Technical Interviews for Graduate STEM Positions

With the right preparation, you can feel confident enough to talk technical in job interviews and land your coveted dream STEM job.

Employers want to assess your technical abilities, so they have to draw out your experience and knowledge to see how well you match the role and how easily you can get your head around unfamiliar scenarios. On top of that, graduates applying for STEMrelated positions should expect some competency-based questions to ensure their experience and background is as stated on their resume.

The most likely technical assessment is a technical interview, but you may also face: • A short test • A presentation • Some technical questions within a more general interview • A technical exercise, such as a case study group exercise at an assessment centre

What forms do technical interviews take?

It depends on the employer, but recruiters typically test your technical competence and basic understanding of principles. They’ll also gauge how well you can explain technical concepts that you are familiar with – in front of an audience who aren’t.

Technical interviews usually begin in familiar territory, starting with modules and projects in your curriculum that you found interesting or relate directly to the organisation’s work before moving on.

Preparation is essential, so be sure to do the following: • Brush up on your basic knowledge, particularly on subjects that tie in with the recruiter’s line of business, as you may be tested on this • Get insights into the employer’s activities and take note of any issues that may be of concern to the industry • Find out what sort of work the organisation does. From there, you’ll be able to anticipate the kind of questions related to the firm’s work you may be asked.

For instance, an employer that constructs oil and gas facilities may ask you about steel structures, so you may have to refresh your general knowledge about steel

It’s not about getting the right answers!

In many ways, technical interviews focus on how you can communicate technical ideas and information rather than whether you know everything or not.

As such, it’s perfectly all right to ask for further clarification if you need it. If you need a sketch or diagram to help you explain something, don’t be afraid to ask for a piece of paper as well. Real-world projects rarely present textbook problems, so your future employer will want to see how you approach and address issues.

Can you recover if you get stumped?

Don’t let it faze you. Pause, perhaps ask the interviewers some questions of your own, and try to work things out.

If you don’t know the answer, honesty’s the best policy. Recruiters don’t always expect candidates to know the answers to all the questions, especially when they’re not meant to test technical knowledge, but rather the ability to think on your feet.

Don’t try to guess or make things up. Rather, it’s better to own up if you’re unsure about something.

Can you ask your own questions during a technical interview?

If approached the right way, a technical interview can be a valuable experience, allowing you to learn more about the employer, as well as the other way around. Most interviewers are happy for candidates to ask questions about how the company works and have a two-way conversation.

If you’re lucky enough to receive more than one job offer, this may even help you decide on which one to accept. Being proactive and asking questions will also make a good impression on recruiters – it shows that you’re thinking seriously about whether you’re suited for the role or not.

More top tips for technical interviews

• Avoid jargon and acronyms • When talking about your experience and achievements, focus on your personal contributions • Listen to the questions properly before diving into your answer