IT Job Interviews

Don’t Say This Phrase in Your IT Job Interviews

When you’re interviewing for IT jobs, there are plenty of clichés you may be temped to reach for.  IT recruiters can understand this.  Saying you’re a ‘team player’ or that you’ll ‘be the first one in and the last one out’ may actually be true.  The problem is that these clichés have become pretty meaningless.  IT staffing firms can guarantee it won’t help you at all in job interviews to reach for any of these common phrases.  Here is one particularly harmful one that IT staffing companies would suggest you avoid: ‘I’m a quick learner!’

Why will your IT recruiting companies want you to avoid saying this in your interviews?  As discussed above, the phrase has been rendered pretty meaningless.  You may make yourself look a bit unprepared for the interview or even damage your candidacy by using such a meaningless phrase.  Good candidates can speak about their assets in specifics and are often prepared with concrete examples of professional achievements.

If you’re tempted to say you’re a ‘quick learner’ or something along these lines, here’s what IT staffing agencies would suggest instead.  Take a breath and reach for an anecdote about a time you actually did this.  Was there a time you needed to learn a new programming language in a short time?  Was there a time you needed to assimilate quickly to a team’s processes?  By telling these stories, you’re demonstrating your value to your interviewer.  Not only that, but you’re doing so in a way that helps them imagine you in the role you’re interviewing for.  So at your next interview, remember that your IT recruiting agencies will be more likely to give you good news about your interview if you stay away from saying you’re a quick learner!

 

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Can you tell a story about a time when you actually were a quick learner? Photo credit: Hans via Pixabay.

 

Make Time To Practice This Before IT Job Interviews

As you prep for job interviews, here’s one way to give yourself an advantage: practice speaking about a professional achievement in a brief, but comprehensive way.  Here’s how IT staffing firms would recommend you do this.

  1. IT recruiting agencies would suggest you start by identifying some of your major professional achievements. These might be obvious, but they could be things that seem smaller, like putting in extra work to make sure a project was delivered on time for end users.  Make a list for yourself.
  2. Go over the descriptions your IT recruiters gave you for the IT jobs you’ll be interviewing for. Try to pinpoint if any of the achievements on your list will be especially pertinent to these jobs.
  3. Once you’ve selected the best achievements, think about them in terms of three things. Figure out what exactly you did, what the impact was, and if there were any particular groups that benefited (like end users, clients, your team, etc).
  4. Now practice talking about each achievement in these terms. IT recruiting firms would suggest you practice speaking with a friend, family member, or in front of the mirror.  Use a timer and try limiting yourself to 2-4 minutes at most.  The reason IT staffing companies would suggest you limit your time here is that it will keep you from making a few mistakes.  You won’t be able to get too technical (something that technical recruiters have certainly seen ruin interviews), nor will you be able to sound too arrogant or take the interview off track.
  5. When you find an opportune moment in an interview, don’t be afraid to pull this ace out of your pocket. You don’t want to sound rehearsed, but practicing and thinking about how to talk about your professional achievements ahead of time will make you much more succinct and effective!

 

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Use a timer as you practice speaking about your professional achievements in past IT jobs. Photo credit: Nile via Pixabay.

 

4 Steps to Landing an IT Job that Makes You Happy

As you interview for IT jobs, your top concern is likely whether you are prepared for and/or can succeed at the kind of programming, debugging, troubleshooting, etc that the role requires. While IT recruiters would definitely advise asking questions about the scope of the work the role will require, it’s also important to think about the corporate culture.  Why would IT staffing companies suggest you make this a priority in your decision-making process?  Because if you aren’t happy or don’t fit into the team and company culture, IT recruiting firms can almost guarantee it will be hard for you to really succeed in your role.  IT staffing firms see plenty of talented IT professionals fail at jobs because they can’t get along well with their teams, bosses, or end users and clients.  Here’s how to make sure you land a job where you’re not just a great fit for the work, but also the culture!

