What do you do if your ideas and solutions aren't getting across in a software development interview?

1 Know your audience

Before you start explaining your ideas and solutions, you need to understand who you are talking to and what they are looking for. Different interviewers may have different levels of technical expertise, goals, preferences, and styles. For example, some may want to see your thought process and approach, while others may focus on the details and correctness of your code. Some may prefer a more formal and structured presentation, while others may encourage a more interactive and collaborative discussion. To know your audience better, you can do some research on the company, the role, and the interviewer beforehand. You can also ask some clarifying questions at the beginning of the interview to gauge their expectations and interests.

2 Use clear and concise language

One of the most common communication problems in a software development interview is using vague, ambiguous, or jargon-filled language. This can confuse, bore, or alienate your interviewer, and make it harder for them to follow your logic and evaluate your skills. To avoid this, you should use clear and concise language that is appropriate for your audience and the problem domain. You should avoid unnecessary technical terms, acronyms, or slang, unless you are sure that your interviewer is familiar with them and you define them clearly. You should also use simple and short sentences, avoid filler words and repetitions, and emphasize the key points and transitions in your explanation.

3 Show your work and reasoning

Another common communication problem in a software development interview is showing only the final result or solution, without explaining how you got there or why you chose it. This can make your interviewer doubt your understanding, creativity, or problem-solving skills, and miss the opportunity to showcase your strengths and potential. To avoid this, you should show your work and reasoning throughout the interview, from defining the problem and analyzing the requirements, to exploring different options and trade-offs, to testing and optimizing your solution. You should also use appropriate tools and methods to illustrate your ideas and solutions, such as diagrams, pseudocode, examples, or code snippets .

4 Engage your interviewer

A third common communication problem in a software development interview is ignoring or neglecting your interviewer's feedback, questions, or suggestions. This can make your interviewer feel disrespected, bored, or frustrated, and prevent you from building rapport and trust. To avoid this, you should engage your interviewer in a positive and respectful way throughout the interview. You should listen actively and attentively to their input, acknowledge their points, and address their concerns. You should also ask relevant and thoughtful questions, seek their opinions or advice, and invite them to collaborate or brainstorm with you. You should also show enthusiasm, curiosity, and confidence in your ideas and solutions, but also humility, openness, and willingness to learn and improve.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?