Top 20 Interview Questions & Answers for COBOL Programmer Roles – 2025

If you’re aiming for a career as a COBOL programmer, you need to demonstrate strong technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deep understanding of the COBOL language. To help you prepare for your next interview, we’ve compiled a list of the top 20 interview questions and answers specifically tailored for COBOL programmers.

General Questions

• 1. Tell me a bit about your background and experience with COBOL?
  This question gives you the opportunity to showcase your experience and qualifications as a COBOL programmer. Briefly mention your educational background, any relevant certifications, and highlight any significant projects or achievements in your career related to COBOL programming.
• 2. What excites you about working with COBOL?
  This question helps employers assess your enthusiasm and passion for the job. Talk about why you enjoy working with COBOL, any interesting projects or challenges you’ve encountered using the language, and how it aligns with your career goals.

Behavioral Questions

• 3. Can you tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex COBOL program?
  This question tests your problem-solving abilities and gives you the chance to showcase your experience working with COBOL. Share a specific example of a difficult COBOL program you successfully troubleshot, outlining the steps you took to identify and resolve the issue.
• 4. How do you prioritize and manage your workload as a COBOL programmer?
  As a COBOL programmer, you’ll often be working on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously. Employers want to see how you manage your workload and prioritize tasks effectively. Share your strategies for staying organized and meeting deadlines, and include an example of a time when you had to juggle various tasks while still delivering high-quality work.
• 5. Tell me about a time when you had to work collaboratively with a team on a COBOL project?
  Working in a team is a crucial aspect of COBOL programming. Employers are looking for candidates who can effectively collaborate with others to achieve a common goal. Describe your experience working in a team on a COBOL project and highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Situational Questions

• 6. You’ve encountered an error in a COBOL program. Walk me through your process for debugging and fixing it.
  This question evaluates your technical skills and problem-solving approach. Start by explaining how you identify the error and the steps you take to debug and fix it. Be sure to mention any techniques or tools you use, such as trace techniques or debugging programs.
• 7. Imagine you are working on a COBOL project with a strict deadline. How do you ensure the project is completed on time?
  This question assesses your time management and prioritization skills. Talk about your process for breaking down the project into smaller tasks, setting realistic timelines, and regularly monitoring your progress. Highlight any strategies or tools you use to ensure timely delivery, such as project management software.

Technical Questions

• 8. What are the different levels of data division in COBOL?
  This question evaluates your technical knowledge of COBOL. List the four initial levels of the data division – file section, working-storage section, local-storage section, and linkages section – and briefly explain the purpose of each.
• 9. What is the difference between INDEX and SEARCH in COBOL?
  This question tests your understanding of key COBOL concepts. Explain that INDEX and SEARCH are used to find data within a file, but INDEX searches only within a sorted file while SEARCH searches any file. INDEX also has more parameters to specify which record to retrieve, making it more efficient for large files.
• 10. How do you handle error conditions in a COBOL program?
  Error handling is a fundamental aspect of COBOL programming. Employers want to see that you can handle errors efficiently and effectively. Mention that error handling is accomplished through the use of status keys and explain how you would use them to handle different types of errors.

Cultural Fit Questions

• 11. What do you think is the most important quality a COBOL programmer should possess?
  This question gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the role and the qualities it requires. Explain that a COBOL programmer should have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, should be detail-oriented and organized, and should continuously update their skills to keep up with industry advancements.
• 12. How do you stay updated on the latest developments in the COBOL language?
  Employers are looking for candidates who are committed to continuous learning and staying updated on industry advancements. Share any resources you use to keep up-to-date, such as attending conferences, participating in online forums, or reading industry blogs and publications.

Experience with Specific Tools and Technologies

• 13. Have you worked with COBOL-DB2 integration? If yes, tell me about your experience.
  Some employers require COBOL programmers with experience in specific tools and technologies. If you have experience with COBOL-DB2 integration, explain your role and responsibilities, and highlight any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
• 14. What experience do you have with COBOL-based web development?
  COBOL is not typically associated with web development, but some companies use it for web-based applications. If you have experience in this area, talk about the projects you’ve worked on and the tools and technologies you used to create user-friendly and efficient web applications using COBOL.

Professional Development Questions

• 15. What motivated you to become a COBOL programmer?
  This question gives employers insight into what drives you as a COBOL programmer. Share a personal experience or a specific reason why you chose to pursue a career in COBOL programming, and highlight any aspects of the job that you find particularly fulfilling.
• 16. What are your long-term career goals as a COBOL programmer?
  Employers want to know that you are committed to your career and have a plan for growth. Share your long-term career goals, and explain how you plan to achieve them, whether it’s through gaining more experience, taking on leadership roles, or pursuing specialized certifications.

Company-Specific Questions

• 17. What interests you about working for our company as a COBOL programmer?
  This question allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the company. Show that you’ve done your research by mentioning specific aspects of the company that interest you, such as their values, product or service offerings, or company culture.
• 18. What unique skills and qualities do you bring to our organization as a COBOL programmer?
  This question enables you to highlight your strengths and how they align with the company’s needs. Mention skills and qualities that set you apart from other COBOL programmers, such as strong communication skills, a passion for problem-solving, or experience working with a diverse range of industries.

Salary and Benefits Questions

• 19. What salary are you expecting as a COBOL programmer?
  This question may come up during the interview process, so it’s essential to be prepared. Research the average salary for COBOL programmers in your area and use that as a baseline. Additionally, consider the company’s size, location, and industry, and adjust your expectations accordingly.
• 20. What benefits are you seeking as a COBOL programmer?
  When considering a job offer, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the benefits package. Think about the benefits that are significant to you, such as health insurance, retirement plans, or professional development opportunities, and be prepared to negotiate for them if necessary.