How to interview prep for a tech role

Do you have a tech interview on the horizon? Follow our interview preparation tips to ensure you leave the right first and last impression.

Tech job interviews can feel daunting. So much so that even the most experienced professionals can feel the pressure.

But nerves are natural.

The best way to control any nerves and leave the right impression on the person sitting opposite you or at the other end of the webcam is to do a bit of homework.

With this in mind, we’ve used all our tech recruitment expertise to create a simple, yet essential guide showing you how to interview prep. From common tech interview questions to your wardrobe selection, you’ll find everything you need to maximise your chances of landing your ideal job.

Our essential interview preparation tips

How long should you prep for an interview?

The key to a successful tech interview is to prep until you are comfortable and confident with your knowledge.

There is no given length of time that you should stick to when prepping for an interview. It is all down to personal preference.

To get you started, here are five useful tips:

1. Start by researching the company and go below the surface level

Learn as much as possible, including their mission statement, the company culture, recent company news, and information on their products and services.

Research might involve looking into the depths of their LinkedIn or going back to their first social media post to find out information that isn’t on their website.

You can never do too much research.

2. Look closely at the job description

Make sure you fully understand the job description before going into the interview. There might be hidden bits of information or skills that will be useful to reference. We recommend memorising certain buzzwords and dropping them in throughout the interview.

3. Think of some brilliant questions to ask them at the end of your interview

The dreaded ‘do you have any questions for us?’ is bound to come up. Be prepared with three solid questions that get the interviewer thinking. This is your chance to find out information about the company.

Need some inspiration? Try one of these end-of-interview questions.

4. Practice your interview questions (on your own and with someone else)

Practice makes perfect.

It’ll help you feel more confident and relaxed and avoid endless nervous rambling. Doing it with someone else allows for constructive criticism and creates a more realistic scenario.

5. Know how to conduct yourself on the day

Interviewers won’t remember every single thing you say. So, focus on creating positive moments which will stick in the head of the interviewer. Find things in common and build rapport. The person opposite isn’t just analysing your skills, they’re also asking themselves whether you would be a good cultural fit.

Stay engaged and enthusiastic throughout the interview and be confident in your abilities. You have got to the interview because your application stood out. You have the knowledge and skills, so don’t doubt yourself.

What to wear to a tech interview?

Although the ultimate focus is on your skills and knowledge, especially in the tech industry, you want to pick the right outfit to fit their work culture and overall brand ethos.

Do a little research ahead of time. Try and find out what people wear in the office. We often find looking at social media or employee LinkedIn pages works a charm.

If in doubt, ask! If you’re ever unsure about what to wear, speak with the hiring team or your recruiter.

What type of tech interview questions should I prepare for?

Repeatedly, we are told to go into an interview prepared with questions to ask the interviewer.

However, it is just as important to go into an interview prepared with responses to questions so you can give confident and concise answers.

We have made it easier for you to prepare by listing some questions that might crop up.

How do you keep your technology skills current?

Tech developments aren’t going to slow down any time soon. So, this question is the perfect opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills.

For example, do you spend your free time learning new programming languages? If you do, shout it from the rooftops.

How would your colleagues describe you?

Perhaps a more generic question, but it is likely that questions about your personal and professional skills are going to come up.

Employers want to know why you are hireable, so come prepared with some unique answers that will ensure you avoid the more common responses.

For example, rather than saying you are hardworking, put forward that you are diligent or industrious and explain where you adapted that work ethic and how it has helped you in the past.

How do you think technology advances will impact your job?

IT roles are constantly changing due to advancing technology. This question will test your awareness of the newest developments and how jobs are changing in the tech world.

For example, you might want to touch on AI or the Metaverse. This is an opportunity to start a conversation about trends and advancements and show off how much you really know.

How do you manage your work-life balance?

We often see businesses asking more personal but significant questions like this one. Employers want to hire team members who can switch off and take care of themselves, as burnout is a common problem in the tech industry.

This question is an opportunity for you to uncover information about their policies on wellbeing and mental health, which makes you seem curious and engaged.

Why do you want to work for us?

If you really want to succeed, you’ll have researched everything there is to know about the company.

Therefore, you will be able to recall their values, products and services and the current projects they are working on, or have worked on, that interest you.

When asked this question, you can indicate your passion for the company and why you are best for them.

Interview questions will vary from place to place. So, it’s important to research new tech, the direction of the industry and the company’s background before the big day.

Need more interview preparation tips?

Whether you’re looking for a senior tech role or are new to the industry, we’re here to help.

At Revoco, we specialise in tech and digital. We’ll not only find you opportunities, but we’ll be on hand to provide you with any advice during the interview process.

To find out more about our latest tech vacancies, head over to our jobs page.

Good luck!