Interview Advice, please?

the_syco

I've proberly asked this before, but anyhoo's...

For the last while, I've gone to dozen's of interviews, thus by default I should have gotten a job by now, so I'm thinking my interview skills suck. I've read all those damn "improve your interview skills" websites, but still no luck. I was trying to go for a tech support job, but I'm now gonna go for some office job, as office jobs are easy, but I prefer tech support (I've done a bit of both).

So, anyone know of a good company that could see where my interview problems lie, etc?

bounty

you... got a nice suit and haircut? make good eye contact and body language? sound confident and speak clearly?

pick your best example of teamwork, leadership, and customer service and memorise them, practice in front of the mirror

tailor your cv, exaggerate things they wont bother checking

if they ask you why you made some decision, tell them you got advice from your work manager or college guidance counselor, and these are the best people to talk to, they think like interviewers

shoegirl

Unless your manner is very brusque I would say that its the competitive market that is probably to blame rather than your interview skills.

I've been 6+ years in the tech support field and recently got a job offer after applying for just one job after years of struggling every time I wanted to change job (I've had about 4 over the 6 years). Employers, I found, are totally focussed on your skills and experience first and foremost, and the interview really is about seeing how well you fit in. As it happened this time I applied for one job, the agency suggested a slightly higher paid job in another company, and I fitted in with their needs. Everybody happy :-)

What I would suggest is:
1. Do certifications and keep them up to date!
2. Keep your cv packed with a brief but exact list of what you did (I tend to forget after a while) as employers often want something thats the same as or very like something you did in a previous job
3. Keep basic skills (eg h/w, networking) well honed for technical tests.

They are not everything of course. In 2000 I went for a job in a large h/w manufacturer (they shut down within a couple of years after) and got 100% in their tech test. But I had no experience, so I didn't get the job. At that time, I applied for nearly 250 jobs and went to about 30 interviews. I know it sounds frustrating, but looking back I am sure I didn't make a balls of 30 interviews. Yes there were one or two where the interviewer clearly had already taken a dislike to me, and even one where he had already written me off, but the problem was that I just hadn't the experience for the job.

While it sounds less than encouraging - keep at it. Last year I changed job after about 6 or 7 interviews in at least 5 different companies - its never going to be easy. The only thing I will warn you about is that when the market booms like it is right now a lot of agencies and even HR will interview you for jobs you're not qualified for! So watch out that you are up to it and if not, hone up the skills.

The only other thing you do need to watch out for is not to badouth former employers. Even if it was the most negative environment in the world (and a lot of tech support places are dens of shared misery and woe), try to find something positive or constructive to say about it.

raj

I got really good interview hints on www.recruitireland.com some good links to people who offer interview coaching.

yeshi

bounty wrote:

you... got a nice suit and haircut? make good eye contact and body language? sound confident and speak clearly?

Probably the most important points but I'll also add if you are going for technical support job speak very clearly, slow down and don’t stutter with hmmm's & aagh's when trying to answer a question – bite your tongue if you have to, no joke!

Have friends and family ask you questions like why do you feel suitable for this job? or what would you do if a customer starts shouting at you?

An interview for tech support can go both ways depending on the person who is interviewing you. If the person is a 'management type' person they usually like to hear good business sense answers and from my own experience I usually feed them pure BS. Saying things like being the team player, meeting statistical goals, customer satisfaction, always on time, don’t mind overtime and being very expandable in any department which has worked for me in the past.

A tech person is usually different, they usually want to hear how you would deal with a specific technical problem, what tech qualifications or experience you have and what road would you like to go down in regards to IT.

Confidence and knowing what answers to throw at them is the key, in my humble opinion that is.

raj

I got great advice for my latest interview on www.recruitireland.com. they also list people who give advice.