Top 10 Interview Questions for Tech Roles

Gearing up for an interview as a Software Engineer, UX Designer, Data Scientist, or Product Manager?

Our team of expert Tech Recruiters have combined their extensive experience to provide you with this prep sheet—specifically designed for tech interviews!

Rock your upcoming interview with these tech interview prep questions!


Top 10 Tech Interview Questions


1

What is the project you are most proud of, and how did you contribute to it?

2

Can you walk me through a technical problem that you were presented with and had to solve?

3

What would you do if you were asked to perform a task and weren’t sure how to complete it?

4

Pretend I’m not a tech person. Can you explain [relevant tech stack] in simple terms?

5

How do you keep your technology skills and knowledge current?

6

What are your favorite and least favorite technology products, and why?

7

What strengths do you think are most important in an [interview position] role?

8

What are the qualities of a successful team/project leader?

9

Can you tell me about a tech project you’ve worked on in your spare time?

10

What strategies and tactics do you use to handle tight deadlines?


Pro Tip: “Don’t show up to a tech interview wearing a suit. (it makes you look out of place when your goal is to appear like you belong!) Try wearing something you already own that’s nice but comfortable.”

– Kierra, Technical Recruiter, UpRecruit


Click here to download this helpful checklist as a graphic!

About the Author

Kierra Merriman is a creative visionary and Flatiron alumnus with 2 years of experience in software engineering. A self-proclaimed Chief Meme Officer, she is currently a Technical Recruiter at UpRecruit, a full-stack hiring marketplace that connects tech talent with innovative opportunities. Kierra has a passion for startups, comedies, painting, and helping people discover their true potential.

Tips to Land Your Dream Job on UpRecruit!

Wondering how you can maximize your job search on UpRecruit? Look no further!

Our experts have compiled all the tools you need to make potential employers look twice (and bite!) in this all-encompassing infographic. Get tips on how to make your profile shine, as well as how to interact with employers in the most effective way once you make contact.

Bottom line—you got this!


How to Set Yourself up for Success

Make Your Profile STAND OUT

Show Employers You’re MOTIVATED


PROFILE PICTURE

Upload a nice photo to personalize your profile

ABOUT

Highlight past accomplishments and current preferences.

COMPENSATION

Add your minimum base salary (don’t worry, this is a non-binding starting off point).

RANK TOP SKILLS

Include up to five skills that showcase your top proficiencies.

WISH LIST

Use the three focus areas provided to highlight your search priorities.


BE READY

Our employers are prepared to hire fast. If you’re not able to start a new role within 4-6 weeks, don’t go “LIVE” just yet.

BE RESPONSIVE

Reply to interview requests within 48 hours to keep things moving and respect everyone’s time.

BE ADVENTUROUS

Unsure about an interview request? Consider accepting it! Most initial phone screenings are quick and exploratory, and you may be glad you took the chance. (Of course, you are always welcome to decline an interview request.)

BE PATIENT

The number of interview requests you receive is dependent on the hiring needs of our current employers. Sit back and relax while we work hard to find your ideal career match!


Pro Tip: “In your profile, include links to your GitHub, Stack Overflow, or personal website, so employers can see your side projects and past work. This is a great way to showcase your skills and potential!”

– Antony, Technical Recruiter, UpRecruit


Click here to download this helpful checklist as a graphic!

About the Author

Antony Sanders is a creative enthusiast and entrepreneur with 6 years of experience in design and software engineering. He currently enjoys working as a Technical Recruiter at UpRecruit, a recruiting platform that intelligently matches tech talent to innovative companies. He has a passion for tech, music, business, and networking with people to help creatively develop ideas and solutions.

10 LinkedIn Tips for Tech Professionals

Today, over 600 million professionals have a LinkedIn profile connecting them with a nearly unlimited network of business professionals and career opportunities. But many users treat their LinkedIn profile as an afterthought—updating it only when they’re on the job hunt—while others simply view it as another social media platform like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

*Source: Kinsta | Oberlo

Why Every Tech Pro Needs a LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn offers a platform for tech professionals to create peer connections, track industry trends and events, and discover career opportunities. Here are some of the main reasons every tech pro should be on LinkedIn:

  • Career Opportunities: LinkedIn is a powerful tool for those on the job hunt because hiring managers and recruiters are actively looking for talent on the platform every day. A whopping 90% of recruiters from 30 million companies regularly use LinkedIn.

  • Building and Maintaining Connections: The platform promotes staying connected to colleagues, clients, classmates, mentors, and industry experts. You can join groups to share and gain expertise, become a mentor, or find someone to mentor you. A single connection can open doors to new opportunities.

  • Keeping Track of Industry Trends: Industry peers and experts from all genres are active on LinkedIn. You can review endless publications on a wide variety of topics that provide industry-specific insights, trends to watch, or tips to help you solve daily challenges.

