In this section, we will talk about some great interview tips and how we can incorporate them into our job search routine. It is crucial that we have good planning set up well in advance so that we can take advantage of job opportunities that are eventually going to come our way.
Applying for a job can be a nerve-racking affair, especially if you have no idea what to expect. The greatest approach to ensure success is to arrive prepared with the correct attitude and understanding of optimal interviewing methods. Let’s go through some pointers to help us ace our next job interview.
Preparing for a potential technical interview
This is without a doubt the most important step and can be the difference between you getting close to a job offer or getting rejected and removed from the shortlist of potential candidates who make it to the next stage of interviews. The technical interview stage is where you are ultimately going to show your new prospective company what you can do and whether or not you are a good programmer. Typically, technical interviews can be in different formats.
For example, they could be any of the following:
- Conversations between yourself and another developer on programming topics
- Paired-programming code exercises with other developers
- Take-home code assignments that you need to complete in a few days
- Data structures and algorithms online exam
- Multiple-choice online questionnaire on programming
Personally, I have encountered all of these throughout my career. If you are extremely lucky, you might not have to do anything extremely technical because maybe the company that is hiring you does not believe in doing these types of code assessments. That’s a possibility, and I have interviewed with companies who thought that way, but it’s not always a guarantee. So, always be prepared no matter what. In terms of preparation, what I would do is work on my technical stack as much as possible—so, essentially, write as much code as I can and build apps.
For example, you might be applying for frontend or full stack jobs. So, what I have done in these situations is just practice building create, read, update, delete (CRUD) applications that connect to a database with a React frontend, and then taking it a step further and integrating third-party libraries such as Day.js, which is used for converting dates, or a chart library such as recharts.js, which is used for data visualization. These are tools that get used in real-world projects, so learning them now makes you better prepared for those take-home code challenges that could require you to use them.
Doing this step will give you more confidence in your programming skills for your technical stack. The other area that you should work on is data structures and algorithms. There are courses that you can do on Udemy, or you can study this subject elsewhere. Next, you have to find the time to practice online on coding platforms such as LeetCode. It can be tedious, but unfortunately, we need to be prepared for anything. On some job boards, I have seen forms that ask you how prepared you are for a code test, which is part of the application process when you are submitting your resume. And I can imagine that if you say that you are not that prepared, then you might not even make the shortlist. So, the moral of the story: get yourself to a place where you feel you are confident enough to at least attempt doing a code test. It’s impossible to be 100% ready because there are so many different variables to take into account. At the very least, we should be prepared enough to give it a good go.
Researching the company
It is critical to conduct research about the organization and position we are looking for prior to our interview. Browse the company’s website and read any relevant news releases or articles. Prepare a list of questions related to the material you discover ahead of time. This can assist potential employers in seeing our interest and expertise in the industry.
As job seekers, we can exhibit genuine interest in the organization and the position we are seeking by studying it. It demonstrates that they are taking the interview seriously and are prepared to put in the time and effort to prepare. I have found that I can adjust my replies to the individual job and business culture by researching the company. It enabled me to comprehend the company’s beliefs, goals, and mission, as well as to tailor my replies accordingly.
Another important area that we should pay attention to is seeing how a company we want to work for is doing overall and what its employees think about the company in general. I’m sure that we have all at some point in our careers experienced what it’s like to work for a bad company that has a toxic work environment. Not all companies are going to give you that dream experience, which is why it is worth investing some time to do research. It is normal to use websites such as Glassdoor when researching a company so that we can see what the feedback and reviews are like. It always fills you with hope and excitement when you read positive reviews; however, the same isnt true of the negative ones. Even though we all want to find that perfect job and are sometimes willing to compromise just to get a job offer, we all deserve to be happy in our jobs too. So, do your research beforehand.
Practicing your questions and answers
An excellent interview tip is to practice answering questions ahead of time so that you feel more at ease and confident while replying during the interview. Consider probable questions, and practice your replies with a friend or family member. These days, it’s normal to have video interviews as well as phone calls. So, find a way to get some practice with this too. If you don’t have anyone to practice with, you can always record yourself, watch it back, and work on improvements.
I did an internship course, and it taught me how to communicate better. We were taught to refrain from using filler words and other language flaws such as umms and errs that could take attention away from our message and degrade our language. More practice gives us opportunities to identify any potential areas of weakness we may have.
Dressing appropriately
When it comes to interviewing attire, it is critical to look tidy, professional, and well groomed. Make sure your clothing is clean and ironed and that it is appropriate for the job you’re looking for. This is true even for video interviews. Even if the role is remote, you should still dress like a professional. At the very least, dress smart casual just to be safe.
Dressing adequately gives a sense of professionalism that might assist us in establishing a solid first impression. In my case, at the very least I shave or trim my beard before an interview so that I don’t look unkempt. Getting a haircut or a trim is advisable too. These days, we are fortunate because if it’s a video interview or phone call, then it’s not too bad. You can get away with looking a bit rough. Personally, I would not take that risk with a face-to-face, though; wear aftershave or perfume, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming.
Being confident
Attitude is everything when it comes to interviewing. I try to work toward having a good attitude and excitement for the position I’m looking for. While responding to queries from possible employers, make sure to create good eye contact, smile frequently, and offer clear concise responses. This shows that we are self-assured and capable. Confidence may positively influence the interviewer and boost our chances of getting the job. Also, it is a great method to improve conversation during the interview. My interviews have had much better conversations when I was feeling confident and prepared. It does not always happen straight away, although confidence can be increased during the interview. I have found this to be especially true when I was able to correctly answer questions and had good responses to other ones.
Following up after the interview
Remember to express your appreciation to the interviewer for their time when the interview is over. I make sure that I do it as soon as possible, and send an email expressing my thanks and repeating my interest in the role. This can help distinguish you from other possible candidates and demonstrate how committed you are to the position. It shows that we as candidates are interested in the position and are prepared to make the effort to get in touch with the employer to follow up after an interview. This will impress the company and distinguish us from other applicants who may not have followed up.
This also gives us the chance to highlight our qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. We can reaffirm our qualifications and experience and remind the employer of the potential benefit we might bring to the business. The next stages in the employment process can be made clearer as a result of following up. It enables us to show our continuous interest in the position and inquire about the timetable for decision-making.
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