FactSet Software Engineers Share Technical Interview Tips

FactSet hosted a Google Hangout recently featuring three of the software company’s engineers discussing how to do your best in a technical interview.

Titapha Tiet, Brian Chase and Sapna Gathani had some great tips geared toward candidates who are new to the interview process.

Hit the White Board for Prep

Before your technical interview, get used to talking through problems and solving them on a white board. Invite a friend or two to participate in your practice sessions.

“I find that a lot of candidates that are new to the interview process get really thrown by having to solve a problem out loud while writing out their answers on the white board all at the same time,” Tiet said. “Once you get a little more experience doing that, it will keep you from being distracted when you’re trying to really focus on solving whatever problem you’re working on.”

Make it a Conversation

 Your interviewer is interested in seeing how you think and how well you can communicate. Strike up a genuine conversation: Talk about what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. The easiest or most obvious solution likely isn’t the best – really dig into a problem and discuss the merits of various approaches to solving it.

“Can [a candidate] go beyond the surface and maybe get to the second level of questioning where we explore a particular topic further and really start to differentiate themselves?” Chase said.

Don’t panic if you get stuck. It’s an opportunity to show your interviewer how you deal with stress. Ask for clarification or guidance.

“You need to show you interviewer you have the ability to stay calm under pressure,” Gathani said. “So even if you cannot get to the right solution, at least show them that you have the ability to get on the right path solution and from there on they can guide you to the final solution.”

Ask Questions

 “I like when a candidate asks me questions. It shows me they aren’t making any assumptions,” Tiet said. “When I get candidates who are really silent or don’t ask questions, it’s kind of a really bad sign because I don’t know what their thinking. I don’t know if they don’t know the answer, or if they’re just stuck or if there is something unclear about my question.

No. 1 Technical Interview Tip

Titapha Tiet : “Make sure you brush up on your basics. Don’t let those little things be a distraction. And don’t ever be afraid to ask questions”

Brian Chase: “Just go in there and be confident, and I think everything will be great.”

Sapna Gathani “Do your research of the company and position before you go to the interview. Communication is very important – you cannot leave a great first impression if you don’t communicate with the interviewers.”

Check out the full Hangout here