When you’re trying to land a tech position, the interview process can be surprisingly lengthy and incredibly involved. Often, the skillset the hiring manager needs to find is highly specific. Additionally, they may need to ensure that the candidate has the proper knowledge level and direct experience, particularly if the new hire will have to hit the ground running.
As a result, the tech interview process can differ a bit from a traditional one. If you want to make sure you’re ready for what’s to come, here’s what you need to know.
Nailing Your Resume
Many professionals believe that they are limited to a two-page resume. While this can certainly be the case for entry-level tech roles, if you’re mid-career or farther, going onto a third page is often an option. This is especially true if the list of must-have skills and experience is quite lengthy and covering each of the points within two-pages simply isn’t possible. However, moving beyond a third page for anything other than the most upper-level positions is typically ill-advised.
If you’re concerned about resume length, then highlight the most crucial skills and experience there, touching on as many keywords as possible. Then, include a link to your LinkedIn profile under your contact information at the top, allowing you to share that as a resume supplement effectively.
Tackling the Interview
With tech jobs, multi-round interview processes are standard. Usually, IT professionals will have a traditional-style interview and a technical interview to contend with, at a minimum. In some cases, you’ll also interview with several tiers of management, adding more meetings to the equation.
In the earlier stages, candidates can usually expect a more classic experience. Typically, the interviewer will focus on the must-have skills, asking probing questions to determine if what you bring to the table is potentially a match.
Whether you’re interviewing remotely or in-person, the bulk of the process remains the same. You’ll want to practice common interview questions for your specialty, research the role and company, and take other steps that ensure you can showcase yourself in the best light possible.
Technical interviews are more common in the second round, though they can occur first in some processes. With these, you’re presented with relevant scenarios and asked to demonstrate how you would proceed. In some cases, this involves whiteboard exercises. However, you may also sit at a computer and actually do a task, so it’s best to be ready for that, as well.
Regardless of the number of interviews, the decision timeline is usually a bit long for mid-career or higher roles. There may need to be buy-in from several layers of the leadership structure, which doesn’t happen overnight.
Ideally, you want to ask your interviewers about the next steps and timelines whenever possible, allowing you to have realistic expectations. That way, you’re fully informed about what is on the horizon.
If you’d like to learn more about the tech interview process, The Squires Group team can help. Contact us today.
