How to Ace Your Interview for a Tech Company

Are you looking for tech jobs? Whether you’re just starting your job search or eyeing a certain company for a while, it can be tricky to know where to start. Luckily, we've put together some tips that will help you on your way to landing the perfect tech job.

 

1.  Practice and Prepare

Review the most common job interview questions and practice your responses. Strong responses are specific yet concise, based on concrete examples demonstrating your skills and supporting your résumé.

Your responses should also highlight the most important skills to the employer and are relevant to the job. After reading the job ad description, make a list of the requirements and match them to your experience. While it's essential to familiarize yourself with the best answers, listening carefully during your interview is as important. Your response will provide the information the interviewer is looking for.

Remember to prepare a list of questions to ask the employer as well. You'll be asked if you have any questions for the interviewer in almost every interview. Employers tend to ask this to gauge your interest in the organization. You should have at least two questions prepared. Otherwise, you'll come across as apathetic, which is a big turnoff for hiring managers.

 

2. Research the Tech Company

By doing your homework and researching the employer and industry, you’ll avoid the embarrassment of not being able to answer the popular job interview question, “What do you know about the company?"

If this question is not asked, you should still try to demonstrate what you know about the company on your own. You can do this by incorporating what you've learned about the company in your responses. For instance, you might say: "I noticed that your customer satisfaction ratings improved dramatically when you implemented Salesforce last year. I’m well-versed in Salesforce from my experience developing and managing the software at ABC company.”

On the company's website, you should be able to learn a lot about the company's history, mission, values, employees, culture, and recent achievements. Other excellent resources are the company’s blog and social media profiles.

 

3. Connect With the Interviewer

You should attempt to establish a connection with the interviewer in addition to presenting what you know about the company. Know the name of the interviewer and use it throughout the interview. If you're unsure of the name, call ahead of time and ask. Also, listen carefully during introductions.

Lastly, establishing a personal connection with your interviewer can improve your chances of getting hired. People are more likely to hire applicants they like and who appear to match the company's culture. Here's how to persuade the recruiting manager to support you.

 

4. Prepare Ahead of Time

Don't put off selecting an interview outfit, printing additional copies of your resume, or finding a notebook and pen until the last minute. Prepare one nice interview outfit ahead of time so you can interview on short notice without stressing about what to wear.

Planning everything ahead saves you time in the morning, but it will also help you reduce job search anxiety and eliminate the need to make decisions that allow you to focus on your interview. Make sure your interview outfit is neat, tidy, and appropriate for the type of company you are interviewing. Bring a professional portfolio as well as additional copies of your CV. For notetaking, bring a pen and paper.

If you're doing a virtual interview, make sure you have all your technology (computer, webcam, microphone, etc.) set up and ready ahead of time. Make a test run to ensure that everything is in working order and that you are comfortable with it.

 

5. Be on Time

Attend the interview on time. On-time means five to ten minutes early. If necessary, drive to the interview site ahead of time, so you know precisely where you're going and how long it will take you to get there. Consider the time of your interview to account for local traffic trends at that time. Allow yourself a few additional minutes to use the restroom, double-check your outfit, and calm your nerves.

 

6. Stay Calm

Try to relax and be as calm as possible throughout the job interview. Remember that your body language reveals just as much about you as your responses to the questions. With proper preparation, you will be able to exude confidence:

• Maintain eye contact with the interviewer as you respond to questions.
• Pay attention to the question so you don't forget it. Listen to the complete question before answering to understand exactly what the interviewer asks.
• Avoid cutting off the interviewer, especially while he or she is asking questions.
• If you need to think about your answer for a moment, that's perfectly fine. Short dead air silences are preferable over starting with multiple "ums" or "uhs."

 

7. Follow Up After the Interview

Always follow up with a thank-you note that expresses your continued interest in the position. You can also include any information you forgot to mention during the interview. It's worth the extra effort. According to a Robert Half poll, 80 percent of hiring managers said receiving a thank-you note after an interview was beneficial or somewhat helpful.