interview preparation – Talent500 Blog

Golang developer toolkit: Important skills, learning resources, interview prep & more

Posted on August 9, 2022August 9, 2022 by

Google first introduced the Go programming language, popularly known as Golang, in 2009. The open-source programming language is famous for its efficiency, simplicity, and tooling. Even though Go is comparatively new, it is already the 10th most popular programming language, according to the latest Stack Overflow developer survey. Most developers create in Golang because it helps them deploy applications with fewer servers saving them cost, and its simplicity and familiarity make it easier to learn.

We have created this Golang toolkit as a complete resource directory for beginners and experienced developers.

Expertise with Goroutines: Goroutine is a function that can execute independently yet connected with other Goroutines within the program.

According to Ben Popper, the Content Head at Stack Overflow, Goroutines are the “worth the price of admission alone” for the Go language. With Goroutines, you can create multithreaded programs. Go developers need to make their programs fast and efficient. With Goroutines, you can make your program continue execution even if one task is stuck.

This is a non-negotiable area of expertise that companies look for in any Go developer.

Go Channels: These are the medium used by Goroutines to communicate and share data. It is an essential mechanism for Go developers to learn. You will use Go Channels in your program to synchronize any data exchange between two Goroutines.

This prominent feature makes Golang better because most programming languages that allow concurrent threads to share data lock that data, creating several issues with memory management. Go overcomes this problem by allowing data to be sent via Go channels, with both threads ‘waiting’ until the variable value reaches its destination.

Companies want Go developers to be familiar with Go channel types (buffered and unbuffered) and the most common concurrency patterns and frameworks.

Godoc commenting: Comments in Go can go beyond just basic information, unlike most programming languages. You should be aware of godoc: Go’s built-in documentation tool.

With Godoc you can scan any Go source code for commands and compile them together to form the package’s documentation as an HTML page or plain text. No other programming language offers such an effective documentation tool out of the box.

Go templates: This simple template language allows customizing outputs from the code in different formats such as web pages, emails, and forms. You should be familiar with two template packages—text/template and HTML/template. These templates are used to produce text files and HTML pages depending on the project’s requirement.

Versioning tools: Any developer should know versioning tools. It is not a skill strictly related to Go but to software development overall. Git is the most popular version control tool that most companies use. It works with Golang code as well.

Top 25 Topics and Resources to Crack Golang Developer Interviews in 2022

Golang Interview Questions (Freshers to Experienced)

Crack the top 50 Golang interview questions

Top 20 GO Programming / Golang Interview Questions & Answers

7 Common full stack developer interview questions

Full Stack developer interview preparation resources

11 Top full-stack developer interview questions

Official resources

The Go Programming Language Blog

Go community Wiki

Online courses & tutorials

Learn Golang at Tour of Go: A good starting point to learn about Go.

Go by Example: You should bookmark this website. It will be a great resource to refer to when you want to understand any concept of the Go with code snippets.

Learn How To Code: Google’s Go (golang) Programming Language: This Udemy course is excellent for learning Go through an entire semester course. This video lecture-based course is a good starting point for learning Golang.

Programming with Google Go Specialization: A comprehensive Coursera online course, it is a good resource for learning Go Interfaces, Functions, and Concurrency.

Go (Golang): The Complete Bootcamp: If you want to learn Go with hands-on practice, this Udemy course is the best. It offers 1000+ exercises and projects to learn Go.

Books for Golang developers

The Go Programming Language by Donovan and Kernighan

Go in Action by Brian Ketelsen, Erik St. Martin, and William Kennedy

Programming in Go by Mark Summerfield

Building Web Applications with Golang

Learning Go by Miek Gieben

Online communities for Golang developers

The Go Forum

Go user groups and meetups

Gophers’ community on Slack

Podcasts for Golang developers

Go Time

JustForFunc

Soft skills for Golang developers

Remote working skills: Apart from technical skills, as a Go developer, you will be benefit from learning work-related skills. Remote working skills have become essential for employers ever since the Covid-19 pandemic. You should be familiar with collaboration tools and have good organization skills and task tracking.

Checkout out this Covid-19 Job Resource Toolkit to learn more.

Communication: Software development depends a lot on high-quality communication. Version control, test design, documentation and the like all depend on clear communication between team members. A competent Go dev must communicate effectively with other developers and stakeholders.

Organization: Organization keeps projects on a strict timeline. When you are organized in your work, you don’t have to deal with backlogs that often, and the quality of your code is high. Companies expect developers to be familiar with Kanban-style applications like Trello, Jira, Asana, etc.

