Interviews make me nervous, help... 1

[ezypezy80]

Hi,
I got in this company by a friend's reference as a casual admin staff to do 2-3 weeks work only. Therefore the interview was very casual.

Eventually I got involved in more computer-related work...and so on until I was given a "real" software developing project, which I found very very interesting and I fell in love with the job ... . My educational background is MSIS...stuff like VB, Access, SQL, etc

Although they have extended my contract to 6 months, I want to look for a secure permanent type of job.
I must say I suck at interviews as I get too nervous.

Please share me some experiences on what IT employers normally would like to hear & expect? Plus how I can put together the best words to say that altho I'm junior in this area, I have passion on it, and I am keen to learn further formally or even on the go .

Thanks a million beforehand

 

[CajunCenturion]

Be yourself and be honest.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Lozbinator]

CajunCenturion is right. Being honest, and being yourself is imperative.

Being a junior does not necessarily mean that you need all the right answers from a technical perspective - many people would prefer you to admit you don't know the answer to something or that you'd need help, rather than hear you try to bluff your way through.

Also, many organisations are also looking for a strong cultural fit - so while your technical skills are important, you also need to be able to match the organisational culture, and this is why being yourself is important.

And remember - it is in your best interest to look at it from this perspective too - even if you love your job, working in an organisation where you do not fit in or where you feel you cannot say you don't know something or ask for help makes for a difficult working life.

Hope this helps, good luck!

 

[LesleyW]

I've interviewed candidates for jobs myself, and believe me, interviewers understand that some people suffer from interview nerves, and that this has no bearing on their ability to do the job. It does however make for a difficult interview for both parties, as the last thing most interviewers want to do is make you more nervous. Therefore try to relax (easy said!)... lots of calm deep breathing beforehand, yoga would probably help!

 

[KenCunningham]

The advice to be yourself and be honest about your capabilities is very good and very important to adhere to. You'd be doing no-one (least of all yourself) a favour if you blagged your way by pretending to have skills or a level of competence that you haven't. These 'little white lies' are soon found out in pressure situations. The other advice I would give is to appear, outwardly at least, confident in those abilities you do know you have and keen to learn those you haven't.

I sympathise with your nervousness as I have a stammer (is it stutter in the US?) and as a consequence do not find interviews, or the prospect of an interview, very attractive. That said, the interview situation does help to concentrate the mind and I find this helps me forget my preoccupation with how I'm managing my disfluency and concentrate on how I'm answering the question. I hope the same applies to your nervousness and wsh you good luck in your efforts.

 

[sha76]

The best way I find to calm my nerves is reminding myself that I'm interviewing the company as much as they're interviewing me and as questions about the company always go down well with interviewers then you can't really loose (as long as as you avoid the "How much holiday do I get?" type!). Admittedly it's trickier if it's through an agency, but they should still be able to answer some general questions, if nothing too specific.

Sharon

 

[BruceReed]

I 100% agree with Ken.

I just came back from an interview today, & I was just myself. I am NOT a programmer, but I do understand the basics, and am expert in Cognos. I did not BS the guy, I said what I do know, and did not pretend to know things I don't.

I never worked in the IT dept, but I impressed the the guy, and he almost offered me a job on the spot. He has to get back to me, (he could be BSing me, but I don't think so) this week.

He was talking about doubling my pay!! Not bad for being honest.

Cheers
BR

 

[MDXer]

Having been on both side of the interview table I agree that honesty is important. Also show some intrest in the company and position you interviewing for, knowing something about the company or the project usually sits well with the interviewer. Do not be afraid to ask questions some typical questions I have asked and have been asked has to do with the corporate culture, work enviroment, is their a team enviroment where there exist an exchange of ideas. Avoid appearing to be intrested in the job simply because you need the job.

Paul

 

[DoubleV]

Bruce,
i do not want to be negative, but in my sister in law's and my husband's experiences things have been the opposite way. my sister in law went for an interview once where they were constantly telling her how she is the perfect fit for them, but never called back. many times my husband would think he did well on an interview and not heard from them again. and sometimes he thinked it did not go well and was offered a job just a couple of days later.

BUT ... when i interviewed for my current job, i just had that same feeling you describe - I just knew they will give me an offer. And they did.
You sound eager to get that job and I sure hope you'll hear from them soon!!! keeping my fingers crossed for you!

--------------------------------------------------
Goals are dreams with deadlines
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http://www.nimlok.com

http://www.orbusinc.com

 

[DoubleV]

as for "how to ace an interview" - i'm in the same boat as ezypezy80.
hanging out at these forums, actually, doesn't help.
your supportive posts like these here do help. a lot.

but when i browse the technical forums and see so many people know so much ... million times more then i do, i can't help but think that i am no competition to anybody. there way to many people out there knowing so much more then i do, what are my chances anyway???

--------------------------------------------------
Goals are dreams with deadlines
-------------------------------------

http://www.nimlok.com

http://www.orbusinc.com

 

[MDXer]

DoubleV,

A job interview is more of a sales pitch. You are trying to sell yourself and skills to the Employeer, if you think the company can do better than you they probably will. I am not saying approach the interview with the attitude that your the best they can do, but if you present yourself and skills in a manner that demonstrates what you know and your abilities to overcome what you don't know then you present yourself as having value.

As for seeing the people on the Tech groups who know so much more than you this may be true but there is always someone who knows more, as much, or a better way than they do. I doubt that when people here look at someones question they always know the right answer, I know I don't (even in the areas where I posses more expertise), sometimes it takes a person sitting down and actually working through the problem.

The position you are in is a position most everyone gets in at some point in their life. I don't like job interviews and I don't really know anyone who does, but it is an evil that we must all go through.

