How to Prepare for a Tech Interview in Today’s Market (The Right Way)

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It’s no secret the job market in tech has been rough the past 2+ years.

Just a couple of years ago, the industry was in a boom.

Companies were hiring software engineers left and right. 100% remote roles, landing 20%+ raises, super fast interviewing process.

What changed?

A combination of factors has shifted the dynamics. Economic uncertainties, rounds of layoffs from big tech, and budget cuts have created a landscape where hiring is no longer a frenzy.

The result?

It’s an employer’s market now, and companies are being extra picky about who they let in.

It’s crazy to think that this is the first employer’s market in 15 years.

Pretty much everyone reading this newsletter has never faced an employer’s market in tech before. What worked for you previously may not work for you today.

There’s no sugarcoating it: if you’re applying for tech jobs today, you’re going up against fierce competition.

With so many talented candidates on the market, recruiters and hiring managers aren’t just looking for the most skilled person. They're searching for the best fit with the least amount of risk. So how do you stand out in this crowded field? It all boils down to preparation.

Why Interview Preparation Matters More Now Than Ever

It’s no secret that companies today are looking for candidates who can hit the ground running.

The days of hiring potential and “seeing where it goes” are behind us.

Companies want to minimize risk, and that means hiring people who can demonstrate not just technical competency but also confidence, reliability, and a clear alignment with their team and culture.

Here’s why preparation is critical in today’s market:

1. The Competition Is Fierce: You’re going up against the most - and best - competition in over a decade. There hasn’t been this many candidates actively on the market in a while. Interviewers are looking for any reason to cut down their list of candidates, and a lack of preparation could be that reason.

2. Interviews Are Designed to Test More Than Just Hard Skills: Sure, you can write a Python function in your sleep. But do you know how to think through a system design problem in real time? Can you explain your thought process clearly? Are you someone who’s easy to work with? These are the qualities companies are probing for.

3. Employers Want to De-Risk the Hire: No one wants to bring on a new engineer who requires months of hand-holding. Preparation shows that you not only have the skills but also the diligence and foresight to do your homework—qualities that reduce the perceived risk of hiring you.

The Blueprint: How to Prepare for a Tech Interview Like a Pro

Let's break down exactly what you need to do to prepare for a tech interview.

This isn't generic advice like "just be yourself" or "remember to ask questions" (though those are still important). We're going deep, covering strategies that will truly give you a competitive edge.

Step 1: Understand the Landscape

Before you even think about applying, take time to understand the company, the team, and the role you’re targeting. This includes:

• Researching the company’s current projects: Look for their recent product launches, read their blog, about us pages, socials, and understand what challenges they’re currently facing. Showing up to an interview with an understanding of their pain points and how you can help is a game-changer.

• Understanding the tech stack: Make sure you know what technologies they use. If there’s a lot listed on the JD, then ask the recruiter what you should focusing on. If they don’t tell you (for whatever reason), then look up the interviewer’s on linkedin and try to dig for context clues.

• Reviewing the job description: This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many candidates gloss over this. Look for the skills and experiences they emphasize—this will give you clues about what to expect in the interview.

• Look up the interviewers on LinkedIn: Researching interviewers on LinkedIn allows you to find “points of commonality” to make. the convo warmer. Knowing your interviewers' backgrounds helps you tailor your responses to align with their areas of expertise or interests. It also shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the company and team.

Step 2: Master the Fundamentals (Technical Interviews)

Coding/Technical interviews have become a commonplace in today’s market, and I don’t think they’re going away anytime soon.

No matter how experienced you are, tech interviews often come down to the basics. Here’s how to make sure you’re ready:

• Data Structures & Algorithms: Brush up on your fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs) and algorithm techniques (binary search, dynamic programming, sorting). LeetCode, HackerRank, and AlgoExpert are great resources for practice.

