My first real job interview! Any advice?

[RockmaninoffParticipant 1641]

A little bit of background, twenty-one year old man here, expecting to graduate with a degree in Computer Engineering in April. I’ve worked a tech job for two summers (fixing broken computers in an office). Java, C/C++ (kinda), MATLAB, and a few others.

So I have a phone job interview with a massive, multinational financial company, some sort of “Analyst” position. This will be my first “real” interview (the last time I interviewed was with a company with whom I’d worked before, who knew me, and liked me, the job they were hiring for I was already familiar with). Any advice?

Specific areas of struggle:

Why do you want to work here?

Um . . . I don’t know. Other than the few superficial details I’ve gleaned from your website, I know nothing, and I don’t think I can no anything till I actually start working for you. I don’t know if I want to work for you any more than you already know that if you want to work for me. Isn’t that why we’re having this interview? And then after, if you decide you’re interested in me, you’ll ask me back for another interview, and if I’ve decided I’m interested in you, I’ll accept it.

What can you offer us that the other candidates can’t?

How in the hell am I supposed to know that? I haven’t spoken to these other people. I don’t know anything about them. I can tell you what I can do, but really only you, who are interviewing them, can know what I have that other people don’t have.

Do you have any questions for us?

What do you mean that you value “diversity”? That means something different for everyone.

What can working for a financial company do for my experience that working at an engineering company can’t?

This is a tech interview, so maybe I’m overthinking this, but just in case—any advice?

". . . elle, suivant l’usage des femmes et des chats qui ne viennent pas quand on les appelle et qui viennent quand on ne les appelle pas, s’arrêta devant moi et m’adressa la parole"—Prosper Mérimée

[Anonymous 42]

@Rockman, more than what you know, they want to know what kind of person you are, they have to tolerate you everyday, will he be on time? Is he a f~~~up? and most of all, is his personality and work ethic a liability to this company?
If you show interest in furthering your education, going to seminars, and things like that to raise your overall value to the company, that will more than catch their ear. Demonstrate that you can be a team player and cooperative even with the most difficult personalities.
Let them know you like challenges, that you’re not a clock watcher, nor a weekend worshiper, that if need be, you’d be willing to work overtime! Always be encouraging to the company, and not self centered like you want them to shoehorn into your wants and desires. Demonstrate how you get along with people, and that you’re a “productive worker”.
Let them know you want them to make profits, that you understand it’s your bread and butter, that you see the direct correlation between a company’s survival and it workers ethics. Let them know you’re aware it’s a “win win” based on attitudes and work ethics.
A person with a good attitude that’s likable will be hired before someone they fear will be disruptive based on personality, your competition could even know more than you and still not get the job….

[MonkeyMindParticipant 5340]

A lot of it is just waffle in interviews, especially on questions like, ‘why do you want to work for us’, or ‘What can you offer us that the other candidates can’t?’ Just sound enthsiastic and do a bit of background research on the company prior to the interview.

When they ask you ‘Do you have any questions for us?’ just refer back to some of the points they’ve raised during the interview questions. It will show that you’ve been paying attention to what they’ve talked about during the interview.

Quite often interview success is down to the luck of the draw. You’ll never know whether they’ve already got an internal candidate lined up or the bosses relative for the job and the interview is just a front for legal technicalities. So just be confident about it and don’t be too disheartened if you don’t get the job.

[BigDParticipant 3024]

Just remember, they put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else. Talk to them like you would talk to an equal.

Don't stick your dick into anyone you aren't willing to put up with for eighteen years and nine months.

[bachelor4goodParticipant 170]

I´m getting a little lazy right now, so let me just quote the points I was about to make. You´ve gotten some pretty good answers already.

@Rockman, more than what you know, they want to know what kind of person you are, they have to tolerate you everyday, will he be on time? Is he a f~~~up? and most of all, is his personality and work ethic a liability to this company?

