Tech job interview? Here’s what NOT to do

There are more best-practice interview guides on the web than there are shortlisted candidates to attend them!

Or certainly, that’s what it can feel like in the currently challenging IT jobs market.

So, I want to break from the pack and look at what NOT to do in a technology job interview, as a contractor or full-time applicant.

Lucky for some? Thirteen tech job interview mistakes…

I’ll look at what to do, too, by way of identifying 13 of the biggest IT job interview mistakes.

And remember, my 13 apply to all tech job interviews, but particularly Business Analyst interviews for freelance contracts or temporary roles.

How come? Well, I am a BA, and I’ve been working professionally in the UK tech industry since 1985, writes Elaine Richardson, a consultant business analyst.

The three stages to landing a technology job

Before I dive in, you’ve obviously read my guidance on preparing for a tech interview. Right?!

With the first of the three key stages to landing a technology job ticked off (Preparation), it’s now time for stages two and three: Execution and Follow-Up.

N.B. For those technology job candidates who are nearing the end of the interview stages, the Follow-Up tips are from ten (10) onwards.

THIRTEEN BIGGEST TECH INTERVIEW MISTAKES

1. DO NOT BE LATE

Be this an in-person interview or a Teams call, do your preparation.

No, you’ve not clicked back to part one, which was on preparation. But yes, do prepare for interview day, especially if it’s an in-person interview at a physical location you’ve never been to before.

Scout it out. Even if it’s only on Google Maps. Make sure you know what the office looks like.

And then plan your route right up to the organisation’s double-doors!

Traffic, dodging reception, and Espresso

If you’re using a route-planning app the night before, factor in that traffic levels at 1 a.m. (when your nerves don’t let you sleep) will be much, MUCH lighter than traffic just before your interview.

My advice? Always leave early, departing from home with plenty of time to get there and get unflustered.

Remember, with a tech job interview, it’s acceptable to be early, but it’s NEVER acceptable to be late.

And you can even be very early, but if you are, don’t go to the employer’s reception. Instead, go find a coffee shop, relax, and try not to spill your Espresso down your shirt!

2. DO NOT LEAVE TEAMS/ZOOM PREP TO THE LAST-MINUTE

If it’s a video phone job interview on Teams (other tools are available!), make sure well before time that you:

-       have connectivity;

-       can access the meeting in question;

-       have tested your microphone;

-       have switched your background to a neutral colour or neutral setting like a plain wall. (Blur the background if you must but avoid special ‘fancy’ backgrounds. Nobody wants to look at spaceships while trying to conduct a professional interview.)

-       have a glass of water to hand;

-       have taken a few steps to minimise background noise (which may include relocating any pets for the call)

3. DO NOT FORGET COMMON COURTESY

If you’re attending an in-person interview for a tech job, be nice to absolutely everybody you encounter from the off -- whether it’s the security guard at the main gate or the department’s stand-in receptionist.

N.B. I’ve known MORE THAN ONE interviewer to follow up with the team at reception after a face-to-face interview. If you’ve been rude on your way in or as you left, reception will say so, so don’t undermine yourself by being nasty!

Go with the flow

Similarly, if offered a drink, it’s courteous to say something like ‘Yes, please’ – but it’s probably best to ask for water if you’re given a choice.

Another espresso and you’ll climb the walls!

Moreover, spilling a hot drink can be painful as well as embarrassing.

4. DO NOT FORGET YOUR QUESTIONS (OR YOUR PEN)

If you followed my tips on tech job interview preparation, you will have a list of questions at the ready (based on your investigations of the company and the project).

Should any of these interview questions be answered during your conversation, you can say:

“Oh, that’s something I was going to ask about, can I take a quick note?”

Just don’t take forever about it. Do have a pen ready.

And yes, it looks bad to have to ask for a pen because you forgot yours!

5. DO NOT FORGET THAT TECH JOB INTERVIEWS ARE A TWO-WAY CONVERSATION

A master key to unlocking a successful interview in the UK tech sector is to remember that they are a two-way conversation.

If you sit there like a lemon and have no questions, you won’t be top of their list. 

