Interviewing with Lab49 is only the start of your interviewing career with our company! Some of our clients like to interview our staff prior to us starting a project. Every member of staff at Lab49 is aware of what makes a good interview as being able to interview well is the very lifeblood of our company – we HAVE to impress our clients in order to get work.

The staff here at Lab49 are smart – both from an interpersonal and technical perspective and they know that to give a good interview they must:

1) Smile! The client wants to know that you want to be there and that you are keen to be part of that project. Be enthusiastic – if you’re not, you’re interviewing with/are a part of the wrong company for you and that’s no good for anyone :-(

2) Good handshake. A lot of information is given in that handshake (see How to lose a job in 10 minutes) – firm but not bone-crunching. Sure, everyone gets a little nervous and therefore sweaty palmed – try to discreetly dry your palm before shaking the interviewers hand.

3) Listen!! Like I say, our staff are really smart and part of what makes them smart is that they LISTEN to other people – they are not arrogant people who think that no one can teach them anything. In a client interview, a problem and solution will often be discussed and to fully understand the project at hand, you need to hear it from the ‘horses’s mouth’ as it were.

4) Stick to the subject. Don’t go off on a tangent. If you are asked a question – answer it but ensure that you are giving relevant information. For example:

Interviewer: Are you an experienced .NET Technologist?
Candidate: Yes, I have been using .NET professionally for 5 years on a variety of projects. I also ensure that I keep up to date with the latest happenings in the .NET world to maintain my edge

So, the question is answered but the candidate has also demonstrated enthusiasm for their craft. Here’s a less successful example:

Interviewer: Are you an experienced .NET Technologist?
Candidate: Oh yes, I’ve been using it since 2001 when is was just okay and I know that the latest garbage collection generation is 2 and when I did X, we found that Y and then Bob and I disagreed about the way to go forward and we both ended up speaking with our line manager about it. He thought that Bob’s idea had merit which ticked me off because Bob didn’t really know what he was talking about.

Wow – that’s alot of information – lots of information that the interviewer didn’t ask for. The basic fact in your answer is that you have 5 years experience of it but the significance of that is lost amidst a whole load of rambling. What a shame.

5) Not see the interview as a time for technical experimentation.
So you have a few “out there” ideas about how to use technology huh? That’s really cool but there is a time and place for such discussion (back at the Lab for example). A client will typically be leading a multi-million dollar project which tight timescales and high visibility within the business. Now is not the time for your thoughts on technical experimentation! The client wants the best solution in the shortest amount of time to benefit the business as a whole. The client does NOT want a missed deadline and an inappropriate solution that focuses upon satisfiying your technological desires than the users needs. The KISS approach is just what is needed:

Keep
It
Simple
Stupid!

6) Demonstrate that they played an active part in previous projects/roles.
Candidate: So we did X and then we did Y
Interviewer: That’s great but what did YOU do? What was your part in this?

You’ve no doubt done some great work in your previous roles, why not shout about it (not literally thank you!)? Take ownership of your achievements! I did this, I did that and I’m proud of it! Sure, no one likes a bragger but you can have individual achievements and work within a team environment. Be balanced in giving credit where due and you will be fine.

7) Know about the role that they are interviewing for.
Do some research! Read newsgroups, technical forums etc to keep yourself technically and commercially sharp. The more you know about what you are interviewing for, the more relaxed you will be and demonstrating knowledge garnered via research will impress a client too.

8 ) Show positive body language.
Sure, interviews can be a little nerve wracking but as consultants, our staff know that crossing your arms and retreating into your chair when asked a tricky question, really speaks volumes. Body language should be open, relaxed and directed toward your interviewer. Good eye contact reinforces whatever point you are trying to make – don’t stare though! As mentioned in an earlier post, body language accounts for about three quarters of our communication so make yours count.

9) Accept a drink if offered!
Not only does it help to avoid a dry throat and coughing, it can provide valuable thinking time. Say you are asked a tricky question, taking a sip of your drink whilst thinking can enable you the time you need to think without any awkward pauses. The fact that your hand might shake a little when lifting the glass really is not taken into consideration.

If you have the technical skills to do the job, by following the above guidelines, there is nothing about your interview performance that will stop you getting the job.

Good luck and have a very merry Christmas and joyful New Year.