Home/Blog/Interview Prep/Top 5 developer soft skills that matter in MAANG interviews
Home/Blog/Interview Prep/Top 5 developer soft skills that matter in MAANG interviews

Top 5 developer soft skills that matter in MAANG interviews

10 min read
Nov 01, 2024

In MAANG companies, where collaboration and innovation are key, recruiters are always looking for candidates who can demonstrate strong interpersonal skills. These skills complement their technical work, enhancing the individual’s overall productivity and contribution to the team.

Developers' soft skills are character traits and non-technical abilities that enable a person to interact proficiently with others. These skills are often referred to as interpersonal or people skills and include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, emotional intelligence, and many others. In contrast to the technical skills that are specific to a particular job, soft skills are the must-haves in any industry and are important for building strong networking, resolving conflicts, and collaborating productively in a team.

This blog will briefly discuss soft skills and how they differ from hard skills. Next,

  • We’ll look at the top five highly valued soft skills in MAANG companies.

  • We’ll explore the key skills associated with each soft skill and how to improve them.

  • We’ll provide insights on preparing for behavioral interviews that assess an individual’s character traits and interpersonal abilities.

The key skills discussed in this blog, along with their corresponding improvement strategies, are presented below:

Soft skill

Key skills

Improvement strategies

Communication

  • Active listening

  • Public speaking

  • Writing skills

  • Nonverbal communication

  • Regularly practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms to friends or colleagues who are not in your field. This will help you refine your ability to convey complex information clearly.

  • Engage in conversations with the intent to understand, not just to respond. Practice summarizing what the other person has said before you add your thoughts.

  • Conduct mock presentations on technical topics or projects. Focus on clear delivery, logical structuring of information, and anticipating questions from your audience.

Problem-solving and critical thinking

  • Creativity

  • Attention to detail

  • Adaptability

  • Engage in exercises that challenge your ability to think critically, such as solving puzzles, tackling complex coding problems, or working through case studies.

  • Break down problems into smaller parts, consider multiple solutions, and evaluate their pros and cons before deciding on the best course of action.

  • Practice solving problems that are similar to what you might encounter in a MAANG interview. This could involve coding challenges, technical case studies, or situational judgment tests.

Teamwork and collaboration

  • Communication

  • Empathy

  • Accountability

  • Conflict resolution

  • Engage in team discussions with the intent to understand others' viewpoints fully. This helps build stronger connections and ensures that all voices are heard.

  • Try to put yourself in their shoes to understand their situation, which will enable you to respond more empathetically.

  • Start taking full ownership of your contributions and responsibilities, and ensure that you’re contributing effectively to the team’s goals.

  • Familiarize yourself with strategies that help in resolving disagreements in a constructive way. This could include clear and concise communication, staying calm and patient, and seeking common ground.

Leadership

  • Decision-making

  • Team building

  • Mentorship

  • Accountability

  • Practice making decisions quickly and effectively by evaluating different scenarios and considering potential outcomes.

  • Engage in activities that require collaboration, and focus on building strong relationships with your peers.

  • Take the time to help others in their growth, whether it’s through formal mentorship or simply offering guidance when needed.

  • Regularly ask for feedback from your peers and mentors on your leadership style and overall feedback from your manager. Strive to improve your leadership skills in light of this feedback.

Time management

  • Prioritization

  • Planning and scheduling

  • Delegation

  • Flexibility

  • Regularly assess your tasks and determine which ones are most critical. Use tools like to-do lists or task management apps to keep track of your priorities.

  • Develop a habit of planning your tasks ahead of time. Allocate specific time slots for each task and stick to your schedule as closely as possible.

  • Prepare for unexpected changes by leaving some buffer time in your schedule. This will allow you to adjust when needed without falling behind on your tasks.

Key developer soft skills for MAANG interviews#

In MAANG interviews, technical skills are important, but soft skills are an equally important component. These abilities demonstrate how well you work with others, solve problems, and communicate ideas. Let’s take a closer look at the key soft skills that can make a big difference in your interview and career.

1. Communication#

Communication is one of the most critical soft skills in MAANG interviews. These companies value candidates who can express their thoughts clearly, whether it’s explaining complex technical concepts, discussing project experiences, or collaborating with others during the interview process.

