Preparing for an Onsite Interview
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Dress professionally for the first meeting. Your interviewer(s) will probably be dressed in business casual attire, but since you are meeting them for the first time, it's better to err on the side of professionalism. Once you start working there, you can mirror the environment.
• Professional dress is conservative: suit, tie, shined shoes and a belt for men. Females should wear a suit or business dress (skirt should be no higher than two inches above your knees) with appropriate accessories, and close-toed shoes.
• Appropriate accessories: neutral or lightly-toned nail polish (if you wear any), earrings should be studs or tiny hoops, and not flashy or too dangly—these distract away from what you are saying.
• Remember the little things – have a mint before the interview (don’t chew gum during the interview) and do not smell like smoke. If you are a smoker, wait until after your interview to light up.
• Professional dress is conservative: suit, tie, shined shoes and a belt for men. Females should wear a suit or business dress (skirt should be no higher than two inches above your knees) with appropriate accessories, and close-toed shoes.
• Appropriate accessories: neutral or lightly-toned nail polish (if you wear any), earrings should be studs or tiny hoops, and not flashy or too dangly—these distract away from what you are saying.
• Remember the little things – have a mint before the interview (don’t chew gum during the interview) and do not smell like smoke. If you are a smoker, wait until after your interview to light up.
The Company’s Personnel
• Familiarize yourself with the major players in the company, who has recently been hired or let go.
• Review the interviewers LinkedIn profiles.
• Know something about the company history.
The Company’s Basic Structure
• Review company website and their latest press releases.
• What products or services they provide and to which customers
• What the various divisions are
• Publicly or privately held
• The company’s vital signs - are they doing a massive hiring/firing right now? If so, why? What do former employees say about the company online?
• Check how the company is doing financially - were they involved in a merger or takeover?
• If public, know how the stock is faring
The Company’s Corporate, Divisional, or Departmental Details
• What changes are taking place that could potentially affect the open position?
• What new product introduction or marketing strategy is in the works?
• Familiarize yourself with the major players in the company, who has recently been hired or let go.
• Review the interviewers LinkedIn profiles.
• Know something about the company history.
The Company’s Basic Structure
• Review company website and their latest press releases.
• What products or services they provide and to which customers
• What the various divisions are
• Publicly or privately held
• The company’s vital signs - are they doing a massive hiring/firing right now? If so, why? What do former employees say about the company online?
• Check how the company is doing financially - were they involved in a merger or takeover?
• If public, know how the stock is faring
The Company’s Corporate, Divisional, or Departmental Details
• What changes are taking place that could potentially affect the open position?
• What new product introduction or marketing strategy is in the works?
Remember, The person who shows the most enthusiasm and interest in a particular position is typically the person who gets hired. Don’t be afraid to let them know that you do, in fact, really want this position and would be the best candidate for the job. Spend some time writing down some notes and questions regarding the job description and the company. This shows interest and that you are taking each step in the process seriously. The interview is also an opportunity to share your knowledge clearly and get your questions about the role answered as well. Some things to think about as you formulate your prepared questions:
• Company – organization, direction, policies, stability, growth, market share, new products or services
• Industry – growth, change, health of the industry, technological advancements
• Position – scope, responsibilities, travel, compensation policies and reporting structure
• Opportunity – timetable for potential growth or advancement within the company or division Most interviews end with the interviewer asking, "Do you have any questions for me?" While some candidates may see this as a formality, being prepared for this by asking questions that require hiring managers to “put” you in the seat of the role is generally to your advantage. For example:
• What would be the most important thing for me to impact in the first 90 days or 3 months?
• How do I make certain that you are getting what you need from me? This will bring up reviews, communication styles, etc., but also shows your desire to deliver the expected results without saying “what are the expected results?”
• Is there anything that I have not answered for you regarding how I may fit the position? Another spin on this question is to plainly state, “I see a lot of great things here that I would love to be a part of – how do you see the fit?” This way you are not asking them to judge you, rather your skills, which makes it a lot easier for them to bring up anything that wasn’t already covered in the normal course of conversation.
• Company – organization, direction, policies, stability, growth, market share, new products or services
• Industry – growth, change, health of the industry, technological advancements
• Position – scope, responsibilities, travel, compensation policies and reporting structure
• Opportunity – timetable for potential growth or advancement within the company or division Most interviews end with the interviewer asking, "Do you have any questions for me?" While some candidates may see this as a formality, being prepared for this by asking questions that require hiring managers to “put” you in the seat of the role is generally to your advantage. For example:
• What would be the most important thing for me to impact in the first 90 days or 3 months?
• How do I make certain that you are getting what you need from me? This will bring up reviews, communication styles, etc., but also shows your desire to deliver the expected results without saying “what are the expected results?”
• Is there anything that I have not answered for you regarding how I may fit the position? Another spin on this question is to plainly state, “I see a lot of great things here that I would love to be a part of – how do you see the fit?” This way you are not asking them to judge you, rather your skills, which makes it a lot easier for them to bring up anything that wasn’t already covered in the normal course of conversation.
