How to Pass Technical Interviews in 2025

Want to crush your technical interviews in 2025? We spoke with Vinny Sanfillipo, Senior Director of Career Development for Tech Elevator and Hack Reactor, and Margaret Green, Technical Skills Development Manager, to get the inside scoop on what to expect. From the rise of AI-powered interview screens to the importance of soft skills, technical interviews are evolving — but the fundamentals still matter! Margaret and Vinny share their on-the-ground insights on what to expect from today’s technical interview. Plus, learn how Tech Elevator is ever-evolving its Pathway Program to ensure students are landing tech roles!

First off, what isn’t changing about technical interviews in 2025?

Technical interviews are still unpredictable, depending on the role and the company.  Some will ask technical questions and ask for a technical skill assessment to be completed, others will lean more on behavioral questions. At the end of the day, technical interviews are still an integral part of the hiring process for almost every company. 

What has changed about technical interviews this year?

AI has changed the way many companies conduct interviews. Whether it’s about tool knowledge (think Github Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini, etc), pre-recorded interviews that are first checked by an AI tool, or implementing technology to scan code tests to see if it was written by AI or the candidate, AI has fundamentally changed how engineering managers and recruiters evaluate candidates. 

In 2025, should people continue relying on Leetcode challenges to prepare them for technical interviews?

I think Leetcode (HackerRank, CodeWars) questions are part of preparing for the technical interview. It’s not enough to practice and prepare for these; in the wake of AI, it’s more important than ever to be able to solve the problem and explain how you solved it. Hiring teams are asking questions about the hows and whys behind coding challenges. Additionally, working on larger coding projects, practicing speaking about technical topics, and discussing your previous experiences are important in the preparation process.

Should students expect more live coding technical interviews or have take-home projects become the norm? 

Every company is different. We are still seeing both types of assessments being given. Students should be prepared for both, as most companies are pickier than ever. Students should be ready to showcase their knowledge and skill at every step of the process and be able to explain their reasoning and logic.

As companies implement return-to-office (RTO), should bootcampers be ready for more in-person technical interviews?

There is a slight uptick in in-person interviews, at least in comparison to the last few years. There’s no doubt that remote interviews still dominate the process, but inviting folks to visit the campus, complete live whiteboarding exercises, and coding challenges in person are on the rise again. Companies want to make sure the person they’re interviewing is who they say they are, and as the return-to-office mandates increase, we’re likely to see this trend continue to spike. 

How important are soft skills in technical interviews in 2025?

Extremely important! Most interviewers are not only assessing your technical knowledge but also how well you will work with their team. It is the biggest differentiating factor. Time and time again over the last 10 years, one constant is certain: a student with strong soft skills and good technical skills will beat a student with good soft skills and strong technical skills. Everyone wants to be a candidate with both, but soft skills are critically important.

Is there a way to be less nervous in your technical interviews?

Practice, practice, practice – in the mirror, to your dog, to a friend, or record yourself. The more you practice, the less awkward things will feel. Additionally, there are a variety of AI tools out there that will provide students with feedback about their recorded interview in real-time, allowing for more concentrated practice and more chances to boost confidence in an interview. 

Are there certain programming languages or tools that students must put extra emphasis on for this year’s technical interviews?

It’s more important to be strong and confident in the language you learned in your bootcamp than to chase every programming language in existence. That being said, if you’re applying for a job you really want and it requires a certain language, it helps to have some exposure to that language. As we’ve seen lately, the most common programming languages are Java, Python, and JavaScript. 

This trend of AI technical interview screens seems to be on the rise – how can bootcampers prepare for a possible AI technical interview screen?

There are some really great interview practice tools available for technical questions. A quick Google search will help you find some of them! At Tech Elevator, we love the AI booster tools for the job search that have interview practice. We include it in our curriculum to help students have an edge in these interviews. 

What kinds of technical interview questions might bootcampers see this year?

• Bootcampers seeking a role in full stack development should always be prepared to explain the principles of Object Oriented Programming (OOP) – and not read the answer off of ChatGPT, no matter how tempting it might be!
• Be able to explain the difference between basic data structures, such as an array and a List.
• Talk about a passion project you have worked on.
• While not super technical, every candidate needs to coherently explain their background and why they want this role at that particular company.

What does a mock interview look like in 2025?

A mock interview is a practice interview, typically with a peer, an instructor, or a friend to practice interview questions. In 2025, someone can have a mock interview with one of these folks or with an AI tool to practice these technical interview skills. 

How does Tech Elevator ensure that students are interview-ready when they graduate from the bootcamp?

Tech Elevator’s Pathway Program takes students through a rigorous career prep course to ensure they are prepared for interviews. This is a comprehensive approach, including articles and written content, sample interviews, a variety of mock interviews, and continued coaching throughout their job search. 

Can recent graduates reach out to Tech Elevator career coaches for support when they’re preparing for interviews?

Yes! Students will have access to 180 days of career services support in addition to the support they receive during the program. All of this is geared towards helping them find that first job in technology.

What are your favorite resources for preparing for technical interviews?

Shamelessly, Tech Elevator’s Pathway Program. Outside of that, there are some great sample problems on Hacker Rank, LeetCode, and CodeWars to help folks practice taking on Code Challenges, which are critical for success in a technical interview. Another great site for learning about different roles and skills is RoadMaps. Diligently researching the listed languages and requirements will demonstrate your motivation and give you a significant advantage. The last bit of advice is that consistent practice is the key. Set aside dedicated time each day or week to work on coding challenges and review fundamental concepts.

Find out more and read Tech Elevator reviews on Course Report. This article was produced by the Course Report team in partnership with Tech Elevator.