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Appropriate to ask what will be covered in a technical interview?
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I landed an hour long interview with a senior developer and am pretty nervous. I know it's going to be technical, but is it appropriate at all to ask about what I should expect?
interviewing
edited Mar 25 '16 at 1:20
skrrgwasme
1,567623
asked Mar 24 '16 at 22:23
user3613290
96127
 |Â
show 3 more comments
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
I landed an hour long interview with a senior developer and am pretty nervous. I know it's going to be technical, but is it appropriate at all to ask about what I should expect?
interviewing
edited Mar 25 '16 at 1:20
skrrgwasme
1,567623
asked Mar 24 '16 at 22:23
user3613290
96127
what level position are you applying for?
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
Software internship
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:33
Then no, it's not appropriate to ask, but these don't tend to be in depth tech interviews anyway, just a gauge of technical aptitude... nothing to get apprehensive about.
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:35
1
Asking the HR rep might be ok, but you won't get anything specific or extremely useful. I'd pick up Cracking the Coding Interview and start doing practice problems. I'd expect nearly all questions you would be asked in a standard interview for an internship would be covered in that book. But there is a lot covered in that book, so don't think you need to know everything. And "I don't know" is a great answer, especially if it is followed up by good clarifying questions or accurate suggestions to try out.
– midfield99
Mar 25 '16 at 20:22
2
Possible duplicate of Can I ask the company how the interview will work?
– Dukeling
Oct 21 '17 at 8:25
 |Â
show 3 more comments
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
up vote
5
down vote
favorite
I landed an hour long interview with a senior developer and am pretty nervous. I know it's going to be technical, but is it appropriate at all to ask about what I should expect?
interviewing
edited Mar 25 '16 at 1:20
skrrgwasme
1,567623
asked Mar 24 '16 at 22:23
user3613290
96127
I landed an hour long interview with a senior developer and am pretty nervous. I know it's going to be technical, but is it appropriate at all to ask about what I should expect?
interviewing
edited Mar 25 '16 at 1:20
skrrgwasme
1,567623
asked Mar 24 '16 at 22:23
user3613290
96127
edited Mar 25 '16 at 1:20
skrrgwasme
1,567623
edited Mar 25 '16 at 1:20
skrrgwasme
1,567623
edited Mar 25 '16 at 1:20
skrrgwasme
1,567623
1,567623
asked Mar 24 '16 at 22:23
user3613290
96127
asked Mar 24 '16 at 22:23
user3613290
96127
asked Mar 24 '16 at 22:23
user3613290
96127
96127
what level position are you applying for?
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
Software internship
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:33
Then no, it's not appropriate to ask, but these don't tend to be in depth tech interviews anyway, just a gauge of technical aptitude... nothing to get apprehensive about.
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:35
1
Asking the HR rep might be ok, but you won't get anything specific or extremely useful. I'd pick up Cracking the Coding Interview and start doing practice problems. I'd expect nearly all questions you would be asked in a standard interview for an internship would be covered in that book. But there is a lot covered in that book, so don't think you need to know everything. And "I don't know" is a great answer, especially if it is followed up by good clarifying questions or accurate suggestions to try out.
– midfield99
Mar 25 '16 at 20:22
2
Possible duplicate of Can I ask the company how the interview will work?
– Dukeling
Oct 21 '17 at 8:25
 |Â
show 3 more comments
what level position are you applying for?
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
Software internship
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:33
Then no, it's not appropriate to ask, but these don't tend to be in depth tech interviews anyway, just a gauge of technical aptitude... nothing to get apprehensive about.
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:35
1
Asking the HR rep might be ok, but you won't get anything specific or extremely useful. I'd pick up Cracking the Coding Interview and start doing practice problems. I'd expect nearly all questions you would be asked in a standard interview for an internship would be covered in that book. But there is a lot covered in that book, so don't think you need to know everything. And "I don't know" is a great answer, especially if it is followed up by good clarifying questions or accurate suggestions to try out.
