After 8 years of working with US-based companies, one thing is crystal clear: success in client interviews isn’t just about your experience and performance—it’s about how well you communicate.
Ever feel like technical skills should be enough to land the job? Think again. In client interviews, your ability to communicate effectively is just as crucial as your coding expertise. Here’s why…
Hiring managers want to know how well you handle difficult situations in real-life scenarios. So, they won’t just test your technical skills with a coding challenge; they’ll also evaluate how you handle pressure, how well you collaborate with others, and how effectively you communicate your thought process.
Why Communication Matters
Hiring managers aren’t just checking your technical skills—they want to understand how you approach challenges, work under pressure, and engage with a team. Strong communication skills demonstrate confidence, clarity, and problem-solving ability—qualities that set you apart from other candidates.
Here’s how to thrive in your next interview:
🚀 About your experience
Clarity and conciseness
Over-explaining can be just as harmful as under-explaining. Keep your answers structured and to the point.
- Stick to structured, direct responses.
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly illustrate your experience.
- Avoid jargon unless it directly contributes to the discussion.
Storytelling with impact
Instead of just listing responsibilities, showcase your problem-solving skills through real-world examples.
💡 For engineers, companies need to understand the challenges you've faced as a professional, the decisions you had to make, and the reasoning behind them.
Don’t just say:
❌ “I built a feature that optimized database queries.”
Instead, walk them through the challenge:
✅ “We had a major performance issue that slowed down key transactions. After investigating bottlenecks, I optimized the queries, reducing load time by 40%.”
The key is to show how you think, why you made certain choices, and the impact of your actions.
💻 Technical assessments – code challenges
Active listening & understanding the problem
Before jumping into a solution, take a moment to fully understand the problem statement.
- Repeat or paraphrase the question to confirm your understanding.
- Identify constraints and edge cases before coding.
- Stick to structured, direct responses.
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly illustrate your experience.
- Avoid jargon unless it directly contributes to the discussion.
Take your time to ask questions
Great communication isn’t just about talking; it’s about listening.
💡 Approach the interview as a collaborative problem-solving session, not a solo performance. Instead of feeling like you're being tested in front of a whiteboard, think of it as working alongside future teammates to tackle a challenge together. This small mindset shift can make a huge difference in how you communicate.
- Take time to truly understand what’s being asked.
- Be mindful of tricky questions, but don’t overthink them.
- Ask clarifying questions before jumping into problem-solving.
Thinking out loud
Clients don’t just want the final solution—they want insight into your thought process.
- Talk through your approach as you code.
- Explain why you’re making certain decisions.
- If you get stuck, verbalize your reasoning and problem-solving strategy.
Confidence without arrogance
Acknowledge what you know, but don’t pretend to know everything.
- If you’re unsure, say: “That’s a great question. I would approach it by…”
- Show adaptability: “While I haven’t worked with that specific technology, I have experience with a similar tool and can quickly adapt.”
🎯 Handling difficult questions
Staying composed under pressure
Some interviewers intentionally challenge candidates to see how they handle stress. Stay calm and structured in your responses.
- Take a deep breath before answering.
- Break your answer down into logical steps.
- If needed, ask for a moment to gather your thoughts.
Addressing knowledge gaps
If you don’t know something, don’t panic. Show problem-solving skills instead.
- “I haven’t worked with that directly, but I have experience in similar areas and can quickly adapt.”
- “I’d approach learning it by…”
Dealing with unexpected challenges
If given an ambiguous or difficult task:
- Start by outlining your assumptions.
- Think out loud to demonstrate your reasoning process.
📩 Following up effectively
Many candidates overlook this step, but a well-crafted follow-up can leave a lasting impression.
Thoughtful follow-up emails
A short, professional follow-up can make a difference.
- Thank the interviewer for their time.
- Highlight a key takeaway or something you enjoyed discussing.
- Express enthusiasm about the opportunity.
Final thoughts
Communication isn’t just about passing an interview—it’s about proving you’re the kind of engineer people want to work with. The best engineers aren’t just great coders; they’re great teammates.
Next time you step into an interview, remember: clarity, collaboration, and confidence will set you apart. 🚀
