The document provides guidance on preparing for and participating in a technical interview. It discusses what a technical interview is, what the interviewer is looking to assess, common types of questions that may be asked, and tips for how to prepare and conduct yourself. Some key points include: - A technical interview assesses an applicant's technical knowledge, problem-solving, and ability to apply skills to working situations. - Interviewers look to evaluate technical competency, communication skills, analytical abilities, and how one handles pressure. - Applicants should refresh knowledge of required skills, practice explaining their thinking, and be prepared for both behavioral and technical questions. - Proper preparation, presenting strengths with examples, maintaining professionalism

1. The Technical Interview
Amy Toncray
NerdRecruiter
nerdrecruiter@gmail.com
248-928-4936

2. Agenda – The Technical Interview
▪ What is it?
▪ What are they looking for?
▪ What kind of questions will you be asked in a technical interview?
▪ How do you prepare for a technical interview?
▪ Interview Basics
▪ Ending the Interview
▪ Common Interview Questions

3. What is it?
• Essentially, it is an interview to assess your technical
ability - usually related to the technical knowledge
required for the role and the organization you wish to
work for
• Some questions may focus less on technical knowledge
and more on how you think, testing your problem-solving
or numerical reasoning abilities (this could involve
brainteasers or undertaking a numerical reasoning test)
• These can be face-to-face, via phone or Skype

4. What are they looking for?
• They are assessing your technical knowledge
• They are assessing whether you have the knowledge to thrive in the job, as well as an
understanding and interest in different technologies and the industry
• They are assessing how you can practically apply that knowledge to real working
situations
• They are looking at how you set about solving a problem
• They are evaluating how you think and how you communicate
• They are evaluating how personable you are and how you explain things
• It may not involve only looking for a correct answer, but how you reach the answer
• They can be trying to assess your reasoning and analytical skills, as well as whether
you can think laterally and creatively
• They are assessing how you handle pressure (do you rise to the challenge of a difficult
question, or do you crumble under pressure?)

5. What type of questions will you be asked?
• Most will relate to the job role
• Most job descriptions specify the technical skills required and/or
desirable for the position and they will want to see you put those
skills and knowledge in action
• They may ask you question about how much you know about the
company
• They may ask you behaviorally based interview questions
– Tell me about a time when…”
– “Share with me when…”
– “Give me an example of a situation when…”
– “When have you been…”
• They may give you an actual test (for example, a CAD test if CAD is
a required skill)

6. Probing Questions You May Be Asked
• Questions about how you’ve handled challenges in the
past – answer by:
– Explaining what went wrong
– Explaining what you did about it
– Describe the resolution
• Questions about tricky situations unique to the position –
answer by:
– Being as specific as possible
– Framing the question along with your answer (“If a client was
angry because he felt the initial proposal didn’t fully meet his
needs, I would…”)

7. How do you prepare?
• Practice makes perfect
• Refresh your knowledge about the areas highlighted in
the job posting or description
• Brush up on your engineering fundamentals
• Practice with someone – mock interview
• Remember that it is not just about finding the right
answer, but explaining your reasoning behind it

8. Interview Basics
• Understand that the interview begins with the first call from the recruiter
• Know that every interaction with the company from that point forward can be
considered a part of the interview process
• Clearly explain what you want to do and why
• Ensure that your explanation holds up to questioning
• Avoid incomplete answers
• Be able to convey your top three strengths (skills, qualities and knowledge) for
the position
• Be able to back each strength with examples, evidence or an accomplishment
• Demonstrate an interest in and basic understanding of the employer
– Knowledge of product or service
– How the employer compares to others of a similar type?
• Understand the position and its tasks and requirements
• Understanding of the general career field

9. Interview Basics
• Keep your answers to an appropriate length (in general 30 to 90 seconds, but some
things may take longer to explain)
• Stick to the point
• Take your time in answering but don’t allow your thoughts to wander
• Try to avoid fillers like “ummm” or “like”
• Don’t be late and remember who you are scheduled to meet with
• Work on your non-verbals
– Handshake (firm, web-to-web)
– Eye contact (maintain eye contact, but don’t stare)
– Facial expressions, posture, gestures
– Smile
• Dress appropriately
– Suit is best, but at least dress shirt/pants and a tie for men, skirt suit, pants suit or dress for
women
– Make sure your clothes are clean, well-fitted and pressed
– Make sure your shoes are clean and polished

10. Interview Basics
• Employers want someone with
– A positive attitude
– Self-confidence
– Motivation
– A neat/professional appearance
– Knowledge related to the position
– A strong academic background
– Pertinent experience
– Career goals
– A strong work ethic
– A personality that will fit with the company’s culture
– Leadership skills/potential

11. Ending the Interview
• Ask questions
– About the job
– About the company
– About how the interviewer came to be in their role or
about how they like the company
– About the company culture
– Ask when you can expect to hear back
• Say thank you
• Shake hands

12. Common Interview Questions
• Tell me about yourself – this should be a short, organized statement of your education,
professional achievements and professional goals
• Why do you want to work here? or What about this company interests you? – Answer
with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the company. Share what you
have learned about the job. Talk about how your professional skills may benefit the
company
• Why did you leave your last position? – You can talk about problems you may have
had, but do not describe a previous employer in negative terms – demonstrate that it
was a learning experience and will not affect your future work.
• What are your best skills? – Try to equate your skills to company values along with
examples.
• What is your major weakness? – Be positive. Take an attribute that you have worked to
improve to demonstrate your ability to overcome obstacles.
• Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? – The ideal answer is one of
flexibility, but be honest. Give examples of how you have worked in either situation.

13. Common Interview Questions
• What are your career goals? – The interviewer wants to know if your plans and company
goals are compatible. Let them know you are ambitious enough to plan ahead. Talk
about your desire to learn more and improve your performance. Be as specific as
possible about how you will meet the goals you have set for yourself.
• What are your hobbies? Or What do you do in your spare time? – Sometimes they are
looking for evidence of your job skills outside of your professional experience.
Sometimes they are making sure you have a life outside of work. It also gives you a
chance to highlight volunteer work.
• What salary are you expecting? – Though you may not wish to answer this directly,
everyone should know what their bottom line is. Many times you cannot move forward
in the process without this discussion in order not to waste time.
• Why should I hire you? – A chance for you to present your strongest personal traits,
especially as they relate to the position.
• How would someone who knows you well describe you? – Focus on attributes that
would be useful in a workplace.

14. Additional Sample Questions
– About qualifications
• What can you do for us that someone else cannot do?
• What qualifications do you have that relate to the position?
• What new skills or capabilities have you developed recently?
• Give me an example from previous experience where you have shown initiative.
• What have been your greatest accomplishments recently?
• What is important to you in a job?
• What motivates you in your work?
• What have you been doing since your last job (or since you graduated)?
• What qualities do you find important in a coworker?
– Questions about your career goals
• What would you like to be doing five years from now?
• How will you judge yourself successful?
• How will you achieve success?
• What type of position are you interested in?
• How will this job fit into your career plans?
• What do you expect from this job?
• Do you have a location preference?
• Can you travel?
• What hours can you work?
• When could you start?

15. Additional Sample Questions
– Questions about your work experience
• What have you learned from your past jobs?
• What were your biggest responsibilities?
• What specific skills acquired or used in previous positions relate to this
position?
• How does your previous experience related to this position?
• What did you like most/least about your last job?
• Who may we contact for references?
– Questions about education
• How do you think your education has prepared you for this position?
• What were your favorite classes/activities in school?
• Why did you choose your major?
• Do you plan to continue your education?

16. GOT QUESTIONS?