Are You Preparing for an IT Interview and Feeling a Little Nervous? You’re not alone. Looking for a new job or project is always a challenge. Whether you have just a few minutes for quick preparation or several hours to dive deep into all possible questions, this guide provides everything you need. We’ll walk you through potential interview questions, offer tips on how to shine during your presentation, and help you stay calm to make a great first impression. Prepare step by step with us and increase your chances of success in the IT world!
Quick Tips
If you’re sitting outside the interview room or just about to join an online meeting, here’s something for you:
5 Useful Tips for a Successful IT Interview When You’re in a Rush |
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If you have more than a few minutes to prepare, keep reading. 😊
We recommend starting your preparation well in advance, ideally setting aside several hours. Yes, it’s a lot, but much of this preparation will also be useful for future interviews. Let’s dive in step by step, with tips to boost your chances of success.
What’s in This Guide:
- The structure of an IT interview.
- What to prepare in advance for an IT interview.
- Questions you might face in an IT interview.
- How to handle online IT interviews.
- How to make a great first impression.
1. Structure of an IT Interview
What might an interview look like? What can you expect?
Ice-Breaking
An interview is essentially a business meeting between two parties. Like any such meeting, it often begins with informal small talk to create a friendly atmosphere.
As a candidate, it’s a good idea to thank the other party for taking the time to meet with you. Whether you engage in further ice-breaking depends on your creativity and confidence.
Introduction of the Position, Company, and Team
The manager typically starts by briefly describing the position, project, and company. As a candidate, you’ll want to understand what the manager expects from you (i.e., their needs). It’s a good idea to ask open-ended questions to get them talking and gather additional insights beyond what’s in the job description.
For example, a manager looking to strengthen a team responsible for developing internet banking might expect faster responses to competition and more stable release cycles.
Questions you might ask:
- What does the ideal candidate for this position look like?
- What does the team expect from a new member?
- What initial tasks might I work on?
- How will you evaluate successful collaboration?
Ask 2-3 key questions initially, then let the manager continue. You can ask more detailed questions later in the interview.
Presenting Yourself as a Candidate
When introducing yourself, focus on what is truly important to the manager and what their needs indicate. For example, you can skip mentioning your education or even your current experience if the relevant information the manager is seeking is from a previous role. Of course, in other situations, it might be appropriate to highlight your education—it depends on the context.
Concentrate on what is key for the other party. If the manager wants additional details, they will ask for them.
Your introduction should take about 10 minutes. Naturally, if the manager has follow-up questions, this part of the interview might take longer.
Tip: Avoid using “we” when describing past projects. Instead, say, “My responsibility was...” or “I was in charge of...” to clarify your personal contribution.
Evaluating Technical Knowledge
Be ready for questions about general technologies and specific use cases. The interviewer may ask how you would handle a particular situation or solve a problem. For development roles, you might review source code or address scenarios relevant to the job.
Answer honestly and avoid overstating your expertise.
Asking Follow-Up Questions
At the end of the interview, you’ll usually have the opportunity to ask questions. Take advantage of this to demonstrate interest in the position and gather any remaining information.
Topics to explore:
- How the team and company operate.
- Details about the position (e.g., onboarding process, daily responsibilities, plans for the role).
- Company benefits.
- Salary and contract terms.
- Work mode (onsite vs. remote).
- Recent project successes.
Agreement on Collaboration
Once both parties agree on the terms, clarify when you can expect feedback. If you have deadlines, such as a notice period at your current job, communicate them clearly.
After the interview, send a follow-up message thanking the interviewer for their time and the meeting.
Extra Tip: Consider sending a personalized LinkedIn connection request to the interviewer. This can help you stand out, especially if they’re considering multiple candidates.
2. What to Prepare in Advance for an IT Interview
Ideally, you would have the opportunity to dedicate your entire day to preparing for the interview. Allow yourself enough time, avoid activities that might unsettle or stress you unnecessarily.
- Find out in advance how to get to the location calmly, allow for a time buffer, and arrive early so you have time to catch your breath.
- Have a contact ready for the recruiter or the person you’ve been coordinating with about the interview, so you can inform them in case of delays or unforeseen circumstances.
Type of Contract
You should have clarity about your preferred type of contract before the interview begins. Do you prefer full-time employment (HPP) or freelance (IČO)? If you have experience with both, you can present your terms to the manager and let them decide which option is better for the company.
For more guidance on this topic, you might find these two articles helpful in deciding which form is best for you:
Main employment or work based on trade certificate: how to work as an IT specialist?
Research the Company
Find out as much information as possible about the company, including any interesting details. (For example, look into the company’s founding story, significant milestones, or even activities beyond business—does the company plant trees or engage in similar initiatives?)
If possible, explore the company’s product or service and, ideally, try it out for yourself.
If you know who will be interviewing you, check their profiles on LinkedIn. Review their posts if they’re active on the platform. Knowing a bit about the people you’ll be speaking with can help you feel more at ease.
Review Relevant Technologies
Practice the technologies listed in the job description. If you’re asked to present a portfolio or work sample, start preparing well in advance.
3. Questions You Might Face in an IT Interview
Primarily, prepare for technical questions related to the job responsibilities and the technologies used. You can also expect questions about specific scenarios, asking how you would handle them in a real work environment.
Here are some examples of questions you might encounter:
What attracted you to this position, and why did you choose our company?
Recruiters ask this to ensure you understand the position and the company. Use the points you prepared from earlier sections like "What to Prepare for the Interview." Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and explain why it caught your attention. You can also mention why you chose this industry, the company, and the position. Answering these questions in advance helps you confirm that the position aligns with your goals.
