Mastering the Tech Interview: Best Practices for Every Role

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 exhilarating 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.

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 bring to the company and team
• Favourite project — discuss a current/previous project you’re impressed with, relating it to the company’s proposition
• Research both the company and the interviewers (especially company values)
• Explain what specifically interests you about the company
• Be concise in answers
• For video interviews: ensure camera is on, download correct platform, test beforehand
• Sit at a desk in a quiet place for clear audio
• Wear “business-casual” — check company website and LinkedIn for dress code indicators

The STAR Method

A straightforward format for storytelling structured as:

Situation: “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: “As the Project Manager, I was responsible for increasing productivity in the project by 50% and managing an agile timeline.”

Action: “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 project designers to prioritize features.”

Result: “We launched the new app on the desired deadline. The internship program continues to thrive and led to the company winning an award for encouraging women in STEM.”

Additional 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

Junior to 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?
• What opportunities exist 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?

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?
• How do you support career growth and development for team members?
• What are the key metrics you track to ensure project success?
• What are the biggest challenges currently facing your department?

Directors and CxOs

• What is your vision for the company’s technological future?
• How do you balance short-term pressures with long-term strategic goals?
• Can you share an example of a significant organisational change you led?
• How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement?
• What are the key challenges you foresee for the company in the next few years?
• What specific initiatives has the company launched to improve diversity and inclusion?

See “The 40 Best Questions to Ask in an Interview” from First Round Review for additional resources.

Google Interview Warmup

Google Interview Warmup is an AI-powered tool to simulate interview scenarios:

• Practice Questions: Answer commonly asked interview questions
• Real-time Feedback: Receive insights on areas for improvement
• Comfort and Confidence: Practice in a low-pressure environment

Part of Google’s “Grow with Google” career development initiative.

Conclusion

Preparation is key to transforming interview anxiety into confidence. Master the STAR method, craft compelling narratives, and ask insightful questions to showcase your skills and experience effectively.