Select Tips from KeyTalent
Interviewing tips:
Schedule the time of the interview so that there will be no pressure
or rush to finish. Do not schedule too close to lunch, dinner or close of
business day unless you know that you are welcome to become a part of the
interviewer's break.
Week before:
- Visit a library to pick up some job-search/interview books, write down a
handful of tough/open-ended interview questions. Think about how you might
answer them. Practice with a friend or family member.
Day before:
- Critique your resume
- Prepare a short list of backup questions (see sample below)
- Prepare a short list of show-off qualities (see sample below)
- Exercise (getting your heart rate up may let you sleep better at night)
- Talk out loud about how good you are & talk about the great teams, projects, bosses, and products that you worked with
Night before:
- Lay out clothes, notebook, money, map, addresses, phone numbers, etc
- Get a good night's rest
Day/Morning of Interview:
- Shower, use deodorant, light or no perfume
- Smokers beware, non-smokers may be turned off if they smell smoke
on your clothes, hair, or breath
- Dress professionally
- Show up a few minutes early
- Offer a firm handshake
- Establish eye contact
- Convey a proud, self-confident posture
- Introduce yourself clearly
- Offer a fresh resume
- Let the interviewer start the questioning. A good interviewer will ask
questions that confirm what is on your resume and reflects your abilities.
When there is an opportunity, ask the interviewer to tell you about the project
and where you fit in. Interject and prompt appropriately with questions that
make the interviewer feel important. Use statements that show your interest,
and confirm your expertise and subject knowledge.
- Take non-disruptive notes (name of interviewer, title/position, project name,
new acronyms, project schedule duration, number of people on team, skills, tools,
development environment), Graceful interjection is a must, but do
not interrupt. Notes should not slow the interviewer, but are to be used
as a tool to show your interest and to recall capabilities.
- Smile
- Before leaving, make sure the interviewer knows your availability and interest.
Ask the interviewer if he/she has any reservations about your background, skills,
and ability to fit in. Ask the interviewer if he/she thinks there is a good match
and whether you are under serious consideration.
- Remember that you are selling yourself and your abilities.
- Go to the interview intent upon winning the position. Convey that you want the
opportunity to consider an offer to come aboard.
Backup questions:
What are some of the tools used on your project?
What is the development environment like?
Who will I be reporting to?
How big is the team?
What do you think of the members that I will be working with?
Does everyone work as part of a cohesive team?
How are tasks delegated?
What is the political environment like?
Where would I fit in the best?
Am I replacing someone or is this a newly created position?
What percentage of time will I be documenting? coding? managing?
What are typical working hours?
Will travel be required?
When can I expect to hear back from you?
May I take a tour of your facilities?
Show-off qualities:
self starter, team player, highly motivated, not afraid of hard problems, know when
to ask questions, know when to document, can stay late when necessary, fast learner,
great communication and interpersonal skills, realistic and sensitive to schedules
and budgets, up-front, honest about issues, and flexible.
Resume tips:
- Highlight expertise in bullet format at top of resume
- Include clearances and certifications
- Stress work experience first if it is more important than education
- List employment experience in reverse chronological order
- Focus on results-oriented accomplishments (quantify and qualify)
- Keep resume brief. Most reviewers spend less than 30 seconds per resume
- Use common and general terminology that the reviewer will understand