Do you have a technical interview coming up? Not sure what to expect? A technical interview is used to assess a variety of things – how well you know your technical subject, how you think, how you problem solve, how well you might be able to communicate your solution (and steps for finding it!) to others. Follow these easy tips to help you shine:
Know what position you are interviewing for and the skills it requires (both technical and non-technical). Use the job description as your guide.
Know what the company does. What products does it produce? How well did the company perform last year? Read the company website thoroughly and research news articles to ensure that you are well prepared.
What projects have you worked on that you want to discuss in the interview? How have you contributed to the success of the project? What were your achievements in previous jobs or internships? How might you use the skills developed in those projects/experiences to add value to the organization?
Whether you are a mechanical engineer or a computer scientist, every technical interview will ask technical questions. This is not an interview you can cram for the night before and do well – review and practice your skills ahead of time.
If a question is asked in the interview that is confusing, it is ok to ask the interviewer to repeat the question, or explain what they are asking for. A simple “Can you please repeat the question?” or “I’m sorry, I’m not clear on the question.” will help the interviewer to phrase the question more clearly.
If it’s not an area that you have covered in class, or a situation you have not encountered before, it is ok to be honest. Follow up with “But if I did come across this problem, these are the steps I would take to solve it.”
Technical interviewers are trying to assess not only your ability to do the job, but also how you think and problem solve. Show them how you got your answer using a piece of paper or a white board if available.
Regardless of what technical work you are doing, you will still have to interact with others and communicate effectively. Employers will be asking questions like “Tell me about a time when you had to work on a team, what were the challenges and what were the successes?” as well as questions to determine your technical skills. See our “Interview Questions”sheet for examples.
Employers consistently state that they want to see a candidate’s passion for their work. Being in an interview can be nerve-wracking, but don’t let a case of the nerves stop you from letting your genuine enthusiasm for your school work, your previous job/internship experiences and for the position you’re applying for shine through.
An interview is a two way street! You will have an opportunity to ask the employer questions about their company, what it is like to work there, and what kinds of projects you may get to work on. Make certain to have questions prepared in advance. Asking questions shows an employer you have done your research and are truly interested in their company.
Check out the rest of our interviewing sections including Preparing for the Interview, During the Interview and After the Interview for more helpful hints and tips to shine in your interview. You can utilize Perfect Interview to practice, or, attend one of our Interview Workshops.
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