We've compiled lots of advice for students who want pointers on how they can prepare for virtual and/or company interviews.
How do I prepare for a virtual interview?
How do I prepare for a company interview?
Do you have tips for neurodiverse interviewees?
How do I prepare for a virtual interview?
The initial video interview is an opportunity for our internal team to get to know you and is not shared with our clients. It is completed alone in front of a webcam and recorded for review. We expect students to treat this like a classic interview, even though the format is unusual. The team are aware this may be some students first time completing a virtual interview.
We encourage students to re-record their video interview each time they apply to a following cohort if they have been unsuccessful gaining a space previously.
- Let your personality and vibrancy shine: don’t be afraid to stand out with what makes you unique. Some of the most memorable answers will be more impactful than the polished ones (but not oversharing too much with the personal details if unnecessary!).
- Virtual best: make sure you are engaging directly with the webcam and avoid reading answers from a sheet (having some notes with prompts to the side can help - but keep it subtle). Ensure your background and interview space is distraction free and your video and audio are working well.
- Mix it up: We would love to hear different examples to the ones you gave on your application form so that we can form a better understanding of your strengths and skills.
- Lastly, the STAR method will always help: STAR is “Situation, Task, Action and Result” - this will help you to keep your answers succinct and on point, with situational/behaviour questions you may be asked. For more information on this technique please click here.
How do I prepare for a company interview?
The company interview stage is when you attend a virtual or in-person meeting with your potential sponsoring company. The interview dates vary from company to company so it's always best to check the form when you are applying to make sure you can attend these dates.
As with the initial video interview, we expect students to treat this like a classic job interview and follow the tips above to make sure they are presentable, knowledgeable about the company and able to check their set-up beforehand to make sure they are free from technical disruptions (if online).
Here are some more specific tips for approaching company interviews:
- Take advantage of our free coaching sessions: our coaching sessions are designed to get you prepped for the Company Interview stage with role-playing examples and constructive feedback for responses.
- Know the company you are interviewing for inside-out: research, research, research! This is true of both the initial and company interview. You want your passion for tech and the reasons why you want to work for your chosen company to come through - make sure you research their current activity, values, and mission and have a good understanding of their business.
- Have questions prepped and practice: research what questions you may be asked and have some answers prepped! This includes things like ‘strengths and weaknesses, ‘what would your friends say about you', ‘top three qualities’ as some of the most common questions asked, plus don’t forget to look at the types of role-specific questions.
Do you have tips for neurodiverse interviewees?
Yes! If you have neurodiverse needs, we do our best to support you throughout the entire application process but when it comes to the company interview stage, we rely on our partner companies to accommodate accessibility requests as well.
Each company has a different approach to interviews so we have compiled a list of advice to help you approach your company interview.
- Where possible, we put in the job description the type of interview you will have with the company in basic terms. However, if you really want to apply to one or two in particular, we would suggest you email us early on in the application and we could advise you specifically for that company.
- Very few companies expect verbal coding at interview so you can focus on letting your personality shine.
- If you are successful at securing a company interview, you will get an interview sheet with details of the interview structure. Some companies may be able to be contacted in advance as well to advise.
- A large majority of clients do their interviews over video call but if you need to attend an in-person interview or assessment day, you will be given plenty of notice.
- We strongly recommend before you apply, check out the company in detail including their benefits, job description and website around careers support. This may help you see which company may be a great fit before reaching out.
For more information regarding support we provide with accessibility at CFG, we have a more detailed article here.
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We normally email from cfgdegree@codefirstgirls.com unless you have reached the final stage of CFGdegree applications, you may be contacted from employee-specific email addresses.
If you are a current student on one of our courses, please refer to your class Slack channel to ask our Programmes team or your instructor for support. If you need help with general queries, you can contact our Community Support team via our contact form below! ⬇️