Interviewing Tips

The Actual Interview

Ok, so there's a lot to think about during an interview. First, prepare. Then...

Be on time!

First impressions are critical in a job interview. Get into the area early and wait in your car or a nearby coffee shop. Enter the area where you were told to go about 10 to 15 minutes before the interview is scheduled to start, just in case they have a check-in process. DO NOT arrive earlier than that and DO NOT be late.

If you are going to be late (i.e. stuck in traffic) use your cell phone (have one handy!) to call and let them know. They may need to re-schedule.

Dress to impress.

While the firm might allow casual dress you should plan to wear a suit or, at least, more formal 'business casual' to the interview. Oh, yeah, the clothese should fit (you would be surprised). If you're color-blind, get someone to help coordinate the colors; don't let a 'limitation' like that show.

Bring extra resume copies and references.

Have a stock on hand. Over the years I've been interviewed by many people who lost my resume, forgot to bring it into the room, never got a copy, and didn't know they were interviewing anyone. If you have 5 or 6 copies handy you can show that you prepare ("Here, I brought a couple extras.").

Uh, and make the ones you bring match what was submitted. This is a real danger if you customize your resume for a recruiter.

Speaking of that, it is ok if your resume looks different if the recruiter printed your resume on their letterhead. But the details and sequence should match.

Be concise, but answer the question.

Most long-winded questions just obscure the answer, or avoid it. Stay on point. If you feel yourself drifting, it's ok to say something like, "but to your point..." and shorten the answer.

Make sure you answered the question.

When done, ask the interviewer, "Was that enough detail?" "Would you like me to elaborate?"

If the interviewer's question is confusing or sounds tricky, make sure you are answering the right question. You could say something like, "Are you asking if I succeeded or how I succeeded?"

Illegal questions.

The law has made some questions illegal to eliminate racism or other forms of discrimination. If you feel a question is an invasion to your privacy or is illegal, don't call the interviewer on that point. Find a way to answer the underlying concern without answering the specific question.

Always tell the truth.

Anything on your resume or that you say in an interview is fair game. If you exaggerate or outright lie it could come out and you can kiss the job goodbye. And, in a small market, you could get a reputation.

I interviewed a guy that said he developed X, Y, and Z. He kept it up during the phone screen too. In person, however, it was very clear he was involved with the projects but he never coded one line. That made me angry and I stopped the interview.

Eye contact is critical.

Don't stare the interviewer down but make sure you look him or her in the eyes while answering. If he or she has a 'funny' eye pick one and focus on his or her forehead or nose... it will get you in the neighborhood.

I interviewed a guy who looked at everything but me. He was technically brilliant but he was interviewing for a technical lead position, where he would interact with the programmers and the client. I just could not put him in either situation. The client would have lost confidence in the firm and the programmers would not have shown him any respect.

Our society teaches us that the person who looks away lacks interest or confidence in the answer or the entire subject. Or, worse, it can mean the person is lying. If you have trouble looking a person in the eye, work on looking at his or her nose, forehead, a spot over his or her shoulder, etc. Find some way to make it look like you are making eye contact.

Manage your time.

Interviewers usually have other committments or assignments. Therefore your 1-hour first interview should not last 2 hours because you were rambling. If the interviewer sneaks a peek at his or her watch it is a sign that you need to wrap up your answer.

And, whatever you do, DO NOT LOOK AT YOUR WATCH. I interviewed a guy that kept looking at his watch. When I asked about it he said he had lots of time, but I know that wasn't true. So I did him a favor and shortened the interview.

Pop quizzes.

I personally hate taking tests during an interview. Sometimes, however, that's the only way in. Generallized intelligence tests are probably the most irritating. Give me a specific problem to solve, like a bug in a code segment. If you are asked to take a test, do it.

Talking money or benefits.

Let the interviewer bring up money (compensation) or benefits. Many times this topic won't come up until the second interview (if there is one) or when you receive an offer. Technically, it isn't important unless you receive an offer.

If you are asked about your salary expectations too early in the interview try to postpone answering until you have more information. The interviewer should accept that. If, however, he or she keeps pressing turn the question around and ask about the budgeted range. Or simply say that you are willing to be flexible; it says nothing while making no committments. Some interviewers may be irritated by this approach but that can't be helped. If a staffing company sent you to the interview the conversation about salary should not come up; let the staffing company deal with that part until you get an offer.

Ask questions!

• What are the really critical skills or capabilities that you need to hire?
• What would be my first assignment?\

If the job sounds interesting you should explicitly state your interest. "I think I'd be a good fit because..." and state 3 to 5 brief points that make you the ideal candidate.

Close out the interview with another question:

• Do you have any concerns about my ability to do the job?

This give the interviewer a chance to state any unresolved questions in his or her mind, and gives you a chance to eliminate these concerns. The last impression the interviewer should have is that you are the best person for the job.