At Hover we have a rigorous interview process to ensure we're building our team the right way. To help you navigate this process, check out hacks identified by our hiring teams and past candidates below.

Communication

To thrive at Hover, exceptional communication skills are key. We value clarity, mindfulness, and respect in our team members. Listening is just as crucial as speaking. During interviews, remember to speak clearly and actively listen to the interviewer's questions. Don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions to ensure you have the proper understanding of the question.

Critical Thinking

Building a new platform and category of data demands problem-solving and critical thinking. At Hover, we believe in the value of diverse perspectives, where great ideas can emerge from anyone. It's not solely about finding "the right answer"; we prioritize the thought process behind it. In interviews, showcase your problem-solving skills and demonstrate your ability to think critically about challenges. Remember, it's about your approach as much as the solution.

Growth Mindset

Hover is expanding across markets, products, and teams, seeking passionate individuals committed to developing their skills and adopting new tools to propel our growth. We value team members who are eager to grow, both personally and alongside the company. During your interview, reflect on how you stay current in your field and seek out opportunities for learning and development.

Startup Enthusiasm

We seek individuals energized by the startup atmosphere and eager to make meaningful contributions to our company's success. At Hover, integrity, grit, and teamwork are paramount. Before your interview, reflect on a change you initiated that positively influenced your work, team, or company/product overall.

Session Best Practices

Presentations

Allocate Q&A Time: Dedicate 25-30 minutes within your 60-minute presentation for interactive discussion. This allows ample opportunity for your interviewers to delve deeper into your insights and clarifications.

Engage Effectively: Demonstrate attentiveness and connection by practicing active listening. Gauge their reactions to adjust your pacing and ask questions as needed to confirm understanding. Manage your time wisely, allocating sufficient minutes to each section of your presentation.

Prepare Thoroughly: Anticipate potential questions by thoroughly reviewing your presentation content. Be ready to provide detailed explanations and examples to support your points. Consider potential follow-up questions and prepare concise yet comprehensive responses in advance.

Demonstrate Flexibility: Be adaptable during the Q&A session. If asked to delve deeper into a specific topic, transition smoothly and provide additional context or examples as needed. Maintain a positive and confident demeanor throughout, showcasing your ability to think on your feet and communicate effectively under pressure.

Seek Feedback: After your presentation, inquire if there are any areas where you could have provided more clarity or detail. Use this feedback to refine your presentation skills for future opportunities

Case Studies

Embrace Collaboration: Approach case studies as if you're already part of the team, fostering a collaborative mindset. Engage with your interviewer(s) by asking clarifying questions to ensure a thorough understanding of the case before proposing solutions.

Strategic Resource Use: While additional resources can enrich your analysis, exercise discretion to avoid unnecessary complexity. Utilize them judiciously only when they enhance your argument or support your solution effectively.

Demonstrate Problem-Solving Agility: Maintain a structured approach to problem-solving, articulating your thought process clearly as you navigate through the case. Be prepared to pivot if new information arises, showcasing adaptability and critical thinking skills.

Practice Active Listening: Pay close attention to the details provided in the case study, actively listening for key insights and clues. This allows you to formulate well-informed questions and responses that address the underlying issues effectively.

Seek Alignment: Throughout the case study discussion, strive to align your proposed solutions with the company's goals and values. Demonstrate a holistic understanding of the business context and tailor your recommendations accordingly.

Reflect and Learn: Following the case study session, take time to reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement. Seek feedback from your interviewer(s) to gain valuable insights and refine your approach for future opportunities.

Technical Assessments

Embrace Vocal Problem Solving: Adopt a 'think out loud' approach during coding interviews to provide transparency into your thought process. Verbalize your reasoning, considerations, and potential approaches as you work through the problem, allowing your interviewer to follow your logic and provide guidance if needed.

Immerse Yourself in Team Dynamics: Treat the coding interview as a collaborative effort, envisioning yourself as an integral part of the team. Take ownership of solving the problem at hand while leveraging the expertise and support of your interviewer as a teammate.

Strive for Optimal Solutions: Aim not only for correctness but also for efficiency and optimization in your code. Engage in discussions with your interviewer to explore different strategies and trade-offs, ultimately arriving at the most effective solution together.

Balance Speed and Accuracy: While time constraints can be challenging, prioritize accuracy over speed in your coding process. Focus on producing clean, well-structured code that demonstrates your problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

Seek Feedback and Guidance: Don't hesitate to ask for clarification or assistance from your interviewer when needed. Collaborate openly to overcome obstacles and refine your solution, showcasing your ability to work effectively within a team environment.

Reflect and Improve: After the coding interview, take time to reflect on your performance and identify areas for growth. Incorporate feedback from your interviewer to enhance your coding skills and prepare for future challenges.

Behavioral Interviews

Embrace Specificity: Rather than relying solely on generalizations, enrich your responses with concrete examples drawn from your experiences. Provide detailed accounts of challenges you've faced, actions you've taken, and outcomes achieved, allowing your interviewer to gain deeper insights into your capabilities.

Leverage the STAR Method: Familiarize yourself with the STAR interview technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively. Use this framework to provide context, outline your role and responsibilities, describe your actions, and highlight the impact of your contributions.

Illustrate with Real-Life Scenarios: Bring your experiences to life by painting vivid pictures with your words. Share anecdotes that showcase your skills, accomplishments, and problem-solving abilities in action, making your responses more engaging and memorable.

Tailor Examples to the Role: Select examples that align closely with the requirements and responsibilities of the position you're applying for. Demonstrate your relevance and suitability for the role by choosing examples that showcase relevant skills and competencies.

Practice Active Listening: Pay close attention to the questions asked by your interviewer and adapt your responses accordingly. Listen for cues that indicate which examples would be most relevant and compelling, allowing you to tailor your responses effectively.

Refine Your Storytelling Skills: Continuously refine your storytelling abilities through practice and feedback. Solicit input from mentors, peers, or career coaches to identify areas for improvement and polish your storytelling techniques for maximum impact.

Interviewing Tools

Familiarize yourself with tools that may be used in your interviews by digging into the following help centers.

Zoom

Video Conferencing software to connect you with our team

Figma

White boarding software to help you visualize your thoughts

Coderpad

Live Coding Platform for Coding Challenges

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