Akshay Phadké, a 32-year-old software engineer, has experienced his fair share of interview rejections and successes. Before landing a role at Microsoft in 2019, he was rejected by Meta, Amazon, Dropbox, and Yelp after multiple rounds of interviews. Now, as someone who has also conducted technical interviews, Phadké shares three strategies he wishes he had known earlier in his career.
1. Showcasing Personality Beyond Technical Skills
Phadké advises against focusing solely on the technical aspects of a job. Interviewers are not just assessing coding skills but also evaluating whether a candidate would be a good team fit. “Your interviewers are your peers, and may potentially be teammates or people you work closely with,” he said. To make a positive impression, candidates should use opportunities before and after technical assessments to showcase their personality.
2. Prioritizing Clear Communication
Clear communication is crucial not just in behavioral interviews but also during technical rounds. Phadké recommends asking clarifying questions, discussing solutions at a high level before coding, and explaining thought processes during coding exercises. “Even while coding, explaining what’s going on will help everyone stay on the same page,” he advised. Additionally, demonstrating receptiveness to interviewers’ inputs and hints is vital.
3. Viewing Interviews as a Two-Way Street
Phadké stresses that interviews should be seen as an opportunity for candidates to evaluate the company and role as much as for the employer to assess the candidate. Candidates should prepare meaningful questions about the company’s financial health, product vision, culture, and challenges. “As your interviewers are trying to get signals from your interview performance, the strength of their responses should give you a better idea whether this opportunity is worth investing in,” Phadké said.
By adopting these strategies, job seekers can improve their chances of success in tech industry interviews and make more informed decisions about potential employers.
