Techies Too

techiestooYou are punctual and organized and of course, you arrive on time for your interview.  You have surveyed the office.  You want this job. You feel confident and reasonably sure that this job is a perfect fit.  What went wrong?   Those interviewing for tech positions seem to be more prone for interview errors than most.  There are things that technology job candidates should remember.  Do not just interview from the “waist up”.  Wrinkled khakis and tennis shoes are a “no no”.  It is imperative to project an image that suggests professionalism.  The hiring team needs to think you care. Nothing damages an interview more than arrogance. There is no doubt that the extremely talented techie is in high demand. But that will not impress the hiring managers.  Confidence is important.  Arrogance indicates a lack of ability to work as a team player.

Certifications and other credentials matter, as does your technical know-how, but remember; you are there to serve an organization’s needs. You want to come across as more than an amalgam of your skills. Skills are vital in the technology industry but a job prospect needs to project that they are more than a hard drive of skills.

Interviewers often favor open-ended questions, but techies sometimes respond with too-brief answers, failing to elaborate or convey their communication skills. It is important to think of each question as the beginning of a new conversation. Candidates need to see questions as an opportunity to discuss the value they will bring to a company. Again, it is all about proving you can be a team player.

As the Boy Scouts always say, “be prepared”.  With all of the information that is readily available, there simply is no excuse to not be prepared. In- depth research about the firm and the industry itself is vital to the interviewing process. Candidates sometimes display a lack of interest by not asking about the company’s industry, competitors or “the larger business problems” facing the firm. This comes through, quite often, when candidates are asked if they have any questions. Never say no.  It communicates that they’re not interested, or they’re not prepared.

Steer clear of unimportant questions about perks. Questions about parking spaces, sick days, free soft drinks, and other benefits and perks should be reserved for a human resources rep after a job offer, if at all. Interviews are often formal affairs. The interviewer, not the candidate, should set the tone.  Techies tend to be a little casual in the interview.

Techies often fail to close the interview.  Close with emphasizing how much you would love to join the company and remember that it is critical to ask for the job.  You arrive on time. You love the possibilities.  Remember the simple rules of interviewing.  This applies to “techies” too.

Source: Forbes. Forbes Magazine, Web. 13 June 2013.

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