Questions to Ask in a Tech Interview that Set You Apart
One of the fundamental things to understand as a candidate in a job interview is that it’s ultimately an opportunity to start building a relationship. A surprising number of candidates neglect this insight and end up treating the interview like an obligatory transaction in the hiring process, guaranteeing they’ll disappear into the mass of candidates waiting in line for the same position.
Of course, since it’s a technical interview, an employer needs to ensure that your skills and experience are more than adequate to get the job done, so you need to confidently convey your technical knowledge and skills. But it’s equally important to build rapport, where both you and the interviewer can better determine if you are a great fit for the organization (and vice versa).
We’ve put together a brief guide to the best questions to ask in a tech interview. These questions will help you discover more about the company while showing your genuine interest in working there. Ease them into the natural flow of the conversation, ensuring that you’re also providing well delivered, genuine answers to your interviewer’s questions.
1.) What does the future look like for this company? How does your company adapt to new technology?
Most companies should be pretty transparent about some of their basic business goals. Do they intend on growing their workforce significantly in the next couple of years? Do they want to launch new products or services? Reach a new audience? Open new locations? Or simply sustain their steady trajectory?
Beyond these business goals, it’s a good idea to get a handle on how adaptive they are to new technologies. Do they try to keep up with current trends, working on the cutting edge? Or do they prefer to stick with what they know works, implementing new tech only when necessary? The goal of these questions is to get an idea of what long term employment might look like with this company.
2.) How will this position evolve in the next 3 years? And how has it evolved since the position was first created?
Similar to the previous question, this question seeks to understand the trajectory of the role you would be filling. Has it changed over the years and will it continue to change? If it’s a brand new position, what are the motivations behind its creation? Will this position allow you to grow in your career? What new skills will you have the opportunity to learn as this position evolves? How much input will you be welcome to contribute?
3.) What are the expectations of the role?
Presumably, the interviewer will talk about this is the course of the interview, but you should definitely take the opportunity to find out more. How will your performance be measured? What is success defined as in this position? What will the first 90 days look like while acclimating to this role and the company? Will there be training or will you be expected to hit the ground running? What kind of traits have been found most valuable to someone in this role?
4.) Company culture and team dynamic
You’re probably going to be spending a lot of time in the office and around your colleagues, so take a moment to get a good read on the work environment. Is the role a collaborative one within a team atmosphere? Is the company supportive and encouraging? How do people deal with conflict? What is their management style? Is there much collaboration between technical and non-technical people?
5.) What’s the next step?
Don’t forget to ask this question at the end of the interview. It shows your continued interest in the company and the position, as well as giving you vital insight into their unique hiring process. Should you wait for a call or email? Will there be a second interview? Should you follow up if you haven’t heard back within a week? Make sure you get your interviewer’s business card, so you have their contact info.
We know these questions are nothing groundbreaking, but they will spark insightful conversation, helping you build an important relationship with a potential employer. At KORE1, we’re all about building those same relationships. If you need a hand navigating the hiring process, give us a call.