0% completed
The manager screen often known as the technical screen is a key step in the interview process where the hiring manager assesses your technical skills and domain knowledge.
Imagine this stage as a friendly yet thorough chat with the hiring manager to see if you’ve got the right technical chops and leadership flair.
It's more than just a coding test; it’s a conversation about your experience, how you solve problems, and your approach to leading a team.
Think of it as a mix between a detective interview and a coaching session. The hiring manager wants to see if you can not only solve technical problems but also guide a team of engineers to do the same.
Components of a Manager/Technical Screen
The manager screen for an engineering manager role is thorough, touching on various key areas to assess your suitability for the position.
Here's a breakdown of the main topics typically covered:
1. Coding
Even though you're applying for a managerial position, your coding skills still matter.
The coding section tests whether you have a solid technical foundation and how well can understand and review your team's code.
What To Expect
-
Basic Coding Problems: Simple algorithms and data structure problems to assess your fundamental coding skills.
-
Live Coding: You might be asked to solve a problem on the spot, often in an environment like a shared online editor.
Preparation Tips
- Brush Up on Basics: Revisit common algorithms and data structures.
- Practice Online: Use platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to practice coding problems.
2. Non-Coding
This area focuses on your ability to handle the non-technical aspects of engineering management, such as team leadership, communication, and conflict resolution.
What To Expect
-
Behavioral Questions: Questions about your past experiences, leadership style, and how you handle team dynamics.
-
Scenario-Based Questions: Hypothetical situations to see how you would respond to various challenges.
Preparation Tips
- Reflect on Past Experiences: Think about situations where you demonstrated leadership, resolved conflicts, or made tough decisions.
- Use STAR Method: Structure your answers using the Situation, Task, Action, and Result format. We will discuss it in detail in one of the sections next.
3. Problem-Solving
Problem-solving questions assess your ability to think critically and find effective solutions to complex issues.
What To Expect
-
Technical Challenges: Real-world problems that require logical thinking and a methodical approach.
-
Decision-Making Scenarios: Situations where you need to choose the best course of action from multiple options.
Preparation Tips
- Practice Analytical Thinking: Work on puzzles and logic problems to sharpen your problem-solving skills.
- Explain Your Thought Process: During the interview, make sure to explain how you arrived at a solution.
4. Take-Home Projects
Some companies use take-home projects to see how you approach real-world problems in a less pressured environment.
What To Expect
-
Practical Tasks: You’ll be given a project to complete on your own time, often involving coding, design, or problem-solving.
-
Presentation: You might need to present your solution and explain your approach.
Preparation Tips
- Manage Your Time: Plan your work to ensure you can complete the project thoroughly without rushing.
- Focus on Quality: Write clean, well-documented code and provide a detailed explanation of your solution.
5. Previous Projects
Discussing your past projects helps interviewers understand your experience and how you've applied your skills in real-world scenarios.
What To Expect
-
Detailed Discussions: Be ready to dive deep into your previous projects, explaining your role, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes.
-
Impact and Results: Highlight the impact of your work and any measurable results.
Preparation Tips
- Prepare Case Studies: Choose a few significant projects to discuss in detail.
- Show Impact: Emphasize how your work benefited the team or company.
.....
.....
.....
On this page
Components of a Manager/Technical Screen
- Coding
- Non-Coding
- Problem-Solving
- Take-Home Projects
- Previous Projects