Hard skills and experience are 50% of your success. What makes the other half?

People · 8 February 2023

At your first meeting with a Revolut recruiter, you’ll realise how attentive we are to keeping our talent bar high. And while the technical part is the most challenging, there’s something more to it.

We appreciate your time and we don't have a separate culture fit interview. But by interviewing hundreds of engineers a week, we keep working hard to find never-settling teammates. What can you put into practice to show you’re ready for the ownership and to deliver WOW at our interview rounds?

Be mindful in your job search

The main mistake at the beginning of the interview process is the uncertainty about the right career move, especially if you’re trying to understand what your next step should be at the end of your recruitment journey. It leads to ambiguous answers and might be seen as indecision. Take some time to identify your career aspirations and goals, whether you want to lead teams, or focus on technical advancement.

Tackle the hard questions

Negative experiences at your previous workplaces tend to influence the questions you ask. You might be tired of endless meetings or chaotic processes, and you’d like to clarify your concerns at the interview. But to get a better idea of the company's culture and insights, make sure you ask the right questions. Replace a question like "how many meetings should I attend?" with "what skills are most important to be a successful engineer?”. In other words, focus on what you want to achieve instead of what you’re trying to escape.

Be interested in opportunities, not benefits

Considering a career change is essential to have confidence in the benefits and perks you’re being offered, to ensure your comfort and safety. Rest assured, we’ll take care of you and allow you to perform at the highest level. What else should you discuss in your first interview? We encourage you to ask about the company culture, opportunities for career advancement, and the level of autonomy you’ll have in your new position. Having open and honest conversations about these topics will give you valuable insights on our culture and, ultimately, be a key aspect in your success.

Know your strengths

Sentences like: “I don't know much about it” and “this isn’t my point of interest” aren’t a sign of weakness. It’s okay to have your favourite, disliked, and undiscovered areas. During an interview, when asked about a topic you're unfamiliar with, it's better to be transparent. Use this opportunity to highlight your strengths and explain how you can contribute to the company's success.

Admitting that you don't know something can be difficult, but it's important to remember that it's not a flaw. It shows you’re honest about your knowledge and skills and opens the door for further discussion about areas in which you’re an expert.

Better too much than too little

More clarity, more retrospection, more openness. Make sure you prepare your successful cases, but don’t be afraid to talk about what didn’t work out. This plays a huge role when we’re deciding what candidates we want on our team. Sure, we want someone with a strong database knowledge and understanding of event-streaming. But we still pay attention to how you work in a team, communicate, and how proactive you are. Prepare for the interviews, even if it's your area of expertise. So you received many recruiters' messages, and have several offers on the table.  But your heart is set on only one company. So it’s better to be ready for such a significant change in your career.

Want to give it a try? ➡️ Join Revolut Tech team ⬅️

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