Author Topic: Old farts: job interview dos and don'ts (Read 777 times)

StSanta · « **on:** January 08, 2003, 04:28:06 AM »

Well, I've gotten a response to one of the applications I've sent in. It's for ETI which is a company that sells software analyzing tools, targetted at signal analysis and prevention of IT criminality. If I get the job I'd be part of the internal support deprtment.

Anywhow. I dunno anything about job interviews. Never done that before. But I want the job. With unemployment amongst IT people on a *very* sharp rise here and a competitive situation that's getting worse and worse I figure I gotta prove myself.

Any tips or advice from you old farts who've been there, done that, had the Human Resource Managers mother when you were young, bought the t-shirt?

Would be cool to have a job. I'm going literally insane from having nothing to do. I think I'm growing old or something; never been so before. Plus it seems interesting and I could do with a wee bit of money.

Dowding (Work) · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2003, 04:46:41 AM »

I'm only 24 but I've been in situations both as interviewer and interviewee. I'm sure more experienced people have more to offer.

Appearance and body language are crucial. People form opinions on someone within the first 15 seconds of meeting. Dress smartly - suit and tie, but nothing too flamboyant. Wait for them to offer you a seat when you enter the room. Be relaxed, but don't slouch. Lean forward slightly and maintain eye contact when they talk to you. A smile goes a long way, but don't try to be a stand-up comedian.

Essentially you want them to focus on you and your suitability. Don't wear loads of after-shave etc. That really pisses interviewers off and distracts them from the fact that you are great and the best man for the job.

Preparation, preparation, preparation. Know everything about the company - do plenty of research. Recent projects they've completed, who are their major competitors, what the situation in their market is.

Prepare good, solid answers to stock questions like:

1.) Describe a time where you have had to influence a group of people around to your way of thinking.

2.) Describe a time when you came across opposition to your opinion. What did you do to get your views heard?

3.) Describe a situation where a project has come across unforeseen obstacles. How did you overcome those obstacles?

4.) Describe a particularly successful/unsuccessful team. Why was it successful/unsuccessful? What did you learn.

They are some of the general ones I've been asked that I can remember.

Job specific ones I can't give you - I don't work in that sector.

Above all, don't get too nervous. They will make allowances to a certain extent - but if you are a nervous wreck, it doesn't look good. However, I've always found that a little nervous feeling helps concentration and performance - in exams and interviews.

Good luck mate - hope you get the job!

Heater · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2003, 06:55:37 AM »

Just a tip,

do not try to BS your way through the technical questions etc...
if you do not know the answer just tell them,

I am part of a technical review team that does interviews in the IT branch for a large multinational, one of the things that really gets me in when the questions are asked and some one tries to BS their way through it.

be your self and relax, and attitude is very important, I would much rather hire someone that needs to be trained a bit to fill the roll than to hire someone that knows his stuff but has an attitude that causes friction.

Good Luck

Fatty · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2003, 06:56:34 AM »

I would say letting an old fart would be a don't. Could depend on the local culture though.

Gunthr · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2003, 07:29:20 AM »

All good advice above, especially Fatty's

The interviewers expect you to be a bit nervous... so don't worry too much about that.

Try to be yourself. Connect with the interviewer on a personal level if the opportunity presents itself, but its good to be buisness-like.

Dress appropriately.

Above all, LISTEN carefully to the interviewer. Its easy to be so worried about how you present yourself that you become obsessed with how you are doing instead of staying with the interviewer.

Know your strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes interviewers will ask what areas you would like to improve on, or what your weak points are... be prepared.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Go to a lot of interviews... your stress will lessen each time.

G'luck

Eagler · « **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2003, 08:03:42 AM »

don't wear ur leather pants and don't bring your dog

gl

Cobra · « **Reply #6 on:** January 08, 2003, 08:11:29 AM »

All great tips and one's you should listen to......especially Dowding's comment on doing research on the company itself.

At some point, the interviewer may ask if you have any questions of him or about the company. This is the time to show that you do your homework and can be detailed in your work or research.

Let the interviewer finish speaking...don't interrupt. Make your answers crisp, and concise....go into detail, but keep on track, don't get mired down in it.

If you have any past examples of your work..bring that along also.

Cobra

Mighty1 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2003, 08:15:01 AM »

1)Be confident ..You know what you can do and they will either like you or they won't. Just don't be cocky! You get so many applicants with the same training that you look for the one who sticks out. Some guys I hired just because they SEEMED confident.

2)Keep eye contact. I always hated the guys who couldn't even look me in the eyes. I always felt they knew they weren't good enough but they were trying anyway.

3)Posture. Don't slouch when walking or when sitting in a chair.

4)Speak clearly. Don't yell but speak in a tone that can be heard. also don't do a lot of "Umms" or "Uhs" and for god's sake no "Dude".