– midfield99
Mar 25 '16 at 20:22
2
Possible duplicate of Can I ask the company how the interview will work?
– Dukeling
Oct 21 '17 at 8:25
what level position are you applying for?
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
what level position are you applying for?
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
Software internship
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:33
Software internship
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:33
Then no, it's not appropriate to ask, but these don't tend to be in depth tech interviews anyway, just a gauge of technical aptitude... nothing to get apprehensive about.
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:35
Then no, it's not appropriate to ask, but these don't tend to be in depth tech interviews anyway, just a gauge of technical aptitude... nothing to get apprehensive about.
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:35
1
1
Asking the HR rep might be ok, but you won't get anything specific or extremely useful. I'd pick up Cracking the Coding Interview and start doing practice problems. I'd expect nearly all questions you would be asked in a standard interview for an internship would be covered in that book. But there is a lot covered in that book, so don't think you need to know everything. And "I don't know" is a great answer, especially if it is followed up by good clarifying questions or accurate suggestions to try out.
– midfield99
Mar 25 '16 at 20:22
Asking the HR rep might be ok, but you won't get anything specific or extremely useful. I'd pick up Cracking the Coding Interview and start doing practice problems. I'd expect nearly all questions you would be asked in a standard interview for an internship would be covered in that book. But there is a lot covered in that book, so don't think you need to know everything. And "I don't know" is a great answer, especially if it is followed up by good clarifying questions or accurate suggestions to try out.
– midfield99
Mar 25 '16 at 20:22
2
2
Possible duplicate of Can I ask the company how the interview will work?
– Dukeling
Oct 21 '17 at 8:25
Possible duplicate of Can I ask the company how the interview will work?
– Dukeling
Oct 21 '17 at 8:25
 |Â
show 3 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Whether or not it is appropriate to ask what the interview will cover is going to be very dependent on the interviewer's opinion. It could go either way:
The interviewer could be bothered by this question. It would be fair to assume that the interview questions will cover whatever skills were listed in the job posting and what you've put on your resume. The interviewer could assume you don't know those topics as well as they want you to if you feel the need to ask what will be covered. It's kind of like asking a professor what will be on a comprehensive final exam (the answer is usually, "everything we covered in the course").
Other interviewers will not be bothered by it. They will have an appreciation for how stressful interviews can be for people new to the industry (which I assume you are since you're interviewing for an internship), and may give you some idea of what it will entail.
Also note that since you're talking to the HR person, they may not even be able to answer the question.
My recommended approach would be to study up on everything that is covered on both the job posting and your resume without asking about it. In my experience, even technical interviews aren't very in-depth, especially in the first round of interviews. They usually understand that even people experienced with a particular technology may not have used it in the particular application used by the company, so some on-the-job learning is to be expected. The interviewers usually just want to confirm a minimum competency.
Since you're in the software field, it also may be beneficial (and fun) to look over questions on CodeReview and some of the challenges over at CodeGolf for the languages you'll be working with. They can both reveal some interesting language constructs (and abuses) if the interviewer wants to throw some curveballs at you.
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:41
Community♦
1
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
skrrgwasme
1,567623
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If you mean asking the interviewer, i.e., the senior developer, it absolutely is inappropriate. The purpose of the interview is to gauge your skills against the job and you asking for the process in advance is like asking about the documents to study and cheat.
If you have a friend, or a recruiter, who has been through the process before, it might be appropriate to ask them but not in a way that, you are just trying to circumvent the process. It is more like "what do they focus on" or "any particular interest of the developer that I should be addressing" are proper things to ask. "What problem he/she ask you to solve, so that I will have a ready made answer to it" is not a good question to ask anyone.
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:27
MelBurslan
7,00511123
1
I'm going to be responding to the HR rep, not the developer. So it's alright if I ask this HR rep "is there any particular focus of interest of the developer that I should be prepared for?"
