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YAIT: interview tips

V

vital

Platinum Member
I have an interview today with an undisclosed company at my university's career center for an entry level Systems Admin position. I also just found out there will be 8 other candidates from the email! The interview is in about 5 hours. Any last minute tips? Thanks!
 
Realize they have the correct expectations - you have little to no experience and are looking to gain some while providing significant value to them. Focus on the positive things about you that helped you earn your degree. This is what they are evaluating.
 
Originally posted by: Garet Jax
Realize they have the correct expectations - you have little to no experience and are looking to gain some while providing significant value to them. Focus on the positive things about you that helped you earn your degree. This is what they are evaluating.
Click to expand...


Your reply was far too concise and articulate for ATOT. Please take a week off to think about what you have done.

-Standards and Practices Mod
 
Don't sound rehearsed for sure, just speak fluidly like you would with anyone else. Relax, and calm yourself down before the interview. If you come off as confident, relaxed and comfortable, it will help give you an edge. About what to talk about, listen to Garet.
 
Originally posted by: AMDUALY
Don't sound rehearsed for sure, just speak fluidly like you would with anyone else. Relax, and calm yourself down before the interview. If you come off as confident, relaxed and comfortable, it will help give you an edge. About what to talk about, listen to Garet.
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QFT!
Is this your first interview OP? I know how it feels. It took me quite a few interviews to get comfortable sitting in the hot seat, but once I did, I got the job.

Confidence is key... knowing your stuff doesn't hurt either 😉
 
If it is a big company they will do something called Behaviroal (sp) Based Interviewing. Basically they are using a process called STAR:

Situation
Task
Action
Result

So they'll say "tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a superior"
you'll say "my boss wanted me to finish XYZ in way too short a time period"
them: "what action did you take to resolve?"
you: "i told my boss such and such."
them: "what was the result?"
you: "i got fired" (or whatever)

Not all interviews are like this, but most big companies use this approach. So be thinking about things like that and watch how they take what you say and dig deeper into it...
 
I have an interview in 2 hours. It's my first real world interview and I'm getting nervous. I got a new suit to wear, what color shirt, blue or white? I've also got a leather folder with a couple copies of my resume and a pad of paper for notes.
 
try to be consious of nevous actions, like clicking a pen or sipping water every ten seconds. Put your hands under the table if you must.
 
show up late, start slurring your words like you were drunk, then to top it off getup in the middle of the interview to go take a leak in the corner of the room...

i make no guarentee that the tips stated above will help you get the job... but you never know... j/k


relax and be cool and comfortable... just be yourself... oh yeah... also know about the company, position, and and why you would want to work for a company usually gets the ball rolling in most campus interviews...
 
Originally posted by: amdskip
I have an interview in 2 hours. It's my first real world interview and I'm getting nervous. I got a new suit to wear, what color shirt, blue or white? I've also got a leather folder with a couple copies of my resume and a pad of paper for notes.
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Hey this is my first real world interview too. I'm gonna be wearing my new charcoal suit, blue shirt and tie. Good luck!


Is it recommended to bring a pad of paper to write during the interview process?
 
I think the paper might be useful. Better to be prepared I suppose.

I think I'm going to wear the blue shirt.
 
Originally posted by: vital
Hey this is my first real world interview too. I'm gonna be wearing my new charcoal suit, blue shirt and tie. Good luck!


Is it recommended to bring a pad of paper to write during the interview process?
Click to expand...

Take copies of your resume in a portfolio.

Make sure you get business cards from each and every person you meet.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: vital
Hey this is my first real world interview too. I'm gonna be wearing my new charcoal suit, blue shirt and tie. Good luck!


Is it recommended to bring a pad of paper to write during the interview process?
Click to expand...

Take copies of your resume in a portfolio.

Make sure you get business cards from each and every person you meet.
Click to expand...

Thank them for the interview as well and tell them that you are really interested in the position and ask when they are expected to get back to you about the decision. Make a follow up post after the interview and we'll run you through the post-interview process.
 
Originally posted by: dmw16
If it is a big company they will do something called Behaviroal (sp) Based Interviewing. Basically they are using a process called STAR:

Situation
Task
Action
Result

So they'll say "tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a superior"
you'll say "my boss wanted me to finish XYZ in way too short a time period"
them: "what action did you take to resolve?"
you: "i told my boss such and such."
them: "what was the result?"
you: "i got fired" (or whatever)

Not all interviews are like this, but most big companies use this approach. So be thinking about things like that and watch how they take what you say and dig deeper into it...
Click to expand...
*shudder*

I just had flashbacks to my interview training at work. STARs are like Pokemon. Gotta catch 'em all.
 
dont grill him by trying to maintain eye contact. slowly and smoothly move your eyes around depending on who's talking, and when looking at him/her slowly look from one eye to the other but dont freak them out
 
Don't forget to send a follow-up/thank you letter after the interview. Many people don't do this (morons) and it'll make a good impression.

 
Originally posted by: amdskip
I have an interview in 2 hours. It's my first real world interview and I'm getting nervous. I got a new suit to wear, what color shirt, blue or white? I've also got a leather folder with a couple copies of my resume and a pad of paper for notes.
Click to expand...

you dress up when you are lacking confidence.
 
My interview went good and I still dressed up. One of the interviewers had blue jeans and t-shirt on so it's a pretty laid back environment.

I gave them lots of good solid examples that related to the job and I think those went over well.

Anyone have a sample thank you note that I can modify?
 
Hey, I did pretty well also. I got offered a second interview on the spot out of 8 other candidates. I'll be going up against 3-4 after a tour on the next interview. Time to search for some thank you note samples. Any ideas?
 
Originally posted by: vital
Hey, I did pretty well also. I got offered a second interview on the spot out of 8 other candidates. I'll be going up against 3-4 after a tour on the next interview. Time to search for some thank you note samples. Any ideas?
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Stationary, hand written.

"Dear Mr. blah (follow normal business letter format)

thank you again for your time to discuss how I could futher assist your goals of xxx, yyy, zzz.

this seems like a good fit and am enthused in our next steps.

Your current needs (blah) could be matched by my (blah).

If you ever need another head to bounce ideas off of (personal blah - boating, golf, whatever)...

I will contact you before blah to discuss the responsibilities of the position that I'm interested int.

blah,

blah blah
1000 blah ct
blah cty, blah state blah zip
 
In the thank you note be sure to clarify anything that you think they might have misunderstood or answer a question that you weren't able to crack. Keep it short and to the point.

If you already got the 2nd interview, there isn't any point in sending the thank you note because you are going to be interviewed again anyway. Send the thank you note after your final interview to all the interviewers.
 
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