Technical interviews can be complicated and seem to be defined differently by every organization, so it’s not surprising that candidates can find them difficult to prepare for and even anxiety-provoking. After all, how do you prepare when you don’t know if you’re walking into a technical coding challenge; will be asked to "tell me about what you built,"; or even given a random brain teaser to solve, like “how many gallons of water are in the ocean?”
Despite the abstract nature of technical interviews, there’s still a lot you can do to prepare yourself. I've compiled a list of tips that will help you successfully put your best foot forward and ace your next technical interview!?
Mastering Your Technical Interview: Tips for Success
Come Well Prepared: Make a lasting impression by being punctual and dressing professionally.?
- For video interviews, ensure your internet and equipment are working flawlessly.
- Do thorough company research and be ready to discuss specific aspects that interest you, showcasing your genuine passion for the company mission.?
- Know Common Problems and Algorithms: Familiarize yourself with common interview problems and coding questions but avoid relying on memorized solutions. Be prepared to write code or engage in whiteboarding sessions.
- Utilize and Review Documentation: Before the interview, consult standard library, framework, and package documentation for whichever core language(s) are your expertise and you will be interviewing for. Companies will want to know you have experience in and knowledge of the latest and most modern technology stacks.
- Start Off Strong: The first few minutes are crucial. Deliver a concise, engaging introduction highlighting your interests, experiences, skills, accomplishments, and career goals. Tailor your introduction to the industry or person you're speaking with.
- Treat the Interview as a Collaboration: Approach the interview as a collaborative problem-solving session. Maintain good eye contact and confident body language as you engage with the interviewer and team. Be personable and show your best self; soft skills and cultural fit are essential considerations for employers.
- Show Your Passion for Tech: Demonstrate enthusiasm for coding and technology through extracurricular activities, side projects, or open-source contributions. Employers value candidates with a genuine interest in the field beyond financial incentives.
- Talk Out Your Problem-Solving and Reasoning Process: Explain your thought process and problem-solving approach during tough questions. This will demonstrate your critical thinking abilities and make you more memorable to the interviewer. Project and pause to give the interviewer time to process and ask follow-up questions.
- Stay in a Logical Flow: During debugging or investigating potential issues, maintain a logical flow in your thought process. Avoid haphazardly changing code or ideas and show a systematic approach to problem-solving.
- What's Better Than Solving a Problem in a Technical Interview? Solving it Twice: Showcase flexibility and adaptability by offering multiple solutions for a problem. Explore different scenarios and paradigms to demonstrate your ability to think creatively.
- Show What you know: Look for opportunities to highlight your knowledge and expertise. Discuss real-life applications, codebase improvements, and tradeoffs to demonstrate a deeper understanding of technical concepts.
- Don't be Afraid to Share Your Opinions, When Applicable: Show technical maturity by sharing your opinions, but do so carefully, especially if they differ from the interviewer's perspective. Be open to discussing and defending your viewpoints.
- Don't Dwell on Mistakes: During the interview, be comfortable asking clarifying questions. It shows your willingness to understand the problem thoroughly. If you make a mistake, stay composed and focus on the rest of the interview. Interviewers understand that mistakes happen and are more interested in how you handle challenges.
- Never End an Answer With "I Don't Know": Instead of simply saying you do not know, demonstrate your willingness to learn and problem-solving strategy to figure things out. Employers value candidates who take initiative and are eager to find solutions.
- Always Play for the Team: Emphasize your collaborative mindset during the interview. Show awareness of the project's context, acknowledge team expertise, and explicitly communicate your values as a collaborative team member.
- End the Interview with Appreciation: Conclude the interview by expressing gratitude to the interviewer for their time and consideration. It leaves a positive and professional impression as you conclude the interview. Send a follow-up email to the recruiter and team. Thank you goes a long way!
