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How do I Prepare?
What are technical and case study interviews?
Technical and case study interviews are based on the skills required for the position. Some interviewers may ask you to
present on a technical topic, require you to write code, or solve a case study. Others may also ask you to work in a group to
identify solutions to a presented problem or to take a coding test. A typical technical or case study interview will consist of
“white-boarding” or coding and a knowledge-based question and answer portion. Overall, a technical or case study
interview will test your knowledge and allow you to showcase your analytic and technical skills.
Resources for Further Practice
• Pramp.com:
A free practice interview website where students are paired with peers
• Interviewing.io
: An anonymous, technical interview practice website
• Careercup.com:
A website dedicated to providing interview questions from companies
• “
Programming Interviews Exposed:
Secrets to Landing Your Next Job
” by John Mongan
• “
Cracking the Coding Interview: 150 Programming Questions and Solutions
” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell
Study the job description and identify the specific
skills required for success in the position.
• Interviewers will ask a broad range of questions
from basic concepts to advanced principles.
• Be prepared to talk in detail about class projects
or previous experience listed on your résumé,
specifically challenges faced and the technical
knowledge used.
Develop questions based on the job description and
practice speaking aloud and writing out your
answers.
• You must be able to verbally describe your
thought process while working on the problem
assigned. This verbal processing allows them to get
to know your personality as well as your
technical ability.
• It is okay to say you do not know exactly how to
solve the identified problem or how to
complete the coding exercise. Interviewers
understand you are still learning. Focus on show-
ing what you do know and identify how you may
try to find the correct answer as you proceed.
Practice solving problems and case studies and
coding based on the job description.
• Search the Internet for sample coding problems
and/or case studies and practice solving them.
• Consider getting involved in extracurricular
activities, such as competitive programming
organizations and hackathons to practice your
skills.
• Talk to your professors and other students about
how they prepare for technical and case study
interviews.
• Review the sample resources below.
Throughout the interview, show your passion and
your willingness to learn.
• Remember, they don't expect you to be an expert.
They want to see your drive for continued
learning.
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