This question is to check your Java experience. It could be asked as “What is your Java experience?”, or “Tell us what (projects) you’ve worked with Java?”
Using Java, you can develop any kinds of applications, — client/server, web-based, embedded, wireless, you name it. In today’s business world, Java is most likely used to build web-based, enterprise-wide systems. In the past years, Java SWING had been used to develop client/server desktop based, GUI rich applications. Therefore, if you are not sure what specific skills an employer want, the best approach is to present your knowledge and experience in developing SWING based client/server applications and web applications with JavaBeans and J2EE technologies like JSP, Servlet, and EJB.
Here’s an example answer:
“I started to program in Java 6 years ago and have developed many Java applications. My first Java project was a client/server application using Java SWING. All of my resent works are related to Java and J2EE based web applications. The project I am working now is a multi-tier web-based Java J2EE application, it’s contact management system for a state agency. I coded JSP pages for the presentation tier, build many JavaBeans for business logic processing on the middle tier, I also developed a few EJBs for business data persistence on the J2EE server.”
What if you don’t have real-life Java experience? Do your homework. Java is free, so if you know you would be asked with Java related questions, then build some quick experience by yourself and then sell them to the interview. Here’s how you could do it.
Download Java JDK and a middle tier application server like Tomcat or JBoss, they are all free. Follow the instructions to setup your local Java development environment. Then code a few JSP pages and JavaBeans, here you get Java development experience. If you have time, test a pilot project in your work. So on the interview you can say something like:
“I’ve spend a lot time to build hands-on Java skills and experience in the past years. I have my own local Java development and have learned a lot of the latest Java/J2EE technologies. Recently I just started a pilot project with our company to convert a Budget Reporting System from PowerBuilder to the Web-based Java/J2EE platform. I implemented Tomcat as the application server and programmed many JSP pages, JavaBeans, and Servlets for this system.”
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