Bidding for an IT Project? What to Expect in a Technical Interview in 2024

Are you an outsourced software development company bidding for an outsourced software project? Or a software engineer preparing for a technical interview as part of the project bid requirements? Read on to find out more about the standard process for technical interviews that international customers use to assess your capabilities and to select software developers from your tech team to be on the project. The technical interview process often involves multiple stages to assess the candidates' technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and their fit for the specific project. Here's what to expect:

1. Initial Screening:

• Resume Review: The process usually begins with a thorough review of the candidates' resumes to assess their relevant experience, skills, and education.
• Communication Skills: As outsourced projects typically involve team members distributed in different countries across the world and using English as the common language to communicate, effective communication is crucial, and there is increasingly a requirement to include an assessment of candidates' proficiency in Technical English. This includes an assessment of their ability to explain technical concepts and articulate ideas clearly in Technical English, as well as the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

2. Technical Assessment:

• Coding Test: Candidates are often required to complete a coding test to evaluate their programming skills. This may involve solving algorithmic problems or real-world coding challenges relevant to the project.
• Tech Stack Familiarity: Assessing candidates' proficiency in the required programming languages, frameworks, and tools is crucial. Questions about their experience with specific technologies used in the outsourced company's projects may be asked.

3. Project-Based Interview:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Candidates may be presented with real-world scenarios or problems related to the outsourced projects. This helps assess their ability to apply their technical knowledge to practical situations.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Emphasis may be placed on understanding how candidates collaborate within a team, as teamwork is vital in outsourced software development.

4. Behavioral Interview:

• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Behavioral interviews assess candidates' problem-solving and decision-making skills in work-related scenarios. Questions may revolve around how they have handled challenges in previous roles.
• Adaptability: Given the dynamic nature of outsourced projects, questions about adaptability to new technologies, changing project requirements, and different work environments are common.

5. Agile Methodology Assessment:

• Understanding of Agile Practices: As many outsourced projects follow Agile methodologies, candidates may be questioned on their familiarity with Agile practices. This could include their experience with Scrum, sprint planning, and collaboration within Agile teams.

5. Final Interview with Project Managers or Stakeholders:

• Project-Specific Questions: Candidates may have a final interview with project managers or stakeholders to discuss project-specific aspects. This helps gauge their understanding of the project requirements and alignment with the overall goals.

6. Reference Checks:

• Previous Project Experience: Checking references from previous employers or projects provides insights into a candidate's work ethic, reliability, and performance in real-world scenarios.
  

Now that you know what to expect in a technical interview, the next step is to prepare well for it. Read our guide to preparing for technical interviews including useful tips and questions to expect to help you and your team ace it and land that project. All the best!