Interview Advice

[daveofspades]

So, after months of trying, I have an interview on Friday. This is for my first job back in the IT field in years. It's for a contract job where my job would be to do an inventory of the PC's and see if they are compatible with a software upgrade of some sort. My guess is they are about to make the leap to Vista, but it could be a propreitary or business specific software package.

Either way, I need to convince the man on the other side of the desk that I am capable of cracking open these boxes and evaluating what I see. I have never been good at interviews and, quite honestly, I don't know why.

So, any tips on acing this interview that don't involve lying?

DD

[XD40Xformer]

One major part of the interview that a lot of people overlook is their actual body language. Make sure that you use good posture and dont fidgit or make any nervous gestures with your hands or feet, this can make you appear like you are being dishonest when in all honesty you are just nervous. Do a few confidence building exercises before you go if you have to. Overall just remember the people interviewing you are people too and they WANT a good candidate, if you know you are well qualified then theres no reason to be stressed out, just convey the confidence you should already have to them. Hope this helps.

[longtalltechsan]

Try to think of every imaginable question that they will ask of you and then think of how you will answer those questions. Also, make sure if they ask you if you have any questions, ask something that pertains to your jobs. I have interviewed people before and when I asked if they had any questions and if they didn't, it made me wonder how much they actually care about the job. You certainly want to seem interested.

And, good luck!

[Ed Ely]

I am sure that you are familiar with
Belarc Advisor. If so, 99% of the job
you are going to interview for is already
done for you. (Don't spill the beans on
this at internview though).

Dress neat, mind your manners,
don't chew gum, carry a small
note pad and find out something
about the company whom you
will be working for before the
interview.

Best of luck!

Ed

[cucamelsmd15]

Ive interviewed quite a few people lately, so Ill toss in my nickels worth...

Beware of your body language. If you sit across the table from me with your arms crossed, resting your chin on your hand thats on the table, etc, it tells me something.

Also, look your interviewer in the eye. I, for one, cant stand when someone wont make eye contact with me.

If they ask you a question, and you dont know the answer, BE HONEST and say "I dont know". I cant tell you how many times in the past few weeks I havent extended an offer to someone because I asked them a question and instead of an honest "no" or "I dont know", they BS'ed me an answer.

[Bowser4x4]

Originally Posted by cucamelsmd15

Ive interviewed quite a few people lately, so Ill toss in my nickels worth...

Beware of your body language. If you sit across the table from me with your arms crossed, resting your chin on your hand thats on the table, etc, it tells me something.

Also, look your interviewer in the eye. I, for one, cant stand when someone wont make eye contact with me.

If they ask you a question, and you dont know the answer, BE HONEST and say "I dont know". I cant tell you how many times in the past few weeks I havent extended an offer to someone because I asked them a question and instead of an honest "no" or "I dont know", they BS'ed me an answer.

+1 on all this: I usually have a feeling on the person I interview within the first 30 seconds. ...all the time to make that first impression. And I agree: know something about the company and ask questions, but don't try to BS me with how much you read off our website. Have real questions, not ones where you are just going thru the motions.

Woof
Bowser

[methanol]

This is all great advice. I went through an interview with the Texas DPS to become a State Trooper. You can all imagine how nerve wracking this was. Wear a suit, if you dont have one at least wear khakis. Body language is THE most important aspect of the interview. Walk in with confidence, shoulders up, looking the person in the eyes. Shake their hand when you walk in. When you sit down sit with both feet FLAT on the ground (it takes practice) with your hands in your lap. When asked a question think before you speak and its definately not a time to BS if you dont know. Mostly just take a deep breath and relax. You'll do fine!

[cucamelsmd15]

Originally Posted by Bowser4x4

+1 on all this: I usually have a feeling on the person I interview within the first 30 seconds. ...all the time to make that first impression. And I agree: know something about the company and ask questions, but don't try to BS me with how much you read off our website. Have real questions, not ones where you are just going thru the motions.

Woof
Bowser

Real questions include, but arent limited to:

Where do you see the company in 5 years? 10 years?

What does the company provide to me in terms of personal and career growth?

Etc, you get the picture.

[one-eyed-fatman]

If your not good at interviews ya might as well go in there and punch him in the face and say I'm taking over. You may not get the job but at least you'll feel better about not getting the job. OH, and wear a nice suit.

[goodformeto]

Go in with the mentality that you are interviewing them too. Ask questions about your future and show interest. This attitude will go a long way to helping with making you look self assured.