Being in the tech industry, you must have been through rigorous stages of coding interviews and testing.

However, when it comes to interviews for leadership roles, don't forget that they are a bit different and require more than just the technical skills.

No matter how good you are at identifying problems and mapping solutions, if you lack leadership traits or fail to answer the interviewer appropriately, you can’t qualify.

Therefore, we have compiled a list of things you must be mindful of during your engineering leadership interviews.

Here are the factors you need to watch out for:

1. Poor Posture and Body Language

• Avoid: Slouching, crossing arms, or lack of eye contact.

• What To Do: Sit up straight, maintain good eye contact, and use open body language to convey confidence and engagement.

2. Not Demonstrating Leadership Traits

• Avoid: Focusing too much on individual accomplishments rather than team success.

• What To Do: Highlight how you have empowered your team, resolved conflicts, and led by example. Share stories that show your leadership style and effectiveness.

3. Over-Talking

• Avoid: Dominating the conversation or giving overly long responses.

• What To Do: Be concise and to the point. Answer thoroughly but don’t ramble. Give the interviewer a chance to ask follow-up questions.

4. Lack of Empathy

• Avoid: Failing to show understanding or empathy for team members’ perspectives and challenges.

• What To Do: Discuss how you listen to your team, support their professional growth, and create an inclusive environment. Show that you value and understand different viewpoints.

5. Inconsistent Communication Style

• Avoid: Switching between overly formal and overly casual language.

• What To Do: Maintain a professional yet approachable tone throughout the interview. Adapt your communication style to the company culture while staying true to your personality.

6. Failing To Show Strategic Thinking

• Avoid: Only talking about day-to-day tasks and not about long-term goals or strategies.

• What To Do: Share examples of how you have set and achieved strategic goals, managed resources effectively, and contributed to the broader vision of the organization.

7. Ignoring Company Culture

• Avoid: Not considering how your leadership style fits with the company’s culture and values.

• What To Do: Research the company’s culture and values beforehand. Discuss how your leadership approach aligns with and can enhance their work environment.

8. Overemphasizing Authority

• Avoid: Focusing too much on your power or authority within past roles.

• What To Do: Emphasize collaboration, team achievements, and how you facilitate others’ success. Leadership is about influence and support, not just authority.

9. Negative Non-Verbal Cues

• Avoid: Showing impatience, frustration, or disinterest through facial expressions or gestures.

• What To Do: Maintain a positive demeanor, nod in understanding, and smile where appropriate. Show enthusiasm for the role and the company.

10. Avoiding Difficult Topics

• Avoid: Steering clear of discussing failures or challenges you’ve faced.

• What To Do: Be honest about past difficulties and focus on what you learned from those experiences and how you’ve grown as a leader.