How to ace a technology interview, Part 3
Interviewing Fundamental #4: run the interview yourself
For very junior positions, it may be appropriate to simply sit there and let the interviewer ask you questions. But my rule is that the interviewer should only have to say one thing: how are you?
After that, it becomes a conversation that I lead rather than an interrogation which the interviewer directs.
You should know your story (and your resume) inside and out before you ever shake hands with an interviewer. Never make the interviewer feel like he or she is pulling teeth to get information from you.
Knowing your story means:
- Know your particular strengths and weaknesses as they related to this company and position
- Know your career and educational history including important details
- Know the overall message you’re trying to convey
I typically like one to two weeks to prepare for an interview. I research the company and its industry, the people on the team (if I know who they are), read over my resume and think about my history, and generally refine my “message.”
Your message should be tailored to your potential employer. What kind of talent is this company looking for right now? What kinds of problems might they be dealing with on a day-today basis? How does your expertise line up with that?
By the time I get to the interview, I already know five or ten key topics that I want to discuss, and I stay on-message for every topic.
It’s important to say at this point that an interview is NOT a speech. Always stay relaxed and conversational even if you have prepared beforehand. Just be sure to have a good idea what message you’re trying to get across.
Maybe you’re a young software developer who’s eager to learn. Maybe you’re an experienced veteran with a long career history. Maybe you have some particular strength or strategic approach that the company seems to be needing or lacking.
Have a message, otherwise your message will be, “that nondescript guy we interviewed the other day.”
I was recently told during an interview that I had a “high corporate ceiling” because of the way I communicated, meaning that I was very promotable. They were talking about promoting me before they even hired me!
Interviewing Fundamental #5: YOU should interview THEM - really
A full-time job at a technology company is a huge commitment. If you aren’t interested in every last detail of the environment at that company, you probably smack of desperation.
Find out everything you can about the company before you commit to working there. It’s almost never worth it to have a job just to get a salary.
Interviewing Fundamental #6: wear a nice tie!
Kidding.
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Interview Skills
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