Coffee Breaks

Using the "Why?" Technique to Prepare for Behavioral Interviews

When you prepare for a technical interview, there are things you can do (mostly) on your own. Leetcoding, studying algos, and mastering data structures are all things that can be done relatively easily by yourself. On the other hand, preparing for the behavioral interview is a bit more difficult to do without some help.

Luckily, our Founder and CEO, Sophie, has a tip that will allow you to prepare on your own. Watch Sophie explain how to best prepare for behavioral interviews with something she calls the "Broken Why Tape Recorder Technique."

Looking for more interview tips? Formation Fellows get unlimited mock interviews packed with actionable feedback. Apply to join!

Read next

The myth of the perfect solution in interviews

The myth of the perfect solution in interviews

Most engineers over-focus on perfect solutions. What really stands out in interviews is clear thinking, steady progress, and good judgment.

The hidden blockers in technical interviews: test anxiety and burnout

The hidden blockers in technical interviews: test anxiety and burnout

Even great engineers stumble under stress. Learn how balance, structure, and mindset can turn interview anxiety into clarity.

How to tell if your coding practice is really making you a better problem solver

How to tell if your coding practice is really making you a better problem solver

Most software engineers spend hours practicing for interviews, but is it actually working? Learn how to tell if your coding habits are making you a stronger problem solver.