of objects, each with two properties: firstName and lastName.
What does the following code do?
{
  "books": [
    {
      "title": "Harry Potter",
      "author": "J.K. Rowling"
    },
    {
      "title": "Lord of the Rings",
      "author": "J.R.R. Tolkien"
    }
  ]
}
This code defines a JSON object with a single property: books. The value of this property is an array of objects, each representing a book with two properties: title and author.
What will be the output of the following code?
{
  "person": {
    "name": "John",
    "age": 30,
    "city": "New York",
    "cars": [
      "Ford",
      "BMW",
      "Fiat"
    ]
  }
}
This code defines a JSON object with a single property: person. The value of this property is another object with four properties: name, age, city, and cars. The value of the cars property is an array of strings.

Wrap-up questions

Final candidate for Lexico Developer role questions

The final few questions should evaluate the candidate's teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Additionally, assess their knowledge of microservices architecture, serverless computing, and how they handle Lexico application deployments. Inquire about their experience in handling system failures and their approach to debugging and troubleshooting.

What are the key considerations when developing new features for Lexico?
Key considerations would include the value of the new feature to users, the feasibility of its implementation, and its compatibility with Lexico's existing features and data.
Describe the difference between Lexico's grammar guides and traditional grammar books.
Lexico's grammar guides are digital and interactive, making them more accessible and user-friendly than traditional grammar books. They also provide real-time examples and explanations, making it easier for users to understand and apply grammar rules.
How would you handle a situation where a new feature you developed for Lexico is not well-received by users?
I would gather feedback from users to understand their concerns, then make necessary adjustments to improve the feature. If the feature is fundamentally flawed, I would consider removing it.

Lexico application related

Product Perfect's Lexico development capabilities

Beyond hiring for your Lexico engineering team, you may be in the market for additional help. Product Perfect provides seasoned expertise in Lexico projects, and can engage in multiple capacities.