16 Tips for Job Interviews - Part 3
(Huge disclosure: these are my personal opinions and I cannot guarantee you will land a job. Remember, you may impress them during an interview, but there are other factors that go into being hired.)
You've made it past the phone screen and have a 'real' interview lined up. Congrats! The job interview process can be brutal, particularly in tech fields. Check out my tips for impressing your interviewer and - HOPEFULLY - making it to the next step in the hiring process.
(See my previous post for tips #5-10, for additional tips during the interview)
Tips during the interview
11) When asked to solve a theoretical situation, or solve a problem on a board, ask questions and verbalize your thought process - Make it clear how you are approaching the problem, and coming to your solution. These questions are designed to show your potential teammates how you think, and how you work. And you need to ask questions - this will demonstrate an ability to understanding problems before jumping on the first solution that comes to mind.
12) When talking about successful situations on teams at previous employments, use "we" as much as "I" - teams want to know you're a team player, and this is a good indication that you recognize your supporting players in your previous successes. The exception to this would be when you truly worked alone.
13) Make eye contact - don't let your nerves overwhelm your ability to connect with the person across from you. Make good, casual, steady eye contact. Don't be afraid to smile, either!
14) Be clear about what you're looking for in this position - know what areas of growth you imagine this job will help you become stronger in, or how this job will align with your interests. The correct answer should not just be, "a steady paycheck."
15) Engage 'the jerk' in healthy dialogue - some companies will send in That Person- the one who is overly blunt, insensitive, slightly un-PC, aggressive in opinion, pessimistic - for interviews, to see how you will handle their 'difficult personality' on your own. Don't take anything they say personally, and take the higher ground. If you feel as though you are being attacked, this is the perfect opportunity to turn the interview from a Q&A into a dialogue by asking him/her questions about their role, what tools they use, how they feel about the company, etc. I will note that I hate this practice, and if this happens to you take it into consideration when you are deciding whether or not this place is a healthy fit for you.
16) Send a follow-up note - some recruiters and advice columnists insist this should be handwritten. For me, email is fine. Send it to whoever your point of contact happens to be and/or whoever set up your interviews. It doesn't need to be long or dramatic. If you want the job after you finish the interviews, mention that you look forward to speaking about the next step in the process. If, after the interview is complete, you feel it would not be a good fit, simply thank them for their time and efforts.
And that wraps up 16 Tips for Job Interviews!