Nailing Your Tech Interview: A Guide to Confident, Strategic Prep

Whether you're going for your first role in tech or stepping into senior leadership, interviews can feel a bit daunting. But with the right prep and mindset, you can walk in with confidence and clarity. Here's a practical guide to help you make the most of the opportunity, and show up as your best, most authentic self.

Understand the Role (and the Company)

Go beyond the job title. Take time to unpack the full scope of the role:

• What technologies are listed—and which ones are truly essential?

• Is it a product-led company or a consultancy? Start-up or enterprise?

• Who will you report to?

• Where is the team at in terms of growth or maturity?

Use LinkedIn to see who’s in similar roles at the company. It’ll give you a sense of the experience they value and help you tailor your story.

Know Your Own Story

An interview isn’t just about answering questions—it’s about telling your story with purpose and authenticity.

Have a few examples ready that highlight:

• Projects you’re proud of (What was the impact? What was your role?)

• Challenges you’ve overcome

• Times you worked cross-functionally

• Where you’ve led or influenced others

• The tech stacks you’ve worked with—and how deeply

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to bring clarity and structure to your answers.

Brush Up on Your Technical Skills

Depending on the role, this might include:

• Practising coding challenges (try LeetCode or HackerRank)

• Reviewing recent GitHub projects

• Re-reading docs for your core frameworks (e.g. React, .NET, AWS)

Even senior candidates benefit from a refresher—especially if there’s a whiteboard or take-home challenge.

Prep for Soft Skills and Culture Fit

For leadership or cross-functional roles, expect questions that test:

• Communication

• Decision-making

• Stakeholder management

• Alignment with company values

Be ready to talk through how you approach conflict, give feedback, or mentor junior team members. Real stories beat rehearsed ones—always.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Remember—you’re interviewing them too. Show you’ve done your homework:

• What does success in this role look like after 6 or 12 months?

• How is the team structured, and how do they collaborate?

• What are the main challenges this person will be stepping into?

This helps you decide if it’s the right place for you—not just the other way around.

Follow Up

Send a quick thank-you note after the interview. Mention something specific you enjoyed or learned. It shows you’re engaged, thoughtful, and serious about the opportunity—even if it doesn’t lead to this role.

The Pair People Showbag 🎁

Because we like to leave people better than we found them, here’s a little extra:

• Tip 1: Practice out loud. It’s the fastest way to spot clunky answers.

• Tip 2: Don’t shy away from “I don’t know.” Humility is powerful when paired with curiosity.

• Tip 3: Come back to why you want this role—not just what you can do.

We believe interviews work best when they’re built on purpose, not pressure. Whether you’re pairing up with a new team or looking for your next mission, showing up with intention (and a little preparation) can make all the difference.