Suppose you’re called for your coding interview. In that case, you’re about to face a very demanding yet enjoyable technical interview process. Interviews, no matter what, are always memorable, for good or worse. You’re always looking for the best tips and tricks to manifest during your interview. Still, it’s only when you possess the right mindset that you’ll pass the coding interview questions and tests with triumph.
Let’s take a second to discuss a technical interview and the stages you walk through to ace the interview process.
A Technical Interview
Unlike other kinds of interviews, technical interviews usually include challenges and coding tasks. They are also known for evaluating the candidate’s technical knowledge, problem-solving skills and core competencies. Technical interviews are more similar to exams than a standard question-and-answer session. You have to display the required skills for the job, not just telling the interviewer that you possess them because they’re more concerned with your skills that can solve challenges. Technical interviews are one of the most accessible stages to pass through in a company’s recruitment procedure. That’s if you approach them the right way. However, they can be a massive obstacle if you don’t know what to do in that situation.
The aim of technical interviews is not to trick you with brain teasers, riddles or challenging questions. But instead, it’s to examine and evaluate how you handle real-world situations concerning the job.
The Technical Interview Process
There are basically three phases of the technical interview process.
- The Phone or Video Screen
A phone or video screen is usually the first stage of the tech interview process. Finally, the call you’ve been waiting for comes inviting you for your technical interview. The company is impressed with your CV, experience and academic status, and now they wish to have a little chat with you. This technical screening step usually determines your qualifications to get to the next level. This session usually lasts 15-30 minutes. During this session, recruiters tend to ask candidates questions about their soft skills such as communication skills, collaboration or teamwork, and understanding of the company’s mission, values, and competitive advantages.
- Remote Coding
Before you walk in, some companies will want to assess or test you just to determine your level of coding proficiency. You have to accomplish this test within a predetermined time frame. Some companies will offer you some kind of preliminary exam, it could be through the Phone, Skype or Zoom. This test might consist of 3-4 DSA-based questions, or it could be a small homework project. The interviewer may watch you as you do the test in real-time on a web-based code editing platform. Most startups usually do not include this stage in their technical interview process.
- Onsite Interview
This is the final phase of the technical interview process, which usually happens at the company’s headquarters. No wonder it’s called the Onsite. Most people refer to this stage as the “technical interview.” This stage is typically made up of two parts: a technical interview and a coding test. During the in-person interview, the interviewers ask you follow-up questions just to test your experience and interpersonal skills. The company will set coding problems you have to solve for the coding test within the interviewer’s sight on a whiteboard. The problem can be solved remotely through a video conference if the company is distant.
Now that you know what a technical interview is and have examined the stages in the technical interview process. Let’s explore some approaches you can take to ensure you ace your following technical interview.
Do a background Search.
Carry out a thorough background research of your prospective company. Now that you know about the company’s background and what they’re looking for, you’ll understand the questions the interviewers will ask you. Every company has an interview pattern and customised questions designed to evaluate the suitability of the candidates. You can also look through the company-wise interview preparation pages to comprehend what type of questions they’ll throw at you during the interview. A background search gives you valuable information about the company you’re to join. It also highlights the roles and responsibilities you will execute while you’re at the job.
Action Tip: To run a background search on a company, you’ll need to look through a collection of private records and public data. You can also search for the company on the internet. It should have particulars on its website if it’s a stable company.
Practice Coding Skills
Consistent practice is key to cracking your technical interview. Most companies look forward to their candidate proving his abilities by solving coding problems. Therefore, embark on the practice of coding and programming languages earlier, so you put yourself in a position where you encounter the challenges put forward by the interviewers. Practising coding skills helps you crack your technical interview and increases your efficiency and productivity. Therefore, study and examine multiple problems and challenges just to get the sensation of the test.
Action Tip: Give yourself coding challenges daily. Time yourself while coding on a whiteboard by hand just to improve your time management skills. Utilise online resources to get various coding challenges and mock interviews.
Manage your Time Accurately
The more focused and ready you’re for your technical interview, the higher your chances of cracking it. Therefore, manage your time efficiently by having a head start. After getting shortlisted, there’s hardly any time remaining to get to the interview. Therefore do a background search or search for the common questions that interviewers usually ask. Cautiously evaluate your answers and be brief when replying to any questions. Do not take long while you solve real-time challenges. When practising your coding challenges before the interview, make sure you use a timer to confirm that you can finish the task in the provided time. Remember, the more time you waste during an interview, the less likely you will be considered.
Action Tip: Practice some of the frequent questions you think will be asked during the interview. When given a coding test, try as much as you can not spend much time on it. Give each task assigned a time limit so you can optimise your time.
Think Out Loud
When you’re handed a coding test for which you have to write the code, you usually take your time and put your answer on paper within 10-15 seconds, which is wrong. When deciphering coding questions, you must think out loud. This means engaging your interviewer on what your method is to solve that problem. If you don’t know or are unsure about the solution. Be honest to the interviewer that you don’t know, but explain how you would deal with that situation in case you face it in your daily operations. This will display your explaining skills that most organisations seek. When you’re actually grappling to solve the challenge, try to break it down further so you can work on a simpler version.
Action Tip: You can engage the interviewer while solving the challenge or ask the interviewer for clarification on the aspects of the problem to give yourself more time to think.
Speak Clearly and Precisely
An intense situation like a technical interview may be a little agitating, but it’s okay. Clear communication indicates confidence and being precise shows that you always get to the point and don’t waste time. Being transparent can help you keep yourself collected. Since developers work with abstract concepts, speaking clearly and precisely is essential.
Action Tip: Be an audible speaker and always get to the point. Pay attention to vocabulary, even on simple concepts. Avoid pronouns and ambiguous words such as ‘result’ but use output or return value.
Consider the Tools and Skills required for the role.
Before you proceed to your technical interview, consider the basic requirements of the role you applied for. You must analyse the job description to determine the concepts and fundamentals to crack the interview. A solid grasp of technical tools and skills puts you in a position where you can answer any inquiries or questions regardless of the difficulty. Therefore, before walking into your technical interview, summarise what you need to learn briefly.
Action Tip: Practice the languages your employer wants you to use and review the skills they want you to display while executing your duties and responsibilities.
Answer Questions with the Right Attitude
There is a common misunderstanding about interviews: when you’re shortlisted, you must pass all the questions. Employers not only search for correct answers throughout the interview but also your attitude and comfort when handling queries. You stand a higher chance of getting the job when you answer 6/10 questions with the right attitude than someone who passes all the questions but has attitude issues. Responding with the right attitude means not giving up quickly, even if you know the answer. Try to give the answer in a maximum of 3-5 minutes or take time to revise the solution before you give it.
Action Tip: Have a smile on your face when answering any questions, take your time before you answer and use your body language while answering, too, as it can also show that you have a positive attitude.
Conclusion
Technical interviews can be a threatening situation, but they’re the easiest to crack with the right mindset, especially when you’re prepared enough. The aforementioned approaches like thinking out loud, speaking clearly, considering the tools and skills required or managing your time effectively can help you crack your technical interview.