Effective communication goes beyond just speaking well; it encompasses everything that supports your engagement with your audience. The key communication skills one must possess to excel in MAANG interviews are:

  • Active listening: During interviews, listening carefully to the questions asked enables you to grab the important details that eventually help you in devising the desired solution.

  • Public speaking: Whether discussing past projects or walking through your problem-solving approach, your ability to present information clearly and confidently in a one-on-one setting can set you apart.

  • Writing skills: If your interview process includes written tasks, clear and well-structured writing can demonstrate your ability to communicate complex ideas successfully in written form, whether through emails, reports, or documentation.

  • Nonverbal communication: Your body language, eye contact, and facial expressions can convey confidence and engagement during the interview.

How to improve communication skills#

The following are some strategies that you can practice to improve your communication skills.

Strategy

Explanation

Practice clarity

Regularly practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms to friends or colleagues who are not in your field. This will help you refine your ability to convey complex information clearly.

Active listening

Engage in conversations with the intent to understand, not just to respond. Practice summarizing what the other person has said before you add your thoughts.

Mock presentations

Conduct mock presentations on technical topics or projects. Focus on clear delivery, logical structuring of information, and anticipating questions from your audience.

Cover
Grokking the Behavioral Interview

Many times, it’s not your technical competency that holds you back from landing your dream job, it’s how you perform on the behavioral interview. Whether you’re a software engineer, product manager, or engineering manager, this course will give you the tools to thoroughly prepare for behavioral and cultural questions. But beyond even technical roles, this would be useful for anyone, in any profession. As you progress, you'll be able to use Educative's new video recording widget to record yourself answering questions and assess your performance. By the time you’ve completed the course, you'll be able to answer any behavioral question that comes your way - with confidence.

5hrs
Beginner
5 Quizzes
37 Illustrations

2. Problem-solving and critical thinking#

Problem solving and critical thinking are at the core of what MAANG companies seek in candidates. In the fast-paced and ever-evolving tech environment, the ability to approach problems with a logical and critical mindset and develop well-thought-out solutions are stepping stones for innovation.

Problem-solving is the methodical approach of identifying a challenge and developing strategies to overcome it. It involves steps such as understanding the problem, brainstorming possible solutions, evaluating and selecting the best option, and ultimately executing the chosen solution. Critical thinking complements problem-solving by enabling you to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information in a logical and objective manner to form reasoned judgments. It involves questioning assumptions, identifying biases, assessing evidence, and considering alternative perspectives. The key skills that you must master in this regard are mentioned below:

  • Creativity: Problem-solving often requires thinking outside the box. Creativity involves generating innovative solutions that may not be immediately obvious but are both effective and practical.

  • Attention to detail: A great problem solver and critical thinker is grounded in detail. Small errors or overlooked aspects of a problem can lead to larger issues down the line.

  • Adaptability: Given a task, the first solution you implement might not work, or new information may change the scope. Adaptability is the ability to adjust your approach as needed.

How to improve problem-solving and critical thinking#

The following techniques can help you practice and improve your problem-solving and critical thinking.

Strategy

Explanation

Practice analytical thinking

Engage in exercises that challenge your ability to think critically, such as solving puzzles, tackling complex coding problems, or working through case studies.

Structured approach to solving problems

Break down problems into smaller parts, consider multiple solutions, and evaluate their pros and cons before deciding on the best course of action.

Simulate real-world scenarios

Practice solving problems that are similar to what you might encounter in a MAANG interview. This could involve coding challenges, technical case studies, or situational judgment tests.

To sharpen your problem-solving skills, consider taking these highly recommended courses, which are tailored to master algorithmic concepts in various programming languages.

3. Teamwork and collaboration#

Teamwork and collaboration are important soft skills in any workplace, and they are especially valued in MAANG companies, where projects often require input from multiple departments and individuals with diverse expertise. A proficient resource not only contributes his expertise but also welcomes innovative ideas from others, offering appreciation and support to improve overall team performance.

  • Communication: Clear and open communication is the foundation of effective teamwork. This includes actively listening to your teammates, expressing your ideas clearly, and ensuring everyone is on the same page.

  • Empathy: Understanding and respecting the feelings and perspectives of your team members helps create a positive and inclusive work environment.

