Data structures and algorithms problems (i.e. LeetCode) suck up all the attention among software engineers when it comes to interviews. However, you need to master far more than LeetCode to land a quality tech job (even at FAANG). If you want to succeed on the software engineer interview journey, you absolutely have to get good at what's *actually* the most important interview type: Behavioral interviews.
Here are the attributes of behavioral interviews that make them so critical:
- You will encounter them on every interview loop from Big Tech to early-stage startups
- They can screen you out early (often at the recruiter pre-screen)
- They're used extensively for leveling
- You cannot fail them and still get an offer
Despite this, many engineers see them as a fairly meaningless and "fluffy" exercise. This leads to them struggling with behavioral interviews, often not realizing that they're getting hard rejected on these rounds! By taking this course, that won't be you anymore. After going through it, you will:
- 🧠Have the right mentality to answer *any* behavioral question well
- ✅ Understand good vs. bad behavioral answers
- 📖 Use the right tactics to prepare properly
- 🤔 Possess the skills to vet the company
- 📊 Know what behavioral performances look like across different levels
The beautiful thing about behavioral interviews is that by improving at them, you just become a better software engineer overall. Skills like effective communication, speaking with charisma, and empathizing with others are fundamental skills that are useful anywhere at any stage in your career.
Overview
Syllabus
- Overview
- How This Course Works
- You're (Probably) Sleeping On Behavioral
- The 3 Keys To Behavioral Interviews
- Don't Memorize: Be Nimble
- It’s A Conversation
- Answering The Questions
- STAR
- The #1 Behavioral Interview Question
- Timing
- The Interviewer Isn’t You
- When You Don’t Have An Answer
- Questions To Ask
- Interviews Are A 2-Way Street
- Double Dip
- Good Vs. Bad Questions To Ask
- Leveling
- Junior Engineer
- Mid-Level Engineer
- Senior Engineer
- Staff Engineer
- How To Get The Level You Want
- Preparation
- Cultural Values
- Write Stuff Down
- Record Yourself
- Do Mock Interviews
- Conclusion
- Just Be A Human
- Challenge Yourself, Do Great Work
- Go Deeper: Follow Through
Taught by
Alex Chiou