A person with a good attitude that’s likable will be hired before someone they fear will be disruptive based on personality, your competition could even know more than you and still not get the job….

Quite often interview success is down to the luck of the draw. You’ll never know whether they’ve already got an internal candidate lined up or the bosses relative for the job and the interview is just a front for legal technicalities. So just be confident about it and don’t be too disheartened if you don’t get the job.

Just remember, they put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else. Talk to them like you would talk to an equal.

There you go …

Do you have any questions for us?

That´s your opportunity to show your self-worth. Ask what´s in it for you. Everything counts… one more day for vacation, a little more money, a bonus … Idk … be reasonable. It´s not about actually getting it… it´s about showing your worth. And that´s what it is all about in such an interview…

are you worth it?

IDGAF

[SkeptiskParticipant 3679]

Be as truthful as you can, they want to know what person you are and if you’ll ‘fit’ into their little social club.

"Expecting to find a decent woman on a dating site is like dumpster diving and expecting to come out with a gourmet meal." Won'tGetFooledAgain

[FunInTheSunParticipant 8283]

Rockmaninoff,

First of all: congratulations. It’s great that someone is interested in you. Before the internet became popular, I used to go to the library and read as many books as I could about job interviews. I suggest you do the same. Write down a list of tough questions and think of some wise answers to those questions. Then, practice answering those questions. Look at yourself in the mirror. Do you squirm or fidget? Take a deep breath, let it out, and then tell yourself you’re qualified for the job and then try to translate that realization into your body language. Sometimes job interviews can make people nervous and on the edge. It’s all part of the initiation process for some companies. It’s similar to joining the Army or joining a fraternity—they’ll give you s~~~ tests. Don’t let it drive you crazy. Most people have to endure a job interview in order to upgrade their lives, but these interviews aren’t the worst thing that can happen to you in life.

Another suggestion: take advantage of the “open ended” questions/comments. If someone says, “Tell me about yourself,” that’s your invitation to go full into salesman mode. You’ll want to make a 2 minute presentation about your education, your work experience, where you were born, what your hobbies are, and what you can bring to the organization you’re working for. If you come to the interview prepared to answer questions, you’ll be fine. If a question stumps you, just shrug your shoulders and say you don’t know a good answer or make up an educated guess. These kinds of situations get easier with practice. No matter what the outcome, hold your head up high and keep moving forward. Great rewards are in store for those who are persistent.

BEST WISHES TO YOU DURING YOUR JOB HUNT!

"I saw that there comes a point, in the defeat of any man of virtue, when his own consent is needed for evil to win-and that no manner of injury done to him by others can succeed if he chooses to withhold his consent. I saw that I could put an end to your outrages by pronouncing a single word in my mind. I pronounced it. The word was ‘No.’" (Atlas Shrugged)

[FunInTheSunParticipant 8283]

‘ Create a connection object.
Dim cn As ADODB.Connection
Set cn = New ADODB.Connection[/quote]

I swear, you programmers speak a foreign language. It’ll take me years to figure out how you communicate.

"I saw that there comes a point, in the defeat of any man of virtue, when his own consent is needed for evil to win-and that no manner of injury done to him by others can succeed if he chooses to withhold his consent. I saw that I could put an end to your outrages by pronouncing a single word in my mind. I pronounced it. The word was ‘No.’" (Atlas Shrugged)

[Biggvs_DickvsParticipant 3725]

HI Rock,

I’m a hiring manager in tech so I’ll give you my best answers.

Rockmaninoff wrote:

Why do you want to work here?

“I need the job” always worked fine for me. They appreciate the honesty. As a hiring manager I get SO tired of people trying to blow sunshine up my ass and tell me what they think I *want* to hear. What I want to hear is an honest answer and if that answer is “I need work” then perfect.

What can you offer us that the other candidates can’t?

A good answer for this might be that you have good interpersonal skills and can relate to customers both internal and ext. That’s something that’s often lacking in the tech community.

