You don’t need anyone to tell you that web development is a crowded industry. This is especially true when you’re forced to go head-to-head with cheap overseas labor and other online entrepreneurs. However, there are still plenty of jobs for you – you just can’t afford to mess up the interview process. In fact, you need to ace it.
The Stages of the Interview Process
The first key to acing your next web developer interview is understanding how the interview process actually works from the hiring company’s point of view. There are a lot of moving parts and you need to know where you fit into the equation.
After applications are collected and under qualified candidates are removed from the list, the hiring company will screen the remaining candidates via phone. These conversations typically last anywhere from 15-30 minutes and are designed to make sure you’re worth bringing in for an interview. In other words, they want to make sure you aren’t going to waste their time.
Next comes the technical interview. This can be an intimidating stage in the process, as you’re asked to solve problems and explain difficult concepts. During this stage, the employer is trying to see what you do and don’t know. If you don’t know something, they want to see how you solve problems.
Assuming you pass the phone screen and technical interview, it’s time for the fit interview. This is the traditional interview that you would usually imagine in your head. You’ll likely sit in an office with one of the company’s leaders and answer questions about why you’re the right fit for the job.
3 Helpful Tips for Standing Out
So, how can you ace this process and leave with a job offer? Here are some tips to carefully consider:
Invest in training. The technical interview is your “make or break” stage of the process. If you fail it, you probably won’t get the opportunity to participate in a fit interview. If you pass it with flying colors, though, you’ll go into the fit interview with an advantage. That’s why you need to spend time studying different topics and participating in developer training programs to brush up on your skills.
Show enthusiasm. By the time the fit interview rolls around, the hiring company already knows a lot about you. They’ve searched your online profiles, read through your resume, talked with your references, and observed your technical capabilities. Instead of reiterating all of the things they already know, show enthusiasm. Show the person on the other side of the table that you love what you do and want to bring that passion with you.
Provide tangible proof. Whenever you make a claim about something you’ve done in the past, show tangible proof. Bring charts, graphs, and documents with you to clearly portray your experiences. This is something very few candidates do and may give you a much-needed advantage.
Now that you understand the interview process and what it takes to impress hiring companies, you’re ready to ace your next interview. Good luck!