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
1
if you are calling an agent of the employer company, I'd stay away from being specific. You can ask, "I have not been to one of these technical interviews lately. what is expected of me at this interview" is a good question to ask the HR people. Being prepared for the curve-balls the developer will throw at you and how you answer is how they determine if you are a good fit for the job. Do not expect them to answer this type of questions.
– MelBurslan
Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I think the appropriateness depends on the interviewer. But if you want to play it safe, I would avoid asking. Technical interviews usually cover coding and technical questions related to the position and the language or technology you'd be using on the job.
If you want some idea of what this looks like, you could try solving some coding tests that are used for job interviews. I can also recommend the book Cracking the Coding Interview, which aims to help with technical interviews and is a very useful read.
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:11
Peter
92
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Asking the interviewer whether you are expected to prepare anything in advance, should be fine.
The response will probably be a 'no', but it might also reveal what the more exact goal with the interview is.
Personally, I would not study coding riddles as preparation, as that could just as easily increase anxiety on your part.
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:21
morsor
6,56921631
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Whether or not it is appropriate to ask what the interview will cover is going to be very dependent on the interviewer's opinion. It could go either way:
The interviewer could be bothered by this question. It would be fair to assume that the interview questions will cover whatever skills were listed in the job posting and what you've put on your resume. The interviewer could assume you don't know those topics as well as they want you to if you feel the need to ask what will be covered. It's kind of like asking a professor what will be on a comprehensive final exam (the answer is usually, "everything we covered in the course").
Other interviewers will not be bothered by it. They will have an appreciation for how stressful interviews can be for people new to the industry (which I assume you are since you're interviewing for an internship), and may give you some idea of what it will entail.
Also note that since you're talking to the HR person, they may not even be able to answer the question.
My recommended approach would be to study up on everything that is covered on both the job posting and your resume without asking about it. In my experience, even technical interviews aren't very in-depth, especially in the first round of interviews. They usually understand that even people experienced with a particular technology may not have used it in the particular application used by the company, so some on-the-job learning is to be expected. The interviewers usually just want to confirm a minimum competency.
Since you're in the software field, it also may be beneficial (and fun) to look over questions on CodeReview and some of the challenges over at CodeGolf for the languages you'll be working with. They can both reveal some interesting language constructs (and abuses) if the interviewer wants to throw some curveballs at you.
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:41
Community♦
1
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
skrrgwasme
1,567623
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Whether or not it is appropriate to ask what the interview will cover is going to be very dependent on the interviewer's opinion. It could go either way:
The interviewer could be bothered by this question. It would be fair to assume that the interview questions will cover whatever skills were listed in the job posting and what you've put on your resume. The interviewer could assume you don't know those topics as well as they want you to if you feel the need to ask what will be covered. It's kind of like asking a professor what will be on a comprehensive final exam (the answer is usually, "everything we covered in the course").
Other interviewers will not be bothered by it. They will have an appreciation for how stressful interviews can be for people new to the industry (which I assume you are since you're interviewing for an internship), and may give you some idea of what it will entail.
Also note that since you're talking to the HR person, they may not even be able to answer the question.
My recommended approach would be to study up on everything that is covered on both the job posting and your resume without asking about it. In my experience, even technical interviews aren't very in-depth, especially in the first round of interviews. They usually understand that even people experienced with a particular technology may not have used it in the particular application used by the company, so some on-the-job learning is to be expected. The interviewers usually just want to confirm a minimum competency.
Since you're in the software field, it also may be beneficial (and fun) to look over questions on CodeReview and some of the challenges over at CodeGolf for the languages you'll be working with. They can both reveal some interesting language constructs (and abuses) if the interviewer wants to throw some curveballs at you.
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:41
Community♦
1
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
skrrgwasme
1,567623
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Whether or not it is appropriate to ask what the interview will cover is going to be very dependent on the interviewer's opinion. It could go either way:
The interviewer could be bothered by this question. It would be fair to assume that the interview questions will cover whatever skills were listed in the job posting and what you've put on your resume. The interviewer could assume you don't know those topics as well as they want you to if you feel the need to ask what will be covered. It's kind of like asking a professor what will be on a comprehensive final exam (the answer is usually, "everything we covered in the course").