  • Accountability: A responsible employee takes ownership of their actions and holds themselves accountable to their team, which fosters trust and ensures that everyone is working towards the common goal.

  • Conflict resolution: Disagreements in both inter-team and intra-team collaborations are natural, but what truly matters is your ability to resolve them effectively. This process involves calmly listening to the concerns, finding common ground, and striving for solutions that maximize team members’ satisfaction.

How to improve teamwork and collaboration#

Some useful strategies you can implement to sharpen your teamwork and collaboration abilities are listed below.

Strategy

Explanation

Practice active listening

Engage in team discussions with the intent to understand others' viewpoints fully. This helps build stronger connections and ensures that all voices are heard.

Work on empathy

Make an effort to consider the perspectives and feelings of your teammates. Try to put yourself in their shoes to understand their situation, which will enable you to respond more empathetically.

Hold yourself accountable

Start taking full ownership of your contributions and responsibilities, and ensure that you’re contributing effectively to the team’s goals.

Learn conflict resolution techniques

Familiarize yourself with strategies that help in resolving disagreements in a constructive way. This could include clear and concise communication, staying calm and patient, and seeking common ground.

4. Leadership#

Leadership is an important soft skill that goes beyond just managing a team—it’s about inspiring and guiding others, making decisive choices, and taking full responsibility for the outcomes. A leader is a guide, mentor, and captain who leads from the front. In MAANG companies, leadership skills are highly valued because they reflect your ability to influence and motivate your peers, drive projects forward, navigate challenges with confidence, and reflect back if the team faces unexpected results.

Let’s ponder upon a few leadership qualities that one must possess to become the spotlight in their organization:

  • Decision-making: Strong leaders are able to make informed decisions, even under pressure. This involves evaluating different options, considering the impact of each choice, and choosing the best course of action.

  • Team building: Influential leaders know how to bring people together. They foster a sense of collaboration and unity by recognizing and appreciating the strengths of each team member.

  • Mentorship: Leadership involves guiding and supporting fellow team members in their day-to-day work. This includes offering advice, sharing knowledge, and helping them navigate challenging situations.

  • Accountability: A good leader takes responsibility not only for the team’s successes but also for its failures. This includes being transparent about decisions, owning up to mistakes, and learning from them.

How to improve leadership skills#

Here are some recommended practices you can incorporate to develop your leadership skills.

Strategy

Explanation

Develop decision-making skills

Practice making decisions quickly and effectively by evaluating different scenarios and considering potential outcomes.

Work on team building

Engage in activities that require collaboration, and focus on building strong relationships with your peers.

Mentor others

Take the time to help others in their growth, whether it’s through formal mentorship or simply offering guidance when needed.

Seek feedback

Regularly ask for feedback from your peers and mentors on your leadership style and overall feedback from your manager. Strive to improve your leadership skills in light of this feedback.

Strengthen your leadership skills with these specialized courses for mastering leadership and management interviews.

5. Time management#

Effective time management means that you can analyze the task, prioritize it, and execute it in a way that ensures that deadlines are met. In a setup like MAANG companies that are known for a continuous influx of new requirements and customer feedback, matching the pace with your fellow team members and the company expectations is a necessary skill.

Regardless of the type of interview you’re appearing for, time management is a must-have skill. No matter how much you’ve practiced or how many problems you’ve solved, if you don’t know how to manage your time and prioritize tasks, you may struggle to succeed. This becomes even more critical in MAANG interviews, where the questions are tough, and you need to answer them in a time-constrained environment.

To excel in this area, you should be proficient in the following skills:

  • Prioritization: Given multiple tasks, critically analyzing them, estimating the required effort, and creating an execution plan to ensure maximum throughput are key aspects of effective time management. In MAANG companies, where deadlines can be tight, mindful prioritization of the tasks ensures that you’re focusing on what truly needs to be addressed first and delivering results that align with company goals.

  • Planning and scheduling: Successful time management involves planning your working days in advance. Task scheduling, followed by proper planning, ensures that you allocate enough time for each task, which in turn helps you meet all deadlines.

  • Delegation: Knowing when, how, and to whom to delegate tasks can help you manage your workload more effectively. A team that embraces a culture of shared responsibilities ensures that all tasks are completed on time without overburdening any individual.

