Avoid Common Mistakes and Stand Out in Your Technical Interview
Technical interviews can be scary, but they are great opportunities to display your problem-solving mindset, not simply your coding ability. However, all candidates are prone to making easily avoidable mistakes that eventually lead to them losing the opportunity. Let's go through the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Jumping to Code Too Fast
The reality is, you probably want to start coding right away. Which is fine, but interviewers care more about your thought process than they do about you arriving at a solution quickly. Slow down, take a breath, ask clarifying questions, and write out/outline your thinking first.
2. Ignoring Edge Cases
Similarly, while writing a function that works for a basic input is good, it's not enough. Make sure to always include tests for edge cases. That demonstrates depth of thinking and preparation for the working world.
3. Poor Communication
Just remember, interviewers can't read your mind. Talk through your thoughts clearly and confidently. If you aren't sure about something, being able to talk through your reasoning processes will show self-awareness and the ability to work as part of a team.
4. Not Practicing Enough Real-Time Coding
Also, if you have interviewed before, you understand there is a huge difference between typing in an editor and writing code on a whiteboard or shared doc. Make sure you are practicing in a way that simulates what you will see in real life. Timed exercises are a bonus, too.
5. Overlooking Behavioral Questions
Lastly, even for technical or coding rounds, be aware, your attitude, ability to process team input, and willingness to adapt are all being evaluated throughout the interview process, so be prepared to share short stories about moments that demonstrate professional development.
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