Other interviewers will not be bothered by it. They will have an appreciation for how stressful interviews can be for people new to the industry (which I assume you are since you're interviewing for an internship), and may give you some idea of what it will entail.
Also note that since you're talking to the HR person, they may not even be able to answer the question.
My recommended approach would be to study up on everything that is covered on both the job posting and your resume without asking about it. In my experience, even technical interviews aren't very in-depth, especially in the first round of interviews. They usually understand that even people experienced with a particular technology may not have used it in the particular application used by the company, so some on-the-job learning is to be expected. The interviewers usually just want to confirm a minimum competency.
Since you're in the software field, it also may be beneficial (and fun) to look over questions on CodeReview and some of the challenges over at CodeGolf for the languages you'll be working with. They can both reveal some interesting language constructs (and abuses) if the interviewer wants to throw some curveballs at you.
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:41
Community♦
1
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
skrrgwasme
1,567623
Whether or not it is appropriate to ask what the interview will cover is going to be very dependent on the interviewer's opinion. It could go either way:
The interviewer could be bothered by this question. It would be fair to assume that the interview questions will cover whatever skills were listed in the job posting and what you've put on your resume. The interviewer could assume you don't know those topics as well as they want you to if you feel the need to ask what will be covered. It's kind of like asking a professor what will be on a comprehensive final exam (the answer is usually, "everything we covered in the course").
Other interviewers will not be bothered by it. They will have an appreciation for how stressful interviews can be for people new to the industry (which I assume you are since you're interviewing for an internship), and may give you some idea of what it will entail.
Also note that since you're talking to the HR person, they may not even be able to answer the question.
My recommended approach would be to study up on everything that is covered on both the job posting and your resume without asking about it. In my experience, even technical interviews aren't very in-depth, especially in the first round of interviews. They usually understand that even people experienced with a particular technology may not have used it in the particular application used by the company, so some on-the-job learning is to be expected. The interviewers usually just want to confirm a minimum competency.
Since you're in the software field, it also may be beneficial (and fun) to look over questions on CodeReview and some of the challenges over at CodeGolf for the languages you'll be working with. They can both reveal some interesting language constructs (and abuses) if the interviewer wants to throw some curveballs at you.
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:41
Community♦
1
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
skrrgwasme
1,567623
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:41
Community♦
1
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:41
Community♦
1
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:41
Community♦
1
1
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
skrrgwasme
1,567623
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
skrrgwasme
1,567623
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
skrrgwasme
1,567623
1,567623
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If you mean asking the interviewer, i.e., the senior developer, it absolutely is inappropriate. The purpose of the interview is to gauge your skills against the job and you asking for the process in advance is like asking about the documents to study and cheat.
If you have a friend, or a recruiter, who has been through the process before, it might be appropriate to ask them but not in a way that, you are just trying to circumvent the process. It is more like "what do they focus on" or "any particular interest of the developer that I should be addressing" are proper things to ask. "What problem he/she ask you to solve, so that I will have a ready made answer to it" is not a good question to ask anyone.
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:27
MelBurslan
7,00511123
1
I'm going to be responding to the HR rep, not the developer. So it's alright if I ask this HR rep "is there any particular focus of interest of the developer that I should be prepared for?"
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
1
if you are calling an agent of the employer company, I'd stay away from being specific. You can ask, "I have not been to one of these technical interviews lately. what is expected of me at this interview" is a good question to ask the HR people. Being prepared for the curve-balls the developer will throw at you and how you answer is how they determine if you are a good fit for the job. Do not expect them to answer this type of questions.
– MelBurslan
Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
If you mean asking the interviewer, i.e., the senior developer, it absolutely is inappropriate. The purpose of the interview is to gauge your skills against the job and you asking for the process in advance is like asking about the documents to study and cheat.