  • Flexibility: While it’s important to stick to a schedule, it’s equally important to be flexible when faced with unexpected or unforeseen conditions. The ability to mold yourself and your action plan according to the circumstances empowers you and your team to meet your goals.

How to improve on time management#

Below are some targeted practices that can aid in improving your time management.

Strategy

Explanation

Practice prioritization

Regularly assess your tasks and determine which ones are most critical. Use tools like to-do lists or task management apps to keep track of your priorities.

Create and follow schedules

Develop a habit of planning your tasks ahead of time. Allocate specific time slots for each task and stick to your schedule as closely as possible.

Build flexibility

Prepare for unexpected changes by leaving some buffer time in your schedule. This will allow you to adjust when needed without falling behind on your tasks.

Behavioral interviews: Assessing cultural fit#

One of the most crucial interview rounds is the cultural fit assessment, where the interviewers are tasked to evaluate the candidate’s soft skills and character traits in light of the company’s culture. MAANG companies place a strong emphasis on cultural fit, as they strive to maintain environments where employees can innovate, collaborate effectively, and align with the organization’s values and mission.

During a behavioral interview, candidates are often asked to highlight past experiences that demonstrate how they handled specific situations. These questions are designed to reveal your thought process and how you respond to certain conditions, which gives clear insight into your character, work ethic, and interpersonal skills.

Recommended by Educative

Cover
Grokking the Behavioral Interview

Many times, it’s not your technical competency that holds you back from landing your dream job, it’s how you perform on the behavioral interview. Whether you’re a software engineer, product manager, or engineering manager, this course will give you the tools to thoroughly prepare for behavioral and cultural questions. But beyond even technical roles, this would be useful for anyone, in any profession. As you progress, you'll be able to use Educative's new video recording widget to record yourself answering questions and assess your performance. By the time you’ve completed the course, you'll be able to answer any behavioral question that comes your way - with confidence.

5hrs
Beginner
5 Quizzes
37 Illustrations

How to prepare for behavioral interviews#

To excel in behavioral interviews, it’s important to understand the company’s core values, which enables you to tailor your responses to highlight how you’re a good fit for their culture. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can be particularly helpful in structuring your answers, ensuring you provide clear and relevant examples that demonstrate both your soft skills and your cultural fit. You can further explore this blog to learn more about behavioral interviews and how to prepare for them.

Some companies have established their own set of leadership principles, which they encourage their employees to practice in a professional setting. Consequently, during behavioral interviews, recruiters at these companies assess new candidates based on these principles. For example, Amazon has published a list of their leadership principles, which include the following:

  • Customer Obsession
  • Invent and Simplify
  • Learn and Be Curious
  • Insist on the Highest Standards
  • Bias for Action
  • Earn Trust
  • Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit
  • Strive to be Earth’s Best Employer
  • Ownership
  • Are Right, A Lot
  • Hire and Develop the Best
  • Think Big
  • Frugality
  • Dive Deep
  • Deliver Results
  • Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility

Conclusion#

In summary, developing your soft skills is just as important as building your technical abilities, especially when aiming for a position at a MAANG company. These skills—communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and time management—are necessary for succeeding in innovative, fast-paced, team-oriented environments. If you’re planning to appear for an interview in the tech industry, you must understand the key skills associated with each and strive to work on improving them. There are many strategies that can help you improve your interpersonal skills, ultimately increasing your chances of success in a behavioral interview. Don’t forget to practice with mock interviews, which can help you prepare by simulating a real interview scenario. Remember, demonstrating strong soft skills shows that you’re not just a tech expert but also a valuable team member who can contribute positively to the company’s culture and success.

In addition to preparing for behavioral interviews, if you’re getting ready for coding, system design, or architecture interviews, be sure to explore the following courses. They provide detailed content on these topics and practical challenges to help you improve your skills, ultimately increasing your chances of success in all interview rounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do MAANG interviewers assess soft skills during the hiring process?

Interviewers assess soft skills through behavioral questions, situational judgment tests, and evaluations. It enables interaction style throughout the interview to determine how you handle pressure, communicate, and solve problems.

What are the 3 C's of soft skills?

How can I demonstrate my soft skills during a MAANG interview?

What are the 5 P's of a successful interview?

What is the most important soft skill for a software engineer?

What are the 5 features of an interview?


 
Join 2.5 million developers at
Explore the catalog

Free Resources