How to Prepare for a Technical Interview

If you’re entering the tech field, chances are, you’ll need to sit for a technical interview (or a few of them). But what, exactly, is a technical interview — and how can you prepare for one?

What is a Technical Interview?

A technical interview is exactly what it sounds like: It’s designed to test a candidate’s knowledge of technical skills required for a specific role. For companies like Google and Microsoft, this step in the hiring process is par for the course.

According to Faryal Humkar, a career advisor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), technical interviews can come in a variety of forms: an emailed assessment you complete at your pace, a video call or an in-person conversation. If you’re meeting with a company in person, Humkar said you might be asked to do some whiteboarding, too — the process of sketching out ideas or concept mapping by hand.

What Questions Are Asked in a Technical Interview?

If you want to do some technical interview prep, a good place to start, Humkar said, is the description of the role. “Any technical skills that are listed on the job posting are fair game for a prospective employer to ask about,” she said.

Humkar noted that candidates might be asked to define certain technical skills. Or, you might be asked to go a step further, explaining how you’ve used a specific skill in a project or work environment — or how you might apply it if you were to join their team.

“You can expect questions on high-level system design or coding challenges,” she said. “You might also be asked to break down a technical issue so a non-technical user can understand it.”

If you’re looking for a good way to practice, Humkar encouraged candidates to leverage generative AI.

“A prompt I recommend is, ‘Create a written list of technical interview questions for [add the URL to the job posting].’”

From here, she said, you can write out the answers to your questions and review them leading up to your interview. Even better? Find a friend, relative or connection who has technical experience. Get their advice — and maybe even practice some questions with them.

Read more about other non-technical interview questions you might be asked.

What Are the 5 Cs of Interviewing?

The 5 Cs of interviewing — a list of qualities employers look for beyond role-specific skills — are:

• Character
• Competence
• Culture Fit
• Communication
• Confidence

Humkar said that when it comes to a technical interview, specifically, the top three Cs to demonstrate are competence, confidence and communication.

“Competence shows that you understand core technical concepts,” she said. “Confidence shows how candidates present themselves: answering questions clearly, making eye contact and being able to discuss technical accomplishments. Communication is key.”

In addition to focusing on the 5 Cs, you might spend the days leading up to your technical interview learning more about the company you’re interviewing with, Humkar said. Start by spending time on the organization’s website and reviewing its mission statement and values. Often, this information can be found on the employer's About Us page — or even their social media channels, if they have them.

“Write down three or four things you learn and how they align with your interests and values, and study them in preparation for your interview,” Humkar said.

Here's what else you can do to prepare for a job interview.

What Are 4 Good Questions to Ask in an Interview?

You’ve done the preparation. You’ve sat for the interview. Then, someone says, “Do you have any questions for us?”

This moment, Humkar said, is one that candidates should take advantage of. Here are some questions to ask in a technical interview:

• What would success look like in the first 90 days of this role?
• What are the main technical challenges the team is working on now?
• How does this team’s work impact the company’s larger goals?
• What is the most exciting project coming up for the team?

Ultimately, preparing for a technical interview boils down to knowing the role you’re applying for, anticipating potential questions (and practicing how you might answer them), and approaching your interview with competence and confidence. You’ve got the technical skills. Now, it’s just about showcasing them.

Abigail (Abby) Syversen-Mark ’23G is a copywriter, contributing content writer and adjunct faculty member at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). A passionate storyteller, Abby hopes her writing will help prospective students and employees alike see just how transformative SNHU could be for them (as it’s been pretty transformative for her). You can connect with her on LinkedIn.