• System Design: For senior or mid-level roles, you’ll often have a system design interview. Practice designing scalable systems, discussing trade-offs, and explaining why you made certain architectural decisions. Resources like "Designing Data-Intensive Applications" by Martin Kleppmann or "System Design Primer" on GitHub are invaluable.

• Coding Under Pressure: Technical interviews are as much about problem-solving as they are about staying calm under pressure. Try simulating a real interview environment—set a timer, record yourself, and practice thinking out loud as you code.

PS: Check out roundzero.xyz from luffy on X here.

PSS: If you’re not an SWE, you can skip this section. But regardless of profession, there are still some hard skills that you need to know like the back of your hand, whether it’s PMs, Accountants, etc.

Step 3: Prepare for Behavioral and Soft Skill Questions

Doesn’t matter what you do for a living, everyone’s going to go through a behavioral interview where they’re interviewing your soft skills.

It doesn’t matter how good your hard skills are. If you don’t “fit” within the team, or can’t elaborate on those hard skills by diving deep into your experience, you’ll be a hard pass.

Simply put - hard skills alone aren't enough—companies want to hire individuals who can navigate challenges, resolve conflicts, and contribute positively to team dynamics. By assessing these traits, employers reduce the risk of hiring someone who may be technically strong but difficult to work with.

Here’s how to prepare:

• Have Your Stories Ready: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to prepare concise stories about your past experiences. Whether it’s a time you resolved a team conflict, led a project, or made a big mistake and learned from it, these stories can help you stand out.

• Practice Explaining Technical Concepts to Non-Engineers: You might be asked to explain a complex technical problem to someone without a tech background (think product managers or VPs). Can you distill complex ideas into simple, clear explanations? This is a skill that’s often overlooked but can make a huge difference.

Step 4: Conduct Mock Interviews

Nothing beats practice, and mock interviews are one of the best ways to simulate the real thing. Consider:

• Using platforms like Interviewing.io or roundzero.xyz: These sites pair you with other engineers to practice coding and system design questions.

• Asking a friend or mentor for help: It’s more valuable than you think. A fresh set of eyes on your interview performance can point out blind spots you may not have noticed.

• Using AI: Upload the job description to ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc and ask it to “give me 10 questions and answers a hiring manager would ask me based off this job description.” Dive your prompts deeper as needed.

• Record yourself: It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it. As you’re preparing, record yourself so you can watch your body language and tone from a 3rd party perspective and make any adjustments as needed.

Step 5: Nail the Final 48 Hours Before the Interview

The days leading up to your interview are crucial. Here’s what to do:

• Review Your Notes & Practice Problems: Focus on high-yield topics you’re likely to encounter. Make sure you’re comfortable with any whiteboard-style problem-solving if it’s a part of their process.

• Prepare Your Environment: If it’s a virtual interview, test your setup: camera, microphone, and internet connection. Make sure your background is clean, and you have a quiet space to focus.

• Get a Good Night’s Sleep: This is often overlooked, but being well-rested can significantly impact your performance. Avoid cramming the night before.

Final Note

Preparation isn’t just about studying algorithms and practicing coding challenges, or whatever your “hard skills” may be.

It’s about creating a strategy that addresses the entire interview process—technical and behavioral alike. In today’s competitive market, it’s the small things that separate the top 1% from the rest of the pack.

If you take away just one thing from this guide, let it be this: The best candidates prepare not just to pass the interview, but to demonstrate that they are the low-risk, high-value hire the company is looking for.

Now, it’s up to you. Start prepping, put in the reps, and get after it. Because the reality is, the people who are willing to go the extra mile in their preparation? They’re the ones who land the offers.

P.S. Found this guide helpful? Share it with someone who's preparing for their own tech interviews, and let’s help more engineers land their dream roles in 2024.

P.P.S. If you’re interested in more in-depth tips on navigating the tech job market, sign up for our newsletter for weekly insights straight to your inbox.

P.P.S. If you’re looking for some career coaching and guidance, book a call with me here.