The interview is one of the most important steps in the multi-step process of landing a job. The two primary interview formats used by the majority of businesses are technical and human resources (HR). Both are intended to evaluate several facets of a candidate's fit for the position.

Your chances of landing your ideal job might be greatly increased by being aware of the main distinctions and preparing appropriately. With our professional insights and career coaching, we at Spires Recruit assist job seekers in overcoming these obstacles. Both interview kinds, their goals, typical questions, and tried-and-true techniques to help you ace them will be covered in this guide.

What is a Technical Interview?

To assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and subject knowledge, a technical interview is held. The most prevalent industries for this kind of interview include engineering, IT, finance, and other technical domains.

Purpose of a Technical Interview:

• Assess your technical knowledge related to the job role.
• Test your problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Evaluate your coding or practical application of concepts.
• Determine if you can handle real-world scenarios within the company.

What to Expect in a Technical Interview?

1. Coding Challenges & Problem-Solving
2. System Design Questions
3. Technical Knowledge Assessment
4. Live Coding or Whiteboarding
5. Case Studies or Real-World Problems

How to Prepare for a Technical Interview?

• Master the Fundamentals: Brush up on core computer science concepts, data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques.
• Practice Coding Regularly: Solve problems on platforms like LeetCode, CodeChef, and GeeksforGeeks.
• Review Past Projects: Be ready to discuss your previous work, challenges you faced, and how you solved them.
• Mock Interviews: Practice technical interviews with friends, mentors, or online platforms like Pramp, Interviewing.io, and Glassdoor.
• Know the Tech Stack: Research the company’s technology stack (Python, Java, SQL, etc.) and be prepared for domain-specific questions.
• System Design & Architecture: If applying for senior roles, study scalability, caching, microservices, and cloud computing concepts.

What is an HR Interview?

In contrast to technical interviews, the HR interview focusses on assessing your personality, career goals, cultural fit, and soft skills.

Purpose of an HR Interview:

• Assess your communication and interpersonal skills.
• Determine if your values align with the company’s culture.
• Evaluate your career goals and long-term fit.
• Test your ability to handle workplace situations and conflicts.

What to Expect in an HR Interview?

1. Behavioural Questions
2. Situational Questions
3. Company & Role Understanding
4. Career Goals & Aspirations
5. Salary Expectations & Job Fit

How to Prepare for an HR Interview?

• Know Your Resume: Be ready to explain every point on your resume.
• Research the Company: Understand the company’s vision, mission, and work culture.
• Prepare STAR Responses: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
• Be Honest & Authentic: HR professionals value genuine responses over rehearsed answers.
• Polish Your Soft Skills: Work on communication, confidence, and body language.
• Mock Interviews: Practice common HR questions with friends or record yourself.

Final Tips to Ace Both Interviews

Ø Stay Calm & Confident: Confidence plays a huge role in both technical and HR interviews.

Ø Prepare for Both Rounds: Companies often conduct multiple interview rounds, so don’t neglect either aspect.

Ø Ask Questions: Whether it’s about the role, company culture, or career growth—asking thoughtful questions shows your enthusiasm.

Ø Follow Up: A simple "Thank You" email post-interview can leave a great impression.

Although technical and HR interviews have different goals, acing both is essential to getting your ideal position. HR interviews evaluate your personality, communication, and cultural fit, whereas technical interviews examine your knowledge and abilities. Having a well-rounded approach to preparing will make you stand out and improve your chances of success.