Preparing for your interview.
REMEMBER YOUR CV ONLY TELLS PART OF THE STORY
- Get a copy of the job spec
- Get a copy of your CV out
- Get out a blank piece of paper and pen
Review each line, each requirement and each duty on the spec and bullet point off key examples of when and how you have done each point in the past.
Keep doing this till you can think of no moreexamples.
Why do this?
You will be surprised about how much you will have forgotten about past projects so once you start the process you will start remembering other bits and pieces.
So by the time you get to the interview, you will feel really confident about your abilities to deliver in the job and at the same time offer directly relevant examples tothe interviewer which will help to bring to life your experience inyour CV.
Yes, it’s tedious and yes it is boring BUT it’s so common thatinter viewees think of ALL the great things they could have said onthe door step of the interview premises after the interview.
Think of it like driving a car or riding a bike. You do it every day with out thinking, it’s an automatic process but if someone were to ask you what steps you were to take in order to park a car or cycle a bike you would struggle.
Why?
Because you do it without even thinking about it, it’s second nature.
It’s the same with your job.
You do it every single day really well but quite often without really considering the steps youfollow to get to the desired result.
So by preparing well, you will be very comfortable explaining your experience in relation to the role and walk away knowing that you have given the very best account of yourself possible!
LOCATION
Sounds basic but there is nothing worse than getting lost, missing a bus ortrain or even worse breaking down.
Nothing sets an interview off to a badstart than being late and arriving in a panic so plan your route well!
DRESS CODE
Most companies are very casual when it comes to office attire, in particular software development houses and tech companies but don’t be fooled; an interview is a formal business so suit up and dress the part.
RESEARCH YOUR INTERVIEWER
We have some great tools available so Google your interviewer, they may well be in the press talking about their projects, they may be on LinkedIn etc. Just get an understanding of their background and history and see if is this someone who you could learn from?
RESEARCH THE COMPANY
Google the company and make sure you know what they do and more importantly is it a company that matches your career expectations.
ASK QUESTIONS
The main thing that people forget is that an interview is a two-way street. You as a candidate are interviewing the interviewer as much as they are interviewing you. In your working life, you spend more time with people in the office than you do with family and loved ones so you need to be happy in the environment.
Sit down and have a think about your career goals and your long-term plan and also have a think about what hasn’t worked in your current company and put down a few (diplomatic) questions to ask the interviewer when that famous “have you any questions?” question comes up.
Another good question to ask at the end is “I am really interested in the role and what has been discussed here today, if I was successful, what would be the next steps?”
It shows you are interested and engaged and you will know quickly where you stand by the answer you get.
AFTER THE INTERVIEW IS OVER
I would always make sure to give a good firm handshake on your departure.
And as soon as you can feasibly do it send an email to your interviewer just thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest in the role.
All you can do now is wait for that call from either the agency or the company and keep your fingers crossed.