Interviewing and Prep Archives

First Interview

You’re about to have your first interview at your dream company, and you’re feeling unsure about how to prepare. All you have is the names of the recruiter and the technology exec who will be interviewing you; not much else. So, how can you make sure you’re ready?

Start by conducting thorough research on the company. Google their name and carefully review any news articles relevant to their activities. If you know the specific organization or department you’re interviewing for, try to gather information about them as well. Apply the same investigative approach to learn about the recruiter and tech executive you’ll be meeting. Utilize LinkedIn to study the tech executive’s profile and background. It’s worth mentioning that almost everyone in the business world today has a LinkedIn presence, and you should too (it’s free!). Remember, knowledge is power!

To ensure success in your interview, carefully examine the job description to fully comprehend the position’s requirements. If a job description is unavailable, reach out to the recruiter via text or email to kindly request a copy. The more you grasp the expectations of the role, the more effectively you can prepare yourself.

Anticipating the interviewing style of the person across the table can be quite challenging since it varies greatly. Some tech executives take a casual approach, treating the interview as a conversation, while others adhere to a more formal structure with a set list of questions. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to remain calm and at ease throughout the process. Present yourself as a professional, demonstrating confidence and competence. Remember, you are conversing with an experienced technology executive, yet their expectations for someone in their first job are not exceedingly high. Hence, by maintaining composure and posing thoughtful inquiries, you have the opportunity to pleasantly surprise them.

Do not let intimidation deter you, for the person before you holds no power over you. The worst outcome is them not granting you the job, but fear not, it is far from a catastrophic event. Remember, throughout your career, there will be numerous other interviews awaiting you.

Generally, interviews tend to be concise, particularly if the interviewer recognizes your limited industry expertise. However, you can prolong the interview by actively engaging and inquiring. This will not only impress the tech executive but also demonstrate your research and genuine interest in the position. Consider asking relevant questions, such as:

What was it like when they joined the company; how did they get integrated?
Is there a program for new hires, especially those out of college?
If you reviewed their LinkedIn profile, ask about their college and how it prepared them for transitioning into their first job. They will be impressed you did the research.
What’s the career path look like; what are the next steps after this role?
How is the mentoring program for new hires?

There is a lot more you could ask. Be creative and Google all the information on the Internet for ideas. Indeed has a pretty good guide with sample questions and responses.

I’d be glad to help you. Please contact me and I’ll work with you on preparing.

Building your First Resume

As a tech executive, I often get asked by soon to be college graduates, what should I put on my resume to stand out.

First, if you are going into an IT career and you’ve done an internship, that’s a big plus. Second, if you’ve attended on campus career fairs and met big companies who are doing campus recruiting, you’ll have received some good exposure to what companies are looking for in talent. If you have not done these things let me help with some thoughts.

Adapt your resume.

For your technology major, professors often discuss how your skills apply to industry. Research key companies and explore their main web pages. Uncover their initiatives to gain insight. When applying for jobs, carefully read the job description and adapt your resume accordingly. Be honest to avoid issues during interviews. Look for jobs that align with your education, emphasizing the projects and specific skills you learned on campus to compensate for lack of industry experience.

Factor in soft skills.

Once you have the technical part of your resume worked up, lace in the soft skills. Soft skills are the communication, presentation and people management skills that technical people tend not to be the best at.

Yes, understood, you want a technical job. However, many employers are looking for well-rounded technology professionals. If you can emphasize and prove that you have outstanding communication skills, it’ll put you ahead of many of your peers who are relying on their technical skills alone. Also, if you have aspirations to lead and make your way up the executive ladder, having the soft skills are going to be a must.

In future posts I’ll provide some specific resume content to help you with your bio.

Market Yourself

This subject deserves an entire category dedicated to it on this blog. It is a crucial aspect of brand building, regardless of one’s tenure in a company or career. Even tech execs must refine their personal brand to succeed.

As you navigate through your office, always be prepared for unexpected encounters with senior leaders. So, what should you do when you meet them in the elevator? Embrace the moment! Craft a concise self-introduction, commonly referred to as an “elevator pitch,” that highlights your background, role, and identity. Strive for brevity, ensuring it can be delivered within the duration of an elevator ride – perhaps just five floors. Let your words radiate confidence and eloquence, making a lasting impression.

I believe that the elevator pitch serves as the foundation for establishing your brand identity.

However, it is an imperative initial stride. Being comfortable with self-expression is essential. Practice it. Admittedly, sharing personal anecdotes with unfamiliar individuals can be daunting, but wise leaders appreciate your endeavors to forge connections and are typically encouraging (well, at least most esteemed leaders within the organization).

Here’s the elevator pitch…

Hello Mr. Jones! It’s wonderful to see you. I’m Jean Smith from the Technology Department. May I take a moment to introduce myself? I specialize in supporting finance department applications and possess exceptional communication skills. My long-term aspiration is to become a valued member of the leadership team at ABC Company. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to connect with you.

Feel free to add and enhance but avoid any oddities. Keep it concise and straightforward. Be warm and welcoming, as if meeting a friend on the street.

Please remember that you have a limited time to make a lasting impression on the leader. Our focus for now will be on ensuring that they remember you. We will discuss additional personal marketing activities at a later point.