In this blog post, we will discuss some strategies that will help you ace your technical interview and secure the job!
Why Do Interviewers Ask Technical Questions?
Interviewers ask technical questions for a variety of reasons. One reason is to test your technical knowledge of the subject matter. They want to know if you understand the material and can apply it in a real-world setting.
Another reason a hiring manager may ask a technical question is to see how you think on your feet. They want to know if you can solve problems quickly and effectively. If you don’t know the answer to the question, the interview wants to gauge how you would tackle the problem and find the answers.
Finally, interviewers ask technical questions to gauge your interest in the subject matter and test your communication skills. They want to know if you are passionate about the topic and if you will be motivated to learn more. The hiring manager also wants to see if you can communicate effectively about technical skills.
Read more: Five Tips for Creating an IT Resume That Will Get You an Interview
Examples Of Technical Interview Questions
Now that we know why interviewers ask technical interview questions, let’s take a look at some examples of these types of questions:
- How would you explain the difference between a linked list and an array?
- What is the time complexity of quicksort?
- What is a hash table?
- How do you keep your team and a project on track?
- How would you implement a stack in Java?
- What coding languages do you have experience with?
- How do you measure your technical performance?
- What automated-build process or tools have you used in the past?
- Do you prefer service-oriented or batch-oriented solutions?
As you can see, some of these technical questions are very specific with one correct answer and some are more open-ended. These are also just some of the many technical questions that can pop up in an interview, so make sure you do your research and you are comfortable with the topics that align with the role you are interviewing for.
Read more: How To Ace Your Next IT Job Interview: Common Interview Questions
Now let’s get into some strategies for responding to these questions.
Practice Your Responses
If you are qualified for the position at hand, then you will likely know the answers to many of the technical interview questions. However, interview nerves are always an obstacle on the big day.
One of the best ways to prepare for a technical interview is to practice answering questions out loud. This will help you get comfortable with articulating your thoughts on the spot. In addition, it is also helpful to write down your answers to practice questions before the interview. This will allow you to revise and edit your answers as needed.
Find a peer or friend to perform a mock interview and practice your sample answers. Once you have done this a few times, you will be more confident as the answers roll off your tongue in the real interview. This practice will also help you research the potential questions so you aren’t thrown any curveballs.
Always Be Honest
Another important strategy is to be honest if you don’t know the answer to a question. Hiring managers are not looking for candidates who claim to know everything. They want to see how you handle difficult questions and how you would go about finding the answer.
Being honest and admitting that you don’t know something will show that you are a trustworthy candidate and it will also display your problem-solving skills. If you don’t know the answer to a question simply say that you are unfamiliar with that technical concept but you will research it after the interview. You can also explain how you would find the answer to this question to show that you are dedicated to tackling new things and expanding your technical knowledge.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
If you are unsure about a question, don’t be afraid to ask the interviewer for clarification. It is always better to ask a question than to provide an incorrect answer. When you don’t understand the question and stumble around with a longshot answer, it will only hurt your chances of getting the job.
When in doubt, ask questions! Your interviewer will appreciate your honesty and your attention to communication details. This will also show the hiring manager that you are comfortable asking for help and that you are honest about your skills. Who knows, when the interviewer clarifies the question, you might even know the answer right away!
Take Your Time
If a question stumps you, take a deep breath and think before you answer. It is okay to take your time in an interview to gather your thoughts. This will show the interviewer that you are taking the process seriously and that you want to provide a well-thought-out response.
Another reason it is important to take your time is that it will give you time to think of an alternate solution if you don’t know the answer right away. By taking a few moments, you can often come up with a similar solution that will work just as well.
Don’t Be Afraid to Show Off Your Personality
While technical interviews are mostly about your technical skills, they are also an opportunity for the interviewer to get to know you as a person. Don’t be afraid to show off your personality and let your unique self shine through.
The goal of the technical interview is not only to see if you are qualified for the job but also to ensure that you would be a good fit for the company culture. Be yourself and let your passion for the job come through. This will help the interviewer see that you are excited about the opportunity and that you would be an asset to the team.
By following these strategies, you can ace your next technical interview and secure the job you’ve been dreaming of!
firstPRO is a staffing agency that specializes in the Information Technology field. Our recruiters can provide with you the resources and guidance you need to ace a technical job interview. We also offer career advice and networking opportunities for you to meet your career goals.
Check out our blog for more interview tips like How To Answer Why You Left Your Last Job.
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