Top 3 Tips For Navigating Virtual Technical Interviews!

Interviewing can be a stressful process in-person, let alone virtually. Yet, the global pandemic of COVID-19 has forced companies to conduct all technical interviews virtually or implement hiring freezes.

Virtual interviews, especially in lieu of on-site interviews, can present new challenges when it comes to communicating your value and learning more about whether or not a company is a good fit for you. However, the following tips can help you surmount these hurdles and confidently approach your virtual technical interviews!

[if !supportLists]1. [endif]Talk through your logic and your process.

Whether you’re in a phone interview or in a shared coding environment, it is critical to talk through your process.

Why are you choosing this data structure? What are the space/time tradeoffs of your solution? What edge cases are you accounting for? As you develop your solution, you should be thinking out loud to provide the interviewer with insight into how you work through problems and handle challenges.

In fact, you can practice this as you prepare for your technical interviews. When working through problems, ask questions out loud and walk step by step through your process. You’ll not only feel more confident talking through your solutions on interview day, but you’ll also improve your communication skills!

[if !supportLists]2. [endif]Be professional, but flexible.

Most people know the basics of virtual interviewing etiquette. Clear the background. Dress professionally. Test your connection and audio before the interview.

However, no matter how much you prepare, it is likely that something could still go wrong. Your internet connection suddenly slows down. A police car with a blaring siren goes past your window during the call. The recruiter experiences technical issues. Things just happen!

Recruiters and hiring managers realize that this is an unique and challenging time for everyone. So if things go wrong, don’t panic! Communicate the challenge to your interviewer and be ready to be flexible, whether that means switching to another device, pausing to let the disruptive noise end, or simply moving to a different location. Don’t put more pressure on yourself by worrying about things that you cannot control!

[if !supportLists]3. [endif]Interview the company by asking questions that align with your values.

On-site interviews are so valuable because you get a chance to interview the company! You have the opportunity to speak with current employees, explore the work environment and envision yourself in the role.

Now that on-site interviews are fully virtual, it is more important than ever to ask good questions! Good questions are questions that allow you to probe a company's culture to see if their practices align with their HR pitch. What’s more is that these questions should reflect the values that you want to see in any company culture.

For instance, if you value stability, you might ask engineers how long they have worked at the company and how the company has evolved since they first joined. On the other hand, if you value growth, you might ask about how the company has supported engineers’ interests and how current employees access new, internal opportunities.

Take some time to write down your top 2-4 values when it comes to company culture and craft a question for each value. As you interact with your interviewers, ask these questions and see how the response differs from person to person. These answers will help you to better understand whether or not this is a company you truly want to work for even if you can’t physically complete an on-site interview.

Our philosophy is simple: practice + personalized feedback & support = progress. Whether you’re a current developer looking for a new opportunity or a newbie working to break into the industry, TechUp makes Interview Prep manageable with personalized study schedules, preparation and mock interviews. So, are you ready to tackle your technical interviews? Book an appointment to speak with a Career Coach and sign up for Technical Interviewing, Career Coaching, Resume Writing Services and more. Book now at www.calendly.com/jointhecircle. Email your resume to talent@circleofopportunities.com

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