Preparing for an interview

[LL2]

There is nothing wrong with my glasses!

I did pick up a suit a few weeks back in preparation for this. I will likely be wearing that. I figure i'll go with black and white. It's plain but it will hopefully get the job done.

Black and white is not business attire.

Well, it is a black suit with pin stripes. I will have to try and match a shirt and tie with it today at work.

Here's a little gem that works wonders - "What do you consider to be the critical success factors for someone you hire into this position?". Once that's answered, you position yourself to fill those needs. Let them know you don't just want the job. You want to be achieve status as a top performer.

That is a good question to ask!

[Freak Out]

They're probably happy if their applicants show up with their flys zipped and they remember not to cuss.

Ok ok....wear cut off jeans and a Dickies hat then.

[MadtownPacker]

I think the suit is a bad idea. You're likely to end up overdressed, which is only slightly better than underdressed.

But why leave something like this to chance in the first place? Call the company. Talk to a secretary, and find out what the attire is. Then you can be certain your dressed appropriately. How are you supposed to interview well if you're the only guy in the buiding wearing a suit? For god sakes, your applying as a computer programmer, not an investment banker. They're probably happy if their applicants show up with their flys zipped and they remember not to cuss.

During my interviews, I'm often most impressed by how candidates ask questions - not nearly as much by how they answer them. Remember, you're interviewing them too. Here's a little gem that works wonders - "What do you consider to be the critical success factors for someone you hire into this position?". Once that's answered, you position yourself to fill those needs. Let them know you don't just want the job. You want to be achieve status as a top performer.

You should be doing due diligence on this company now. How many employees? What's their annual revenue? Who are their biggest customers? Who are their competitors? Who's the CEO. What's his background? All the routine stuff. This should also help you decide if you really want to work there. It's not unusual for an interviewer to ask you why you want to work there, and this is a great opportunity to show off some of your research while answering the question.

Lastly, be comfortable. If you're not comfortable, it's hard for the interviewer to be comfortable. And if the interviewer is uncomforable, it's harder to make the hire. There are no babies dying here, so don't let yourself turn the situation into something more prominent than it really is. Its just a job. Its just an interview. If you don't get this one, it'll be great practice for the next one.

What the hell, you Salt lake floater?? I already said all this and that dumbass hasn't responded. I agree that the suit is a judgment call. I will give you credit on the receptionist one. Thats always a good way to go and if you don't treat them like hired help and smile maybe they will hook a brother up. I actually like your post better though, you say it in a nice anglo saxon way Partial can understand.

[Deputy Nutz]

Wear a fucking suit. He already has one he should wear the fucking thing.


Don't volunteer information, answer the questions they give with truthful answers.

Brush your fucking teeth.

Get contacts.

Bring anything with you that you think might be important but again don't volunteer shit.

Take it from me, I always get jobs I am over qualified for. It sucks in the long run, I usually make some promises I never intend to keep, that works as well. Like if they ask you to take a class in Java, say absolutely, then if you don't want to, don't.

[MJZiggy]

Wear clean underwear (what? didn't your mother ever tell you that?) and whatever you do, don't do whatever it is that I've been doing wrong for the last year. Have a copy of your resume with you. When they start going over it, if you can pull it out and look it over with them, you look prepared. Do what Scott said, the question was really good. Mark me down as for the suit--you can always take the jacket off and carry it if you're feeling overdressed.

It would look better to lose the glasses, but I'm not convinced contacts are a better idea as the could make your eyes uncomfortable or red if you're not used to them and the last thing you want is bloodshot eyes in an interview.

Oh, and no Mexican or black bean soup the day before or morning of.

[Joemailman]

Don't mention that you have over 8000 posts on a frickin' football forum.

[Partial]

Why does everyone hate the glasses?

Also, what should I carry my resume in? All I have in a columbia back pack. Should I look into getting something else? I would really rather not spend any additional money than what I have to.

[GoPackGo]

put your resume, letters of recommendation and your college transcripts inside clear binder pages and carry them in a slim leather binder.

[Fosco33]

I interview people all the time - sometimes for tech jobs. Relax, smile, wipe your sweaty palm (and grip firm) and pause on your responses.

IMO, a suit is fine.

Lots of tech guy wears glasses (and most have facial hair).

If your transcripts suck - it's just that - don't explain anything. If it's a co-op, they probably won't.

If you have a portfolio - bring your resume (on good paper if you have it) and some examples from past internships or class projects (relevant to the position).

Read the website and write down at least 3 questions.

If you have a behavioral interview, use this model...

S - Situation (explain the situation at a high level -- in a few sentences)
H - Hindrance/Challenge (if it's not a challenge it won't be compelling)
A - Action Items (what you did to overcome the challenge or finish the task)
R - Result (what happened?)

And try not to use the following examples: frat party planning, staying up late finishing an assignment.

Good luck dude.

[Freak Out]

Why does everyone hate the glasses?

Also, what should I carry my resume in? All I have in a columbia back pack. Should I look into getting something else? I would really rather not spend any additional money than what I have to.

Glasses are fine...you need them to see for crying out loud.

[oregonpackfan]

1. Wear a suit and tie as mentioned before.
2. Get to know as much about the company and the position as possible
3. If you can find out anything about the individual(s) you will be interview with. Small talk at the beginning is important.
4. I'm not a programmer, but a friend of mine is and he brought samples of his work with him.
5. Study like you would for a test. They are likely to test or quiz you on your technical knowledge.
6. Most importantly maintain your poise and never admit you are nervous (even though you will be).

Let us know how it goes!

These are all good tips. I support them and encourage you to follow them.

Also:

1. Arrive 5-10 minutes early. DO NOT BE LATE! It is a bad sign to your prospective employers if you show up late.

2. As an earlier poster stated, maintain good eye contact.

3. Besides the suit, make sure your shoes are polished. Some employers put stock on polished shoes as a first impression.

4. Following the interview, shake hands in a friendly, yet firm manner, and thank him(them) for his time in meeting with you.

5. Upon arrival at home, immediately send a neat, mistake-free letter thanking your interviewer for the time to meet with him. End the letter with "I look forward to hearing from you."

[the_idle_threat]

Nothing wrong with glasses. This is a computer geek position you're interviewing for, is it not?

[Joemailman]

Don't dress like this:

http://www.davelog.com/mirror/internaut.jpg

[MadtownPacker]

Why does everyone hate the glasses?

Its not the glasses, it is you. So unless you are gonna get plastic surgery ditch the specks. They dont give you that tech-smart look everyone here is imagining. I just want to slap them off your face thinking about it.

[Partial]

Why does everyone hate the glasses?

Its not the glasses, it is you. So unless you are gonna get plastic surgery ditch the specks. They dont give you that tech-smart look everyone here is imagining. I just want to slap them off your face thinking about it.

Ouch.