Simple and practical advice from a tech recruiter on how to strengthen your interview skills
And I don’t even mean your dream company. I mean any company that could offer you some stability and peace of mind when it comes to money - for you and your family.
We’ve all seen how much the tech job market has changed. Between late 2023 and late 2026, software development hiring went through a sharp downturn, followed by a slow and uneven recovery. Demand is still well below its peak, with a growing focus on experienced professionals and AI-related roles. According to Indeed research, demand for software developers in 2026 was down by around 27–30% compared to 2020.
So even experienced professionals can spend months looking for their next role, going through dozens of interviews, and still have nothing to show for it. No offer.
Of course, there are plenty of reasons why this happens. But there’s one I’d like to talk about.
After conducting dozens of interviews every month, I’ve noticed something that might sound a little surprising: a lot of candidates simply don’t know how to interview well.
And I don’t mean they can’t embellish their experience or sell themselves to an employer. That’s not the point - and let’s be honest, sooner or later, the truth tends to come out anyway.
I’m talking about people who genuinely have the experience, expertise, knowledge, and motivation to do the job. They know their stuff. They just struggle to communicate it in a way that helps others see it, especially during a one-hour recruiter screening (assuming they make it past that stage, of course).
Sure, nerves happen. Maybe you’ve had a rough night, you’re not feeling your best, or life has decided to throw a few extra challenges your way that day. We’re all human.
But here’s what I believe: interviewing is a skill, not a personality trait - and like most skills, it can be trained.
1. Let’s start with your CV.
Your CV is the door to the hiring process, and whether that door opens depends on what’s written on it.
There’s plenty of advice out there about using AI to tailor your CV to a specific job description. And yes, it can help you get past ATS filters and into a recruiter’s database. But let me share a little secret: recruiters actually review applications before inviting candidates to an interview. And an experienced eye can often spot when a CV has been too perfectly tailored to a job description.
And that’s when the door might close before you even get a chance to knock.
Be honest about your experience. Don’t just list standard responsibilities or repeat phrases from the job description. Show what you’ve actually accomplished. What did you build, improve, solve, or change? What was the result of your hard work?
Your responsibilities tell recruiters what you were supposed to do. Your achievements show them what you can actually deliver.