[SI Developer Story] 03. Preparing for an SI Company Interview

SI Developer Story
#3. Preparing for an SI Company Interview

Most likely, if you look at the list of companies recommended by the training institute after completing a government-sponsored training program, over 70% will be SI companies.

If you lack qualifications and feel the need to get a job somehow, you might find yourself interviewing at an SI company. However, since the SI industry is always short-staffed and there are many open positions, you don't need to worry too much about the interview.

The Spring + MyBatis structure, typically covered in government-sponsored training programs, is so widely used in Korean SI companies that it's practically the industry standard. So, you don't need to worry about the technology stack. However, in SI, there's no strict front-end or back-end division; you're expected to handle everything. That's why JSP is commonly used for UI development as it's widely accessible and allows for rapid development.

Given the nature of SI, companies prioritize individuals who can sit and code rather than those with exceptional technical skills. Therefore, coding tests are rare. Instead, interviewers typically focus on your training portfolio and conduct a basic personality interview to determine your suitability.

Occasionally, you might encounter technical questions, but since the industry doesn't demand high technical skills from new hires, reviewing the common technical interview questions from your training institute should be sufficient.

After the interview, if you receive a job offer, you'll usually be asked to start within 1-2 weeks. Typically, you'll either be assigned directly to a client site or start at the company headquarters before being assigned to a client site.

While starting your development career at an SI company may seem like a stepping stone, don't be discouraged. With your efforts, you can transition to service companies, solution providers, or other related fields. Don't get discouraged and make the most of your current situation by seeking opportunities to learn and grow. Experience is your greatest asset.