What is a technical interview?
A technical interview is a job interview in which the interviewer evaluates your technical skills and knowledge. For technical positions, the interview will typically involve coding questions and problem-solving exercises. The purpose of the interview is to assess your ability to solve technical problems, write clean code, and communicate effectively.
What to expect during the interview?
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Coding exercises - You can expect to be given one or more coding exercises to complete during the interview. These exercises may involve writing code to solve a particular problem or debugging an existing code. You may be asked to write code on a whiteboard, paper or on a computer.
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Technical questions - You'll likely be asked a series of technical questions to evaluate your understanding of fundamental computer science concepts such as algorithms, data structures, and programming languages.
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System Design - For senior or more experienced roles, you may be asked to design or critique a system, and be evaluated based on the scalability, reliability and efficiency of your solution.
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Soft Skills - Your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills will also be evaluated. Make sure to articulate your thoughts and approach to the problem clearly and concisely.
Tips for preparing for your first technical interview
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Practice coding exercises - Practice writing code on a whiteboard, paper or on a computer. LeetCode, HackerRank and Codewars are great resources to help you practice coding problems.
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Review fundamental computer science concepts - Review basic data structures and algorithms concepts such as linked lists, binary trees, hash tables, and sorting algorithms.
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Get familiar with the programming language - Make sure you are comfortable with the programming language used in the position you are applying for. Familiarize yourself with common libraries and syntax used in the language.
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Prepare questions to ask the interviewer - Ask questions about the company's tech stack, the team structure and culture to get a sense of the company's technical environment.
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Practice communication and problem-solving skills - Practice explaining your approach to solving problems and communicating your thoughts clearly and effectively.
Final thoughts
Preparing for a technical interview can be challenging, but with practice and preparation, you can ace your first interview. Remember to stay calm, think out loud and be confident in your skills and abilities. With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to landing your dream technical job!