Eight Keys to the Technical Interview

Interviews are nerve-wracking, especially now that most are virtual. The personal touch is diminished; you’re dealing with the vagaries of an Internet connection, cameras, background noises, and so on. These can throw anyone’s A-game. Preparing for an interview can be daunting in the IT industry, where some interviewers relish asking tough questions. So, given an opportunity, increase your chances of success with these tips:

Research the company and role

Have questions for the interviewer; but avoid ones that might reveal a lack of interest, commitment, and resourcefulness. For example, asking basic about the company and the role could show a lack of curiosity about the position. Instead, invest time researching the company and the position. Then leverage this knowledge in your responses or as a preamble to questions. For example, instead of “What does the company do”, try “I read the company does X, how does this position contribute to the business of X”.

Practice coding challenges

Some employers give live, timed coding challenges, or focus on technical discussions, or take-home coding exercises. Practice solving code challenges that require the basics of algorithms, sorting, iteration, data structures, and other elementary computer programming. Get comfortable with coding in a virtual environment, such as an online  integrated development environment (IDE).

Some interviewers expect a solution to the coding challenge, but some just want to know the thought process. Best walk them through and explain your methods in a concise and organized way as you go along. By doing this, you can show your technical and communication skills. Finally, write test cases for your solution and check for edge cases to ensure it works.

Prepare for behavioral questions

Most interviews, if not all, will include some behavioral questions. They are important as the technical interview since they reveal things about the job seeker’s personality and the probability of a cultural fit. Behavioral questions usually focus on a candidate’s past experiences to assess how they’ve navigated specific situations and resolved conflicts. These questions give the interviewer insights into a candidate’s problem-solving skills, management, and collaborative working style.

Be transparent and sincere

The interviewer often starts with, “Tell me about yourself.” This is a golden opportunity to sell yourself with a rehearsed script. While it is essential to highlight your skills and accomplishments, truthfulness and sincerity are paramount. Do not exaggerate or claim skills that are superficial. A follow-up question can easily reveal faking or embellishment. In addition, be prepared to talk in detail about everything on your resume or CV. If a detail is irrelevant or happened a long time ago, better to drop it from the resume.

Be familiar with industry trends

Stay updated on the latest trends and developments. Read industry publications, attend conferences, and follow industry leaders on social media. This background knowledge can inform your answers and questions.

Practice communication

Communication skills are critical in any role but especially so for interacting with stakeholders or customers. They are essential in resolving or preventing conflicts. When work is often online and remote, even more effort is needed to communicate. Interviewers want to see that candidates can express themselves well. So, practice your communication skills by speaking clearly and concisely in front of a mirror. Have a friend evaluate you through a mock interview; record yourself. Be prepared to explain technical concepts to non-technical people.

Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Results) Method

When answering interview questions, use specific examples to increase the impact of your answers. Structuring your pocket stories using the STAR method allows you to show your personality and simultaneously hit all your talking points. Prepare in advance some pocket stories from your professional past to help illustrate your positive attributes, contributions, or successes. Focus on  professional experiences rather than personal ones.

Be professional

Show up to the interview a few minutes early. Dress well, even if it is just an online interview. Do it in a room alone in the presence of good lighting. Use professional language; avoid slang,  profanity or unfavorable things about anyone in the industry. If you suddenly lose your stream of thought and get off course, take a moment to regroup.

Stay confident and calm your nerves

Take deep breaths and visualize success. Remember that you have been invited to the interview for a reason and that the interviewer wants to see you succeed. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses; don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something. Practice your main talking points; familiarity boosts confidence, and if you’re nervous, remember to slow down. You may need to be slightly louder, more emphatic, and cheerful since the screen will reduce a little bit of the impact you would have in person.

Following these tips can help with technical interviews. Remember it is a limited opportunity to sell yourself, showcase your skills, and demonstrate that you are the best candidate for the job, so the effort you put into preparation will pay off in future interviews.