With insights from our experienced recruitment consultant, Daniel Brown, this blog breaks down the key elements of technical interviews and how to excel.
Technical interviews can come in many different forms throughout the interview process for many IT roles. The main reason for a technical interview is to figure out where your strengths are technically and how they link with the company and their vision.
The most common types of technical interviews that I have found working in IT recruitment are;
The Q&A
The Q&A technical interview is mainly a discussion between the interviewer and the interviewee (normally someone in a senior leadership role within the technical team).
This interview will focus on technical areas that have been listed on your CV, where the interviewer will ask a high-level question on a topic and then continue to deep dive into the information to ensure the candidate is a good match.
Q&A Technical Interview Advice
My advice on these is to be truthful. If an area you aren’t as strong in comes up in the interview, either be honest or take a moment to think logically about the question. If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to admit that, but follow up by expressing how you would approach learning about it or solving it in a real-world context.
The Technical Test
The technical test can come in the form of a remote assessment. This is where you are given a certain timeframe to complete a technical task set by the company.
In some cases, the test might occur in real-time, either during an in-person interview or via video call.
Typically, you are given a piece of information and asked to find the solution. This aims to see firsthand how your experience comes across and ensure that you follow the correct practices.
The Technical Test Advice
My advice for these types of interviews is to document every step so that the reviewer can logically follow what you have done. Understanding the problem properly is critical, so I would encourage candidates to clarify requirements if needed.
It is also essential to test and/or proofread before submitting!
The Whiteboard Test
The whiteboard test is normally conducted in on-site interviews and you will typically perform it in front of a senior member of the technical team or the hiring manager.
You will see whiteboard tests centred around more physical design-based areas like Electronic Engineering, for example where you would annotate or complete a design of a Printed Circuit board.
The Whiteboard Test Advice
For these, I would advise you to be quite verbal, narrating your thought process clearly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions throughout that could be relevant to the company. E.G. a specific method that they would use for their design.
Final Thoughts
With technical tests, a lot of them are tailored to the company and there are some specific things that some companies may look for that others don’t. Candidates should take time for preparation, researching the company’s tech stack and preparing relevant experiences that match.
Remember, every technical interview is an opportunity to not only showcase your skills but also learn about the company and how they approach problem-solving.
If you are a job seeker facing technical interviews, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or one of the team at Reperio for advice!
Daniel Brown – d.brown@reperiohc.com (Embedded Systems Recruitment Consultant)
Or contact one of our team members.
(Written by Daniel Brown)