For more, refer to – 8 Project management tools for remote software engineering teams.

Here are some more resources for you to check out:

The importance of leadership transparency and accountability in a hybrid and distributed workplace

6 soft skills that still impress employers in 2022

Conclusion

A competent Go developer can balance technical skills with soft skills to deliver projects on time without compromising quality. We hope that this Golang toolkit will provide a reference for all essential resources to become job-ready.

Talent500 helps Golang developers find the best opportunities. We are a preferred partner of global companies to build remote engineering teams. Join us today and become a vetted Go developer to get hired faster.

7 Dos & don’ts for passing your technical interview

Posted on July 15, 2022 by vallish

The technical job interview is unlike any other interview. Candidates undergo a rigorous and specialized technical interview process to test their coding skills, problem-solving abilities, and aptitude. Technical interviews, however, are more than a tough challenge where developers are put through a full day of coding evaluations and tests.

Suppose you are preparing for your following technical interview and are overwhelmed with all the information on the internet. In that case, it’s time to cut back and start by understanding the essentials of technical interview rounds.

This article is prepared to help developers crack technical interviews by understanding the dos and don’ts and delivering their best.

DOs

Prove with numbers

When you go for technical interviews, remember that you are presenting yourself as a valuable candidate who can impact the company. This is why you must elaborate to the interviewers on the impact you made in your previous role and how it helped the company you worked in.

Interviewers ask such questions to understand how the candidates view their tasks. Can they conceptualize the bigger picture and take steps to impact the outcome positively? During technical interviews, your skills beyond programming will be gauged. Companies like Amazon, Netflix, and Microsoft are very metrics-driven and look for engineers and developers who can see beyond coding.

Communicate your thought process

Many candidates lose in technical interviews because of various reasons. One of the most common reasons is not to think the problem through before working on the solution. When you are given a whiteboard question to solve, don’t start with the solution immediately without giving it a thought. It is essential that you align your thinking and, if possible, try to frame your answer for your interviewer. Start by outlining methods, data structures, and algorithms you think will be the best solution. Even if you cannot answer the question correctly, communicating your thought process to the interviewer should work in your favor.

Ask questions genuinely

Developer interviews are not just about the candidate; they are about the company as well. Some of the best candidates for the job are the ones who are interested in the company culture and the work it does. It might seem like a cliché technical interview tip, but you must know about the company and show interest by asking questions.

That being said, do not ask general questions that can be answered with a simple Google search. Instead, ask about the most significant technical challenges they have faced lately or how the culture at the company is. You can even ask the interviewer about their role. Such queries indicate that you are interested in the job and provide you with an opportunity to connect with the interviewers.

Practice

This is one of the most straightforward technical interview tips ever. Practice interviews to understand how things work once you reach the technical interview round. If you are straight out of college, you can participate in discussion rounds with other computer science graduates, or you can take the help of resources such as the Talent500 blog to understand the technical interview process and avoid any surprises.

DON’Ts

Don’t get stuck with one bad round

You will face several technical interviews in your life, and you will most likely perform better in some than the rest. Try to not get stuck on one lousy round or question you could not solve and let it ruin the entire interview. Algorithms, data structures, programming languages, design patterns – the technical domain is so vast that it is nearly impossible to know everything. If you couldn’t make it through a few questions, don’t let them define the rest of your interviews.

Don’t badmouth a technology stack

As a developer, you will have your favorites. You might prefer Python over PHP, MongoDB over MySQL, or React over Angular – but that’s your preference. It doesn’t allow you to say bad things about other technology stacks. Such comments during a technical interview project you as an elitist. Companies often use multiple technology stacks and if you start discrediting a specific tech stack, you might be targeting the technology the company uses without knowing.

Don’t get too stuck on one solution

If you spend too much time solving one question, you risk the time constraints. When you are in a technical interview, do not get too consumed by the solution of a problem. If you cannot solve the issue one way, even after spending enough time on it, consider taking a detour from your thought process and trying something else. If it’s still not working for you, move on to the next question.

Conclusion

Technical interviews are not easy, but they are not impossible either. During technical interviews, candidates are evaluated for their skills beyond just programming. Keep the above-listed dos and don’ts of the technical discussion in mind and try to come across as independent thinkers capable of solving problems without losing focus on the bigger picture.

Talent500 is the platform for start-ups and Fortune500 companies to build their remote teams. If you want to be discovered by the best companies, join our elite talent pool today.

