Mastering the Tech Industry Interview: 7 Tips for Candidates and Employees

As Damia Portugal celebrates its 7th anniversary, I’ve been reflecting on one of the things that has made a real difference throughout the years: the importance of the tech interview and how it can be mastered. In this people-oriented industry, it all comes down to how this fundamental and short moment of interaction goes. Here are my 7 essential tips to help employers and candidates conquer this moment and create memorable recruitment experiences.

Let’s dive in! ??

1. Start with Preparation??

• For candidates: Your preparation is your fortress. Research the company’s website, Glassdoor, Teamlyzer (in Portugal), and Indeed, to understand their product and the role you are applying for and check how your experience matches the job. Remember, don't just prepare for what you think they will ask, try to anticipate what you would ask if you were on the other side of the table. Practice your speech beforehand and make sure you are confident in your storytelling. Prepare specific examples that showcase your experiences, your role in each one, and the skills you have developed.
• For employers: Build a solid interview structure where you can share more about the company, the role, and why the person should join you. The real engagement with the candidate will start here, in the moment you meet him. The interview is more than asking questions, but also knowing how to sell. Besides good storytelling, prepare questions that dig deep, knowing what skills and qualities you're looking for. Good preparation will keep you focused and prevent the interview from going off track. Make sure you know what you want and what you should be looking for.?

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2. Communication can make or break a relationship?

• For candidates: Communicate clearly and honestly. If you don't know something, it's better to admit it and show a willingness to learn than to fumble an answer. Employers appreciate humility and a willingness to learn. Make sure communication is flowing and the interviewer is getting to know who you are. The best interviews feel like natural conversations and not so much as a police interrogation.?
• For employers: Make sure you're clear about what the role involves, what the culture is like and what you're looking for in a candidate. Not only will this help candidates give better answers, but it will also set the stage for a transparent relationship. Remember that Tech is still a candidate-driven market and most of the times Talent picks you, and not the opposite. How you communicate and sell your project is paramount to attracting the best of the best.?

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4. Cultural fit is more important than you think??

• For candidates: Be yourself. The best way to find the right job is to be honest about who you are and what you're looking for. If a company's culture doesn't feel like a good fit, it's okay to walk away - it's better to find the right fit than to settle and feel like leaving after a short period. Try to feel connected with the hiring manager and your future team leader. If something feels off, it could be a red flag.
• For employers: Employer branding can make or break your recruitment process. Showcase to candidates what makes your organisation unique - your values, your working environment and model, and the benefits that come with the job. Candidates want to know they're joining a place that aligns with their own values, where they will be respected and valued and can truly prosper.??

5. Tech Challenges/Technical Interviews are OK for highly skilled roles??

• For candidates: This is your arena! Show off your skills, but don't forget to explain your thought process clearly. Employers are not just looking for the right answer, but how you got there. Approach these challenges or live tech interviews like a gladiator - bold, strategic and ready to win.??

You should make sure you are proficient in the relevant technologies used by the company. You can check employees’s github pages to check what they have been using and use that knowledge in the interview with examples of similar things you have worked on. Be prepared to discuss the details in depth.

Most companies will focus on validating general computer science concepts like algorithms, design patterns and data structures. These core skills should always be in your vocabulary.?

If your recruitment process involves technical exercises, you can prepare and brush up your coding skills by solving problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal.??

In a Systems Design role interview, you may also be asked about different types of architecture and how your process would be. ??

• For employers: Use technical challenges or technical live interviews to assess a candidate's real-world skills. Make these tasks relevant to the job and use them to see how a candidate thinks and solves problems under pressure.??

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6. Questions must flow both ways?

• For candidates: Don't be afraid to ask your questions! It shows that you want to get involved and are interested in the project. This is your chance to determine if the company is the right fit for you. Ask about the team culture and composition; the role's challenges; the project's objectives and the growth opportunities. The interviewer will interpret what you ask as a reflection of what’s important to you. If you don’t have anything prepared, you could be interpreted as uncaring. ?
• For employers: Your questions should reveal the layers of a candidate's experience. Also, you are trying to get to know the human being in front of you. Ask about past projects, how they've tackled challenges and how they approach problem-solving. You're looking for depth and resourcefulness. Enrich the conversation with personal questions that reveal who that person is, what it likes, what hobbies it has, how it works within a team... Cultural fit is as important as technical fit.?

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7. The interview is about the beginning of a relationship ??

• For candidates: The interview process is a two-way street. It's not just about getting the job; it's about making connections that could benefit you in the future. Follow up with a thank-you note and keep in touch even if it doesn't work out the first time. It’s a small world, after all.??

Healthy relationships are adaptive. You should always prepare to demonstrate how you can work and adapt to new technologies and the evolving Tech landscape. Employees must know that you will not only keep up but will make an effort to stay ahead. No two workplaces are the same and adaptability will make you a true champion.?

• For employers: The interview is a process that can start a new professional relationship. You’re trying to find a new person to enter your “home” and work with you everyday. Even if a candidate isn't the right fit now, they could be in the future. They could also recommend someone else for the job. Treat each candidate with respect and leave them with a positive impression of your company. With all the AI and automation tools that are available, don’t ever lose the human touch in an interview.??

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Wrapping up:

Interviews can be challenging and are always different, but we can find common points that are present in the best, most productive and interesting ones, also with the best results. Going in with an open mind is a win-win for both employers and candidates.

It doesn't matter which side you are on, just remember: the interview is just the beginning of an incredible journey. Approach it with curiosity, honesty, respect, and a willingness to learn, and you'll build something truly wonderful.

Damia Group Portugal, Tech Recruitment Experts