Succeeding in a Technical Interview for Software Engineers

Succeeding in a Technical Interview for Software Engineers

1. be honest and don't bluff 

Answer what you know, confidently. If you have been asked a question that you don't know, start by telling "I am not sure, but I think It is .....". Never tell a wrong answer confidently. That will make them doubt your correct answers also or may feel that they were guesses. You can't use this technique for every question, but I would think 25% is a good amount. Most importantly this shows your ability to think and a never die attitude. No one wants to work with people says "I can't do this". Try to do something about all the questions.

2. be ready to write Code

If you are been asked to write some code, be careful and follow some basic standards. I heard people telling me "I forgot the syntax..." and this for the syntax of a for loop. No one expect you to remember everything but basics like looping, if conditions, main method, exceptions are never to be forgotten. If you did, brush them up. Always write the code with good indentation using lots of white spaces. That might make up for your bad handwriting!!

3. Convert arguments to conversation

Even if you know that that person is wrong do not argue and try to continue the conversation saying "Ok, But I am not so sure if that is correct, I will check that out". This keeps the person in good terms. Be an active listener during the interview use reference to your experience when you are answering. 

 

4. Be prepared for the WHY question

Good interviews focus on the question "Why?". It might start with "What" but will end in "Why?". For example in Java typical question would be "What is the difference between String and StringBuffer?". A follow-up why question will be like "Why is String has so-and-so" or "How is it done..?". Be ready to give inside information by answering "How?" and "Why" parts of he question.

 Answer:

No.StringStringBuffer1)String class is immutable.StringBuffer class is mutable.2)String is slow and consumes more memory when you concat too many strings because every time it creates new instance.StringBuffer is fast and consumes less memory when you cancat strings.3)String class overrides the equals() method of Object class. So you can compare the contents of two strings by equals() method.StringBuffer class doesn't override the equals() method of Object class.

                    

5. Tell about your best achievement

During your work there might be something that you consider as your best achievement. It is important to describe it in such a way that interviewer feels that you have did something extraordinary there. So, prepare a believable story on how your abilities helped you complete that task. It is important to prepare this because it takes time to dig your memory and find situations.

6. Do you have any questions for me?

This question gets repeated in every single interview. Here you don't actually care about the answers; but you should make yourselves look good by asking "smart" questions.