If you have a friend, or a recruiter, who has been through the process before, it might be appropriate to ask them but not in a way that, you are just trying to circumvent the process. It is more like "what do they focus on" or "any particular interest of the developer that I should be addressing" are proper things to ask. "What problem he/she ask you to solve, so that I will have a ready made answer to it" is not a good question to ask anyone.
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:27
MelBurslan
7,00511123
1
I'm going to be responding to the HR rep, not the developer. So it's alright if I ask this HR rep "is there any particular focus of interest of the developer that I should be prepared for?"
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
1
if you are calling an agent of the employer company, I'd stay away from being specific. You can ask, "I have not been to one of these technical interviews lately. what is expected of me at this interview" is a good question to ask the HR people. Being prepared for the curve-balls the developer will throw at you and how you answer is how they determine if you are a good fit for the job. Do not expect them to answer this type of questions.
– MelBurslan
Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
If you mean asking the interviewer, i.e., the senior developer, it absolutely is inappropriate. The purpose of the interview is to gauge your skills against the job and you asking for the process in advance is like asking about the documents to study and cheat.
If you have a friend, or a recruiter, who has been through the process before, it might be appropriate to ask them but not in a way that, you are just trying to circumvent the process. It is more like "what do they focus on" or "any particular interest of the developer that I should be addressing" are proper things to ask. "What problem he/she ask you to solve, so that I will have a ready made answer to it" is not a good question to ask anyone.
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:27
MelBurslan
7,00511123
If you mean asking the interviewer, i.e., the senior developer, it absolutely is inappropriate. The purpose of the interview is to gauge your skills against the job and you asking for the process in advance is like asking about the documents to study and cheat.
If you have a friend, or a recruiter, who has been through the process before, it might be appropriate to ask them but not in a way that, you are just trying to circumvent the process. It is more like "what do they focus on" or "any particular interest of the developer that I should be addressing" are proper things to ask. "What problem he/she ask you to solve, so that I will have a ready made answer to it" is not a good question to ask anyone.
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:27
MelBurslan
7,00511123
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:27
MelBurslan
7,00511123
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:27
MelBurslan
7,00511123
answered Mar 24 '16 at 22:27
MelBurslan
7,00511123
7,00511123
1
I'm going to be responding to the HR rep, not the developer. So it's alright if I ask this HR rep "is there any particular focus of interest of the developer that I should be prepared for?"
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
1
if you are calling an agent of the employer company, I'd stay away from being specific. You can ask, "I have not been to one of these technical interviews lately. what is expected of me at this interview" is a good question to ask the HR people. Being prepared for the curve-balls the developer will throw at you and how you answer is how they determine if you are a good fit for the job. Do not expect them to answer this type of questions.
– MelBurslan
Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
suggest improvements |Â
1
I'm going to be responding to the HR rep, not the developer. So it's alright if I ask this HR rep "is there any particular focus of interest of the developer that I should be prepared for?"
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
1
if you are calling an agent of the employer company, I'd stay away from being specific. You can ask, "I have not been to one of these technical interviews lately. what is expected of me at this interview" is a good question to ask the HR people. Being prepared for the curve-balls the developer will throw at you and how you answer is how they determine if you are a good fit for the job. Do not expect them to answer this type of questions.
– MelBurslan
Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
1
1
I'm going to be responding to the HR rep, not the developer. So it's alright if I ask this HR rep "is there any particular focus of interest of the developer that I should be prepared for?"
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
I'm going to be responding to the HR rep, not the developer. So it's alright if I ask this HR rep "is there any particular focus of interest of the developer that I should be prepared for?"
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
1
1
if you are calling an agent of the employer company, I'd stay away from being specific. You can ask, "I have not been to one of these technical interviews lately. what is expected of me at this interview" is a good question to ask the HR people. Being prepared for the curve-balls the developer will throw at you and how you answer is how they determine if you are a good fit for the job. Do not expect them to answer this type of questions.
– MelBurslan
Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
if you are calling an agent of the employer company, I'd stay away from being specific. You can ask, "I have not been to one of these technical interviews lately. what is expected of me at this interview" is a good question to ask the HR people. Being prepared for the curve-balls the developer will throw at you and how you answer is how they determine if you are a good fit for the job. Do not expect them to answer this type of questions.
