When applying for a tech or IT job in Germany, you can expect a structured hiring process that typically includes two to three technical interview rounds. Yes, it may be less and we've seen our coachees get offers faster or earlier than that. But, usually tech rounds occur in the middle of the hiring process, after an initial HR screening and before a culture fit round or final discussions regarding the offer. There are exceptions, such as take-home challenges that may be given at the very beginning. Understanding the different types of technical rounds and how to prepare for them can give you a significant advantage.
The structure of tech rounds and possible exceptions
In most cases, companies in Germany follow a predictable pattern for technical assessments:
- Screening interview (HR round) – An initial conversation to discuss your experience, expectations, and cultural fit.
- Technical interview(s) (2-3 rounds on average) – These may involve live coding, system design, or problem-solving sessions.
- Final interview (team or management discussion) – A conversation focused on how you would fit into the team and the company’s vision.
However, not all hiring processes follow this sequence. Some companies start with a take-home assignment before inviting you for live coding rounds. Others might replace one of the live rounds with a pair-programming exercise. In rare cases, startups or smaller companies might combine multiple assessments into a single extended interview. And, we've seen other employers really stretching it too far by having 5-7 rounds (not easy, and generally not advisable).
Understanding these variations will help you prepare for different scenarios.
Take-home assignments vs. Live coding rounds
A take-home assignment is typically a task that you complete independently within a given time frame (usually a few days). It allows you to demonstrate your coding skills in a real-world scenario. The task might involve developing a small application, optimizing a piece of code, or solving a data problem. Companies use this method to assess your ability to write clean, maintainable, and well-structured code without the pressure of a live interview. What's important is that your solution is crystal-clear and spotless.
On the other hand, a live coding round is a real-time test of your problem-solving abilities. During this session, you will work through coding challenges while explaining your thought process to an interviewer. This round often takes place via a shared coding platform and evaluates your ability to think on your feet, debug efficiently, and communicate effectively. From our experience the latter is what will make or break this round. If you can't defend your code, open up to suggestions or quickly adapt to the scenarios your interview partners are throwing at you, you're out.
Both approaches have their advantages. Take-home assignments allow for deeper analysis and creativity, while live rounds assess how you handle pressure and collaborate with others.
Technical and non-technical skills you need to succeed
To perform well in technical interviews, you need a combination of both technical and non-technical skills.
- Programming proficiency – Strong knowledge of languages such as Java, Python, JavaScript, or any language relevant to the job.
- Algorithms and data structures – A solid grasp of sorting algorithms, trees, graphs, hash tables, and dynamic programming.
- System design – Understanding scalable architectures, database design, microservices, and cloud-based solutions.
- Debugging and optimization – The ability to identify and fix issues efficiently.
- Version control – Familiarity with Git and collaborative workflows.
- Frameworks and libraries – Depending on the role, expertise in tools like Spring Boot, React, Django, or TensorFlow may be required.
And here come the skills we can't stress enough
- Problem-solving mindset – Thinking logically and breaking down complex problems.
- Communication – Explaining your thought process and reasoning clearly to interviewers.
- Time management – Balancing speed and accuracy under time constraints.
- Collaboration – Showing that you can work well with teams, especially in pair-programming exercises.
- Resilience – Handling tough questions and moving forward even if a solution isn’t immediately obvious.
Final thoughts
Mastering both technical and soft skills will help you navigate the interview rounds confidently, but don't underestimate that half of you finding a job in Germany is really about your tech skills, the other half is about how you communicate.
If you're actively searching for a job in Germany, take the time to research each company's hiring process, practice coding problems, and refine your ability to explain solutions clearly. By doing so, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any tech interview that comes your way. We can help you, by becoming part of our program where provide coding buddies, tech challenge guides, live call recordings and more - to help you succeed in the tech rounds.