  1. Think about what kind of workplaces you’ve succeeded in previously. What made them comfortable for you?  The pace of work?  The communication styles of team members?  Did you have standup meetings?  Did you communicate directly with clients or end users? Take some notes for yourself.
  2. Talk to your technical recruiters. Ask them if the roles you’re interviewing for have these elements to their corporate culture.  Make sure they’re clear on what will and won’t work for you.  Good IT recruiting agencies don’t want to place you in jobs where you’ll have a hard time fitting into the culture.
  3. Research online.  Check out Glassdoor reviews and see what the company says about its own corporate culture on its website or social media accounts.
  4. Come to the interview with questions. If you have specific questions about the corporate culture, you’ll make an even better impression on your interviewer.  If you don’t have any specific questions, more general questions will still help you make a better decision.  Try asking what people enjoy about working at the company.  Ask what people don’t like about working at the company.  Ask about what personal qualities make people successful (or not!) at the company.

 

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You can make sure you land an IT job you’re not only good at, but also happy at! Photo credit: melissajuarez0 via Pixabay.

 

 

Tips For Better Research Before Your IT Job Interviews

You’ve probably already heard from your IT recruiters that you need to research a company before going to interview for IT jobs there.  Besides brushing up on relevant technologies and skills for the role, any IT staffing firms will tell you that knowing about the company is the most imperative part of interview prep.  If you really want to stand out, though, you need to direct your research in a more targeted way than simply Googling the company.  Here are 2 ways that IT recruiting companies would suggest you approach your research.

1. Look for what the company is proud of.  Your first step here may be just asking your technical recruiters if they can list anything for you, as they know the client best.  Next, check the company’s website for a press or awards page.  If they don’t have anything like this, be sure to Google the company to see if they’ve been honored or achieved anything impressive.  Being able to rattle off some of the company’s recent achievements or awards will help build a nice rapport with your interviewer because it gives them a moment to feel positive—and perhaps direct some of the positivity towards you!  Additionally, knowing this information shows that you’re knowledgeable about the company.  If you think it will sound natural, try to note some of these points in speaking about why you want to work with the company.

2. Look for information about the company’s competitors or industry.  Plenty of IT staffing agencies work with candidates who research the company itself.  You can set yourself apart by extending beyond this view to a bigger picture.  Are there major issues in this company’s industry?  Interesting new technologies that competitors are using?  If you can find a way to briefly mention this kind of information in your interview, your IT recruiting firms are likely to hear some great feedback about you.

 

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Go beyond getting basic facts about the companies you interview at. Photo credit: FirmBee via Pixabay.

 

Don’t Forget To Make This Point in Your IT Job Interviews

There are a lot of ways to prep for your IT job interviews. You probably already spend plenty of time gathering information from your IT recruiters, researching the company online, and practicing your answers with a family member or in front of the mirror. You’ve likely brushed up on technologies your technical recruiters told you to. Here’s one thing your IT staffing firms would suggest you don’t forget: Make sure to blatantly state your interest in the position for your interviewer.

Many technical recruiters find that their candidates assume that just by going to the interview they think they’re expressing interested in IT jobs. This simply isn’t true, though. The purpose of an interview is actually for both employer and candidate to explore whether the position is a good fit. You may hear something at an interview that makes you decide the job is definitely—or definitely not—a great fit for you. Unless you tell your interviewer, they won’t know for sure if you still are interested. Additionally, IT staffing companies also find that employers prefer it when candidates show enthusiasm about the role, work, company, etc. Giving a strong, deliberate statement of interest will achieve this effect.

So how do you make sure you do this well? IT recruiting firms would suggest that you simply give a direct statement, preferably near the end of the interview. You don’t need to gush (and in fact shouldn’t). Instead, being precise and even-keeled in your tone will work best here. Note that after hearing more about the role, you think it would be a great fit for a few particular reasons. Be articulate here and consider trying to name at least one reason that benefits the company, too. Later, when you write the thank you note for your IT recruiting agencies to give on your behalf, make sure to repeat your interest in the role again. Being open about this may just land you the job!

