#GWCTalks: Prep for Tech…nical Interviews

So, you’ve an interview for your dream job lined up. How do you even begin to prep? We’ve got you covered. In short — do your homework and be authentic. For more details, read our recap here or check out the full session on YouTube.

Big thanks to our panelists — Margaret Poteat (Director of Advisory Services at KPMG) and Maggie Falter (Technical Sourcer, HBO Max & CNN Digital at WarnerMedia) for participating. And thank you also to our very own Director of Alumni Programs, Emily Moss, for moderating. And, of course, thank YOU for joining!

First things first: what is the difference between a traditional interview and a technical interview? What should candidates expect at each stage of the interview?

This question is relevant for all those of you who are exploring and entering college. Typically, says Maggie, behavioral interviews take place with the HR teams of various companies — to better understand your experience, and identify whether you’d be a good fit for the company.

From there, interviews become more technical. They may involve coding challenges or technical case studies, in addition to components of a behavioral interview. Don’t worry, Margaret says, no one is expecting you to have all the answers all the time! These interviews are about your approach and your critical thinking skills.

Okay, I landed the interview. Now what? What resources, tools, and tips should potential candidates use to prepare for a technical interview?

There are some great, FREE sites out there our panelists referenced for practice coding challenges like Hackerrank, Leetcode, and Cracking the Code. But what else can candidates do to prep?! Turns out, a lot!

We loved this tip from Maggie: start by looking into the company’s website, and into the work of their staff. What kinds of blog posts are they writing? What sorts of opinion pieces have their executives written? What do their tech stacks and systems look like? Do your homework.

And of course, always be sure to take stock of what you want, and what your long term goals are. Because, believe it or not, that’s all relevant to interview prep too. You want to make sure to understand how your goals align with the company and the sort of growth they might offer you. And if they ask you why you want to work there, you’ll have a good answer!

There’s so much about my experience that I want to share! What key information should candidates always highlight during their tech interviews?

Be sure, of course, to highlight the coding languages and systems that you are most familiar with, and make sure these are listed on your resume, so that a quick scan would flag you as a good fit! But beyond that, don’t be afraid to talk about independent work too. Interviewers love to hear about projects that you might have taken on independently outside of school or internships. That kind of work speaks to your initiative, interests, and work ethic.

Margaret also made the amazing point that you should highlight your work experience — whether or not it’s relevant to the position you’re applying for. Did you work in retail? Teach yoga? Cover late shifts at a restaurant? Hiring managers want to hear about these experiences. They speak to your ability to multitask, manage your time, and be a responsible professional. And, Emily emphasized, so much about interviewing is about being authentic. What better way to be authentic than to tell your story?

What else?!

We couldn’t wrap this blog post without some final tips from Margaret and Maggie. Emily called them, “absolutely gold,” because they ARE. Here are the three quick hits for you to remember.

First, check out company annual reports or earnings reports, and remember some tidbits to bring up as a way to spark conversation — and to show the hiring manager that you’ve done your homework!

Second, think about being a team ADD, not a team FIT. You want to add value, not just to fit in. Speak to what you, and only you, can bring to the team (this is where authenticity comes in!).

Third, always always always send thank you notes.

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Huge thanks again to Margaret and Maggie for making this conversation so informative and so delightful!

#GWCTalks is a free virtual event series for our alumni and our community, to come together to address uncertainties around college, internships, and careers in tech during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To view prior sessions, see links below:

Session #1: College During COVID-19

Session #2: Career Pathing in a Crisis

Session #3: No Internships, Now What?

Session #4: How to Be Brave Not Perfect in a Crisis

Session #5: The CompSci Class Experience & How to Succeed

Session #6: How to Craft the Perfect Tech Resume

Session #7: Virtual Career Fair Etiquette

Session #8: Your Tech Career Guide