The Interview Process for a tech role

Understanding the Tech Interview Process

The process typically involves multiple stages, each serving a distinct purpose. It often begins with an informal recruiting call, followed by a technical interview, a coding assignment, and finally, a live coding or pairing session.

Each step builds upon the last, moving from general assessments to in-depth evaluations of your technical and collaborative skills.

1. The Recruiting Call

The recruiting call is your first point of contact with the company. It’s typically a structured yet conversational discussion with a recruiter, designed to understand your background and set expectations for the hiring process.

During this call, you’ll introduce yourself, share an overview of your professional experience, and discuss your career goals. The recruiter may ask about your main technical stack, notable projects, and outcomes you’ve achieved in previous roles. They’ll also inquire about your availability, notice period, and expectations regarding salary and working conditions.

This is your opportunity to ask questions about the role, the team, and the next steps in the process. Clarity and confidence are key, as this initial interaction sets the tone for future stages.

2. The Technical Interview

The technical interview is a deep dive into your expertise, motivations, and compatibility with the company’s needs. It typically begins with a presentation of the role, project, and company, providing context for the discussion.

The interviewer will explore your technical background by asking about the technologies you’ve used, the responsibilities you’ve held, and the tasks you’ve tackled in previous positions. You might also be asked to describe your most challenging project and the skills you relied on to achieve success.

Beyond technical skills, this interview assesses your motivation and long-term goals. Expect questions about your career trajectory, areas of interest, and what drives your professional growth. The interviewer may also delve into logistical details such as your openness to relocation or contract preferences.

This is a great opportunity to demonstrate not only your technical knowledge but also your enthusiasm for the role and your alignment with the company’s values and objectives.

3. The Coding Assignment

The coding assignment is often an independent task that evaluates your ability to solve problems, write clean code, and deliver a polished solution. Typically, you’ll receive a problem via platforms like HackerRank, along with instructions and a deadline.

Approaching the assignment methodically is crucial. Start by reading the problem carefully and ensure you understand the requirements. When crafting your solution, consider including tests, clear architecture, and any necessary documentation. Before submitting, review your code for clarity, functionality, and completeness.

Taking breaks during the process can help you maintain focus, and seeking clarification when instructions are unclear shows initiative. If you anticipate difficulty meeting the deadline, don’t hesitate to ask for an extension—it’s better to request more time than to submit incomplete work.

4. The Live Coding Assessment

The live coding session is an interactive stage where you collaborate with an interviewer to solve problems or enhance existing code in real time. It tests not only your technical skills but also your communication, collaboration, and time management abilities.

This session often begins with a discussion of the assignment or problem, where you’ll explain your solution and walk through specific features. You may then be asked to implement a new feature or make modifications while explaining your thought process.

It’s essential to set up your environment beforehand, ensuring your IDE, keyboard shortcuts, and tools are ready to go. During the session, communicate clearly, seek clarification when needed, and test your code to ensure functionality.

The goal here is not just to find the correct solution but to demonstrate your ability to work effectively under pressure and in a team setting.