– MelBurslan
Mar 24 '16 at 22:47
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I think the appropriateness depends on the interviewer. But if you want to play it safe, I would avoid asking. Technical interviews usually cover coding and technical questions related to the position and the language or technology you'd be using on the job.
If you want some idea of what this looks like, you could try solving some coding tests that are used for job interviews. I can also recommend the book Cracking the Coding Interview, which aims to help with technical interviews and is a very useful read.
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:11
Peter
92
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I think the appropriateness depends on the interviewer. But if you want to play it safe, I would avoid asking. Technical interviews usually cover coding and technical questions related to the position and the language or technology you'd be using on the job.
If you want some idea of what this looks like, you could try solving some coding tests that are used for job interviews. I can also recommend the book Cracking the Coding Interview, which aims to help with technical interviews and is a very useful read.
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:11
Peter
92
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I think the appropriateness depends on the interviewer. But if you want to play it safe, I would avoid asking. Technical interviews usually cover coding and technical questions related to the position and the language or technology you'd be using on the job.
If you want some idea of what this looks like, you could try solving some coding tests that are used for job interviews. I can also recommend the book Cracking the Coding Interview, which aims to help with technical interviews and is a very useful read.
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:11
Peter
92
I think the appropriateness depends on the interviewer. But if you want to play it safe, I would avoid asking. Technical interviews usually cover coding and technical questions related to the position and the language or technology you'd be using on the job.
If you want some idea of what this looks like, you could try solving some coding tests that are used for job interviews. I can also recommend the book Cracking the Coding Interview, which aims to help with technical interviews and is a very useful read.
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:11
Peter
92
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:11
Peter
92
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:11
Peter
92
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:11
Peter
92
92
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Asking the interviewer whether you are expected to prepare anything in advance, should be fine.
The response will probably be a 'no', but it might also reveal what the more exact goal with the interview is.
Personally, I would not study coding riddles as preparation, as that could just as easily increase anxiety on your part.
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:21
morsor
6,56921631
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Asking the interviewer whether you are expected to prepare anything in advance, should be fine.
The response will probably be a 'no', but it might also reveal what the more exact goal with the interview is.
Personally, I would not study coding riddles as preparation, as that could just as easily increase anxiety on your part.
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:21
morsor
6,56921631
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Asking the interviewer whether you are expected to prepare anything in advance, should be fine.
The response will probably be a 'no', but it might also reveal what the more exact goal with the interview is.
Personally, I would not study coding riddles as preparation, as that could just as easily increase anxiety on your part.
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:21
morsor
6,56921631
Asking the interviewer whether you are expected to prepare anything in advance, should be fine.
The response will probably be a 'no', but it might also reveal what the more exact goal with the interview is.
Personally, I would not study coding riddles as preparation, as that could just as easily increase anxiety on your part.
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:21
morsor
6,56921631
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:21
morsor
6,56921631
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:21
morsor
6,56921631
answered Oct 24 '16 at 12:21
morsor
6,56921631
6,56921631
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
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what level position are you applying for?
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:32
Software internship
– user3613290
Mar 24 '16 at 22:33
Then no, it's not appropriate to ask, but these don't tend to be in depth tech interviews anyway, just a gauge of technical aptitude... nothing to get apprehensive about.
– Kilisi
Mar 24 '16 at 22:35
1
Asking the HR rep might be ok, but you won't get anything specific or extremely useful. I'd pick up Cracking the Coding Interview and start doing practice problems. I'd expect nearly all questions you would be asked in a standard interview for an internship would be covered in that book. But there is a lot covered in that book, so don't think you need to know everything. And "I don't know" is a great answer, especially if it is followed up by good clarifying questions or accurate suggestions to try out.
– midfield99
Mar 25 '16 at 20:22
2
Possible duplicate of Can I ask the company how the interview will work?
– Dukeling
Oct 21 '17 at 8:25