Our Top 5 tips for your next Java Developer Interview

Recruitment in the tech arena is constantly evolving. Companies are increasingly dependent on IT teams to manage everything, from customer interactions and sales processes to HR and project management efficiency.

As a result, the cross over between IT and development teams and other departments is becoming more frequent and increasingly crucial. Staff now need to meet the needs of this evolving environment and go beyond just their technical expertise to work and communicate effectively with every level of the organisation.

Great news then, if you’re a budding Java Developer. But if you want to land your dream role, the prep is just as important as the skills. Here are our Top 5 tips when it comes to your next interview for a Java Developer.

1. People BUY People – so demonstrate you can communicate

As important as your technical skills are, the value of softer, interpersonal skills are becoming an increasing area of focus in modern hiring processes. Hiring managers are looking for softer skills, regardless of your job, as they want to make sure they can trust you to interact well with peers, suppliers and, most importantly, clients.

Companies are increasingly likely to take on someone who communicates well and has the right interpersonal and people skills over someone more technically skilled or experience who doesn’t work well with others.

It’s essential to try to be natural. The interviewer isn’t looking for you to create a persona to pass a test. They want to see how you communicate. The more natural and relaxed you are, the more likely you’ll interviewer will respond to you. Remember that you’re there for an interview. At this point, your personality can get you a position.

2. Be Honest About Your Knowledge

The technical interview is still a big part of applying for any Java developer role. Often a stressful experience, you’re thrown into a situation where there isn’t necessarily a single correct solution. Sometimes, the problem is deliberately vague to challenge not just your technical ability but problem-solving skills.

What interviewers often don’t want to see is wild guesses. If there’s a skill that isn’t quite up to scratch or incomplete – that’s ok! It’s better to be honest (saying I don’t know, but I’ll find out is incredibly powerful).

Guessing will undermine other positive aspects of your interview. If you’re caught between answers, discuss them both briefly and how you might go about testing or trying both. Again your problem-solving skills come to the front to see how you react to challenging scenarios. Not knowing the perfect solution but presenting a way to work towards one is a great way to do that.

3. Focus on your strengths. What makes you the right Java Developer to hire?

This one is true for any interview. You’re not the one asking the questions, but you are in a position to push the conversation in the right direction and what you want to focus on is your strengths. For a Java Developer role, this will cover your technical expertise, ability to work within or manage processes, and show an awareness of the broader context of completing work on time and to a high standard.

Companies also like candidates that can show skills that go beyond the job spec. Assisting in other areas or filling gaps in the team’s skill sets are decent benefits to any organisation.

4. Be Positive (and Enthusiastic)!

What’s true in life is echoed in an interview, and people who appear confident, at ease and passionate when discussing something will naturally encourage others to engage with them.

You must demonstrate your technical aptitude, of course. But you want to do so in a way that makes it evident that you care about getting the position. That you’re interested and enthusiastic about what you do and that if you get offered the job.

Do not forget to smile and make eye contact, and don’t limit your discussion to how you’ll work (even on Zoom). Demonstrating your knowledge of the company and aligning with what they stand for is often crucial. Making it evident that you’re aware of and happy to accommodate things like commute times, flexible working, and overtime are essential.

5. Embrace your passion for the technical side of things and make a connection.

You’re working in a technical field, you’re in a room full of your peers, and they all work in the same area.

It’s likely that they work in the same field and care about the same things you do, so take advantage of it! Look for a chance to discuss the merits of using one technology over another, ask about what software they use and moan about the downsides of one of the alternatives! It allows you to build a connection with your interviewers and can often ease the conversation.

Let us know if any of the above proves helpful in your quest for your new Java Developer role.