How to Ace your Technical Interview in IT?
Beat all odds and Get Hired!!!
I have interviewed 1000s of potential candidate across the globe in 10 years of my IT experience. In this article, I will list down key element that you can concentrate and improve to ace your technical interview.
Where do you think an interview begin? If you thought it begins when you enter the interview call, then think again. Your interview begins at the moment when you submit your resume for the desire position. Make sure your resume is flawless, and you know everything in your resume.
All the below points are from my experience from what I observed to what has been delivered by the candidates.
Tell me about yourself
This is the first question asked by 95% of the interviewer and the most crucial one. Answering this question will lay the foundation for rest of follow up questions that will come along your way. Also, this answer will convey the interviewer about your confidence and how well you have prepared.
Make sure you speak for minimum of 2 mins to not more than 5 mins explaining about your experience/projects, your roles and responsibilities.
Common mistakes that I have observed. Please avoid these mistakes:
- Taking forever to finish answering this section or completing in one or two sentences.
- Explaining everything until the interviewer intervene
- Explaining about personal lives
- Talking without any pause in the sentence
- Starting with great explanation and ending your answer in halfway
Scenario based Explanation
If 10 questions were asked, then try to response with a scenario for at least 3 that closely relates to you. Responding with scenarios will help interviewer to understand how well you have managed certain task and what you have exactly worked on.
Don’t explain your answers in one word or one sentence. Also, if you don’t know what to continue after answering to the questions then you can always use this method to expand your answer with situation. Be prepared with your scenarios for known questions. This will let the interviewer know about your confidence and in-depth knowledge.
Structured response
Another way to response to the question is structing your answer by explaining past, present and future. When interviewer asked you a question, the immediate response is one-line or direct answer. Instead try structuring your response, like what you have done on your past, what you are currently doing and how you will be better.
This will let the interviewer know that you are well prepared and gives a sense of confidence. You can always take 30 sec to min to answer your response. Inform your interviewer by asking for time to collect your thoughts and prepare the structure response. Use this response one or two times in the whole interview. Make sure you don’t over-do.
‘I don’t know’ is fine
Many fails here when the interview asks a question which you are not aware then you can always say I don’t know, but I have worked on similar.
Also, don’t end your sentence only by mentioning I don’t know. Elaborate it with different instance you have worked.
Quantify your Achievements
Where you can in the interview try quantifying the results you achieved.
For example,
I have done process change and help save $X which led to wider team. …
or
I have completed 15 UAT testing and 10 Production successfully. …
These will give great impression to the interviewer about your success steak and know the value you provide to the table.
Questions to Interviewer
Asking interviewer questions is a great way of expressing your interest towards the company and the role. Always prepare questions before the interview about the company, roles, hierarchy and so on.
Conclusion Note to Interviewer
One of the most important part of the interview is your conclusion note. Now you know all the questions asked, you will have a glimpse of what they are looking for and your suitability. Now it’s time for your conclusion note, explain your skill set with all the knowledge and why they need to hire you. This will leave a great impression to the interviewer.
Even if the interviewer doesn’t ask you: do you have anything to add? You can still reach out before end of the interview, mentioning that you would like to add a note before closing.
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