Career · August 2, 2023

How to Prepare for a Software Engineer Interview

A guide to preparing for software engineer interviews — from reviewing your resume to researching the company.

How to Prepare for a Software Engineer Interview

  1. Know your resume cold. If you have a skill or technology on your resume, be ready to answer questions about it. Interviewers refer to your resume to figure out what questions to ask. Make sure your resume reflects the skills you want to highlight before you submit it.

  2. Prepare work experience examples. If you have work experience that matches the job description, prepare examples that showcase that experience. Specific, quantified stories make a strong impression.

  3. Prepare three thoughtful questions. Ask questions about the company, the team, and the environment. This demonstrates genuine interest in the opportunity and helps you evaluate if it’s the right fit.

  4. Study with the job description as your guide. Review relevant software engineering topics, programming language fundamentals, databases, and other areas mentioned in the job description.

Pro Tip: As you go through your job search, save the job descriptions of the jobs you are applying for so you can refer to them if you get an interview.

As you prepare, see if there is anyone in your LinkedIn network who has worked at the company. Reach out for a coffee chat — insider knowledge can make a meaningful difference in how you present yourself.