Interview Competencies 101

A general list of do’s and don'ts to ace your interview

When prepping for your interview it’s important to take all the necessary steps to put your best
foot forward. You only get to make a first impression once, and there are some key strategies
you can use to help you succeed. If you are considering a job in tech, you’re probably trying to
nail that job at Google, Facebook, or Amazon. This can feel intimidating at first but with the
right resources, you can know what to expect from your potential employers. A confident and
knowledgeable persona helps show your potential employer that you care, and you’ve taken the
time to master your craft. Let’s break down the interview do’s and don'ts for these industries,
from preparing to perfecting your first phone screen.

PREPARATION

The most important part of interview preparation is knowing the material and practicing
problem-solving. If you are looking to land a technical job position, you will most likely need to
be well versed in program management, cross-functional leadership, and technical skills.
However, learning the science of non-technical interview skills is just as important. This step is
often overlooked and can truly make or break the strength of your interview. You need to be
prepared for a conversational format, where you might get asked questions you weren’t
expecting.

How to prepare before you apply:

● Sit down and think about the companies you are interested in working for. The
secret to cracking the code of your interview is understanding the expectations, brand
values, and goals of your dream employer. Think about your qualifications and what you
have to offer, and align with the companies that realistically work for you.
● Do your company research before you even submit your resume. Many people make
the mistake of sending out a generic resume or cover letter to multiple businesses.
Especially in the field of tech, competition can be extremely competitive. If you want to
work for Google, you need to cater your resume and all accompanying information to
them specifically. This not only helps you stand out, but it drives home the fact that you
care enough to be well versed in their specific needs.
● Create your resume for HR Staff and differentiate yourself. You need to present
yourself as a professional if you want to be treated like one. If you jot down random facts
about yourself and submit them as a resume, this isn’t going to drive home your
expertise. Put yourself in their shoes. The HR Staff at these large companies like
Amazon, Facebook, and Google are busy. They most likely have a stack of resumes to go
 through. You need to include keywords that catch their attention and qualifications that
help you stand out.

How to prepare for your initial screen:

● Study the potential questions your interviewer might ask. No matter how qualified
you are, it is essential to know what to expect during interview questions. You need to be
prepared for a conversation and present the accomplishments that set you apart. Here are
some things to consider when you are preparing for your tech interview. This can
fluctuate depending on the position you are applying for, so make adjustments when
needed.
○ Think about your technical and non-technical experiences and the related
outcomes.
○ If you are applying for a leadership position, think about how you’ve taken the
lead and driven the team towards success. Be prepared to talk about what you
learned along the way.
○ Think about your cross-functional skills and how you’ve handled competing
priorities.
○ Be ready to talk about technical components as well as your overall work ethic.
○ Think about the depth of your knowledge and specialties. Be ready to demonstrate
them in an authentic way.
○ Think about ways you’ve worked out of the box, or delivered a project with
minimal resources. This is a great time to show how you’re different.
○ Think about how you have influenced projects, strategies, and outcomes with
your skills.

● Focus on examples of ways you’ve helped deliver and bring success to previous
projects. Be prepared to share some of these if the opportunity arises. Illustrate your
expertise by showing examples of past work in the technology space, or spec projects.
Push home the ways you are able to learn new technologies. Bring examples of your
work if you’re able to.
● Be familiar with your resume and everything on it. If your interviewer asks you
questions you want to be well versed and familiar with all material.
● Brush up on your technical knowledge. Especially in relation to the company you are
interviewing at. Your role at Facebook might look a lot different than at Amazon, so be
well prepared.
● Think about your motivations and interests. Why do you want to work for this
company? How did you find a passion for tech? How are you going to be a great fit for
this business?
 ● Prepare smart questions for your interviewers. Don’t be afraid to ask your interviewer
questions at the end. This shows you are serious about the position and can help clear up
anything you might need to know for the future.
● Practice with a friend. It’s great to practice interview questions with a friend so you can
get an idea of how the conversation flows. This will help prepare you, and keep your
responses focused.

EXECUTION

How to succeed during the interview:

● Plan ahead. Make sure you pick out your outfit, bring multiple resumes, a pen, and a
notepad. Being over-prepared is better than anything. I also recommend bringing
examples of past work and a list of references.
● Clarify the question. It’s much better to ask for clarity on the question during the
interview to ensure you are answering it correctly. You don’t want to waste the
interviewer’s time or make a bad impression due to miscommunication.
● Be upfront and honest. If you don’t know something, or don’t have experience with
something it’s better, to be honest. Employers look up to integrity and are often open to
helping you grow. This is much better than diverting the question entirely.
● Keep your answers concise. After all your preparation it can be easy to want to go
overboard with your responses. Your interviewer will get the most from your responses if
you keep them direct, and just detailed enough to show your expertise.
● Practice positive body language or a happy tone. Whether it’s in person or over the
phone, you want to win your potential employer over. Have a confident persona
throughout the interview, and be genuine. Positivity goes a long way.
● Tie your answers back to your skills and accomplishments. You don’t want to brag
but it’s effective to use your resources to support the questions asked. Don’t hesitate to tie
in your experience, skills, and expertise throughout the interview.

This is a great launchpad to start preparing for your application, interview, and winning over
your potential employer. Jobs in tech can take a lot of preparation to ensure you stand out against
the competition. If you want to feel secure in your interviewing techniques and perfect your
strategies, you need to use all your resources.

The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. Click the link below to check out our coaching
services. We’re here to help you every step of the way, and ensure you excel in your job hunt
and technical career.