  • Managing Your Personal Brand: 57% of the 645 million users on LinkedIn search for people before they communicate, meet, or do business with them. LinkedIn provides an opportunity to make a solid first impression.

10 Ways to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is an essential and powerful tool for any technology professional—from seeking a new job to maintaining a personal brand. (The free price tag is a bonus too!) Tech pros must have an active and polished profile if they want to achieve the full benefit of LinkedIn.

#1 – Make Your Profile Public

Check your account settings, and make sure that your profile visibility is set to “public.” This simple change will ensure that your profile appears in searches.


#2 – Improve Your Headline

The headline is your opportunity to impress potential connections—don’t waste this valuable space! Most professionals list their current title or position, but don’t stop there. Add at least one other attribute, skill, or accomplishment to help you stand out.

Use this real estate to emphasize your current job, the things you excel at, or topics you have a professional interest in. If you are on the job hunt, use this space to describe what you are looking for in your next role.


#3 – Be Strategic About Your Endorsed Skills

Do you have endorsements for many ordinary skills that are entirely unrelated or just not valuable to your personal brand? (i.e. Google Docs, Microsoft Office.) If so, they’re cluttering up and detracting from the skills you want to be known for having. Skills are another way to add keywords to your LinkedIn profile, which increases the chance that you’ll be found when others are looking for an expert.

Follow these steps for cleaning up your endorsed skills section on LinkedIn:

  • Delete Meaningless Skills: You shouldn’t list a skill unless you’re prepared with key examples or a portfolio of work to prove your expertise.

  • Add Key Skills: Include skills that are key for someone in your industry and role. PRO TIP: Do a search for others in your position, and look at the skills listed for the top people.

  • Reorder the List: Always put your most important skills on the top. This is for more than just visibility. When people go to endorse you, they will almost always gravitate to the top skills first, helping you build your credibility in these ideal areas.

#4 – Customize Your URL

A simple fix, but a custom URL makes it so much easier to send people to your profile (plus it looks cleaner and more professional). This LinkedIn help article provides easy instructions for customizing your URL.


#5 – Add a Profile and Background Image

This LinkedIn feature is the opportunity to express more about who you are and what you do in a highly memorable format. People remember visual imagery more than they retain written information. It is essential to have a background image if you want your LinkedIn profile to standout.

  • Profile Image: According to LinkedIn, profiles with headshots are 21x more likely to be viewed than those without a profile picture. Your headshot should be clear, professional, and only include you. The rule of thumb is: if you wouldn’t look like that for an interview, don’t use it as your profile photo.

  • Background Image: Think about what people instantly associate with what you do (developer-code, blogger-computer, etc.), or choose from any of these free, professional options you can find here.

#6 – Add (or Update) Contact Information

On your profile, be sure to include your email, phone number (optional), website, GitHub, portfolio, and other social media platforms you use professionally. LinkedIn is about making connections, and you want people to be able to contact you as a subject matter expert.


#7 – Delete Jargon

Are you a passionate, results-driven team player? Guess what, so is everyone else on LinkedIn. Overused buzzwords don’t really say anything, and they make you blend in with everyone else. Instead, remember the classic advice to “show, not tell” by discussing your accomplishments and including recommendations where others vouch for you.

Here’s a list of the most overused words on LinkedIn and more information on strategies to craft a profile without them.


#8 – Maximize Experience Real Estate

The experience section of the LinkedIn profile is the biggest miss for many users. Don’t make the common mistake of copying and pasting what it says on your resume. Instead, you should talk about your achievements, milestones you’ve delivered for the company, and the skills you’ve mastered.

Unless you’re working for a company that is a household name, there’s a high likelihood that someone reading your profile won’t know any of the companies listed. Instead of the physical location, put the URL for the website. Try adding the company boilerplate to the end of your experience too.


#9 – Request Recommendations

Similar to the value of a 5-star product review, testimonials on a LinkedIn profile can go a long way. Don’t be afraid to ask your current or past colleagues, supervisors, or former classmates for recommendations. If you are customer-facing, don’t hesitate to ask your favorite clients. Here’s a handy template you can use to start asking.


#10 – Look Active

Once you’ve updated your profile, your work isn’t over—but there’s no need to spend all day every day updating your page either. Aim to take one action, once per day, Monday through Friday. Even the smallest effort will keep your profile clean, searchable, and geared for results.

About the Author

Vince Dorazio has 20+ years of experience in the recruiting and tech industry. He is currently the Founder & CEO of UpRecruit, a recruiting platform that intelligently matches tech talent to innovative companies. He has a passion for the start-up community and serves as a mentor, advisor, and board member to multiple SaaS companies and non-profits.