Paul

"Shoot Me! Shoot Me NOW!!!"
- Daffy Duck

 

[CognosProfessional]

Take up karaoke! If you can't sing, just get up there and talk with a beat. It broke my nervousness for life!
My lips would shake at the thought of public speaking in front of just 15 people. No more.
mmm...Interviews.-haven't had one in 5 years, only had 5 in my lifetime. Each one I was hired. So, I really don't know what it is. I never had to think too much about it. Just made sincere eye contact with confident statements of what I can do and have done to help technically. After you have given them the information that they need to know about your competency in the field you are in, then continue with something more personal about yourself, (with a smile) ...that makes sure you are coming across as personable, easily approachable, and make THEM feel comfortable with you, so they want to come to work in 2 weeks and see you there, knowing they can work out problems or on projects with you like a team would play a sport. Insure that you both win with your expertise. Appearance is important/body language/excitement level/listening skills/demonstration of knowledge examples...all together for a winning presentation of your best qualities. Good luck and hold your head high....sooner or later something will pan out for you. Never give up.

CP

 

[ezypezy80]

I really appreciate every single input...thank you guys )))

 

[SemperFiDownUnda]

Star for CC.
Put so simply. Let me complicate it with an example.
The first interview I had when I quit my permanate job to go contracting I had a panel of people asking me questions. I totally BOMBed the interview. I wasn't understanding their questions at all. Instead of faking it I asked them to explain what they meant, tried to answer as best as I could. At the end I called up the agency and told them I wasted the panels time. A week later I got a call from the agency about the interview and before they could say anything I said "They still upset about the interview. Please tell them I'm sorry" to which I was told "Well umm actually you got the position".

I attribute my high rate of success on getting positions not only to my skills but in the interviews being very open. Being on the other side of interview process a few times I can tell you that people trying to BS through a question really puts me off on a canidate. People would rather hear bad news then be left in the dark when it comes to business.

If you are asked that dreaded "What is you worst attribute" don't pull punches and think of some wooosy thing no one cares about. Tell them. For me its Metrics. I hate doing estimates and I say it flat out and why I hate doing them.

Some tips. Search the internet for standard interview questions. Get someone, or even better a few people, to ask you the questions. Interviewing is like anything practise makes you better. After an interview go over the interview in your head over and over. Change your responces and think how it might have turned out. Studies have shown just thinking about things can make you better at them. Bring a small tap recorder to the interview and ask if you can tape the interview. If asked why tell them you use it to try to get better at interviews. If you don't want to do that. take notes of the interview. Not just what was said but the environment you are in but don't let it destract you from the interview (this is why a tap recorder is good).

Now I have to do interviews all the time being a contractor. So time that I invest in becoming better at them really pays off. But many things you can do to improve your interview skills will benifit you in other general ways.

Also try this....talk to people you don't know. In a check out line ask the person behind you if they are having a good day. When you get in an elevator greet someone and make a friendly comment about something they are wearing. It gets you comfortable with talking to strangers. This has a great spill over effect of making you confident in strange situations.

I've thrown enough at you but CC's 5 words are worth more then my few paragraphs.

 

[chelseatech]

The worst job interview I went for was when I was applying to be the IT manager for one of our large hospitals. There was me and a panel of 8 people including 2 board members, the GM, and an out of town expert they had dragged in.

Toastmaster training helped. I treated each question as a short impromptu speech (Eye contact, Structure, Body Language, etc.) Find a local TM club and build up some communication skills.

(And I got the job).

Editor and Publisher of Crystal Clear

http://www.chelseatech.co.nz/pubs.htm

 

[dwarfthrower]

Imagine the interviewer(s) nude... Hard to be scared of anyone when they're nude

 

[KenCunningham]

Dwarfthrower - you obviously haven't seen some of the sights I've seen after looking though beer goggles the night before. Very scary indeed! ;-)

 

[dwarfthrower]

This is why I rarely remove my beer goggles

 

[Zelandakh]

everyone has a different way of coping - interviews are just meetings with a different name. Get together in meetings with people you know, but take part more. This builds confidence.

I've been on both sides at least 100 times. From experience, if you are yourself and they like you, you go forward - otherwise you either fail or get taken on with a lie.

But get yourself confident in talking - any how. Friends, relatives, groups, bars... toast mastering. Once you are happy talking, it is much easier. With me, they forced me into telephone callbacks. 6 weeks later it was easy!

 

[DoubleV]

Paul,
Sorry i never responded sooner. I know you're right. One perspn cannot know it all and even if you are considered an expert in something there are still things to learn and what not. That's what my husband tells me aswell. Also, that there are many jobs out there suitable for different levels of expertiese. I hope you guys are right
i pretty much have absolutely no experience interviewing at all. i had 2 interviews in my life. was hired both times, but ... the first time it was just a customer service position for a park district, so i on't think it is relevant. the second time was for the position i currently hold for almost 3 years.
i realise that i must have been doing something right, but i feel like this time is different. last time it was my first job in the field, so i expected not to be called back etc etc. of course, one will never be called back from every place s/he sends the resume to, but i feel like this time i should be more successful in this. almost like somebody expects me to be. but my lack of confidence in the few skills i have (one of the main reasons for wanting to look for another job is lack of advancement in this company, not only on the corporate ledder, but also very little advancement on the skills ledder) just makes me worried that these "expectations" will not be met.
i understand that many ads are unrealistic in what they ask one person to now, but then why arethey there (i mean, the ads - why are these unrealistic ads in newspapaers, omline etc)???

--------------------------------------------------
Goals are dreams with deadlines
-------------------------------------

http://www.nimlok.com

http://www.orbusinc.com