Below are a few time-tested tips for communicating your competence and capability to prospective employers:
• Present yourself in a positive and confident manner. This is impossible to do if you are running late - aim to arrive 15 minutes early so you have plenty of time to collect your thoughts and let them know you are serious about the position.
• Offer a firm handshake—but don’t hurt their hand(s).
• Address your interviewer(s) by the name with which they introduced themselves.
• Speak clearly and effectively.
• Listen attentively and maintain eye contact with all interviewers.
• Answer your interviewers' questions completely, but stick to the questions they ask and don't oversell yourself by providing unneeded details.
• If you don't know the answer to a technical question, DO NOT make up an answer. It is far better to tell the interviewer you have never dealt directly with that aspect of the position, then proceed to let them know how you would seek to find that answer or obtain a workable solution. No manager expects you to know everything on Day 1, but showing them you can figure out how to get the answers you need will set you apart from the crowd.
• Present yourself in a positive and confident manner. This is impossible to do if you are running late - aim to arrive 15 minutes early so you have plenty of time to collect your thoughts and let them know you are serious about the position.
• Offer a firm handshake—but don’t hurt their hand(s).
• Address your interviewer(s) by the name with which they introduced themselves.
• Speak clearly and effectively.
• Listen attentively and maintain eye contact with all interviewers.
• Answer your interviewers' questions completely, but stick to the questions they ask and don't oversell yourself by providing unneeded details.
• If you don't know the answer to a technical question, DO NOT make up an answer. It is far better to tell the interviewer you have never dealt directly with that aspect of the position, then proceed to let them know how you would seek to find that answer or obtain a workable solution. No manager expects you to know everything on Day 1, but showing them you can figure out how to get the answers you need will set you apart from the crowd.
Get business cards and follow up with thank-you emails to each interviewer, which you should email directly to your recruiter so that he/she can forward them on to the person or persons with whom you interviewed. This serves to remind the hiring manager who you are, that you appreciated their time and would like the join the organization. It is a kindness overlooked by most every other candidate with whom you may be competing for the role. Make a favorable final impression!
When you aren’t fully aware of a company’s culture – or the interviewer’s temperament – you may face a small case of the jitters. As we’ve discussed before, feeling a little nervous can sometimes help you to perform at your best. However, once you begin to feel overly comfortable with the interviewing process, that’s when the real problems can come into play. One of the best interviewing tips is to never get too comfortable. Whether it’s your first interview of your career or the tenth interview of your most recent job search, every single interview deserves your utmost attention and preparation. Here are three of the best interviewing tip to keep in mind, regardless of where you may be in the interviewing process:
• Make a good impression on your recruiter. Some job seekers make the mistake of assuming a recruiter is immediately on their side, and don’t feel they need to put forth as much effort as they would with a potential employer. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. A recruiter stands between you and an interview with the company of your dreams – so act accordingly.
• Don’t discount phone interviews. Just because an interviewer can’t see you in person doesn’t mean you should be any less professional. One of the best phone interviewing practices is to ensure you are in a quiet, office-like space where you can focus without interruption. Keep in mind that if you can’t impress a potential employer via a phone interview, you probably won’t make it to a face-to-face.
• It’s not over until it’s over. Just because you’ve made it to the final interview doesn’t mean it’s in the bag. In fact, once you’ve reached the end of the line, maintaining a professional demeanor and likeable attitude is more important than ever.
• Never assume your skill set is your only selling point. Most companies look for someone whose personality and values will blend well with the company culture, and that is often just as important as what skills you bring to the table.
• Finally, prepare for your last interview just as if it’s the first, and you’ll be sure to shine.
• Make a good impression on your recruiter. Some job seekers make the mistake of assuming a recruiter is immediately on their side, and don’t feel they need to put forth as much effort as they would with a potential employer. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. A recruiter stands between you and an interview with the company of your dreams – so act accordingly.
• Don’t discount phone interviews. Just because an interviewer can’t see you in person doesn’t mean you should be any less professional. One of the best phone interviewing practices is to ensure you are in a quiet, office-like space where you can focus without interruption. Keep in mind that if you can’t impress a potential employer via a phone interview, you probably won’t make it to a face-to-face.
• It’s not over until it’s over. Just because you’ve made it to the final interview doesn’t mean it’s in the bag. In fact, once you’ve reached the end of the line, maintaining a professional demeanor and likeable attitude is more important than ever.
• Never assume your skill set is your only selling point. Most companies look for someone whose personality and values will blend well with the company culture, and that is often just as important as what skills you bring to the table.
• Finally, prepare for your last interview just as if it’s the first, and you’ll be sure to shine.
It’s late at night in a quiet suburban neighborhood. A man lies in bed, holding his eyes tightly closed as he begins to count backward from 100. It’s a trick he remembers from his grade school days, but tonight it’s not working. Finally, the man sits up and sighs dejectedly as the clock strikes 2 a.m. He has approximately four hours to sleep before it will be time to wake up, shower and join the morning traffic routine. Exasperated, he puts his head between his hands and breathes deeply. Tomorrow he will begin his first day at his new job.
