Tech Interview Tips and Prep

Tech Interview Tips and Prep
Preparing for any type of interview can be nerve racking. Facing rejection is difficult for everyone. For tech professionals, additional stressors include getting a good return on investment on the costs of tech courses as well as being able to showcase your highly technical skills on the spot. The recent squeeze on IT jobs, makes every interview that you can secure very, very important. In this article, we will provide some tips to help you successfully navigate your tech interviews and land the job.

1. Understand the Job Requirements: Before you step into an interview, be sure that you know what the job requires. This will allow you to explain to the interviewer why and how you are qualified. Also, if you don’t have all of the stated qualifications, knowing this will give you an opportunity to explain why you are still the person for the job and how your past experiences can help you quickly get up to speed. Understanding the job requirements will also show the interviewer that you have carefully read the job description, something that a great number of people do not.
2. Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself: It is ok if you don’t know everything. Most employers don’t expect you to. You obviously know enough, or you wouldn’t have even scored the interview. If you find that you can not answer a particular question during the interview, make sure that you mention that you know where to go in order to get that information.
3. Chill Out: Being relaxed allows you to think more clearly. If you are nervous, you may not be able answer questions that you know the answers to. Being relaxed also gives off an air of confidence. Confidence is very attractive. If you believe that you can do the job, they will to.
4. Take Notes: Take notes during your interview. Jot down the questions that the interviewer asks. This will enable you to get a better grasp of what the interviewer is trying to get out. Taking notes will even help you if you do not get the job. If your interview bombs, you will still have a great list of potential questions that you might be asked at your next interview.
5. Create a List of Practice Questions: Visit some tech websites and forums. You will be able to find other people in the profession that have already been through or who are going through the interview process. They may be able to help you come up with a list of potential interview questions. Some tech sites will also have an interview section with tips to help you ace your interview. So be sure to check them out.
6. Be Able to Provide Examples: Tech interviews are a bit different than normal interviews in that you are unable to offer generalized answers. You have to be able to demonstrate that you know a specific skill. Because of this, you will need to understand the job description, determine what the employer is looking for and be able to provide examples that prove that you can perform a specific task.
7. Be Able Communicate Effectively: Even if you are tech guy or gal, you will still need to be able to communicate with others. Showing the ability to be patient and interact effectively and positively with others will help you stand out from the crowd.