Have you just been invited to interview at your dream tech start-up? Congratulations!

Now it’s time to prepare for your interview.

Preparing for interviews at tech start-ups can be difficult as the hiring process is constantly evolving.

A quick Google search might not present as much insider knowledge on the process as it would for a more established firm.

Don’t panic – to support you with your next career step, we’ve chatted to our team of Recruitment Specialists to gain their insights on the top tips when preparing for a job interview at a tech start-up:

1. Look at the company’s social and digital channels

The best way to gain insight into the start-up you’ll be interviewing at is to utilize the information published across the company’s digital channels. LinkedIn is a great tool to find out the latest company news and to have a look at who you might potentially work with.

2. Review the job spec multiple times

Showing an understanding of what your role would involve and how it would impact the organization’s mission is a massively underrated prep technique.

3. Think about what you’ll ask the interviewer

Working at a tech start-up involves taking the initiative and proactively performing tasks. That’s why it is essential to demonstrate these qualities when preparing questions for the interviewer.

Be bold, prepare follow-up thoughts to the interviewer’s response, and use open-ended questions. Remember – interviews should be a two-way conversation and are an opportunity to let your personality shine through.

We’d recommend asking something about the interviewer’s personal experience of the company and the career development opportunities:

• What do you personally think of the culture here?
• Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?
• Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company?

It’s best to avoid questions about PTO, salary, and compensation at this stage.

4. Think about your response to common interview questions

Interviews typically follow a standard format – this blueprint has a handful of generic interview questions that are reused and recycled. These questions aim to understand your level of self-awareness better and identify your career achievements and goals. They typically include the likes of the following:

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• What is your biggest weakness?
• Tell me about a time you performed well under pressure?

Preparing a response to these generic questions prevents you from coming up with a detailed answer there and then. You can think about your response in more detail, outlining all your successes and communicating this effectively.

5. Do you know the company’s values and mission?

Start-ups are an attractive career choice because of their mission-driven nature. Having a mission-driven culture typically means values will support the company to get there. For example, Engtal’s mission is “to be the best company to work for in the world”, and its values of positivity, innovation and drive align staff behavior to this mission.

These values will underpin what the company is looking for in its people – make sure that you’re aware of the importance and consider if this is a good fit for you and your personality type.

6.  Test yourself!

There’s a lot of information to take in when preparing for an interview. Ask yourself whether you know what services/products the company offers. What the company’s mission and values are? What responsibilities are outlined on the job spec? Providing solid answers with confidence shows interest and preparation – which are critical to a successful interview.

Book your Interview Prep Workshop with our Specialists today!

We’re always keen to work with ambitious individuals striving to reach the next level of their career – that’s why we offer 15-min Interview Prep Workshops to candidates.

Our Interview Prep Workshops outline the following:

• What to do before the interview
• Interview dos and don’ts
• Common interview questions – brainstorming and example answers
• How to increase your chance of success
• What to do after your interview

Ready for your next challenge?

We’ll connect you to the opportunities that will take your career to the next level. We support you throughout your career journey as you shape the future with innovative technologies.

Contact us today to access first-class interview advice and tips that can help you get ahead and secure your dream role in technology.