Interview Tips: Get that Job at a Startup

Resume

• Keep your resume concise and focused on capturing the recruiter's attention.
• Highlight your accomplishments with straightforward facts and consolidated bullet points
• Include links to relevant online profiles (GitHub, LinkedIn, Twitter, blog, etc.).
• Be honest about your skills, as claiming expertise in a specific area may lead to specialized interview questions.

Phone call with the Recruiter

• Be prepared to discuss your background and previous work experiences in detail.
• Research the company beforehand and demonstrate your interest and motivation to work there.
• Pro tip: Impress the recruiter with your knowledge of the company and its values.

Phone call with the Hiring Manager

• Find a quiet place with a good internet connection for phone screens.
• Practice writing code in a simple text editor without syntax highlighting or completion macros.
• Review and refresh your knowledge of programming techniques and concepts, even if you don't use them frequently.
• Familiarize yourself with the company's tech talks, engineering blog posts, etc., to understand their approach and problem-solving scale.
• Demonstrate mastery in the language you're most comfortable with rather than using a trendy language you're unfamiliar with.

Virtual Onsite Interviews

• Use the onsite interview as an opportunity to showcase your background, experience, and why you're interested in the company.
• Be prepared for a range of technical and behavioral questions.
• Cultivate the ability to approach problems from different perspectives and consider brute-force solutions when necessary.
• Ask questions to learn more about the company's working culture, organization, and the role you're applying for.
• Remember that you are also evaluating whether the team, company, and role are a good fit for you.

By following these tips, candidates can enhance their preparation and increase their chances of performing well in interviews.