CVs and cover letters are a crucial component in applying for your ideal technology role. However, even the best CV won’t mean much if you don’t know how to present yourself in an interview situation.
Hiring managers have a specific set of technical interview questions to ask to make sure that they’re choosing the right candidate for their team. Learning how to show off your technical skills and highlight how well you’d fit into the organisation’s existing team is a great way to improve your chances of success.
The question is, do you know how to prepare for technical interview questions in the current hiring landscape?
What is a Technical Interview? Preparing for Success
A technical interview is similar to an initial conversation between a hiring manager and a potential employee. The main difference is the focus of the technical interview questions. Computer engineering candidates will need to show their proficiency with specific tools and frameworks, while computing applicants may need to demonstrate their ability to use programming languages in a practical exam.
Most businesses will begin evaluating technical skills through a competency-based interview. Competency-based questions ask interviewees to explain the strategies they used to respond to specific problems in the past. For instance, in the case of Fintech interview questions, you may be asked: “Explain a time when you simplified cash flow in the business using technology.”
The best way to prepare for a technical interview is to find out what your would-be employer is looking for. Ask your specialist technology recruitment agency what kind of competencies they value or look for hints in the job description. For example, if a description asks for a Salesforce consultant to join a friendly company culture, you’ll know the organisation values teamwork.
Technical Skills Interview Questions and Answers
Hiring managers often use a specific structure to plan their technical interviews. It’s not uncommon for companies to have an ‘IT technical interview questions and answers’ PDF that they update from time to time, or a list of preferred technical interview questions for computer engineering candidates.
This means that there are several common questions likely to appear in an interview situation that candidates can prepare for. A few information technology interview questions you can prepare for, include:
- How did you feel about your last team? Remember to give positive answers about prior employers and colleagues, regardless of how you felt about them. If you don’t have anything positive to say, emphasise how you improved your communication skills to connect with employees with a different work ethic to you.
- Tell me about a time when you didn’t succeed? Here’s your chance to show your interviewer how you can learn from your mistakes. Explain how you adapted to difficult experiences in the past. For instance, if you struggled to meet a deadline for a new Salesforce integration, maybe you’ve learned new ways to improve your productivity and efficiency?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Talk about what keeps you motivated, and how you plan to continue developing your technical skills. If possible, show your interviewer how your personal values align with the values of the company. For instance, perhaps you want to learn new things to help your employer take the next step in their plan to embrace new Blockchain technology or stay ahead with new Salesforce software.
- Tell us about yourself: This can be one of the toughest technical interview questions. Computer skills and background in your space may be necessary to mention but remember to focus on the benefits that you can bring to your new employer. What can they get from you that they can’t get anywhere else?
- Do you have any questions for us? This is your opportunity to find technical interview questions to ask your employer. Show that you’re interested in your future by asking about development plans, induction opportunities, and anything else that will help you thrive in your new role.
Soft Skills to Demonstrate in the Interview
Importantly, learning how to prepare for technical interview questions doesn’t just mean being ready to show off your skills and experience. You’ll also need to be able to demonstrate your ability to thrive in a new company culture. If you get through the phone-screening stage, here are some soft skills examples to illustrate at the face-to-face interview:
- Adaptability and agility: Many technology companies are going through a process of constant growth and development. When you’re answering your Salesforce, Blockchain, or Fintech interview questions, look for opportunities to show that you can evolve and adapt at a rapid pace – potentially picking up new skills along the way.
- Growth Mindset: A growth mindset (First discovered by Professor Carol Dweck) is a valuable thing to have alongside your technical skills. It shows that you’re willing to recognise the gaps in your skills and look for ways to overcome them, rather than just deciding that you’re “not meant” to do something. Use competency-based techniques to respond to information technology interview questions in a way that shows your ability to overcome challenges.
- Strong work ethic: Hiring managers, recruiters, and employers are drawn to people who can show a strong work ethic. Use your interview as an opportunity to show how you’re willing to go above and beyond to pursue your career plan and support the needs of your employer. For instance, did you recently get a new Salesforce certification even though it wasn’t mandatory for your current role?
Technical Interview Tips: Showing Specialist Skills
Finally, make sure that you’re prepared to demonstrate the specialist skills that are crucial to the role in question. For instance:
- Salesforce Skills: If you’re applying for a Salesforce-based role, computer skills are just one part of the talent you’ll need to show. Today, there are various areas in Salesforce that you can specialise in, from Marketing Cloud to Commerce Cloud. Be ready to back up your Salesforce certifications with evidence of your skills in customer relationship management. For instance, do you have any Salesforce-based competency stories that you can bring up during the discussion?
- Big Data Knowledge: If you’re trying to obtain a Big Data role, your interviewer will likely have technical interview questions to ask that allow you to show your skills in a range of technologies, including Microsoft Excel, SQL, Python, Linux and more. Make sure you’re ready to show your knowledge of various digital languages and demonstrate how you’ve developed your understanding of machine learning and data mining.
- Predictive analytics: Whether you’re tackling fintech interview questions, or you’re applying for a role with a link to artificial intelligence, there’s a good chance that the term “predictive analytics” will come up. Talk about the courses you’ve taken to learn more in this area or discuss how you’ve found a mentor to accelerate your education in complex new technologies.
Don’t Forget to Get Support
Remember, when it comes to learning how to prepare for technical interview questions, there are few partners better suited to helping you earn the ideal role than a specialist technology recruiter.
Groups like ROD can provide everything from technical interview tips, to practice questions, PDF guides and more. Reach out to your recruiter, and make sure that you’re ready to shine in your next technology interview.
About Resource On Demand
Resource On Demand is Europe’s first specialist Salesforce Recruitment Company, now also focusing on growth Cloud markets.
We assist innovative and disruptive organisations to grow their technology teams. Supporting companies to fill Cloud roles that span across Digital Marketing, Marketing Automation, Human Capital Management and the growing Salesforce.com suite of skills.
The team at Resource On Demand have access to an extensive database of key talent, registering over 8000 Cloud professionals each year.
To find out how we can support you call us on 01322 272 53