Common Technical Interview Questions

When you are interviewing for an Information Technology (IT) job, you will be asked focused and specific technical questions about your education, skills, certifications, languages and tools you have expertise in.

The best approach when answering is to give specific examples whenever possible. Providing details and experience will tell the interviewer that you have handled projects and situations in the past, deeming you more qualified for the job.

Here are some of the questions you may come across with in an interview. Review this list and prepare your responses based on your qualifications and the nature of the job.

• What are your technical certifications?
• How do you maintain your certifications?
• What development tools have you used?
• Which all programming languages have you worked in?
• How do you handle multiple deadlines?
• How do you troubleshoot IT issues?
• Tell me about the most recent project you worked on. What were your responsibilities?
• Tell me about the project you are most proud of, and what your contribution was.
• What is the biggest IT challenge you have faced and how did you handle it?
• If you know you aren't going to make a project deadline what will you tell your manager and/or the client?

These are just a few, but most common, of the questions that might be asked. They are enough to give you an idea of what to expect during an interview, but do keep in mind that different positions and companies have different requirements, so questions will vary. But your answers should reflect that you are well-experienced and well-informed about the position that they are looking for.

When preparing for a technical interview, you should review basic structures and algorithms within programming. Mastery of these topics will give you necessary knowledge to tackle the problems during the technical interview. Also, review the specific areas for which you're interviewing. E.g. if you're interviewing for a systems programming job, review the differences between threads and processes, OS scheduling algorithms, and memory allocation. Some companies do publish their technical interview questions either on blogs or on their websites. Do spend time in researching on questions asked by a specific employer for the position you are applying for.

If possible, make it a point to carry documentation of any project that you have worked for. This will give the interviewer a better idea about your skills and talents. However, the basic premise of such interview questions is searching for a person who is technically adept as well as professionally good to get along; a managerial attitude is much preferred.

Demonstrate your interest in the position, your drive to excel in the role and the fact that you have done some homework. Ultimately, the more prepared you are for what you will encounter, the more successful you will be. 

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Getting Over Anxiety at the Start of the Job

Starting a new job creates anxiety in even the experienced professionals.  It's not uncommon for people to worry about their performance, ability to come up to speed and adjust to a new work environment.

But, the sooner you can face those fears, the sooner you can dive in and start making an impact. Here are five helpful ways to keep those nerves at bay, ease your fears, and feel more confident at your new job.

1. Be calm - Your body is a great mirror for how your mind is, so if your body is tense and anxious, there is a good chance it is because that's how you are feeling. So relax. Loosen your shoulders. Breathe naturally. Listen to your body, and when you feel it becoming tense or tightening up, make a deliberate choice to loosen up and relax.
2. Trust the process – In a new job, you feel stressed because you try to find the best solutions, provide right answers and impress the right people. But actually, nobody expects you to know everything. Sometimes the brave thing to do is to tell people you’re still figuring things out and that you’ll get back to them with an answer. 
3. Remember, no one is perfect – When you are new in an organization, you think that everyone around you is better in some way; that they know more or do more or are capable of more. Everyone around you is incomplete and imperfect. Everyone has their own strengths, weaknesses, wins, losses.

Cover Letters for Information Technology (IT) Jobs

When you are writing cover letters for information technology positions, make sure that your letters include the specific experience and skills you have that correlate to what the employer is seeking in a candidate. Your cover letter will not only establish that you are formally applying, but it also allows you to show your employer that you are the right person for the job.

It's extra work, but take the time to write a customized cover letter for each job you're applying for. A generic cover letter, taken directly from free samples available on internet, especially for a job requiring technical skills, isn't going to help get your application noticed. A well-written cover letter that offers the employer all the credentials they are seeking will help you secure a job interview.

Many IT professionals send online job applications without a cover letter. Don’t commit such mistakes! Your resume should always accompany a well-drafted cover letter that shows your passion and interest. Be concise, while writing cover letters. Busy hiring managers don’t have time to read your life’s story. Highlight your technical skills, certifications etc. to grab their attention. 

What to include in your cover letter?

For tech jobs, it's important to show that you have the credentials that employers are seeking in their next new hire. Your goal is to show the employer how good a match you are for the position, either by itemizing your qualifications in a bulleted list or incorporating them in paragraph form in your letters.

If you are using an IT cover letter template that invites you to fill in information into pre-prepared fields to automatically create a letter containing your information beware. Such a cover letter won’t convince the hiring manager why he/she should invite you for an interview. If you are applying for the specific position, for example, IT job description, which asks for 5 years of experience with VB .NET or skills with HTML, Java scripts, your cover letter should specify which qualifications you have. If you have related certifications and education, mention them as well.

In addition, be sure that your resume includes all your related qualifications. Highlight them in your "Skills" section or in a resume summary statement. You should customize your letters for each job application, explaining how your qualifications relate to the criteria listed in the job posting.

Stand out from the crowd with an impressive cover letter and start your job search today at TheGongzuo.com. Register on our website for free to get access to the top tech jobs.