What if you could walk into an interview, whether virtual or physical, wearing confidence like a coat, looking calm and collected? Imagine not getting anxious before your interview and being fully prepared for what is to come. That is the dream of everyone who has just entered the interview stage of the hiring process. And believe it or not, this dream is not as far-fetched as you might imagine. With the right preparation and strategy, you can leave your anxiety at the door and ace your interview like a pro.
Now the question is, how do you prepare for a tech interview?
1. Research and Find Out More About the Company and Your Role: Before the interview, you need to take your time to understand what the company is about, what they do, and their mission. In fact, go as far as researching who the company’s competitors are. Also, try to understand what your role is going to be in the company, this will help you know the skills that will be required of you. You can check their website and social media pages to get a sense of their work environment and culture.
If you know the name of your interviewer, it is always advisable to use LinkedIn to check out their background and look for mutual connections.
2. Prepare for Interview Questions: Most interview questions have both a behavioural and technical section. One thing you should know is that every field has common interview questions, so research to know the kind of questions your interviewer will ask relating to your field. There are websites like HackerRank, Pramp, Leetcode, Exponent, Interview.io, etc that allow you to practice mock tech interviews, and for your non-tech answers, you can use the STAR method to structure them.
3. Prepare to Prove Your Value by Talking About Your Experience: Your resume got you the interview, but now is the time to talk about your skills. You can start by talking them through your real-world experience, and show them your personal projects, GitHub contributions, or certifications. Talk about your achievements using numbers. For example, you can say you improved user experience by 40% in less than 6 months. If you do not have enough experience, talk about your transferable skills from previous jobs, internships, or volunteer work.
4. Ask Thoughtful Questions During Your Interview: At the end of the interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. Always say YES. Some questions you can ask are:
- What does success look like in this role?
- What are the biggest challenges your team is currently facing?
- Can you tell me more about the team I will be working with?
One thing you should avoid doing is asking about salary and benefits in the first interview unless your interviewer brings it up first.
5. Always Follow Up After The Interview: Within 24 hours after your interview, send a thank-you email to the company. Try to keep it short and professional. You can start by thanking the interviewer for their time, then reaffirm your interest in the role and mention something you discussed or learned in the interview.
Always keep in mind that your interviewers are human just like yourself and knowing more about them before the interview can help ease your anxiety. Don’t doubt yourself, take a deep breath before the interview, imagine yourself there answering all the questions smoothly, and positively affirm that you are good enough and you can do it.
Lastly, during the interview, try to maintain eye contact, pause before answering any questions, and always remember to smile.
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