When going into a technical interview, it is common to be nervous about the process. Not only are you expected to have behavioral knowledge, but you must use your quick-thinking and problem-solving skills to answer technical questions as well. However, with proper preparation, you can succeed in a technical interview. Below, we’ve provided examples of common technical interview questions and answers to help ease some of the stress and uncertainty.

Interview Questions

What programming languages are you most familiar with?

This is an extremely common question that tech companies will likely ask. Most applicants list the languages they are adept with on their resume, and you should be prepared to talk about your skill level with any language that appears on your resume. A developer survey done by Stack Overflow, lists JavaScript as the most common programming language in the world (69.7%), followed by HTML/CSS (62.4%), Python (41.6%), and Java (38.4%).

Doing research on the company you are applying to beforehand is essential, as every tech company utilizes a combination of various programming languages. Carefully re-read the job posting and notice which languages the job requires, then focus your answer on your knowledge of those. It is important to consider the type of job you are applying for too, as different languages are best suited for unique tasks like front-end or back-end development. For example, IBM uses Java most predominantly, while Dell utilizes JavaScript, and HP focuses primarily on C++. You certainly don’t need to be knowledgeable about every major language, but you will want to talk about your experience and expertise in the languages that are listed in the job posting.

How have past coding projects helped mold your experience?

Your coding projects can be a great way to demonstrate your proficiency with a coding language and if you are new to the field, they can even help compensate for a lack of paid work experience in software development. Your coding project can either be a project with a previous company or a personal project you have been working on in your free time. It is most beneficial to talk about an experience that relates to the goals of the company, and this is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your skillset and enthusiasm for coding. If you are interviewing for your first job in tech, you really must have a project you are working on to advance your skills that you can talk about. You can even take it a step further by being prepared to share your screen and show your project or your code.

Your project can also help you become familiar with the tools of software development, such as Git. Git is a great hub to use for storing and displaying past projects. One study shows that 92% of developers say distributed version control systems (Git repositories) help with managing and keeping track of their projects, which can be helpful to refer to during an interview. You can demonstrate your capability of being organized, creative, and efficient while also explaining your skills in the coding project.

How would you solve this coding problem?

Technical interviews often include a specific question that relates to solving a problem with code. This will test your critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while also letting you display your knowledge. It is important to be thorough and direct with your answers, but don’t rush through the process, as a proper balance of quantity and quality is needed. Make sure you are answering the prompt in its entirety while also being mindful of time to truly demonstrate your skillset. Websites such as Udemy, LeetCode, and Educative are examples of good places to start practicing common coding questions asked by tech companies.

If you are asked to do live coding during an interview, be sure that you understand the problem you are solving, and ask clarifying questions if the instructions are not clear rather than making assumptions. Always pause before jumping in to start coding to think through your approach. And be honest if you don’t know an answer: In a technical interview, the interviewer’s job is to test the limits of your knowledge, so you are likely to be in a situation where you do not know the answer to a question. Stay calm, tell them you haven’t encountered that before, and ask a question that will help you get closer to the answer.

It’s important during live coding interviews to talk through your work so your interviewer can gain some insight into your thought process. You’ll need to practice this before your interview, as this may not be the way you are accustomed to working.

Tell me about some of your strengths and weaknesses.

It’s a good idea to head into every interview being prepared to discuss your strengths and your weaknesses. It is vital to highlight your certifications and awards while also demonstrating your strengths in areas such as teamwork, leadership, communication, adaptability, and time management. Have a brief story ready about a time when you used each of these skills. Companies want employees who are not only well-versed in technical knowledge but also have the basic soft skills that will help them succeed within the company.

When referring to weaknesses, it is a clever idea to explain how you are willing to grow or answer the question in a way that does not sound negative or self-deprecating. For example, saying “I tend to overthink things and spend a longer amount of time on certain projects, but I am working on being mindful of that in my daily work” shows you are self-aware and already thinking of ways to improve.

How do you stay up to date with emerging trends and technologies?

As technology continues to evolve, demonstrating that you recognize change and will keep up with the changing times will demonstrate that you know that working in tech is like signing up for a lifetime of learning. Common technologies being rapidly innovated by major tech companies include artificial intelligence, smart devices, virtual reality, and blockchain. Explaining that you are continuously familiarizing yourself with these changes will not only make you more marketable but will help your success in the future as these processes continue to evolve. Speak about some of the current trends you have seen, and how your understanding gives you an edge over other potential candidates.

Momentum Can Help

While there is no way to be certain what will be asked in a technical interview, keeping these five frequent technical interview questions and answers in mind can help better prepare you for your next interview. Read about trends online, keep practicing your coding skills, and do extensive background research on the job and company you are applying to. With these ideas in mind, you will be well-prepared to succeed in your next technical interview.

To learn more about tech interview questions and answers, contact our career services team at Momentum today.

This piece was originally published by a partner in our business ecosystem, Bull City Talent Group. Learn more about BCTG here.