How to Prepare for a Technical Interview: A 2-Week Plan

Technical interviews feel unpredictable, but most follow a small number of formats. Preparing for the specific format in front of you — rather than 'studying everything' — is the fastest way to improve your results.

Step 1: Learn the format

Ask the recruiter or check the opportunity details for the rounds and the role's required skills. Prepare in proportion.

Step 2: The two-week plan

Week 1 — fundamentals

• Days 1–2: your main language — data types, OOP, error handling, collections.
• Days 3–4: databases — SQL joins, grouping, indexing basics; write 15–20 real queries.
• Day 5: role-specific concepts (for web: HTTP, REST, authentication; for data: statistics basics, Excel/Power BI).
• Days 6–7: common coding patterns — two pointers, hashing, sorting, basic recursion.

Week 2 — application

• Days 8–9: write and rehearse your project walk-throughs out loud.
• Days 10–11: solve timed problems and explain your approach as you go.
• Day 12: revise weak topics from your notes.
• Day 13: one full mock interview, timed, ideally with someone else.
• Day 14: light revision, research the company, prepare questions to ask.

Step 3: Master your project explanation

Almost every technical interview includes 'walk me through a project'. Prepare a two-minute version covering the problem, your architecture choices, one difficult bug and how you solved it, and what you'd improve. Interviewers then dig into whatever you mention — so mention only what you understand deeply.

Step 4: On the day

• Online: test your camera, microphone and internet; join five minutes early.
• Think out loud during coding questions — interviewers grade your approach, not just the answer.
• If you don't know something, say what you do know and how you'd find out.
• Write down every question you struggled with right after the interview.