interview tips

10 Ways to Blow the Interview

Information abounds regarding what you should say in an interview. But it can be just as important to realize what not to say. It is also imperative to note that what you say say can be communicated through both your words and actions.

1. You arrive late to the interview.
What it means: "I really don't care about getting this position."

Arrive a healthy 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to give you time to collect your thoughts, review your notes and make a good first impression.

2. You're rude to the receptionist.
What it means: "I'm difficult to get along with."

Receptionists are the gate keepers and it's their job to be the eyes and ears of the company," cautions Lauren Milligan, founder and CEO of ResuMAYDAY, Inc. Besides, if hired, you may need their cooperation one day.

3. You answer questions with trite or cliché responses.
What it means: "I'm just one of the crowd."

Telling the interviewer you are a perfectionist and expect too much of yourself is sure to elicit a yawn, if not a discreet roll of the eyes, Milligan warns. Prepare potential responses ahead of time to avoid relying on the usuals.

4. You don't ask questions.
What it means: "I'm not that interested in your company."

The interview should be a two-way conversation "to determine if you are the right fit for the company, and if the company is the right fit for you," Milligan says. Use the interview to gather as much information about your potential new position as possible.

5. You answer the standard "Tell us about yourself," with "What would you like to know?"
What it means: "I have nothing special to offer this company."

This is your opportunity to steer the conversation into areas where you truly shine. Don't waste this chance by appearing to lack any outstanding qualities you want to share. And please don't start with where you were born. Focus on your career unless your birthplace is relevant to the job.

6. You use inappropriate language.
What it means: "I'm unprofessional and if it shows in the short span of an interview, imagine what I'll be like in the office."

Even if they're only mild and somewhat acceptable words, there still is no place for them in the interview.

7. You trash-talk your former boss.
What it means: "I have no discretion; I'll blab any inside information."

"If you left your prior job on poor terms, you need to put this relationship in a positive light for the interview," Milligan advises. "Even if your boss was to blame." You never want to bring negativity or antagonistic emotions into the interview. Keep it positive and upbeat.

8. You ask the interviewer to not contact your former employer.
What it means: "I have something to hide."

Even if you do not get along with your boss, you can always name someone else in the organization as a reference.

9. You exaggerate your accomplishments or credentials.
What it means: "I'm not good enough on my own merits, so I need to lie to make myself look good."

A skilled interviewer can easily identify fabrications in your background or experience. State your qualifications with confidence. You don't have to be Superman to get hired; you just have to be right for the job.

10. You don't thank the interviewer.
What it means: "I have no manners."

Forgetting to thank your interviewers in writing for their time can take the luster from even the most stellar interviewee.


Interview Tips for Computer Science Students

I interviewed bunch of fresh graduates for number of software development positions. Interview graduates can go two ways - It’s interesting if they’ve done something outside their course work which can show their passions and skills. It’s tiring to hear about what subject they have studied and what are the school projects. Frankly there aren’t any interesting things to talk about school.

Dan Kegel has similar thoughts. Even better, in this article, he helps the fresh grads to understand what interviewers really looking for, and suggests number of quick ways to make you stand out from the pack. As I work in an open source company, I enjoy his suggestion on contributing to an existing open source project as a way to demonstrate your programming skills:

Whether or not you’re in college, nothing is stopping you from contributing to an existing Open Source project. One good way to start is to add unit or regression tests; nearly all projects need them, but few projects have a good set of them, so your efforts will be greatly appreciated.

I suggest starting by adding a conformance test to the Wine project. That’s great because it gives you exposure to programming both in Linux and in Windows. Also, it’s something that can be done without a huge investment of time; roughly 40 work hours should be enough for you to come up to speed, write a simple test, post it, address the feedback from the Wine developers, and repeat the last two steps until your code is accepted.

11 REASONS FOR REJECTION IN THE INTERVIEW

1. Poor attitude. Many candidates come across as arrogant. While employers can afford to be self-centered, candidates cannot.

2. Appearance. Many candidates do not consider their appearance as much as they should. First impressions are quickly made in the first three to five minutes. (For details regarding Appearance, refer to the message 'Interview Etiquette' which I had posted earlier in "http://www.careerenclave.com/-JOBS" group).

3. Lack of research. It's obvious when candidates haven't learned about the job, company or industry prior to the interview. Visit the library or use the Internet to research the company, then talk with friends, peers and other professionals about the opportunity before each meeting.

4. Not having questions to ask. Asking questions shows your interest in the company and the position. Prepare a list of intelligent questions in advance.

5. Not readily knowing the answers to interviewers' questions. Anticipate and rehearse answers to tough questions about your background, such as recent termination or an employment gap. Practicing with your spouse or a friend before the interview will help you to frame intelligent responses.

6. Relying too much on resumes. Employees hire people, not paper. Although a resume can list qualifications and skills, it's the interview dialogue that will portray you as a committed, responsive team player.

7. Too much humility. Being conditioned not to brag, candidates are sometimes reluctant to describe their accomplishments. Explaining how you reach difficult or impressive goals helps portray you as a committed, responsive team player. www.careerenclave.com

8. Not relating skills to employers' needs. A list of sterling accomplishments means little if you can't relate them to a company's requirements. Reiterate your skills and convince the employer that you can "do the same for them".

9. Handling salary issues ineptly. Candidates often ask about salary and benefit packages too early. If they believe an employer is interested, they may demand inappropriate amounts and price themselves out of the jobs. Candidates who ask for too little undervalue themselves or appear desperate.

10. Lack of career direction. Job hunters who aren't clear about their career goals often can't spot or commit to appropriate opportunities. Not knowing what you want wastes everybody's time.

11. Job shopping. Some applicants, particularly those in certain high-tech, sales and marketing fields, will admit they're just "shopping" for opportunities and have little intention of changing jobs. This wastes time and leaves a bad impression with employers they may need to contact in the future.

GOOD LUCK FOR YOUR INTERVIEW