6 red flags to watch out for during your job search

Posted on March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 by dikshant

An interview is generally considered to be the initial litmus test by a company for potential employees. However it could also be a valuable opportunity for the candidate to gather some essential information or to spot red flags before its too late. When you’re on the look out for a job opening, it is important to know if you’re a right fit on various fronts – how your work ethic, values and philosophy match with those of the company, the work environment, what the role entails and more.

Paying attention to the information shared by the interviewer could offer a more comprehensive picture of the company than the job description. Sometimes you could be walking into a workplace that is brimming with toxic culture, poor processes, and bad management. That’s why it’s important to look out for these red flags during the hiring process that might indicate that it’s not the best place for you.

1. You only get vague answers to direct questions

Just like you, the interviewer should be prepared to answer any queries related to the role. As someone who is expected to fulfill all the responsibilities and goals associated with the position, you’re entitled to full transparency on the relevant details. This includes accurate information on expectations for the role, procedures involved, reporting managers, benefits, etc.

If you feel like the interviewer is finding it difficult to answer your questions regarding these aspects or is being purposefully vague, this is clearly a potential red flag. Try various means to get a fairly conclusive picture of the company’s culture before you decide to join – For example, check company review sites and forums, find and talk to ex-employees on professional network sites such as LinkedIn, etc.

2. Minimal information shared on the work environment

Listen to how the interviewer addresses your questions about the work environment, such as those about the company values, working hours, etc. Do they seem nervous? Or inarticulate despite their best efforts? It is not unusual for companies to conceal a disorganized work environment and poor management by being ambiguous during the hiring process. Hence it is up to the candidate to be more vigilant and notice any inconsistencies or discrepancies during the conversation with the interviewer.

A company that has a solid grasp on its purpose and a clear plan of action will be transparent about its culture. There will be clearly defined roles and responsibilities for employees. All the important information regarding your role will be communicated fairly well. Even if the hiring manager or recruiter doesn’t have all the answers, they’ll acknowledge what they don’t know and provide you with relevant information later.

3. Poor conduct of the interviewer

A clear-cut hiring process is one of the hallmarks of a company that has its affairs in order. Much like a candidate, an interviewer who is well-prepared and focused will make the interview feel more productive and purposeful. On the other hand, a laborious interview process or an unenthusiastic interviewer might be symptomatic of a poorly managed company.

Essentially, if the interviewer does not respect your time or isn’t interested in listening to you, it is a safe bet that the company places little to no value on the hiring process. They’re just trying to fill a vacancy without considering how the individual fits into the larger picture.

4. Demands that could harm your work-life balance

A good work-life balance is essential for an individual’s long term mental and physical well-being. Organizations that respect their employees will definitely emphasize creating a work culture that helps to maintain work-life balance.

Multiple studies have shown that good work-life balance is also beneficial for the employer as it builds employee loyalty and increases productivity. However, the harrowing reality of today is that a sizable number of companies pursue their own interests without caring about the wellness of their employees. So, in this context, if the interviewer seems keenly focused on talking about company demands that violate your personal space and time, consider it a clear warning signal.

5. Lack of clarity on your job responsibilities

One of the key takeaways from an interview should be adequate details on the responsibilities tied to the job opening. This is essential information for the candidate to gauge if the role suits their skills and career aspirations. Hence, the interviewer is expected to fulfill this duty and answer any related questions that the candidate might have.

Any company that pursues quality talent will ensure that its hiring team has all the right information to proceed. Therefore if an interviewer can’t properly illustrate the job responsibilities, consider it a potential red flag and wise to look elsewhere for employment.

6. Your professional achievements and experience are downplayed

Every individual, regardless of their qualification or experience, deserves respect during an interview. However, though rare, there are unsavory incidences of interviewers belittling a candidates’ profile. This is usually done to undermine the candidate’s confidence during salary negotiation. Any organization with a hiring team that is comfortable with such conduct does not merit your talent or attention.

To sum up, a candidate is entitled to check for compatibility as much as the company. A recruiter who maintains transparency with matters related to your role, more often than not, represents a responsibly-managed company. A flippant or disinterested hiring manager might be evidence to the contrary. To be on the safe side, always do your due diligence to know more about the job opening and spot any of the aforementioned red flags before you decide to take it up.

Talent500 specializes in hiring for world class companies with proven track records. Check our website to know about exciting remote job opportunities from across the globe.

