Nailing Your First Tech Interview: Insider Tips from a Hiring Bar Raiser

Imagine walking into your first Big Tech interview, not knowing what to expect. Nervous? Excited? You might feel the pressure to be perfect, but here’s a reality check: perfection isn’t the goal—showing your potential is.

As a Hiring Bar Raiser at Amazon and earlier in my career, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing over 1,000 candidates, and one truth stands out: the goal is selection, not rejection. We want to hire you. We understand that you're just starting out, and you might not know all the answers—we’ve all been there. What we’re really looking for is how you think, how you approach challenges, and how you adapt.

If you're preparing for your first Big Tech interview, here are a few lessons I’ve learned from the other side of the table that could help you succeed.

1. Showcase Your Problem-Solving Process, Not Just the Answer

Early in my career as a Hiring Bar Raiser, I interviewed a candidate for a software engineering role. They were presented with a challenging algorithm problem and, admittedly, didn’t arrive at the perfect solution. However, what impressed me was how they broke down the problem. They clarified their assumptions, identified edge cases, and asked insightful questions to make sure they were on the right track.

What stood out was their ability to show their thought process. They didn’t focus on jumping to the answer, but instead walked us through their reasoning. This is exactly what we look for in candidates.

Actionable Tip:

When solving technical problems, don’t rush to get to the final answer. Explain your reasoning as you go. Think aloud, clarify assumptions, and talk through potential trade-offs. Companies like Amazon, Google, and others in Big Tech are more interested in seeing how you think and approach problems than whether you get the exact solution right every time.

2. Be Ready for Behavioural Questions

A common part of Big Tech interviews is behavioural questions. I often see candidates freeze when asked questions like, “Tell me about a time you failed,” or, “Describe a conflict you had with a teammate.” Many think that failure is a bad thing in an interview, but that’s not true at all.

We expect failures. In fact, failure is a key part of growth. What matters most is how you respond to failure and what you learned from the experience. In one interview, a candidate shared how they led a project that ultimately missed its deadline. What impressed me was not the missed deadline, but how they took responsibility, led the post-mortem analysis, and came up with a process to ensure better time management in future projects. This demonstrated ownership, resilience, and a growth mindset—qualities that are highly valued.

Actionable Tip:

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses to behavioural questions. When discussing failures or challenges, focus on what you learned and how you applied those lessons to improve in future situations. This shows you’re adaptive and committed to personal and professional growth.

3. Embrace Collaboration and Leadership

Big Tech companies don’t just look for technical prowess—they value collaboration and leadership at all levels. I once interviewed a fresher who impressed us not because of their technical expertise (which was good), but because of the way they talked about leading a cross-functional team during a hackathon. Instead of focusing on authority, they emphasised how they brought the team together, resolved conflicts, and ensured open communication.

At Amazon, we value leaders who can foster collaboration, influence others without relying on a formal title, and create environments where teams can thrive.

Actionable Tip:

Even if you don’t have formal leadership experience, talk about moments where you influenced outcomes or fostered collaboration. Leadership is not just about managing people—it’s about influencing, guiding, and working effectively within teams.

4. It’s Okay to Ask Questions

There’s often a misconception that asking questions in an interview is a sign of weakness or lack of preparation. But in reality, asking smart questions is one of the best ways to stand out. I’ve seen strong candidates lose momentum by diving into a problem without first asking important clarifying questions. It’s the candidates who take a moment to ensure they fully understand the problem, identify constraints, or ask about edge cases who tend to perform best.

For instance, I recently interviewed a candidate who asked, “Can I assume the input size will remain consistent, or could it vary significantly?” This simple clarifying question showed they were thinking critically about the problem before attempting a solution.

Actionable Tip:

Ask clarifying questions before jumping into a solution. This shows that you’re thoughtful, careful, and thorough. It also helps you avoid common mistakes that arise from misinterpreting the problem.

5. Cultural Fit Matters

Every company has a unique culture. At Amazon, we operate by a set of Leadership Principles, and we evaluate candidates based on how well they align with these values. I’ve interviewed technically brilliant candidates who struggled because they didn’t show alignment with the company’s principles.

In one instance, a candidate was excellent technically, but during a behavioral question about teamwork, they didn’t demonstrate the customer obsession or collaboration we prioritise at Amazon. The result? They didn’t make it through the process, despite their technical skills.

Actionable Tip:

Before your interview, spend time researching the company’s culture and values. Be ready to discuss how you align with these values. Whether it’s Amazon’s Leadership Principles or Google’s commitment to innovation, showing that you understand and connect with the company’s culture can give you an edge.

6. Stay Calm and Be Yourself

Interviews are nerve-wracking—I’ve been there myself. But here’s something important: it’s okay to take a moment. Some of the best candidates I’ve interviewed have paused to gather their thoughts when faced with a tough question. I remember one candidate who, instead of rushing to respond, took a deep breath and said, “Let me think about that for a moment.” That simple pause, followed by a clear and thoughtful answer, showed confidence and composure.

Actionable Tip:

When faced with a tough question, don’t be afraid to pause and collect your thoughts. Take a deep breath, focus, and walk through your thinking. Staying calm and composed leaves a lasting impression and shows maturity under pressure.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, interviews are not just about technical expertise—they’re about demonstrating your thought process, adaptability, and potential. You don’t have to be perfect; you just need to show that you can grow, adapt, and contribute.

So, if you're a fresher or preparing for your first Big Tech interview, focus on being prepared, thoughtful, and most importantly, be yourself. That’s what will make you stand out.

If you know someone who could benefit from these insights, feel free to share this article with them. And I'd love to hear from you—what’s one piece of interview advice that’s helped you in your career? Let’s share and help each other grow!

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