Technical interviews are all about proving your expertise and field of knowledge. Employers are looking for candidates who can walk the walk, not just talk the talk. The best way to tackle a technical interview is to prepare, do your homework, and come to the interview ready to talk through your reasoning and processes to explain how you came to your answers. Because technical interviews are more than a quiz of your knowledge. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who are understanding of the concerns and problems employers are facing. And they want to hire candidates who can communicate well and provide solutions. So here are a few tips to help you go into your next technical interview with confidence.
Focus on Results
Hiring managers are constantly talking to candidates who say plenty about what they were asked to do, but rarely about what they actually accomplished. When we say that your answers to technical questions should be results-oriented, we mean it. Employers want to know what you can do for them. Focusing on your past results helps to give them a clear picture of what you will be able to do for them should they hire you as well.
It’s All About the Data
For technical jobs, data on results and deliverables is not usually difficult to come by. This is key during a technical interview. Focusing on that data and communicating the quantifiable impact of your work will attract the attention of a hiring manager in a way that descriptive and quality-based keywords simply can’t do. With that in mind, don’t be shy. Tell interviewers exactly how much that project was worth or how much money you saved the company. This will cement in the hiring manager’s mind that you are a real competitor for the position.
Emphasize Your Accomplishments
While you don’t want to exaggerate your past performance (which can easily get called out by a previous employer in a reference or background check), accomplishments are a distinguishing factor in your professional history. While everyone likely has their own accomplishments, yours are unique to you and your work background. Bringing an employer’s attention to those accomplishments allows them to see your previous work experience in its best light.
Know and Use Relevant Terms and Verbiage
Keywords are obviously important in today’s tech-heavy recruiting market. But knowing the technical language of the role and the business you are looking to join can be a big differentiator. In fact, not knowing the right language to discuss specific technical topics is a red flag for interviewers. It shows a lack of understanding of your industry, and a lack of investment to do the research into the role and the company. Make sure to review the job description or any media releases or blogs the company has recently published about their work. This will give you a good idea of what is top of mind for the business, and help you shape your interview answers into a format that makes sense for your interviewer.
Be Concise
Remember to keep your interview answers short and to the point. Especially in the technical interview, hiring managers aren’t looking for fluff or padding. They want to know the critical points that would make you a worthy candidate for a job in the energy industry. Be sure your answers are concise and to the point to get past this stage in the hiring process.
For more advice on growing your career in a technical field, connect with the team at ESGI today.