25 minutes is longer than it sounds until you're actually in it.
Prepare a slide deck that tells a compelling story of a project you led or contributed to significantly, focusing on the problem, your approach, trade-offs, and impact. Walk through it concisely, highlighting your thought process, collaboration, and results, while engaging the interviewer and inviting questions.
Pro tip: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your narrative, and quantify the impact with metrics like latency reduction, cost savings, or user growth. Also, be ready to discuss what you would do differently and how you incorporated feedback.
Briefly describe the project's background, the problem it solved, and its importance to the business or users. Mention your role and the team structure.
Outline the technical approach you took, including architecture, technologies, and key decisions. Highlight any trade-offs you considered (e.g., scalability vs. simplicity).
Describe obstacles you encountered (e.g., ambiguity, changing requirements) and how you adapted. Show how you navigated uncertainty and made decisions with incomplete information.
Explain how you worked with cross-functional teams, communicated with stakeholders, and managed expectations. Mention any conflicts and how you resolved them.
Conclude with the project's impact, using metrics if possible. Reflect on what you learned and how you would improve if you did it again.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.