I’ve had a month or so back on the chalk face after Christmas and there have been lots of interviews to help candidates get ready for since I got back. Interestingly, some of the candidates I have worked with are switched on to the realisation that there are several ways to prepare for the job interview and some of them aren’t. I have had very senior candidates prepare very little and very junior candidates prepare very well. There is no common ground in terms of experience making you more able in this regard.
In my eyes, if you want to succeed in any interview situation you have to do your homework. Hiring managers expect it, why wouldn’t they? You would if you were sat on the other side of the desk interviewing yourself.
So this month I am sharing some thoughts on a wider scale than just the candidates I represent as it is clear many candidates for whatever reason are still in the dark about how to approach this potentially life changing event.
Do your research.
Hopefully you already have a strong interest in the role as you applied for it. If you don’t you shouldn’t be going. Read up on the company history, structure, culture, beliefs and market sector.
Who is the competition that this company competes against on a daily level? Where are they? How are they different?
Read up on relevant news, read press releases, talk to people you know who will have an informed view on the sector the company operates in.
Build a solid understanding of the challenges faced by the hiring manager and the department as a whole. This is key for me. How can your skills, attributes and experience solve the challenges the hiring manager faces? I have found over the years that candidates that can talk well at interview about how their skills and experience will make a substantial contribution to the team by giving examples of how they have in previous or current roles get hired.
So now you’ve got that bit sorted what else could you do to make sure you leave the hiring manager with a great appreciation of your capabilities?
In my experience it comes down to how you present all of the above. You should be able to show great communication skills and that starts with your ears. Listening is very underrated. If you’ve done your homework you should be able to draw on the information as and when you need it. If you are constantly talking you will miss opportunities and once gone it is difficult to get them back. Two ears, one mouth. Remember the ratio and apply it, not just at interview but also in life in general.
You also need to communicate clearly why you are wanting to move and it needs to be valid. Reaching a ceiling where you currently are, moving geographical location, wanting to work with newer technology all work for me as reasons for moving employer. Not being paid enough or falling out with colleagues don’t work for me and need to be discussed with a current employer before you start looking for a new role in my view. If not you will come across as weak when sat in front of a prospective employer.
Be professional at all times, be positive, and demonstrate that you are collaborative, show that you contribute. Make eye contact, smile and be approachable.
Now I’m sat here saying be this and be that but let’s be clear on something. If you’re not normally of this ilk there will be a problem down the line as all hiring managers want to hire at least the person and personality that they met at interview. This exercise isn’t about impression management; it’s about being the best you can be on a daily basis. Every day.
Regardless of what the government will tell you about unemployment levels being at their lowest points for some time, we are I believe in something of a skills crisis across tech at present. There aren’t the candidates or skills in the numbers that business would like to see and it is only going to get worse before it gets better.
That means there are opportunities. Stand out from the crowd. Prepare for interview properly.