How to get the best IT and Tech candidates at first interview

For Technology & IT candidates, the approach towards first stage interviews can often be significantly different than any other industry. In Technology, Software & IT, our community has evolved to a scenario where it is far more common for candidates to change roles more readily. Typically, candidates will change roles more often to allow themselves to constantly work on the most modern technology, whereas those who stay in position often become embedded into the company culture from a long term perspective. Of course, neither is a better or worse scenario to be in personally, but as a result of the market changes we have observed a divide in interview confidence. For those who more readily change their roles, they are naturally more confident and experienced when tech job interviewing in comparison to individuals who may stay in a role for numerous years (and not interview elsewhere).

The main aim of the 1^st stage tech job interview is to test the water from both a candidate and employer perspective. It is as important that you are excited by the business, the team, the culture, and your potential manager as is it for the employer too want you.

1^st Stage Interview Styles

Cultural

As the market has evolved to become more technology centric, there has been a considerable shift towards an initial 1^st stage interview being based purely around cultural expectations. This isn’t to say not to expect any technical questions in a cultural based interview, it’s more common for there to be a bias towards culture with a technical undertone to the conversation. Always remember, it is as important for you to deep dive into the culture of the business as it is for you to match their culture. A first stage interview is commonly viewed as a one-way conversation, and this is wrong. It should be approached openly, and you must make sure you have prepared a variety of questions which can help you dive into the organisational culture. Here’s a few which can help:

‘Why did you the business and what makes you stay?’

‘What makes your team a better environment to join?’

‘How does your team work at the moment? E.g. schedules, childcare allowance, flexibility, remote’

Technical

Whether it be a 1^st stage or a final stage process, across the Technology & IT space you must always be prepared to experience some form of technical test. When including technical tests, businesses will often take vastly different approaches. Our clients utilise methods across the range from an overviewed technical conversation where you run through your experience and previous projects (both commercial and personal) which you may have worked on, through to a short hands-on test which may revolves around solving a minor issue under a scenario basis. Gone are the days where it is acceptable for employers to task potential candidates with technical tests which last HOURS, it is now a more personal approach focused on matching knowledge and culture to the business needs.

To give yourself the best opportunity, it is worth revising and revisiting any personal projects / code repositories in the specified languages or technology. For example, as a JavaScript biased Front End Developer, you may have a preference towards building systems using Angular, but the businesses bias may lend itself towards React. Prior research into how to transpose your knowledge of Angular into React will ensure you are able to confidently address technical issues in the interview whilst showing your cross-functional capabilities. This exact situation can be seen throughout the industry, whether you are a full stack PHP Developer interviewing for a Symfony or Laravel role, or a Microsoft developer interviewing for a .Net Core position.

Approaching Your First Stage Interview

When approaching your 1^st stage interview, there’s a single word which stands out: 

RESEARCH

Research the role, research the business, research the interviewers, research the industry, research their competitors, research their online presence. Despite the potential cringey saying, it rings true that ‘Failure to prepare is preparing to fail’. Beginning an interview being knowledgeable across all areas of the business will both increase your positivity and provide you a greater opportunity to provide a lasting impression.

First Impressions Count at Interview

One single advice that our expert team can leave you with before your 1^st stage interview, is that first impressions count. Whether you are interviewing virtually or face to face, it is important to ensure you are on punctual, well presented, and positive. We are not saying that if you are a few minutes late or are tired from the day before, that you should take yourself out of the running for a role; but it is vitally important you make every effort to secure that best first impression to jump you ahead of your competition.

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