Tips for Tech Job Interview Preparation
There is more to interview prep than you think; its not just code skills!
I have interviewed hundreds of people over the years and one thing that always stands out is if people have prepared for the interview or not. You can be the worlds most amazing person, but come off terribly in interviews. I am always gutted when this happens, even when I really try to get the info I am looking for out of people.
One thing I understood once I was on the other side of interviews, is that you have a very narrow window to convince the person that you meet the bar to pass onto the next stage. If its the hiring manager, they 100% want you to succeed as they are probably very keen on getting someone into the role.
Good companies who have the budget, will make sure to give lots advice to people about how to do interviews. I have put this together, partly for friends and mentees of mine, but also in a hope that anyone who sits in an interview with me has done these things and they can put their best self across.
Preparation
Preparing for an interview with a company involves a blend of technical preparation, understanding the company culture, and readying yourself for behavioural questions. Here’s a structured plan to help you prepare effectively:
1. Understand the Company and Role
I am genuinely surprised when someone has not done this step as it was drilled into me early on in my career. It is very hard to put someone forward unless they have at least the basic knowledge of what they are applying for.
- Research the Company: Gain a good understanding of the company’s core business, its products, and the industry it operates in. Review their website, read their blog, and familiarize yourself with their latest news and offerings.
- Role Specifics: Know the specific requirements and responsibilities of the role you are applying for. This information will help you focus your preparation on what’s most relevant.
- Why do you want to join this company/role: Have an answer for this and make it clear and concise.
2. Technical Preparation
- Core Technologies: If you’re applying for a technical role, ensure you’re proficient in the relevant technologies used by the company. This might include programming languages, frameworks, or specific tools. You can take a look at their Github or take a look at the employees on LinkedIn to see what they are using. This will also help with your onboarding.
- Project Familiarity: If possible, engage in a personal or open-source project that uses technologies similar to those used by the company. Be prepared to discuss your project, your role, the challenges faced, and the solutions you implemented. Being able to demonstrate you are passionate about tech and its not just a 9–5 job for you will go along way.
- System Design: Even if its not a full on system design interview, you may be asked about different types of architect or how you would go about things. You may even be asked about doing back of envelope numbers. Check out my other two posts on this:
System Design
Back of envelope calculations cheat sheet - Coding Practice: If you are expecting a coding interview, brush up on your coding skills by solving problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal, focusing on areas like data structures, algorithms, and system design. Better yet, get this book:
3. Behavioral Interview Preparation
- STAR Method: Organize your responses to behavioral questions using the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) format. This method ensures your answers are clear and structured.
- Common Questions: Prepare for typical behavioral questions such as:
- What was the most challenging project you have worked on, and how did you handle it?
- How do you manage tight deadlines and project demands?
- Can you describe a time when you had to learn a new technology or framework quickly?
- Practice your answers and make every second count in a clear and concise way.
- Your Questions: Make sure you have some good questions prepared as well. The people interviewing you will see what you ask as a reflection of whats important to you. If you don’t have any anything good, it also looks bad and like you are uncaring or not organised.
4. Company-Specific Preparation
- Product Knowledge: Have a thorough understanding of the company’s products or services. Consider what sets them apart from their competitors.
- Vision and Values: Learn about the company’s mission and values. Reflect on how your personal and professional values align with the company.
5. Mock Interviews
- Practice: Engage in mock interviews with peers or mentors who have experience in tech interviews.
6. Logistical Preparation
- Resume and Documents: Make sure your resume is up-to-date and clearly outlines experiences and projects relevant to the role. If you have a recruiter friend, you can ask them to look over it.
- Interview Setup: If the interview is remote, check your internet connection, webcam, and microphone ahead of time. Ensure your interview environment is quiet and professional.
7. Review and Relax
- Review: The day before the interview, go over your notes and relax. Make sure to get a good night’s sleep.
- Plan Your Day: Plan to arrive on time or log in early, preparing everything you need at least an hour before the interview starts.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-equipped to give a strong performance during your interview. Good luck!
