Interview with Confidence

copied without permission from ComputerWorld

By Lina Fafard

IT Careers, July 27, 1998 There are so many tips and articles written on how to interview for a job that it can make your head spin! It's no wonder people are totally nervous about interviewing, with so many schools of thought on the subject.

For information technology professionals, the task is getting increasingly difficult to prepare for. After all, companies are probing more for business, communications and conflict-resolution skills, then for the technology certifications decorating your resume.

So, to whose advice should you listen? How can you possible be prepared for all of those questions?

Your best foot forward

Here's how to prepare for, handle and follow up an IT job interview.

Before the interview
· Do your homework on the company
· List your best attributes
· Find out about the interviewer
· Discover their systems/market weaknesses

During the interview
· Gather information
· Discuss future problem resolution
· Remain "open" on salary
· Relax with confidence
· Make friends

After the interview
· Confirm interest
· Schedule the next meeting
· Visit the location at least twice
· Send thank you note

The truth is, the interviewer is probably just as nervous as you are about conducting the interview, especially if they are from the IT ranks. Most technical managers were promoted from technical positions and have never had any formal training on how to conduct an interview. Many simply "wing it."

As the potential job candidate, their lack of training has an impact on how you respond to the interview. The interviewer may have a number of questions to ask or might say "tell me about yourself". In either case, you must be prepared and confident enough to sell yourself no matter what format the interviewer decides to follow.

Prior to the interview, do your homework on the company, their technology and specific job in which you are applying. Armed with this knowledge, saying a few words to yourself, as you drive up and before you walk into the building, about how wonderful you are can really help your confidence. "I'm the best DBA in the world, I'm the best, I'm the best!"

During the interview, gather as much information as possible about the organization and job assignment. Take notes. And sell yourself. Don't make a decision while you are in the interview.

After the interview, review all of the information and make a decision as to whether this job will meet your technical career goals and this company is where you want to aspire.

How to sell yourself during the interview
Prior to the interview, make a list of all of the wonderful, positive attributes you have to offer. Be specific about how your assets benefit this particular employer and this job. Also list why you should be chosen over everyone else applying for this position (include your technical specialties). Tell the interviewer about these key points.

Find out what problems the company is experiencing now, especially in regard to systems and applications that you know about. Talk about what you can do for this employer in the future; they already know what you have done in the past from your resume.

An interview is a two-way street. Find out about the person with whom you are interviewing. People generally love to talk about themselves. Ask about their technical background and why they like this job and company. Ask about their future with this company and long-term goals. Get the interviewer to open up to you and share his or her ideas. You can learn a lot about the company, its structure and environment and the position.

Let the interviewer know that you are interested in pursuing the opportunity and confident you can solve the problems they are experiencing. Find out what the next step is, and make arrangements for the next interview if possible. Ask to visit the location where you will be working at least twice. This will let you see if the behavior of employees in the work environment is consistent, and is a match for you.

Follow up with a short, simple thank you note. State that you want to pursue the position, or don't. Leave the interviewer with a positive impression no matter what you decide to do.

A few words about salary
Do not discuss your desired salary amount until they bring it up! Remain neutral as long as possible. You don't want to seem money driven. An easy reply to remember is: "Based on my current compensation and what I can do for you, I'm open to a good and fair offer." If pressed for specific numbers you can say, "I would need at least 10% (this may increase depending on your market value and individual situation) over my current compensation package to come on board."

To help yourself relax and remain confident, picture the interviewing process from the beginning to the end. For example: Pretend that you are going in as a hired technical or management consultant. Your mission is to find out all of the problems they are experiencing in this particular field, and they need your good ideas. Go in, make friends, and if it turns into a longer term assignment, then you will have the job you want.

Fafard is branch manager at Montgomery West, a search firm in Torrance, Calif. She can be contacted at LinaFafard@aol.com.

Illustration: Eric Yang

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