If your interview will focus on a technology that you aren't intimately familiar with, the best thing you can do is study! Besides equipping you to answer any specific use-case questions your interviewer will have, having a solid understanding of the technology concepts in question will prepare you to think on your feet, and feel more confident in your responses. If you have professional connections who are well-versed in the technology, then consider asking them to conduct a mock interview and provide you with feedback on where you can improve. If not, there are a number of great online resources at your disposal. Consider a short online course from Udemy, Pluralsight, or LinkedIn Learning to brush up on the subject matter. Or, peruse user posts on the subject at a site like StackExchange to get insight into the questions (and answers) that are top of mind for other technologists.
Every technical interview and interviewer is different, so do some homework. Ask human resources and talk to recent hires or other candidates to gain insight into the types of questions being asked and the level of detail expected in your answers. And relax, if you're new to the workforce your technical expertise most likely will not be a perfect match against the job requirements. So focus on what you know and draw parallels when being asked about a specific problem or technology. A smart employer values attitude & aptitude over proven talent. They know the right attitude more often results in the employee taking the initiative to learn and apply newly-acquired knowledge to solve problems. As technology continues to advance at an ever-increasing rate, these traits will only grow in value over time. Show the interviewer your value and choose to be great!
Ask clarifying questions. Do not assume anything unless the interviewer asks you to. If there are multiple ways to answer the same question (for eg. fastest vs most efficient way to do something), provide all possible answers. And finally be honest and don'r be afraid to say "I don't know but I can learn", if you do not know the answer.
How you approach a technical question is just as important as arriving at a working solution. In a short window, interviewers need to evaluate your breadth and depth of skills. Take every opportunity to showcase your abilities and experience by talking through your thought process. Communicating how you identify problem constraints and evaluate trade-offs is a great way to impress an interviewer and ensure that you’re on the same page. This communication provides opportunities to display skills and experiences that may be relevant to the role, but not perfect for the current technical question. Talking through your thought process in real-time can also foster collaborative discussion, providing better insight into what it would be like to work with an interviewer in the future. [BS Computer Science ‘17 + MBA ‘21]
Congrats! You landed your dream interview. All of your hard work, long hours of study and internships have paid off. In addition to thoroughly preparing for your interview, remember to practice your ‘close’. Do I have your recommendation for the position? Based on our conversation today, do you feel that I am a good fit for the role? Be sure to ask with enough time left in the conversation so you can address any concerns your interviewer or panel might raise. Good luck! WP Carey Alum MBA, B.S. Economics, B.S. Management
A solid tip I was once given is to practice problem-solving under time constraints. A common interview practice in technical interviews, this will allow you to be more efficient and confident in the interview process. Research common time limits and problems for your area of expertise and then simulate real interview condition by setting a time while working on coding problems. The dual benefit is to improve your skills but also get you comfortable with what you can accomplish during the specified time limits. You will learn paths that don't work and your experience will make you more adaptable and better prepared to tackkle a variety of problems in a limited timeframe. MBA, 2019
Don't be afraid to ask what resources you can use! Ask if you can use Google search, Stack Overflow or any other technical resource. When giving answers to a technical survey, I care more that the candidate can get the right answer, not that they have syntax memorized. Even slight syntax mistakes won't be heavily penalized, but if you can find the answer via search, then that's just as good! B.S. Finance - 2009 Graduate
I would definitely recommend to practice mock technical interviews. It’s a great way to get into a relaxed headspace, get up to speed on the terminology, and learn how to most effectively present your skills. I would suggest doing this a few days before the actual interview so that you can really nail it.
One thing I wish I'd known when I was about to graduate was the value of connecting with existing employees of the companies I was interested in. It's more than just networking; it's about getting a real feel for the company culture and the technical nuances of the role. For example, I remember chatting with a software engineer from a leading tech firm at a career fair. She gave me an insider's view of the technical interview process and even shared some specific questions they often asked. This conversation was invaluable in my preparation and boosted my confidence enormously. So, I'd definitely recommend reaching out to professionals in your desired field. Believe me, it can make a world of difference.
As a CEO of an app and web dev company, I would recommend practicing problem-solving and coding challenges regularly: during technical interviews we often test such problem-solving skills of the candidates we meet, and practicing coding challenges can help you in sharpening them. Candidates must also review the basics of data structures, algorithms, and computer science concepts. I would highly recommend researching the company beforehand and understand the specific technologies used in the company's products or services. There are candidates who send dozens of CVs to different companies and they do not even know basic facts about the company “they dream to work in”. Prove it is not your B C D plan! Prepare responses to common TI questions and practice explaining your thought process, as interviewers often look for clear and effective communication skills. Lastly, don't be afraid to ask questions: confident communication is key to a successful technical interview.
Always send a thank you note after an interview. While handwritten is preferred, an email will suffice and may also start the conversation about a second interview. Thank the manager for their time and how you enjoyed learning about the company. If you don't receive a response, consider following up next week.
In an interview, being able to communicate one's understanding of technical documentation is imperative, as it can demonstrate an individual's technical skills and ability to effectively communicate complex information. Most technical projects are converting to an agile development mindset, which is fast paced. It is common for projects to have gaps in documentation, and by being able to communicate your understanding of the importance of technical documentation as well as how you would tackle the creation and maintenance of documentation in parallel of development would absolutely help you stand out! An audit today of 50%+ of projects would display documentation gaps. Edward Pinela MBA, Graduated in 2017
"You're doing your own due diligence and running a process as much as the company you're interviewing with is. For example, two questions for the hiring manager could be, "what are you currently working on and what's keeping you up at night?" That will open up a more candid dialog with your interviewer. You're going to get up in the morning and work there, the more data you can gather the more informed your decision will be. Plus, you'll be able to see their thought process, how the company makes decisions, delivers projects and even get a glimpse into their culture. You'd be surprised on what you find. Finally, at the end, always ask "have you heard enough today that we're ready to take the next steps, and where are you at in your interview process?" - Jordan (Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Business)