Tip # 1: Don't discuss pay too
early As the manager of a software store for 10 years, I can honestly say that
questions about pay in the first interview from anyone other than a temporary
applicant always bothered me a little. Temp jobs aside, if you are not really
out there just for the money, asking this question right out of the gate is
going to make any other questions you ask sound conniving and insincere. Unless
the subject comes up, don't wade into the issue of the pay in the first
interview. You can talk about it after you impress the employer enough for a
second interview.
Tip # 2: Talk tech to techies only
Feel free to discuss what you know, but remember: If you are talking to a
nontechnical manager or human resources representative, you are not going to
impress them with talk about life in the trenches. My previous supervisor was
totally unimpressed with anything to do with technology. A sure way to put the
man to sleep was to begin any story that had to do with computers.When I
interviewed for a previous position, the department manager actually had a
technically savvy person participate in the interview to ask and respond to
questions she would not understand. When I saw this tactic being used, I knew
it was not a time to try to impress with a lot of techno babble.
Answer questions about your work
history briefly and keep the tech comments to a minimum until you know the
history of the company and the people involved in the hiring process. If you
have questions about the technology in use at the site, keep your questions
specific and relevant to the position for which you are applying.
Tip # 3: Keep your philosophy to
yourself If you hate Bill Gates, Windows XP, and the whole Office Suite, keep
it to yourself. Ranting about your tech philosophy can ruin your chances at the
position. I once interviewed a young man for a retail sales position in a
software store. When I asked about his opinion of the then-new Windows 98, the
applicant ranted about "the revolution of UNIX" and loosening the
grip of Microsoft on the PC market. I am not exaggerating; the man sounded like
he was ready to sign on to a paramilitary group. I almost didn't have the heart
to tell him my company was a Value Added Reseller for Microsoft. Chances are,
you will work with many people who need your help with one of the Microsoft
products, so you don't want to blast the tools you will likely be using and
supporting. If you are asked about how you feel about a product, be honest, but
don't preach. The interviewer probably just wants to see how you respond to
such questions.
Tip # 4: Don't climb the
advancement ladder in the interview If you are joining the ranks of a new
company, the last thing the interviewer wants to hear is, "How fast can I
get out of this job?" Do not ask about opportunities for advancement until
the second or third interview. If you are joining a company just to advance
into another position, silence is golden. Keep it to yourself unless the
interviewer asks or unless it is somehow already known that you'll be advancing
quickly. Remember that what you say now can come back to haunt you later. You
don't want to brag to someone who might be under your wing after a promotion.
Further, you never know what may
happen if you actually get the job. Learn to accept and adapt and, above all,
be happy you have a job. Due to downsizing, a former coworker of mine did not
move into the network administration position she wanted and was expecting to
get. The bitterness fostered by her broken expectations eventually caused her
to resign. In the tight job market of the time-similar to the one now-and with
her lack of certified qualifications, she ended up seeking work at a local
restaurant.
Tip # 5: Avoid the dreaded
electronic interruption Cellular phone and pager etiquette might seem a trivial
thing to those that are hooked up, but you can kiss any job opportunity goodbye
if you interrupt an interview to take a telephone call, especially if the human
resources representative has a low tolerance for personal digital devices. Only
if you are exchanging information by invitation should you reveal the fact that
you carry a PDA. If you wear it on a belt loop or somewhere that is exposed,
lose it, along with any other electrical device hooks and loops, and store them
in pocket, purse, or briefcase. If you can't spare the time away from the rest
of the world to do an interview, why are you applying for the job?
I have conducted training classes with
people who, when asked to turn off their phones and pagers during class, place
their devices in silent mode. When giving a lecture to a class or holding a
discussion, watching a person being silently buzzed is terribly distracting and
also aggravating. If you think getting rid of electronic communications devices
isn't important, just ask
any
human resources rep who has had a person answer a cellular phone during a job
interview. Then ask if the person got the job.
Tip # 6: Remember to say thank you
Beyond thanking your interviewers for their time as you leave, it's vital that
you follow up in written form. If the competition for a position is tight, a
follow-up thank you note can mean a lot. If the manager is slow to hire, the
arrival of a thank-you note can serve as a reminder about the candidate who's
awaiting the manager's next move.
Just after you've completed the interview, take note
of anything specific you discussed and make a point of referencing it in your
thank you letter. Even a nice greeting card is better than nothing. It may seem
like a small detail, but the experts will tell you that this tried-and-true
tactic really makes an impact. A coworker of mine, who successfully worked as a
job coach, used to keep a stack of generic notes in her desk. When a
participant in her program applied for a job somewhere, she would give the
person one of these notes to have them drop in the mail on the way home.