 

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Prepping for your IT job interview is important, but so is showing interest in the role. Photo credit: Unsplash via Pixabay.

 

 

Remember This During Your IT Job Interviews

Have you ever wondered why your interviewers often ask you about your career, even if your IT staffing agencies have already given them copies of your resume?  Here are a couple reasons why your interviewer may need you to walk them through information that’s already on the resumes your IT recruiting firms have provided them with.

  1. They simply don’t remember it. IT recruiters would suggest you not take this personally at all.  Your interviewer may be talking to many candidates.  They may be handling various projects at the same time—in addition to interviewing.  If your interviewer asks you about something that’s already on your resume, your technical recruiters would urge you to answer it pleasantly anyways.  Being rude or condescendingly pointing out that the information is on the resume definitely won’t land you any IT jobs!
  2. Your interviewer may have questions because your resume is full of technical details. Especially in IT, resumes can be long and full of complicated details for various projects.  Don’t be upset if your interviewer needs to ask you something that is already covered on your resume. Your IT staffing companies would urge you to patiently respond to any questions, remembering that your resume might be too long and complicated for them to remember perfectly.
  3. Your interviewer might be less technical, and thus need you to re-word or explain things on your resume. Your IT recruiting agencies may be able to let you know this before the interview, but sometimes they may not.  If your interviewer isn’t as familiar with the technologies you’ve worked with, or possibly isn’t technical at all, they may ask you questions that you’d think your resume can answer.  Again, your IT staffing firms would suggest you answer them patiently and offer to clarify further if needed.  The key here is to make sure you demonstrate an ability to communicate well, even with people who have less experience or understanding of certain technologies.  This can be a moment where you really cement your candidacy!

 

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Your interviewer may have a lot going on before they meet with you that day. Photo credit: cloudhoreca via Pixabay.

 

How to (Gracefully) Leave Work for IT Job Interviews

When you’re searching for new IT jobs with your technical recruiters, you may feel awkward or guilty for leaving work for interviews.  Leaving work to go on the interviews your IT recruiting firms set up may make you feel nervous that your boss and/or coworkers will find out you’re searching for new roles. Here’s how to deal with that anxiety or guilt.

Firstly, remember that everyone leaves work or calls out to go on an interview at some point.  Taking time to go to the interviews your IT staffing agencies have set up isn’t shameful or wrong.  Truthfully, most employers would expect that you’d do this at some point—even if etiquette dictates that you don’t share it with them. This is especially true if you’re an IT contractor.

Secondly, approach taking time for interviews as though you were taking time for any other legitimate appointment.  When your technical recruiters set you up with an interview, simply request time off for an appointment.  IT recruiting companies would suggest that you don’t create an elaborate lie or try to be too secretive.  Most bosses and coworkers won’t pry for more information if you simply state that you have an appointment you’ll need to use some of your earned PTO for.  IT staffing firms would also suggest that you focus on the fact that you earned this PTO.  It’s your paid time off that you worked for.  You get to use it for whatever appointments you need to attend.

Lastly, remember to be focused on what’s really important: how you perform in your interview.  Leaving work for the interviews your IT recruiting agencies set up isn’t the important part.  Save your energy for really impressing your interviewers!

 

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Don’t fret about asking for time off for IT job interviews. Photo Credit: Unsplash via Pixabay.

 

 

Boost Your Confidence in IT Job Interviews With This Tip

IT recruiters find that many candidates are nervous when they interview for IT jobs.  If you usually feel a little anxious before you go on the interviews your IT staffing companies set you up for, here’s one way to feel more confident: have an anecdote ready that highlights a skill or two listed in the job description.

Here’s how to implement this technique.  Firstly, make sure you get at least a basic job description from your technical recruiters.  Read this over closely and try to pick out something beyond the technical requirements.  Your interviewers know that your IT recruiting firms have already had you brush up on these skills.  What will really impress your interviewer is if you look for the more intangible requirements.  For example, look for statements in the job description that mention the ability to juggle multiple projects at once, or highlight customer service skills.