The best thing I can say is try to be yourself as much as possible and relax!

Being nervous is natural but just think about it like this....If you don't get the job will your life end?

No!

So don't go into the interview like it will.

lazs2 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 08, 2003, 08:18:56 AM »

I hire people from time to time and I am asked to sit on interview boards for other Cities.

Dress the way you will be dressed at work. Appear eager to have the job. Don't be afraid to say "I Don't really know" rather than trying to fake it. Try not to go into long drawn out explanations. Everyone has experiance... try to make your life experiance fit in with what is wanted in the job. You have never had a conflict with another employee that you didn't resolve amicably.... you cleared up the missunderstanding and parted friends.
lazs

capt. apathy · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2003, 08:45:20 AM »

if the interview is in the early morning, get a good nights sleep and get up a few hours early. then do something that requires some thought for awhile before you start getting ready to go to the interview. it can make a great impression when everybody else is dragging their bellybutton around in the morning for you to appear together and focused.

all the stuff mentioned above is good too, but was already covered.

btw- one of the cool things about being in the union is that I don't have to do interviews anymore. I always hated having to go see some stranger and 'sell' myself.

StSanta · « **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2003, 08:46:37 AM »

Thanks for the advice. Eye contact, body language etc is something I know I need to be careful about. By nature I have a strong...neurosis regarding not wanting to disappoint people, so that should prevent me from overreaching or claiming to be capable of something I'm not.

But loads of good advice here.

Now, I don't have a tie. I have one white shirt and one with little squares on it. Office cultue in the US has a dress code that's much stricter than here, and in the thing they put up they mention that they prefer a 'relaxed atmosphere' - so I'm wondering if I can do without the tie and just dress in my best clothes?

I also suspect I should hold back my natural inclination to joke all the time

. So I should keep my answers short, clear and concise? When to elaborate - any general guidelines or just judge the situation based on body language, the way they pronounce the words etc?

ETI A/S have an American presence (in Virginia I think) and they're talking about expanding there (they sell security related software after all) so it might be a way to go abroad too.

Man, I want this job. I need to not diddly it up.

Another question: now that I've to have a job interview, where does that put me in terms of other applicants? I'm sure that are others that are more qualified than me, but does the fact that I have an interview mean that *if* I do a good job, I have a real chance of getting the job? Or is it more a formal thing or insurance - 'if this guy proves to be an utter mess, at least we have this other less qualified guy as a backup'?

And if there are other 'standard questions' anyone feels can be asked, please post them. I'll do my homework.

Aggh, yet another question. IF I get the job there's the issue of salary. I have statistics that indicate what range a guy like me should have. if they offer something below it, what am I to do? Push for more and risk losing the job or just accept it? Or doesn't it work like that at all? Oh, they probably will inform me of their decision way later. How adacious should I be there? I'd be happy to work for below the average salary, but it would be nice to get a few extra crowns

.

Thanks again.

Gonna reread the thread.

Modas · « **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2003, 09:23:58 AM »

This is VERY important...

Send a thank you letter to EVERYONE that you interviewed with at the company (if you see more than one person). DO NOT send the same letter to everyone.

In the letter, thank them for thier time, and the opportunity to interview. Rehash your strengths and why you want the job. When you close, mention that you will call them in a couple of weeks to follow up (shows you are a self-starter and serious)

Its amazing how few people do this, even when interviewing for technical/professional positions. I manager I used to work with would eliminate canidates based on whether or not they would send a letter after the interview. It didn't matter how qualified they were, no letter, no second interview, no chance.

Good luck

Gunthr · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2003, 09:41:02 AM »

St Santa, I know you are anxious for this job, but do not sell yourself short. Remember, this is your opportunity to evaluate the company... and whether or not it will be a good fit for you.

I'm always impressed when the applicant has questions about pay, heath insurance, benifits, and opportunities for advancement. Many applicants ask no questions at all about these things, and it leaves one wondering how serious they are about the job... whether they will be good, long term employees or quit after we've invested in a lot of training.

Younger applicant's (I call them "X-ers") move around a lot from job to job. Depending on the company, you may want to try and indicate your stability by asking questions like the above when you are given the opportunity. It will say good things about you.

Eagler · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2003, 09:44:17 AM »

brush your teeth and for once - wear deodorant

capt. apathy · « **Reply #14 on:** January 08, 2003, 10:47:25 AM »

it's also very important to use and remember the names of the people you talk to. not just for future contact (looks real bad to call and check back in with "hi, I talked to someone ion your personel department the other day") but also if you use the guys name when talking to him you will be more memorable.

they've seen your resume/aplication, and if you have an interview you've made the first cut. they've seen your skills on paper so now you need to catch their attention as a person.