Approaching Your Technical Interview
Whatever industry you work in you may find yourself facing a technical interview which can feel a little daunting. However if you prepare as much as possible then a technical interview is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your skills. Many recruiters are now opting for a technical interview to give them a better picture of the abilities of candidates, so it really is your time to shine.
Preparing for your technical interview is difficult as you don’t know what to expect, however there are a number of things to think about to help you put your best foot forward.
Prepare, prepare, prepare!
Of course you have no idea what is going to be asked however you can still prepare. Read through the job description and consider the skills that they’re looking for, this will give you an insight in to the type of questions that may be asked and the areas of your knowledge and qualifications that you may need to demonstrate. Also if there’s a piece of software or technology that you’re likely to have to use then make sure you’re confident by practicing before if it’s not something you currently use on a daily basis.
Use jargon carefully
When you have a lot of knowledge in a given area we inevitably fall in to jargon. Of course jargon with people in your field is great, as it shows you know the language of the industry and it demonstrates your expertise. However do bear in mind that everyone in the interview might not appreciate and understand the jargon, for example if they work in a different department, so you need to bear this in mind.
Show you can work as a team
When you’re demonstrating your abilities whether verbally or on paper, you need to show the interviewer that you realise you are not an island, and that you need the help of others so you can succeed. Explaining your role in a process and the way you’d use others in the team to reach an end goal is important and will help the interviewer picture you within their team.
Don’t be afraid to say you’re not sure
If you’re asked a technical question and you’re unsure of the answer then it’s better to say you’re not sure than guess. Unless you’re a fantastic actor it will be fairly obvious to the interviewer that you’re not sure what you’re talking about, and that will give them doubts in your abilities. Instead explain it’s not something you’ve covered yet but that you’d be keen to expand your knowledge in the future.
Don’t panic if you make a mistake
During an interview, especially a technical one, your nerves can go against you and often simple tasks you currently do every day suddenly seem difficult. The important thing to remember is not to panic. The hiring manager will appreciate that you are in a stressful situation, so just take a deep breath and carry on and we’re sure you’ll do a great job.
Explain your thinking
When you’re answering any technical questions it’s important to demonstrate your thought process as well as the final answer. Recruiters want to see your thinking and how you approach a problem and find a solution. Even if the recruiter doesn’t necessarily ask for you to explain your process it can be helpful to just add a brief summary.
Offer an alternative solution
When discussing your thought process is there any other way that it could be tackled? If there is then it’s worth mentioning that during the interviewer. You do need to prepare yourself to be asked why you chose your first option rather than the second however, so it’s important to feel confident in your second option if questioned on it.
Be confident in your opinions
You’ve built your career over the years, meaning you’ve tried many different ways of doing things and had the opportunity to work with a mix of colleagues. This means you’re going to have a number of opinions on different approaches and your interview is a chance to share those confidently as it demonstrates your experience, however be careful to not come across as close-minded.
A technical interview can seem daunting at first, especially if you’ve never had one before. However just remember that you know your stuff, and this is a chance for you to really demonstrate that.
Good luck!
Here at Optimum Recruitment Group we specialise in the recruitment of Accountancy, Finance and Human Resource professionals across the Yorkshire region. Let us help you find the opportunity you’re looking for, call 01904 208065 or email admin@optimumrecruitment.co.uk
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