To some, a new job is merely a change in scenery. However, to most Americans, a new job means a new life – a brand new city, a larger salary or a complete career change. Whatever it is, a new job can quickly change everything. Also, like the new kid in school searching for a lunch table to join, it’s also a time when people are the most vulnerable. Here are a few tips for avoiding the first day jitters and finding a niche in a new company:
• Get to know your employer. Just as when preparing for an interview, it’s important to prepare for your first day. Use the internet to brush up on the company’s history, hiring practices, objectives and mission statement. Keep in mind that attitudes are contagious. Forge relationships with positive, hardworking and friendly employees and avoid the negative and unhappy workers.
• Remember that people are hired for their own ideas – not someone else’s. It’s never a good idea to agree with someone just to fit in.
• Keep networking both inside and outside of the company. One never knows when the next great hiring opportunity or inspiring idea will surface.
• Walk with the team before running with it. It’s important to get to know all of the personalities at play on a team and what drives each member to achieve their best.
• Finally, those new to a job should remember not to begin campaigning for change unless it’s in the job description. In addition to seeming ruthless and impulsive, immediately proposing major change can also inspire a lack of trust from coworkers. Learn about the environment and key players to avoid overstepping boundaries. By making responsible choices early on, a new hire is more likely to move up quickly and prosper.
To some, a new job is merely a change in scenery. However, to most Americans, a new job means a new life – a brand new city, a larger salary or a complete career change. Whatever it is, a new job can quickly change everything. Also, like the new kid in school searching for a lunch table to join, it’s also a time when people are the most vulnerable. Here are a few tips for avoiding the first day jitters and finding a niche in a new company:
• Get to know your employer. Just as when preparing for an interview, it’s important to prepare for your first day. Use the internet to brush up on the company’s history, hiring practices, objectives and mission statement. Keep in mind that attitudes are contagious. Forge relationships with positive, hardworking and friendly employees and avoid the negative and unhappy workers.
• Remember that people are hired for their own ideas – not someone else’s. It’s never a good idea to agree with someone just to fit in.
• Keep networking both inside and outside of the company. One never knows when the next great hiring opportunity or inspiring idea will surface.
• Walk with the team before running with it. It’s important to get to know all of the personalities at play on a team and what drives each member to achieve their best.
• Finally, those new to a job should remember not to begin campaigning for change unless it’s in the job description. In addition to seeming ruthless and impulsive, immediately proposing major change can also inspire a lack of trust from coworkers. Learn about the environment and key players to avoid overstepping boundaries. By making responsible choices early on, a new hire is more likely to move up quickly and prosper.
Give us your name and contact info (so we know where to send the reward) and your referral’s name and contact info. When your referral starts working, we will send you $250. When s/he works more than 90 days, we will send you another $250.00. It’s that easy. You can use our simple Referral Site, or forward your referral’s contact information to your favorite PSI recruiter and we’ll take care of the rest.
Our mission is to create a compelling event for industry insiders. - the Executive IT Breakfast focuses on helping you network and build relationships with your fellow senior IT colleagues for the . Designed for the highest level IT person within a given company who has responsibility for setting and executing on the strategic direction of their IT organization - all pre-screened attendees with no vendors.
BarCode Network (BCN) was founded by Keith Bailly and Holly Harris, in Las Vegas in August of 2011. The name BarCode Network was conceived by Phoenix Staff’s Regional Director, Keith Bailly, under the premise that everything we as IT professionals do relates back to programming code. We also host our events at local pubs conveniently located for our members. Membership to BCN is free and by invitation only.
So many networking events take place each month in our markets, and most of them have a greater degree of structure or focus on a specialization with IT such a project management, network security or software development. Phoenix Staff sought to create a business casual, neutral environment for all members within the gametes of IT to come together and exchange ideas, talk about trends in technology & hiring, and learn about opportunities. We also think we know some of the coolest IT folks around and we like to introduce them to other professionals looking to network and build new connections in the local IT community.
Las Vegas BarCode Network (BCN) currently meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month 10 months of the year at PT’s Gold on Buffalo & the 215 (across from IGT) from 4:30-7:00 PM.
SolaTech – founded on South Lamar – is a MeetUp for tech-savvy individuals looking to connect with like-minded professionals with a passion for new technologies, a drive to create and produce, and an interest in sharing their experience and vision. Come enjoy a delicious breakfast (on us) at Kerbey Lane on South Lamar at 7:15 AM every third Thursday of the month. Sign up quickly; space is limited! www.meetup.com/SoLaTech/
We are a group of technology professionals and open networkers who desire to help one another succeed in today’s job market. As a technology professional, you know how to work, and you are good at what you do. But perhaps your resume could use some finesse, or your interview skills need polishing simply because you haven’t done it in a while. Our expertise lies in resume reviews and critiques, professional writing, code reviews and interview coaching. This group is designed so we can help each other, on a one-to-one basis, prepare and present ourselves successfully to future employers or investors. RSVP through MeetUp:
Ground level - setting objective criteria before reviewing resumes so you know what you are looking for
Interviews - Culture fit, can I see this person getting along with my current employees? Tenure - have they changed jobs any time there was a better opportunity? "Gut feeling", having multiple interviewers, peer interviews, calling references
