How to Talk Tech in Your Next Job Interview

Tech interviews can feel unpredictable. One minute you are telling a story about a project, the next you are explaining why you chose React over Angular or what frustrates you about PostgreSQL. The key to performing well is knowing how to switch comfortably between behavioural questions, technical questions and deeper conversational discussions about your craft. When you can talk confidently and clearly about both your experience and your technology stack, you instantly stand out as a capable and credible candidate.

This guide gives you a simple framework to prepare for every type of technical interview question and helps you sound like someone who genuinely understands their tools and uses them well.

1. Prepare for Behavioural and Project-Based Questions

Most tech interviews start with broad behavioural questions that require story-based answers. These are designed to test problem-solving, communication and how you work with others. Use the STAR framework to keep your responses clear and impactful.

Common examples include:

• Tell me about your last role.
• Give me an example of something you built using .NET.
• Talk me through this project listed on your CV.

The trick is to have a bank of polished stories ready to go. They should showcase your technical capability, teamwork, challenges you overcame and the commercial impact of your work.

2. Prepare Your Technical Value Proposition Statements

Some questions require facts rather than stories. Think of these as short, pre-prepared pitches about your capability. Use a personal value proposition approach: a concise summary of your experience, backed by numbers, scope and relevance to the job.

For example:

“I have 6 years of experience using React across 8 projects. In my last role I designed and delivered the front-end for 3 web applications. Would you like me to talk through one of those projects?”

Create similar statements for your core technologies. They should be confident, specific and well-rehearsed.

3. Prepare for Deep Technical Conversations

Once you reach the final stages of an interview, you will usually speak with a Head of Engineering, Lead Developer or Architect. This is where you need to demonstrate depth. You do not have to know everything, but you must sound like someone who genuinely understands their stack.

Use this preparation framework for each core technology mentioned in the job advertisement:

• What do you like about it?
• What do you dislike or find frustrating?
• What would you improve or change?
• How does it compare to similar tools?
• What do you think about the latest release or upcoming features?

If you can speak confidently on these areas, you demonstrate both technical competency and industry awareness.

4. Tailor This Framework to Your Tech Stack

Here is how the same preparation method looks for different specialisations.

Database Engineer Example (PostgreSQL)

• What do you like about PostgreSQL?
• What features do you find most useful?
• What frustrates you about it?
• How does it compare to MongoDB or other NoSQL databases?
• PostgreSQL has a new release planned. What do you think they will focus on?

Frontend Developer Example (React)

• What do you like about React?
• What do you dislike?
• What would you improve about the latest changes to React DOM Server?
• How does React compare to Angular?

This is not about memorising answers. It is about being able to talk like a practitioner who understands how tools work in the real world.

5. Prepare Views on Best Practice and Common Mistakes

Strong candidates can speak confidently about patterns, standards and pitfalls. For example:

• Best practice for structuring React components
• How to design clean and scalable APIs
• How to approach testing and CI/CD
• How to handle performance issues or database bottlenecks

These insights show that you think beyond code and understand engineering quality.

6. Focus Only on the Core Technologies Listed in the Job Description

You do not need to prepare everything you have ever touched. Prioritise:

• The main language
• The main framework
• The key tools and platforms listed in the vacancy

Two or three technologies covered deeply is far more effective than ten covered vaguely.

Final Thoughts

Technical interviews can feel intense, but with the right preparation you can walk in confident and fully equipped. Focus on your stories, sharpen your value propositions and be ready to speak naturally about the technologies you use every day.

If you want structured practice, our interview coaching sessions include mock interviews, personalised feedback and expert guidance to help you perform at your best.