Vadim Mikhailenko on LinkedIn: How to Pass Information Technology (IT) Industry Job Interview and… (2024)

In the last six years, more or less, I've participated in 100 plus interviews for various Software Engineer roles. If I were to combine all those experiences, I'd say there are various patterns, but they can all be summarised using the following formula:𝙋𝙧𝙚-𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 ➡️ 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙢-𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 ➡️ 𝘿𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚 ➡️ 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝘼𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 (𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚) ➡️ 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 ➡️ 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧Here's a breakdown:◾ Pre-screening: This is where the company introduces itself to the candidate and assesses if there's alignment between the candidate and the company.◾ Problem-solving test: This phase evaluates the candidate's ability to solve problems, while also observing critical thinking, time management, pressure handling, and communication skills. It often includes questions from platforms like LeetCode or Hackerrank.◾ Domain Knowledge: This stage tests the candidate's expertise in the applied role, such as a Frontend Developer. It could involve a home assignment where the candidate creates a website for a given scenario or a one-on-one discussion about real-world project scenarios.◾ System Awareness (Design or Architecture): Here, the candidate's deep understanding of how software systems work is assessed, especially to determine their actual skill level. This can be evaluated through live assessments, like designing systems akin to Gmail or Facebook's Feed feature.◾ Personality check: This step is crucial for judging how well the candidate resonates with the company's culture, assessing if they are a team player, possess leadership skills, or have a positive attitude. It's a simple yet vital phase.◾ Offer: Here, you learn about the salary and perks being offered. It's typically the time for negotiations and deciding what works best for you.Understanding how interviews are structured can help you prepare better and boost your confidence. While the formula remains fairly consistent, it's worth noting that some stages may be optional or varied based on the applied positions and the candidate's experience level. For instance, if there's a Problem-Solving test, the Domain Knowledge test might be skipped, and candidates with 1-2 years of experience might not face a System Awareness test. However, these stages generally adhere to this formula. 🚀What about your experiences? Have you encountered different interview patterns? I'd love to hear about them.

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In many Software Engineer recruitment processes, you will find this step of the "computer science fundamentals" interview. It is a step that can reject even very experienced engineers who didn't brush up on the concepts recently.The key to this kind of interview is not always giving good answers, but showing a good attitude and communicating well! Here are some tips that can help:🌱 Give clear answers, if possible with simple words🌱 If you don't know the answer, explain how you will find it or what you think about it🌱 Communicate as much as possible on your thinking process. This is what the interviewer wants to see!🌱 Give examples from your experience or your readings🌱 Ask questions about some of the concepts to the interviewer! (eg. after answering a question, ask the interviewer how they would solve it)Always remember, an interview is a discussion, not a police interrogation 🤝 #softwareengineers #techhiring #techcareers

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💡 Tuesday Top Tip: Technical Tests (Try and say that quickly 😆)Technical tests can be VERY beneficial in the interview process.💼 For a client, they can assess the technical ability at this stage and focus on more culture fit/soft skills for an interview.💼 For a candidate, they can demonstrate their technical ability without an interview stage which can mean the time from application to offer can be significantly reduced!Let me know what you think 🌟Also, I can't believe the amount of cat hair on my jumper - any tips to not have your clothes covered in fur would be greatly appreciated !!!! 🫠#hiring #interviewprocess #toptip

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If you are applying for a new job in tech, chances are you'll be asked to take a technical test.This is a series of questions that assess an individual's technical abilities. Companies use these tests to determine the technical job knowledge and experience of an individual to understand how they might align with a specific role and help them discover the right candidate for available positions. Understanding why and how companies use these tests can help you prepare for your next technical aptitude test.Whether you are self-taught or an experienced developer, these technical interview tests can be time-consuming and feel intimidating. But rest assured! A technical assessment can also be a great way for you to showcase your programming and problem-solving skills.By knowing what to expect and how to prepare, you can go into your next tech assessment with confidence and achieve a better result.Our Recruitment Consultant Heather Wilkins discusses what technical assessment tests are, why companies use them and how they work. Check out the video below 👇Tuesday Top Tip: Tips for Preparing for a Technical Test#TuesdayTopTip

