The interview process for a developer position can be a little nerve-wracking, more so for junior developers applying for their first programming job. And even for those who have done their share of applying through employment agencies, interviewing for a software developer role is rarely a smooth experience.
No matter how talented a developer you are, if you don’t prepare before an interview, don’t expect to get any attention from employers. Below are a few ways to sharpen your interview skills for your next developer interview.
Scour the Internet for Information About the Interviewer
When you’re invited to a job interview, you’ll get the name of the person who will conduct the interview. Don’t waste this opportunity.
Every piece of information you know about the person interviewing you can be used to get on their good side. Hiring managers and HR personnel are human, just like the rest of us. Sure, they may not be keen to hire a suck-up, but they’ll be interested in someone who shows some degree of interest in their work and background.
More importantly, researching your interviewer shows you’ve done your homework about the company and role you’re applying for.
Get a pro to Give Your Resume a Do-Over
Given how competitive openings for developers usually are, it’s important to make a solid first impression before the interview happens. One of the easiest ways to do this is with a fantastic resume written by a professional resume writer.
Sure, you could probably do a good job creating your own resume and cover letter, but these people are pros for a reason—they are great, not just good, at their job. Hiring managers get so many resumes they usually only have a few seconds to skim yours, so you can’t go wrong investing in something that will help get their attraction.
Practice Solving Coding Problems
One fixture of developer interviews that strikes fear into the hearts of applicants is the problem-solving challenge. Many job interviews will include one or more questions requiring you to solve a coding problem, usually on a computer terminal or white board.
Even talented programmers can be stymied by these problems. Your best defense is to prep for them as much as you can. Sites like Github offer sample problems with solutions, allowing you to practice solving them before your interview.
Listen to Feedback
During your interview, or after the coding challenge, keep an open mind and listen to feedback. Sometimes these challenges are not about skill per se, but rather how you respond to constructive criticisms. Your interviewer is using the challenge as a stress test, so instead of being defensive and dismissive of the feedback, listen and ask questions.
Are you looking for a new IT career?
Follow these tips to increase your chances of success in your next job interview. If you need help looking for jobs in the IT and tech industry, The Crevalle Group can connect you with our network of local tech employers to shorten your search. Head over to our careers page for a listing of tech positions.