- Career advice
Looking for a new job? Sending out countless applications can be monotonous, but once you’ve secured that first interview, it all feels worth it! Now it’s time to get organised. The interview process can be as exhilerating as it is daunting. Every conversation is a chance to showcase your unique blend of skills, experience, and personality. Whether you’re a Developer, a Head of Engineering, or even a C-Suite Executive, don’t worry—we’ve got your back!
While many tech roles include a technical test and multiple stages, it’s vital that you make a great first impression from the get go. If you’re in process for a role through Formula, our consultants will cover the company-specific and technical questions with you prior to the interview, but it’s also important to know best practices for acing interviews that focus on talking style, culture fit, and background experience. From preparing your personal narrative to understanding what interviewers are really looking for, we’ve collated the insights and tips you need to shine. So, grab a cup of coffee, relax, and let’s turn those interview nerves into confidence and success!
Interview Best Practices:
- Have at least 3 questions prepared to ask (e.g. regarding the team, the project, and the role itself).
- They will want to discuss your experience so far and what you will be able to bring to the company and the team.
- Favourite project – you will likely be asked to talk through a current/previous project that you are impressed with. Think about overall project, how this can relate to the companies proposition.
- Research both the company and the interviewers (especially the company values as these will come up).
- What about the company interests you specifically? And don’t just say “money”, they want to be appreciated for more than just thier money!
- Be conscise in your answers.
- If it’s a video interview, ensure that your camera is on, and that you’ve downloaded the correct platform and checked it works (maybe ask a friend to join a call with you ahead of time).
- Make sure you’re sat at a desk and in a quiet place so that the line is clear.
- What to wear? Most tech companies have quite a casual work attire, but don’t use this as an excuse to down-dress. “Business-casual” is the recommended standard, but check their website and Linkedin. If they are all in suits and ties or jeans and trainers, this will give you a good indicator.
The STAR Method:
The STAR method is an interview technique that gives you a straightforward format you can use to tell a story by laying out the Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Here’s an example:
Situation: Set the scene and provide necessary details of your example.
“In my previous role, the leaders of the company set an ambitious 4-month deadline for the launch of our new app, which hadn’t reached Beta yet.”
Task: Describe your responsibility in that situation.
“As the Project Manager, I was responsible for increasing productivity in the project by 50% and managing an agile timeline.”
Action: Explain the steps you took to address the situation.
“I identified 3 key blockers in productivity, streamlined the sign-off process, recommended an internship to scale the dev team on budget, and worked with the project designers to prioritize features for the launch day.”
Result: Share the outcomes your actions achieved.
“As a result of these actions, we were able to launch the new app on the desired deadline. Moreover, the internship program continues to thrive and even led to the company winning an award for encouraging more women in STEM.”
Addtional Tips:
- Paint a clear picture without over-embellishing.
- Focus on quantifiable results where possible.
- Avoid vague statements like “I worked really hard.”
Asking the right questions:
Want to ask questions that will get you the information you need while impressing the interviewer? Chances are, they’ve been asked “What’s the culture like?” several times that day already. These are the questions recommended by our consultants. They not only demonstrate your interest in the role but also help you gain deeper insights into the company’s operations, challenges, and future direction.
Junior – Lead Developer Roles
- How does the team approach code reviews and ensure code quality?
- Can you describe a recent project where the team faced significant challenges? How were they overcome?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and learning new technologies?
- How do you handle technical debt and prioritise refactoring?
- What is the process for integrating new tools or technologies into the development workflow?
Managers and Heads of Departments
- How do you measure the success of your team and individual contributors?
- Can you describe the biggest challenge the team has faced recently and how it was addressed?
- How do you support career growth and development for your team members?
- What are the key metrics you track to ensure project success?
- What are the biggest challenges currently facing your department, and how are you addressing them?
Directors and CxOs
- What is your vision for the company’s technological future, and how do you plan to achieve it?
- How do you balance short-term pressures with long-term strategic goals?
- Can you share an example of a significant organisational change you led and its impact?
- How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement at the executive level?
- What are the key challenges you foresee for the company in the next few years, and how do you plan to address them?
- What specific initiatives has the company launched to improve diversity and inclusion?
In addtion to the questions above, check out ‘The 40 Best Questions to Ask in an Interview” from the First Round Review.
Google Interview Warmup
Google Interview Warmup is a tool designed to help you prepare for job interviews. It uses artificial intelligence to simulate interview scenarios, allowing you to practice answering common interview questions.
- Practice Questions: You can practice answering a variety of questions that are commonly asked in interviews.
- Real-time Feedback: The tool provides insights and feedback on your answers, helping you understand areas where you can improve.
- Comfort and Confidence: By practicing in a low-pressure environment, you can become more comfortable and confident in your interviewing skills.
It’s part of Google’s “Grow with Google” initiative, aimed at helping people develop their career.
Navigating the interview process can be a thrilling yet challenging journey. By leveraging the insights and tips provided, you can transform your interview experience from nerve-wracking to empowering. Remember, preparation is key—whether it’s crafting your personal narrative, mastering the STAR method, or asking insightful questions. With the right mindset and tools, you can confidently showcase your skills, experience, and personality, making a lasting impression on your potential employers. So, take a deep breath, stay focused, and let your true potential shine through. Good luck on your job search, and may your next career move be a successful and fulfilling one!
Looking to take the next step in your career? Check out our Jobs Page to browse and apply. Or get in touch if you have any questions.