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What to prepare for the software engineer job interview during the new 2024?Unlike other western countries where New Year Holiday already passed for a month. In Viet Nam it is coming for the time for Lunar New Year event and post-holiday is the perfect time for job seekers to explore new opportunities. Here are what you need to prepare for a software engineer role 👇:1. Update your portfolioAfter a year of work, you’ve undoubtedly evolved and learned. Refresh your resume with new skills and experiences—it’s a great starting point for your job search.2. Sharpen your soft skills with behavioral questionsBehavioral questions are common in interviews. Be ready to discuss your past responsibilities and why you left your previous role. Use this stage to showcase how engineering solves real-life business challenges.3. Technical proficiency in your fieldTechnical understanding is essential. Familiarize yourself with relevant technical questions related to your field. Brush up on syntax and programming language behavior.4. System design decisionDecision-making matters. Understand how to design system components, tackle scalability, availability, performance, and security challenges. Use diagrams or notations to articulate your solutions.Technical interview is tough, especially if you got rejected.But keep learning and grind your skills everyday for the test, even 1% better per dayAnd I am sure you will land a good job. There you have a great start for new year! 💪🍾

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Developers say that getting hired can require days of work on unpaid assignments. Who pays for your technical assessment task?No one. At the end of the day, you receive a “not selected” email. Wired.com just shared an article “Tech Job Interviews Are Out of Control” to raise this topic again. Literally, talents spend their time to be hired and companies hire a talent. #hiring #hiringproblems

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💡Job Search Tip! 💡A friend of mine reached out letting me know he got an interview for a Software Engineer position and began to ask me questions about how to prepare for the interview. 🤔One of the most beneficial pieces of info I've learned in recruiting is to ask either your recruiter or the hiring manager what to expect in the interview and 99% of the time you will get some really valuable info out of them!#hiring #softwareengineering #jobadvice #jobsearch

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As someone deeply invested in the tech industry, I've seen my fair share of code assessments during job interviews. While these assessments can be a valuable tool for evaluating a candidate's problem-solving skills and technical knowledge, there are some important pros and cons to consider, especially when the focus is on algorithms that may not directly relate to the job role.🤔 Pros:* Code assessments provide a standardized way to evaluate candidates, ensuring a fair comparison based on technical skills.* They test a candidate's ability to think logically and solve problems, which are crucial skills for any developer.* Preparing for these assessments encourages candidates to brush up on important concepts and learn new ones, keeping their skills sharp.Cons:* The algorithms and problems in these assessments are not directly relevant to the job role. This can be frustrating for candidates who excel in practical, real-world coding tasks but struggle with abstract algorithmic challenges.* The high-pressure environment of timed assessments can induce anxiety, causing candidates to underperform and not showcase their true abilities.* These assessments often fail to capture a candidate's full range of skills, such as their ability to work in a team, communicate effectively, and adapt to new technologies.

5 Essential Tips for Software Engineers to Ace Interviews #InterviewSuccess #SoftwareEngineering #CareerTips****Introduction:**For software engineers, acing interviews is a gateway to exciting opportunities. Here are five concise tips to help you shine in your next interview. Let's dive in! #TechInterviews #JobPreparation**1. Prepare Strategically:**Research the company and tailor your responses to their needs. Decode the job description and review coding basics to be ready for technical questions. #CompanyResearch #JobDescription #CodingFundamentals**2. Showcase Problem-Solving:**Approach problems logically, explain your thought process, and optimize solutions for efficiency. Let your analytical skills shine! #ProblemSolving #LogicalThinking #Efficiency**3. Embrace Collaboration:**Highlight teamwork experiences and communicate technical concepts clearly to demonstrate your collaborative abilities. Strong communication is key! #Teamwork #CommunicationSkills #Collaboration**4. Highlight Projects:**Discuss personal projects that showcase your skills and share how you overcame challenges, reflecting your adaptability. Showcasing your portfolio sets you apart! #PortfolioShowcase #ProjectHighlights #Adaptability**5. Master Soft Skills:**Align with company culture, show authenticity, and handle challenges with a positive outlook. Soft skills matter as much as technical expertise! #SoftSkills #CompanyCulture #PositiveMindset**Conclusion:**By following these succinct tips, you'll position yourself as a well-rounded software engineer ready to conquer interviews and embrace new opportunities. Best of luck! #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #CareerGrowth

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