10 common questions to expect during your remote job interview

Posted on March 31, 2022March 31, 2022 by dikshant

According to our talent survey, 45% of professionals prefer completely remote jobs in 2022. If you’re one of them or intrigued by such opportunities, preparing for a remote job interview should be the top priority. While the process remains more or less the same, the type of questions encountered will be based on what you typically wouldn’t consider in the context of a regular job. And for those who are new to the remote workspace, doing some in-depth research into how the model applies to your field and the employer would be incredibly useful. All that being said, here are some of the questions you should consider to prepare for a remote job interview.

Why do you want to work remotely?

This is one of the most likely questions you’d face during a remote job interview. With this question, the interviewer is trying to understand your primary motivations behind choosing remote work. They will be looking at how the reasons why you want to work remotely relate to those of the company. The aforementioned research into the company, especially its values, will be of great use to adequately answer this question.

Describe your approach to time management during remote work?

This question helps potential employers see how you manage time for various tasks, communicate and collaborate with others. Some companies are very structured about what times employees are expected to be available whereas others might be more flexible. How you answer this question will give them an idea of how you would fit into the overall framework of the company. So remember to assess all these factors before answering the question.

How would you describe your workspace at home?

If a hiring manager or recruiter asks about your home office, be as specific and concrete as possible. Firstly, provide clear-cut details on what your work setup is like. Then, talk about the hardware and software in your workspace and how they will help you to do your job productively. During the remote job interview, you may be asked to show your workspace. So make sure your workspace exudes a sense of professionalism and poise before you attend the interview.

How do you plan to establish a good relationship with the remote team?

When you work remotely, it’s easy to feel disconnected from your coworkers and even disenchanted with your job. That’s why it’s important to maintain good relationships with team members, regardless of time zones or distances. When this question is asked during the remote job interview, talk about how you’ve maintained professional relationships in the past. Then, mention the steps you’d take to attain similar results under the remote model. These could include having conversations with coworkers outside of work, providing timely assistance, participating in recreational group activities online, etc.

What steps do you take to prevent distractions when working from home?

The thing most people don’t realize about remote jobs is that it can be difficult to stay focused when at home. Problems like friends calling for a chat, a sink full of dishes, or children at home from school all need to be accounted for. When you encounter this question during the remote job interview, mention all those distractions you could face and the strategies you would employ to avert them.

Have you worked from home before?

Don’t let this question bother you during the remote job interview if you don’t have any prior experience. The mass adoption of the remote work model is still an ongoing process in many countries. Hence it is not expected that you have all the specifics figured out. However, doing research to demonstrate some understanding of the work model in your answer can be reassuring for the interviewer.

How are you prepared for any net connectivity-related issues?

This is one of those questions that is meant to gauge your level of preparation for the role. Since internet access is an essential aspect of remote work, it is expected that you take all the necessary measures to ensure it all goes smoothly. When you get this question during a remote job interview, use it as a chance to show how proactive and intuitive you are. Mention all the alternatives you could use in case of failure such as backup hotspot devices, nearby net cafes, additional WiFi routers, etc.

Would you mind doing some travel for work if needed?

One of the perks of working under the remote model is to cut out the need for commuting to work. Yet, there can be instances when your physical presence is required. For example, an upskilling convention at a specific geographical location that required mandatory attendance from employees. Essentially, the purpose of this question is to see how willing you would be to travel if the situation demands it.

What are the pros and cons for you when it comes to working in an office?

A question like this during the remote job interview might be a test to assess your attitude towards work. Since you would have worked in a traditional office space recently, the chances are you would bring the same work ethic and mindset to remote work. Hence, take care to evaluate how every pro and con you talk about comes across to the interviewer. Don’t sound drab when listing out the downsides of working in an office.

How much supervision would you require to complete tasks successfully?

If you get asked this question during a remote job interview, don’t lose your composure. Answer it honestly. If you need a lot of guidance, or generally prefer to receive detailed directions for projects and tasks, say so. Then explain how you can get what you need from your remote manager and coworkers, such as by scheduling regular check-ins.

In essence, a remote job interview is not radically different from an interview for an on-site job. The level of preparation required is mostly similar in magnitude. The only distinction is taking time to prepare questions regarding the unique aspects of remote work and how it applies to your field. As long as you’ve done your research on those, you’re good to go.

Now that you know the kind of questions to expect for a remote job interview, check out remote work opportunities that might suit you. Visit the official Talent500 website for the latest updates on remote job openings in world-class companies.