But when speaking, keep all your questions to business and project-related elements.

It’s generally useful to ask about management structures, delivery mechanisms, and how problems or developments are handled.

6. DO NOT CROSS THE TABLE

Trying to be self-assured, but curious, while being keen to show your experience or expertise can be a difficult balance to strike when interviewing for your dream tech role.

There’s a fine line between telling them how well you would fit their role and coming across as bragging.

Remember, nobody likes it when someone tells them how to do their job.

And hey, that’s something to save for when your feet are actually under the desk!

7. DO NOT BLUFF

If you don’t know the answer to the interview’s question, say so.

Everyone knows when you’re bluffing.

In my experience, I would say something along the lines of:

“Oh, that’s not something I’ve done before.”

If you need more words, you could try: “Oh, because that’s something I’ve not done before, I would likely Google/AI it, to see what the options were; then discuss with colleagues as to what best fits the company.”

8. DO NOT BRING UP MUTUAL CONNECTIONS

Following on from my tech job prep advice last week, if you do have LinkedIn connections, or online contacts, or past employers in common with one of the interviewers, DO NOT bring this up yourself.

If the interviewer raises the topic, then of course, respond

If the interviewer initiates, you could even have an off-topic conversation, such as how complicated the claims process/customer handling/car parking was at that employer/enterprise you both know of.

Just keep it pleasant -- no really negative comments should come from you, however dreadful the car parking or customer handling system was!

9. DO NOT GET PERSONAL

If the interviewer lays into your mutual connection, or criticises that workplace you both attended, then a degree of honesty from you is allowed.

But whatever you do, DO NOT criticise anyone personally. And never name names.

As an IT contractor, did you NOT get on with your last manager?

If you didn’t, don’t tell the interviewer. They will suspect that YOU were the cause of any problem.

10. DO NOT ASK ABOUT (OR SWEAT) THE SMALL STUFF

No matter how important it might feel to you, it’s generally best at the end of the interview NOT to ask about pay, holidays, or similar admin.

These queries are ALL answerable but not in the interview. Rather, you can cover them afterwards with the recruiter -- once you’ve been offered the role!

Likewise, if the interviewer asks you about how your journey to the interview was, you ALWAYS say something akin to: “It was fine, thank you, no problem.”

Even if you were thrown off three trains and had to walk the last two miles -- “It was fine, thank you, no problem.”

11. DO NOT LEAVE A TECH JOB INTERVIEW WITHOUT SAYING ‘THANKS’

At the end of the interview,  always (always!) thank the interviewer(s) for their time, so that they know you appreciate them seeing you.

Then, consider using these closing moments of the tech interview to ask when they might be in a position to make a decision about your suitability.

Feeling extra brave?

If you are indeed feeling brave, or just feel like the interview went well, ask if you have done enough to be considered for the role.

12. DO NOT FORGET WHO PUT YOU IN THE ROOM

After the interview, contact the recruiter (or whoever put you forward) and thank them too. Even if this opportunity doesn’t bear fruit, it’s best to be remembered as someone polite and grateful for their effort.

After all, they could easily have contacted someone else instead.

13. DO NOT LOSE IT ALL AT THE LAST

If you are offered the role, fantastic!

Connect with the interviewer on LinkedIn; thank them for the opportunity and explain how pleased you are to have been offered the role.  

Equally, if you are unsuccessful and aren’t offered the role, then that’s a real shame!

But I recommend you still connect with the interviewer on LinkedIn and thank them for their time.

And penultimately, KEEP IT NICE…

Whatever you do in victory or defeat in the professional technology job market, KEEP IT NICE. No complaining publicly. No flaming on forums. No bad-mouthing the interviewer to your recruiter afterwards.

Remember, you were given an opportunity for technology employment or earnings in exchange for your IT skills, but ultimately, there was someone else who was a better fit.

But if you are NICE, you may get a second chance.

Final thought

Whether it’s a BA job or another technology role you’re going forward for, the key to your interview success will be your demonstrable understanding of the client/employer and the role, including how you come across with the questions you ask. Good luck!