Do you have any questions for us?

The best one I ever heard was “What would success look like in this position say six months or a year down the road.” Also, “can you walk me through what a typical day would look like for me if I came to work here.

What do you mean that you value “diversity”? That means something different for everyone.

Leave this s~~~ off in the wymmins studies department where it belongs. It screams “potential lawsuit if I ever feel uncomfortable or don’t like someone’s joke. ” I’m serious about this. This is tech. We could give a s~~~ if you’re black, brown, green or klingon as long as you can write the code or automate the things. Also, we’re sick and tired of being told we’re not diverse enough simply because few/no women ever submit a resume for jobs, and even fewer actually can do the work.

Also, what this s~~~ usually REALLY means is that management will replace you with an H1B “guest” worker as soon as they can figure out how to do it and still keep things running.

What can working for a financial company do for my experience that working at an engineering company can’t?

Don’t ask questions you should already know the answer to. Stick to the ones I gave you. This question screams “I don’t know anything about your business.” IF you did, you would know what they have to offer.

Remember you’re interviewing them too, but don’t act like it. This will NOT be the last interview you ever do. Financial companies generally suck for tech workers BTW. Upper and middle management doesn’t understand the technology and what it takes to make it work. You get all of the blame when something breaks or doesn’t work right and get ignored when you do an amazing job of keeping things running. It’s just not their area of expertise, so they will constantly try to eliminate your job. If you get the job, update your resume the day you start and start looking for your next gig right away. Seriously. Even if it’s just connecting with recruiters. Tell the recruiters your just keeping your options open for the future.

Sorry to be harsh, but hopefully it will be of help to you.

"Data, I would be delighted to offer any advice I can on understanding women. When I have some, I'll let you know." --Captain Picard,

[Biggvs_DickvsParticipant 3725]

Rockmaninoff wrote:

What can you offer us that the other candidates can’t?

I thought about this one a little more and then remembered this is your first interview. I’ve been interviewing candidates and as a contractor doing interviews for 20 years now. hundreds of them. I don’t think I’ve ever been asked this question.

Without knowing the other candidates, it’s impossible to answer this accurately. If by some wild coincidence you do get asked this, I would say so in a diplomatic and light hearted way and then mention the interpersonal skills thing I wrote earlier. Above all, try to keep things relaxed and even fun. Don’t be afraid to add a little humor in your answers if it’s relevant and appropriate. As the poster above mentioned, they really want to know if they can stand to be around you for eight hours plus, monday through friday. And will you not break their s~~~, and maybe get something productive done in the mean time.

Just be relaxed and groovy but give solid and serious answers on the tech side. Get rid of all tension and fear and pressure by reminding yourself that even if you don’t get the job, that may actually be a very good thing.

Which brings me to my last piece of advice: Watch out for scapegoating.

I’ve seen ton’s of places where all their tech has been so badly managed and underfunded it’s about to fall off the rails. Sometimes managers will hire someone to come in and dump all their problems on and make them “in charge” of it. Then when it inevitably falls apart they point the finger at you to save their own asses. It doesn’t happen to me any more because (1) I can spot that s~~~ a mile away and (2) my hourly/salary rate is high enough that nobody can afford to waste my time on bulls~~~. Also, they look at my resume and know that I can bail at any time and have another job in no time.

When I was just starting off like you though, that wasn’t the case, so watch your ass and document everything in email.

"Data, I would be delighted to offer any advice I can on understanding women. When I have some, I'll let you know." --Captain Picard,

[MattNYCParticipant 2329]

Hey Rockman, any update?

One additional piece of advice – interviewing’s a skill like just about anything else. The more you do it, the better you get at it. I’d recommend you go on just about any interview for a position you’re qualified for, whether you want it or not. This’ll build up your interview skills in practice interviews, so once you go after positions you really want, you’ll feel much more relaxed & confident.

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