Top Tech Job Interview Questions for 2024

Career Advice, Employee Insights, Job Seekers

If you’re in the market for a new IT role this year, then you already know that interview preparation is a big part of ensuring you will be successful in landing that new job. Once you update your resume, tailor your cover letter, and consider questions to ask during your interview, it’s important to have your own answers ready as well. As you’re looking for a new technology role this year, here are a few common interview questions you should be prepared to answer:

How have you been using artificial intelligence (AI)?

The answer to this question will depend on your role, but it will give you a chance to delve into your knowledge and comfort level with AI technology. Do you use generative AI tools to help you with ideas? Coding? Art and hobbies? Not only can you speak to work-related use cases for AI tools, but you can also touch on the ethics around using these tools for a more nuanced response. By asking this question, your interviewer is likely trying to gauge how you take to new technologies that relate to your work, so be honest about your skill level with AI.

What strengths will you bring to this position?

This is your chance to showcase what you’re great at – so don’t be humble! Talk about your skill level with essential components of the job, your certifications, and ways you have been a leader on your team or in your field. Don’t forget to bring up your soft skills too. Interviewers are typically looking for a balanced response from potential hires, so they will want to know that you have the right technical skills, but also that you can work as part of a team, communicate well, and have great problem-solving abilities.

What do you do to keep your technology skills sharp?

If you’re asked this question during your interview, take the opportunity to explain the ways you keep your skills current both at work and on your own. Do you take classes or boot camps outside of work? Have you been working independently on getting new certifications? Are you part of any IT-related organizations? Do you take on personal projects outside of work? Do you read up on the latest technology advancements regularly? Not only are interviewers interested in seeing how up to date you are, but they are looking for enthusiasm for the field here, so be sure to let your interest show.

Tell me about this gap in your employment. Why did you leave your last job?

If you are one of the many people who experienced a layoff over the last few years, you may have a gap in your employment history. That’s okay! If someone asks you about it, give them a short but honest response explaining that you were part of a workforce reduction. You can then pivot to talking about how you kept your skills up during that time, any other relevant activities or experience you picked up, and how you are ready to jump into this new role.

Are you comfortable working in the office?

This question might be a bit tricky depending on what expectations were set in the job listing and what you’re looking for in a role. While some companies are still allowing remote work to some degree, many are moving back toward primarily being in the office. Some are taking more of a middle-of-the-road approach and allowing hybrid work, however. Before you get to the interview phase, it’s important to think over which options you’re willing to accept and what kind of compromises you are willing to make. Some organizations may offer additional perks for people who come to the office, so there may be benefits that would make it worthwhile to do so. If you already have in mind what option you are willing to take, then you will be prepared if this question comes up.

What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

There are several ways this question may be posed, but it all boils down to the same type of answer. The interviewer is looking for more information about where you want to go in your career. Are you happy in this type of role and likely to stay put for a long time? Do you have career aspirations that might make you a good candidate for promotion later? Are you ambitious and driven to succeed? Be honest about your goals and expectations when responding to this type of question so you and the interviewer can both decide if the job will be a good fit for you.