Choose-Your-Own-Tech Presentation Round

What it tests

Whether the candidate can independently select a compelling technical topic, structure a narrative for a mixed audience, and field live questions — all core to the developer advocate role.

Format

1. 1Candidate prepares a 15–20 minute presentation on any technical topic of their choosing before the onsite
2. 2Presentation is delivered live to a panel of DevRel and engineering interviewers who play the role of the audience
3. 3Panel spends 10–15 minutes asking clarifying questions, challenging assumptions, and probing depth

What to look for

• Topic choice reveals what the candidate finds genuinely exciting — avoid candidates who pick 'safe' or generic subjects
• Ability to calibrate complexity mid-presentation when audience signals confusion or boredom
• Quality of answers under pressure: does the candidate distinguish between what they know deeply vs. what they've only read about
• Narrative arc — great advocates tell a story, not a feature list

Adaptation guide

Specify the audience persona upfront (e.g., 'assume senior engineers unfamiliar with the topic') to see if the candidate adjusts. For a content-heavy role, request the candidate also submit speaker notes or a short written summary afterward.

Full description