Interviews can be scary. We always tell our candidates to think of it as a mutual interview – you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you! That being said we have some simple tips for you to follow to insure your meeting is professional, and you come across to the interviewer as being very prepared.
Be prepared to answer questions on the following as these are very common interview questions:
• Describe your background experience
• Discuss what role you had on various projects/what technologies you have used
• Be prepared to talk about reasons for specific job changes you have made in your career
• Why you are looking/interested in the opportunity?
• Related industry experience
• Greatest accomplishments
• Most difficult situations
In any technical interview it is very important to be able to provide detailed answers. We always recommend shying away from one word answers, or answering with a yes or no. State the answer and, if appropriate, provide some examples of when you have worked with the technology. If you have not worked with something, be honest and say “No, I have not.” Try to then relate some experience you have had – with the experience they are looking for.
It is very important to be appreciative and professional with each and every interviewer.
• Make sure to speak slowly & clearly
• Make sure you sound passionate and excited about this new possibility
• Thank the interviewer for his/her time and close the interview by asking “What are next steps” and expressing interest in the opportunity.
Interview:
• Dress to impress – turn off your cell phone and leave the gum at home!
• Research the company. Everyone has a website – spend time reviewing it thoroughly before your interview!
• Don’t get too chummy. It is nice when there is an immediate, friendly connection with the interviewer, but don’t get so relaxed and comfortable that you start to appear less professional
• Bring something to write with, questions you have, and a couple of clean copies of your resume
• The more professional you are, the more the interviewer will recognize your interest and dedication to this opportunity
• Know where you are going, plan ahead for traffic, and bring along contact information in case of an emergency. DO NOT BE LATE!
• Relax, be yourself, be confident yet demonstrate/show a sense of humility
Send a thank-you note:
• Should it be by email or handwritten? Both. Here’s why: The email gets delivered instantly and when the company is interviewing several candidates, speed counts in distinguishing yourself. A handwritten thank-you card has a personal touch that is valued highly by many companies but it relies on snail mail. Write and send both the same day as the interview.
• Make it personal and incorporate a nugget of info from the interview. It doesn’t have to be long – just a couple of sentences will do. And don’t use the exact same text in both the email and the card. You will set yourself FAR ahead of other candidates with this simple act.