Technical interviews have become a challenging yet rewarding process to follow up for candidates interested in acquiring roles related to software development and other analogous fields. Generally, technical interviews come under several stages, each designed to check specific skills and qualities. This blog leads through the major stages of the technical interview process and the important skills to be acquired.
An Introduction to Your Profile
Phone Screen:
- The first interaction with a recruiter or hiring manager is usually through the phone screen. It is mainly intended to judge one’s qualifications, technical knowledge, and communication skills.
- Preparation can include checking and fine-tuning one’s CV according to the position while being prepared to answer any questions about their experience, key projects, and technical expertise.
Problem-Solving in Action
Coding Tests:
- These tests check your level of efficiency in solving programming problems. They might be working with algorithms, data structures, or debugging assignments.
- You can practice on LeetCode, HackerRank or CodeSignal, for instance; this will help you gain confidence. Practice clean, optimised and well-documented code within the time allocated.
Showcasing Architectural Skills
System Design Interviews:
- In this phase, candidates are required to design scalable and reliable systems. You might be asked to conceptualise components of a system, like a social media platform or an e-commerce site.
- The key skills would be understanding databases, distributed systems and API design. Use diagrams and clear explanations to articulate your ideas well.
Cultural and Team Fit
Behavioural Interviews:
- Behavioural questions assess your soft skills, including teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution. Companies often want to know how you’ve handled challenges in the past.
- Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework to tell compelling stories that describe your ability to solve problems and be adaptable in any situation.
Advanced Knowledge Testing
Technical Deep Dives:
- This will involve specific technologies, tools, or frameworks that apply to the job. For example, you may be asked to name programming languages, software development life cycles, or cloud platforms.
- Stay abreast of the latest developments in your domain; be prepared to share specific, hands-on experience with tools and frameworks like Angular, React, or Kubernetes.
Final On-Site or Virtual Interview
Comprehensive Evaluation:
- Frequently, the final round entails multiple sessions covering coding, system design and behavioural assessments. It is a comprehensive evaluation of your technical and interpersonal skills.
- To succeed, practice mock interviews, manage to keep calm and ask clarifying questions when needed.
Preparing for Interview
The process of technical interviewing demands preparation, focus and adaptability. Here are some tips on how to increase your chances of success:
Regular Practice: Allocate time for practice with coding challenges and system design problems.
Networking: Associate with industry professionals to derive valuable insights on company-specific interview processes.
Feedback and Reflection: After the interviews, gather feedback to identify weaknesses.
Conclusion
Technical interviews require well-rounded preparation, including coding, designing systems, and communication. As part of improving your preparation, the London School of Emerging Technology (LSET) offers a Technical Interview Preparation Bootcamp, targeted at helping you master the techniques and approaches to acing any technical interview. The bootcamp would then focus on real-world case studies, henceforth providing hands-on training to fill any gap between theory and practice. Take advantage of the 50% discount until Black Friday, November 29. Enrol now and transform your career prospects. Click on the LSET Bootcamp page for more information.