What has been your biggest success and biggest failure?
This question is designed to understand how you deal with success and failure and what you learn from these experiences. Highlight your achievements and how they contributed to the team or project’s success, focusing on the skills you utilized. For failures, emphasize what you learned, how you recovered, and how you improved the situation.
Which technologies do you currently use, and which would you like to work with in the future?
Before the interview, thoroughly review the job listing and focus on the technologies listed under “Must have” or “Nice to have.” Are you already familiar with them? Are you willing to learn? Be proactive and discuss the technologies mentioned in the job description.
What does your ideal team look like?
Link your answer to the team description in the job posting and reflect on your own preferences.
Do you have other offers?
Here, honesty is the best policy. Whether you have multiple offers or just this one, emphasize that this interview is currently your priority.
What are your salary expectations?
Sometimes you may already know the salary range offered for the position, but other times you won’t. Either way, have a clear idea of your expectations before the interview so you can confidently present a fair assessment.
How to Approach Salary Discussions
- Reflect on what the new position offers you and what you bring to the company.
- Use your current salary as a starting point and calculate your expenses.
- Decide whether you’re looking for a financial upgrade or primarily aiming to gain experience and are open to a lower salary.
- Research the market to understand salary ranges for similar roles in other companies.
When discussing salary, it’s often better to state your expectations first rather than waiting for the company to provide a range. If your expectations don’t align with theirs, don’t take it personally—it might simply be a budget constraint. In such cases, ask if there’s a way to bridge the gap. Options might include considering a different role, expanding responsibilities, or agreeing on a lower initial salary with the potential for a raise after the probationary period.
Logical Thinking Questions
You might also be asked questions to evaluate your logical reasoning and problem-solving skills. Examples include:
- What is 19 x 19?
- If all clouds are white and all sheep are white, are all clouds sheep?
- Why are manhole covers round?
- How many McDonald’s are there in Prague?
How to Approach Logical Thinking Questions
- Take a moment to think about your answer.
- Ask for any additional details if needed.
- Feel free to request paper and a pen to work out your solution.
- As you work through the question, explain your thought process out loud, including how you’re approaching the problem and what steps you’re taking.
4. How to Handle Online IT Interviews
Online interviews can actually be a bit more challenging in some ways. When you travel to an in-person interview, you have the opportunity to mentally prepare and get into the right mindset. With an online interview, you might be tempted to keep busy with other tasks until the very last minute to stay productive.
So, make sure to give yourself enough time before the online interview. Don’t work, clean, or do anything else at home. And don’t forget to prepare your tech! :)
Interview spot and tech equipment
- Choose a quiet, well-lit location with a stable internet connection.
- Test your equipment (camera, microphone, and meeting platform) beforehand.
- Turn off notifications on your devices to avoid distractions.
- Ensure you’re positioned directly in front of the camera.
Have a Backup Plan Ready
If your computer doesn’t work, prepare a tablet or phone and make sure your mobile data is enabled.
Keep an alternative contact for the interviewer (phone number or email) so you can reach out in case something goes wrong.
Take advantage of being in a familiar environment—relax and stay comfortable. And don’t forget to smile—it makes everything easier.
2 extra tips:
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5. How to Make a Great First Impression
Whether we like it or not, when meeting someone for the first time, we tend to form an impression of them. Let’s make the most of those initial moments and work on creating a positive first impression. After all, this skill can be useful not just in job interviews.
3 Simple Things to Help You Appear More Open and Friendly
- Smile.
- Make eye contact (just long enough to notice eye color).
- Sit with open body language (avoid crossing your arms or legs).
The most important thing is to be yourself. You’ll always make the best first impression if you come across as authentic and genuine. Don’t overthink whether you shook hands correctly or made eye contact for the right amount of time. Even if you forget all the tips we’ve mentioned, it won’t matter as long as you exude healthy confidence and allow the other side to see your personality. And if you’re truly nervous? Don’t be afraid to admit it.
Extra Tip: If you’re feeling very nervous before the interview, try tensing all your muscles as much as you can for 5 seconds. This will release endorphins, hormones that help block stress and improve your mood. Repeat this twice, and you’ll immediately notice a positive effect.
A first impression is shaped not only by your behavior and demeanor but also by how others feel in your presence during the conversation.
How can you make everyone on the interviewing side feel comfortable?
- Actively listen and respond to what the other person is saying.
- A smile breaks down all barriers.
- Show respect—for the interview and their role.
- Try to find something you have in common.
What Should You Wear to an IT Interview?
It always depends on the type of company and the position you’re interviewing for.
For corporate or managerial roles, opt for a more conservative style. Choose long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, and elegant shoes. A tie isn’t mandatory, but consider adding a blazer. Women might choose elegant dresses or pair a shirt with a blazer or a suitable sweater. Avoid jeans or T-shirts with your favorite band’s logo. Men should also skip shorts and sandals, regardless of the weather.
For startups, you can go for a more casual outfit. Long trousers and a solid-colored T-shirt in earthy tones are usually sufficient. Prioritize comfort—wear something you feel good in, without constantly thinking about how tight your tie feels. You don’t need to dress as if you’re attending a formal event, but keep in mind that your outfit is part of the first impression you make on a potential employer.
Don’t overlook this aspect of preparation. If you’re unsure about the dress code expectations, don’t hesitate to ask in advance.
After the Interview
Send a follow-up email or LinkedIn message to thank the interviewer and express your continued interest in the role.
Final AdviceShow genuine interest in the company—and don’t forget to smile! |
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