[RESOLVED] Preparing for a technical interview

[oceanebelle]

Hi All,

I have done a quick search and found some old posts that relate to the subject of Technical Interviews. There were a lot of good replies and I have noted them down already.

However, I am posting a new one as I want to mentally prepare myself as well for my interview. The questions are there (plus I hope a few more in this thread) and I hope that useful tips would be shared here to help alleviating stress on the run up to the day of the technical interview.

This will be technically my very first technical interview and I'm taking notes of what questions will be asked and prepare myself for that as well as expectations on that day.

I want to read others' experience as well on technical interviews. To be honest, I hate going into something unprepared and I go all out to make sure that I have prepared myself for upcoming stuff. Quite scary really.

So any question, advice, comment, experience would be greatly appreciated.

[Hack]

Are you comfortable with the material that will be covered in the interview? (I presume you know what topics you will be expected to answer questions on.)

[GaryMazzone]

To tell the truth I'm always worried when I go to a technical interview. I tend to doubt my knowledge level a lot. I alway here back from recruter that sent me I blew them a way (at leaast most of the time). I the only think I can think of to tell you is that you must believe in yourself. Don't try and just guess at the answer if you don't know tell them up front, but show them you knnow how to research the proper answer also. I know I don't always follow the believe in yourself part (my wife yesll at me for selling myself short).

If you know the stuff you'll do great if not don't try and fool them, just relax before heading in the door.

[mrmojorisin]

To add to what gary said about believing in your own ability and knowledge, i think thats a great bit of advice and its not always easy to do when you are intimidated by an interview! Don't try to think to hard when your answering the questions, about what you think they want to here...Thats just adding unnecessary pressure! If you know your stuff like im sure you do, relax and beleive the best answers you probably already have. Good Luck!

[Hack]

I only think I can think of to tell you is that you must believe in yourself. Don't try and just guess at the answer if you don't know tell them up front, but show them you know how to research the proper answer also.

If you follow this advice, you will do just fine.

I've had to go through a bunch of technical interviews, and I didn't know the answers to all the questions in any of them. I suspect that was done on purpose. One of the things these folks are going to want to see from you is how you handle a question you do not know the answer to.

[RobDog888]

I'll echo the same as the others as its all about perception and confidence (you should know the topics well from seeing your tech posts). Then if they give you a hands on test you should be prepared for that too as sometimes they like to suprise you with something so you dont go and prepare for it knowing in advance.

[oceanebelle]

Hi All,

Thanks for the advise. I've done the written test and passed although I knew that half of what's been mentioned in the exam, I have either forgotten or have no knowledge of.

I fear that I might not be able to answer stuff that I should know about due to spacing out but I usually deal with it by telling myself "This will eventually end.". It's not positive thinking in a way but it's neutral thinking which usually helps me get out of situations without losing my head in the process or blushing (God I hate blushing).

I can't actually believe in my abilities yet because I feel programming experience is not enough, blame it all on management works on my previous work place. So I know I will struggle in the interviews however hopefully I should be able to prepare to get some sort of message to these people that I do enjoy programming and I can learn fast.

How do you folks convince people that you are the right person for the job despite their knowledge that your background might not fit for the position they are looking for?

[mendhak]

By proving to them that even if I don't know something, I have the ability to learn it really quickly. It's circumstantial. I either mention it in the resume, or when they ask me about a certain project I worked on, I bring it up by saying something like "We had to work on so-and-so project, but I didn't know so-and-so technology, but I learned it really quickly and used it."

[oceanebelle]

Hi All,

Thank you for lifting up my spirits although I did lose my mind a bit (and blushed profusely) at one point during the start of the interview but i was able to relax after a while.

The main thing was focus and show enthusiasm regarding the job oh and I guess it helped a lot that I was charming :P. (haha)

Prior to the technical interview I spent several nights before sleeping running interview scenarios and thinking up answers to possible questions. On the day of the interview I did nothing and blanked out my mind. That helps and also keeps the nervousness at bay (I was fighting with it the entire 1 hour and 30 mins of travel)

All my preparations were for the best since I got the job offer and I accepted the Java Software Development job. Hopefully, this would increase my skills on the matter and I can't wait to start.

Thank you all for the advice!

[RobDog888]

Cool, congrats on the new job!

[Hack]

Yes....I would like to add my congratulations as well.

[mrmojorisin]

Nice one!