5 secrets to help you ace that technical interview in 2022

Posted on November 12, 2021 by vallish

Regardless of whether you’re an experienced developer or on the hunt for your first job, technical interviews are one of the biggest challenges out there. They can be stressful, time-consuming, and nerve-racking. The pressure is higher for self-taught developers, and the process can be quite demanding simply owing to its multiple stages. Unlike a regular job interview, these sessions can last several hours and usually consist of at least 4 rounds.

However, just like any other test, you can ace it with the right preparation strategy. By knowing what to expect, you can tackle these interviews with confidence and minimal errors. Most of all, being aware of how they are conducted and what recruiters assess and expect from you, can give you a leg up. More importantly, it acts as a testament to your preparedness, which is a clear winning trait.

Here are 5 secrets to help you ace your technical interview in 2022.

Work with a specialized prep book

Technical interviews evaluate your subject knowledge, so it pays to have your fundamentals in place. This applies to both first-time job seekers and experienced professionals. Picking up a prep book has two main benefits:

It refreshes your knowledge and reminds you of core principles, algorithms, data structures, or other such crucial information that may have slipped through the cracks.
It puts you in the right frame of mind as technical interviews will test your problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities. Prep books are the best way to prepare for the intense requirement across a wide range of subjects.

Prep books can be found for a range of levels, interests, and specialties. You can even find advanced books to match your experience.

Be interactive during the phone screening

A phone interview is a sign that you’ve piqued the hiring manager’s interest, and that you have one foot in the door. Your technical skills and capabilities match the position you’re applying for, and now the recruiter will assess your soft skills. This is a common vetting technique to know if you’re a good fit.

Approach this stage with enthusiasm and showcase your excitement to be considered for the position. Being conversational and interactive is bound to bring in brownie points. While phone screening rounds don’t generally focus on your technical capabilities, it is always a good idea to be prepared.

Test your set up beforehand

Interviewers are most appreciative of a prepared candidate. Most interviews for technical positions are conducted remotely, especially considering the recent shift in practices. We recommend testing out your entire setup beforehand.

Check your system, run mock tests, launch applications you will require during the interview and check all your hardware. It’s important to make a good first impression, and this is a good way to ensure that you don’t run into technical difficulties during your interview.

To best prepare for these sessions, contact the hiring manager or whoever will be conducting the interview and inquire about the process. In some cases, you may get instructions via email on what to expect and have ready for the interview, so keep an eye out and ace it!

Approach the remote coding stage strategically

This is usually one of the intermediary stages before the next on-site interview sessions. Here, hiring managers will focus on your technical and analytical capabilities. Some companies may give you an assignment that can be completed in a few hours at home, and others may require you to code in real-time.

The approach will vary based on the company, but in all instances, your hard skills will be tested. To ensure that you don’t lose your way and make too many mistakes, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Think-out-loud when formulating a plan to solve the problem at hand, so that you can cue in the interviewer.
Utilize the time given to you on a take-home assignment. A hasty project is no good if it is riddled with errors.
Do not start coding right at the start. This is especially true during a real-time coding test. Take the time to strategize solutions that are sound in logic and approach.
Voice your doubts if the platform allows you to. It showcases your ability to collaborate.

Prepare for common technical interview questions

In a typical technical interview, especially at the final stages, hiring managers will ask you a series of questions. The idea is to assess multiple aspects of a potential employee in order to get a holistic idea of the candidate and their capabilities.

Generally, these questions will be related to:

Technical training
Educational background
Behavioral aspects
Practical knowledge
Technical experience and expertise

Some of the common questions from this diverse set of categories include:

“What are your technical qualifications and how do they make you a good fit for this position?”
“How do you keep yourself updated with the latest trends and innovations in the industry?”
“Do you prefer working solo or as part of a team?”
“If you had to improvise the approach to a project, how would you do it?”
“Do you have any negative experiences when collaborating with others? How did you solve the issues at hand?”
“Can you explain the benefits and downsides of working in an Agile environment?”

Put these tips to use not only to prepare for the technical interview, but also to stand out across various stages. Remember, these interviews are more than just an assessment of your technical capabilities. Hiring managers look for well-rounded people, equipped with both the soft and hard skills expected from a technical professional.

Preparation is key to success here and it gives you an advantage during the process. Another way to give yourself an edge when it comes to your career is to sign up for Talent500. The platform gives you control of your career growth and positions you for success on a global scale.

By signing up, you can also be part of a growing talent pool on the Global Talent Network and get access to exclusive benefits. Talent500 helps you realize your potential and gives you the tools to get #TwoStepsAhead. Sign up today and be a proactive part of your career growth.