Now, think about a time you demonstrated these skills.  Craft a short anecdote that you can easily recount (without sounding like you’re reading from a script).  Your IT staffing agencies are very likely to get positive feedback if you can speak directly to the job description and do it in a concrete way.  Your story will demonstrate you have the skills they need.  This helps your interviewers picture you succeeding in the role.  Practice telling this anecdote a few times in the mirror or with a family member or friend.  When you get to the interview, you can feel confident that you have this ace in your back pocket—and your IT recruiting companies may just call you with a job offer!

 

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Check the IT job description for qualities that you can create a powerful anecdote about. Photo credit: janeb13 via Pixabay.

 

Turn Your IT Job Interview Into A Home Run With This Tip

One way IT staffing firms suggest you can strengthen your interview performance is by asking a great question at the end.  IT recruiting companies find that great questions are always helpful in strengthening your candidacy.  However, they’re especially powerful at the end of the interview.  Your interviewer is more likely to remember you well if one of the last things you do is ask a great question.  Here’s a question or two that IT staffing companies would suggest: Who are the successful people in your company or team and what makes them valuable? Conversely, why have other people failed in this role?

There are a few reasons why technical recruiters find that these two questions are effective.  Firstly, asking them shows that you’re thinking deeply about what the company and team need.  Most people ask about the role and the job description.  This question delves into how somebody in this particular role, at this particular company could succeed.  Since sometimes the same role can look very different at different companies, your interviewer will really appreciate these questions.

Your IT recruiting agencies would also urge you to ask these questions because they show that you’re interested in more than just landing the job. When you ask questions like this, you’re suggesting that you want to find a job that’s a good fit—both on your end and for the company.  IT staffing agencies never find that companies just want to get anybody into their open IT jobs quickly.  Hiring managers want somebody who can do the work well and enjoys working in that team.  A bad fit always results in lost money, lost time, and hurts the IT professional, hiring company, and IT recruiting firms.  Nobody wants that.  So next time you really want to establish your candidacy, ask these questions.  They’ll make a big impression on your interviewer and your IT recruiters.

 

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Asking about who succeeds at a company (and why) many get you the IT job. Photo credit: Jerry Kimbrell via Pixabay.

 

Avoid This Surprisingly Common IT Job Interview Mistake

IT recruiters often hear from the candidates they work with that they have been practicing ‘selling themselves’ for IT job interviews.  This is a pretty common tactic that many IT professionals have been told will land them the IT jobs they interview for.  Unfortunately, many IT staffing agencies see this advice carried out in a way that actually hurts candidates in interviews. Here’s what you need to avoid:

  1. Don’t focus so hard on selling yourself that you sound scripted and/or don’t satisfactorily respond to the interviewer’s questions. Sometimes technical recruiters will see a candidate work hard to craft and memorize a monologue about their technical background, soft skills, and achievements.  Don’t make this mistake.  Your interview will go much better if you can really participate in the conversation.  Of course you will highlight your abilities, communication skills, etc.  However, you need to be ready to do that in response to the questions the interviewer asks.  If you give interviewers something that feels like a sales pitch, it won’t feel like a comprehensive, thoughtful answer to their question.  Relying on a pre-prepared sales pitch means that your interviewers will be very likely to tell your IT recruiting agencies ‘no thanks’!
  2. Don’t forget that it’s not just about you! Selling yourself too hard can mean that you totally exclude the other important party here: your potential employers.  Unfortunately, IT staffing companies often hear about candidates blowing the interview this way.  Your IT recruiting firms need you to showcase your own assets as an employee, but they also need you to show that you’ve thought about why this company, IT job, team, work, etc is a great fit for you.  Take time to speak to why you’re interested in this role or this company.  Explain why you think you’d be happy and succeed with this employer.  Show off the research you’ve done on this company, its work, market, etc.  If you don’t talk about the company you’re interviewing with, you can count on your IT staffing firms letting you know you didn’t get the job!

 

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Don’t make ‘selling yourself’ the sole focus in IT job interviews! Photo credit: TooMuchCoffeeMan via Pixabay.