How engineers can ace a technical interview

When engineers graduate college and enter the workforce, they’ll likely have to pass a technical interview to secure a job. The technical interview aims to ensure you have the knowledge to succeed in the role and possess active problem-solving skills.

These interviews are nerve-wracking because you don’t get to practice the prompt ahead of time and usually are on a strict deadline to complete the work. Technical interviews sometimes intimidate even the most senior STEM professionals. Follow these tips to ace your next technical interview and land your dream engineering position.

Conduct a mock interview

If you want to get some extra nerves out for your interview, try conducting a mock interview with an experienced friend or colleague. When the interviewer gives you a prompt, practice working through the problem out loud to help your build confidence in your problem-solving abilities.

Attend a hackathon

Another helpful idea is to get involved with a hackathon to help you exercise your competitive problem-solving abilities. A hackathon is a code fest that helps bring together software engineers to improve software programs. Many companies incentivize their engineering teams to attend hackathons to enhance their skill set and stay up-to-date with technology trends. Over 1,000 hackathons are conducted globally, so keep an eye out for the next one near you.

Be prepared for a lengthy interview process

Landing a tech job isn’t as simple as completing two interviews and receiving an offer letter. Instead, you must be prepared for the process to take several weeks and involve multiple interview rounds. Be patient after the initial phone screening because it may take weeks for the HR team to get back to you with the next steps.

When you get the chance to interview, be sure to focus on the soft skills. For example, an important part of the interview process is your ability to explain your passion for technology and the company you’re interviewing for. Interviewers are often drawn to candidates who have extracurricular activities on their resumes or research new algorithms and coding ideas.

Our team at ACEC Utah is passionate about helping our members and future members thrive in the engineering and construction industry. With membership, we offer access to the latest webinar, seminars and monthly networking events. We also provide educational materials and ways to get involved with ACEC’s cause. Visit our website or call (801) 657-4470 to learn more.