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After writing your successful-resume the next thing you must do, is prepare yourself for the job-interview. The very fact that you've been called for a job interview, indicates that you've been selected from the many applicants, and the employment opportunity is now yours to win or lose.
Many companies today, like to engage in phone interviews, usually, this is a way of screening out, candidates without the expense and trouble of scheduling in person interviews. It's imperative that you treat a phone interview with the same level of candor and seriousness, that you would an interview in person. Usually you will know immediately how well you did, especially, if you are asked to schedule an interview in person.
An interview is the company's, way of getting to know you. It's also an area where most ideal candidates on paper, become, less than ideal in person. Perhaps the single most important element for your success in the interview is your personality, and how you positively describe yourself to your potential employer. Here are some things to keep in mind.
- Dress and groom appropriately, although many IT related positions usually are not very stringent on dress code, poor attire can reflect a negative, sloppy image.
- Arrive on time. Interviewees, who show up 15-30 min late will give the employer an immediate negative impression.
- Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, demonstrate your positive attitude from the beginning
- Let the employer describe the opportunity and ask you some questions first.
- Show enthusiasm and excitement about the opportunity, and answer your employers question, concisely and positively, try not to dwell on details, this is particularly true when answering technical questions, unless the answer requires a detailed level of explanation.
- Be prepared for questions regarding your previous or current position, all employers will ask you why you want to leave your current job, why are you currently seeking work or why you left your last job. You need to answer this questions with a degree of honesty, while at the same time, deflecting negative job conclusions such as terminations or layoffs. How you answer this question is often a pivotal point in the interview.
- Become familiar with the company, check their web-site before the interview, if they are a public company know about their products or services and understand their market. Employers are looking for people who are aware and interested in their business , not just someone to sit at a desk.
- Bring extra copies of your resume, and samples of your work, projects, a portfolio. Computer professionals should consider bringing a laptop, or setting up a web-page where they can let potential employers see their work.
- Do not discuss salary unless asked by the employer. If you begin discussing salary and compensation the employer may feel, your are more interested in the dollars rather than in the position.
- Near the end of the interview, ask the employer, when can you expect a decision by. If you feel the interview went very well, claim to having offers pending, this usually helps employers finalize decisions about you quickly.
- Thank the employer for the opportunity.
Resume writing , Interview , Follow-up interview