Many startups and smaller IT companies combine the technical and HR rounds into a single conversation instead of separate stages. This format rewards candidates who can shift smoothly between technical depth and soft-skill answers.
Why Companies Combine These Rounds
Smaller teams often need to move faster, and a combined round lets a single interviewer — sometimes the hiring manager directly — assess both fit and skill at once, rather than coordinating multiple panels.
Expect the Conversation to Move Back and Forth
You might be asked a technical question, followed immediately by "how would you explain that to a non-technical teammate," before returning to another technical topic. Stay flexible rather than expecting a strict order.
Prepare Both Sides in Advance
- Revise the fundamentals relevant to the role — networking, a programming language, or your primary tool stack.
- Prepare your standard HR answers: why this company, your strengths, career goals, and salary expectations.
- Have one or two project examples ready that let you discuss both technical decisions and how you communicated them to others.
Manage Your Time in the Room
In a single 30–45 minute combined round, don't let one long technical explanation eat all the time. If you notice you're going deep, briefly summarize and ask if they'd like more detail.
Show Your Thinking, Not Just Answers
Since the same person is evaluating both your technical and interpersonal skills, narrating your thought process — on a bug, a design choice, or a past team situation — gives them insight into both at once.
End With Genuine Questions
Ask about the team size, tech stack, or how decisions get made — in smaller companies, this also signals you understand what you're actually signing up for.