Minneapolis Technical Professionals: Be Ready for these 5 Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them)
Congratulations! You’ve finally landed the interview at a Minneapolis-area technology company you’ve been eying for years. Your hard work thru technical college and entry-level positions have paid off and you’re ready for a big step-up in your career. You’ve heard great things about the company’s reputation, products or service, and culture. You’ve impressed Human Resources with great answers to their standard and soft skill questions. Now you’re preparing for the big game in prime time: The Technical Interview. Then comes the high-anxiety of waiting for the technical interview and the hundreds of questions that could be asked. How does one prepare for so many questions when any can be asked? Take a few deep breaths and relax as we’ve boiled down a handful of typical questions you can expect during the technical interview and how to answer them.
1) What interested you in this particular field initially? Here, the manager is wondering about your technical passion for your field. Did you happen to just fall into this field, or were you interested in this from a young age? If you’re an Engineer, were you interested in how mechanical, electrical or software products worked in grade school? If you’re in the Architecture or Interior Design, were you fascinated by creative design when you travel? The more detailed and authentic you can answer this question, the more you’ll relate to the decision-maker. Think about when you first thought about this career seriously. No matter if it was at a young age or in college, explaining why you love your chosen career will score interview points.
2) What is your proudest technical accomplishment in your career? The interviewer is looking for a highlight of your technical ability and what really drives your interest. Did you write a patent for a new product, win a design award, or obtain a certification? Or maybe you helped your current company launch an exciting new product or feature. Thinking about the highlights or your career and how to communicate these well will improve your opportunity for an offer. Explain during the interview your involvement in the project or how the award or certification has helped you and your employers. The interviewer will quickly realize how your assets and abilities can be translated into their company.
3) What technical part of your last role did you enjoy the most? The interviewer is looking at what really motivates you about work. Do you enjoy inventing or design new concepts, or do you enjoy leading a team or technical employees; or maybe a combination of both. If you enjoyed collaborating with other bright engineers or architects, be sure to mention this as it communicates your strong teamwork abilities. If you enjoyed developing new code or designing new products be sure to mention this so your passion for your technical work shines thru.
4) Who could I contact to confirm your technical abilities? The Minneapolis technical community is small and your particular niche is even smaller. Whether you’re a .NET Developer, Engineer or Architect, the interviewer is aware of the “Who’s Who” in your field. Chances are, they know your current or former supervisor or someone in the organization. References are one way to verify you can perform at the level needed in your next role. Be sure to mention your technical mentors and at least one former supervisor and coworker. The higher-level this person is (VP, Owner), the better. Being able to quickly and confidently answer this questions communicates that you have no reservations about providing professional references.
5) What type of role do you see yourself in 3-5 years? Perhaps you’ve never thought about this, or your longer-term goals have shifted recently. There’s nothing wrong with this at all, but taking some time to prepare for this question will pay off in the interview. This answer sheds light on your career focus and your ideal track moving forward. Do you prefer a hands-on technical or management path? Companies need both sides of the equation; subject matter experts and leaders within the organization. Answering this with clarity and authenticity shows you’ve thought through you career direction and know yourself professionally. The great thing is there is no wrong answer to this question as long as you understand and communicate the direction you’d like to take your career. Wherever you see yourself in 5 years, your future manager appreciates knowing your goal.
So to reduce your anxiety and ensure you’re in a great frame of mind to perform well during your interview, try mentally rehearsing these typical technical interview questions. Above all, be prepared, well rested, and communicate your passions and interests clearly during the technical interview.
-Tom Goettl is vice president and principal technical recruiter at George Konik Associates, a technical recruiting company in Minneapolis, MN.