Way OT: Job interview tips

-Ask good questions about the business.
-Dress at least level above what you would expect to wear each day to work there.
-Put yourself up whenever you get the chance without lying. Everyone else will be doing the same.
-Be honest and stay calm during the rediculous questions. "If you were a vegetable, what would you be?" seems stupid, and they know it's technically a stupid question, but how you react to it will say a lot about you. A thoughtful or humorous response makes a much better impression than "I have no idea..."

I'm sure others have much more/better advice, so I'll leave the rest to them.

Also: GOOD LUCK!

They could very well ask you, "so, what is our mission statement," or "what can you tell us about our sales last year." These are fair game and will show them how serious you are about their company.

Also, ask a lot of questions yourself. You are interviewing them, too.

Make sure to smile some, look people in the eye. Answer the questions the best you can but don't make stuff up, it usually comes back to haunt you. You need to be yourself, if you seem comfortable/relaxed it make you appear more confident. However, don't kick back and put you legs on the desk. Be prepared to answer the same questions each time a different person comes in, they often are working from the same set of questions. Some people may be looking at your technical knowledge, others may just want a glimpse of your personality to see if they feel they could work with you. Dress nice, Men should still wear a shirt and tie w/ a coat if possible, Ladies should wear appropriate business attire, the way you look does count so you want to extend your best look. Thank them for the opportunity at the end of the day and walk out with your head held high.

These are the two most important things to keep in mind (IMO).

1. Be yourself. I know that sounds simple and cliche, but provided your interviewer has any experience in seeking out new employees, they will be able to pick up on phoniness right away.

2. Keep your answers short and to the point unless the situation dictates otherwise. Avoid rambling because it leads to stammering confusion which leads to disaster. Especially if you are unable to keep your nerves.

Good luck!

Do your research on the company. Know everything you can about them. Sound confident, but not cocky. Think of some possible questions they may ask you and have answers ready. Have some strengths you want to emphasize and find ways in your answers to emphasize those strengths. Good luck!

If t his is just the first interview, it will probably only be about 5 minutes. As such, and I'm serious, expect something relatively close to this:

Most of the questions will either fall into the obvious (name, work history, etc) and the ridiculous, which is more to gauge your personality than your ability to do the job. That would come in the second interview.

Also, don't fidget and look the interviewer(s) in the eye. I've heard this multiple times. Sound genuine

The best advice I ever received was to keep in mind that these people will be working with you. They don't just want to see that you are qualified, they want to hire someone that fits in there and that they would enjoy working with. Do whatever you can to be a likeable guy and to establish that you would fit in well with their culture.

First of all, good luck.

I actually do some interviewing and I will tell you that we specifically look for results. For example, you do something that's listed in your resume and we'll ask you the results of those actions - positive or negative. Did it accomplish a goal that you set out? If so - how did you help out? If not - what went wrong and what would you do to rectify the situation?

Totally agree with the above - do NOT bad mouth anyone - it gives a negative portrayal of your character.

Be confident - firm handshake and smile.

Do research on the company that you are applying to - it'll make you seem very interested in the company and that way when your interviewer asks you if you have any questions, you can launch into your questions about x and y about the company.

I'd also dress up a little - not saying that it's the most important part, but as intervierwers, we want to see that you put in an effort to look nice and try to impress. It's amazing how many people think jeans and nice shows are okay to a campus interview - they are not.

When they ask if you have any questions, make sure you have something. Interviewers are always looking to gauge your interest as well, and if you just seem to be going through the motions, they can tell. Also, don't be this guy

Give a nice firm handshake but not too firm.

Act interested in the job, make sure they know you want the job.

Do a little background research on the company that way you know a little bit and can impress them with some relevant questions.

I'm graduating in 2 months and had to go through a lot of interviews this past semester. These are the things that I thought were the most beneficial:

1) Be honest - I was asked by one company what my 3 weaknesses are. Apparently you're supposed to give a BS answer and spin it so that it's really a "strength". But I didn't know this. So for one of my weaknesses, I said "I procrastinate a lot...way too much". They all started laughing, and then I told them that I've learned from my mistakes - that was important for them to hear. I ended up getting an offer, and I was baffled.

2) Give SPECIFIC examples of how you took charge and/or were a leader in your job or school. But BE SPECIFIC. Anybody can sit there and BS you saying "Yeah, I took control of this team and I told people what to do and I got things done on time." You really need to be specific as to WHAT you did, HOW you did it, and what were the RESULTS.

3) Have an example ready of a challenging problem that you solved and how you solved it. Again, specifics are everything.

4) Communicate the fact that you have those "soft skills". Knowing IT stuff is great, but knowing how to work with potential coworkers is just as important. Talk about a time you got in a "riff" with somebody and how you managed to work it out - not by throwing fists or taking the issue up to your boss but by how you felt it important to communicate with the other person exactly what the issue was and to come up with a solution.

Well, I hope this does you some good. Good luck!

... where half the curriculum is interview preperation:

Know the company -- read their website, if they have core values or a mission statement, know it. Be able to explain why it resonates with you.

Be honest -- the fact you went back to school to acquire a new skill is really impressive and shows you're hungry. As a person manager now, I will always take the person that has fought to improve themselves. Talk about that story. Show your hunger.

Ask good questions -- Ask about the company:
1) What areas does it see the most growth opportunity in the market
2) What are the biggest risks facing the company
3) How would the interviewer describe the culture of the organization.

Good luck!

Wear a tux and interview as a team with your step brother.

Make sure you show up with questions about the business, how it runs, how your department runs, what it's goals are, etc.

One last thing:

FUCK.SHIT.UP

There are 3 pivotal items to keep in mind during an interview:

1) Wear a tuxedo, regardless of the position you're applying for.

2) Have your best friend sit directly behind you during the interview, as if you're trying to block them from the interviewer's view.

3) If the interviewer is a woman, tell her to shut her mouth repeatedly and try to prevent her from getting a word in edgewise.

I'm not a great person to give advice as I seem to suck at interviews...

But, I'd say be early (but not ackwardly early), slightly over dress, mind your posture, don't chew gum, and don't ask questions about time off policy or things that can be interpreted to be looking for ways to avoid work.

- RESEARCH THE COMPANY. Know at least what they do and be able to answer the question, "What can you do for us?"

- The interview begins from the very moment you arrive in the parking lot. Companies pull all sorts of tricks. They might sneak a peek at the inside of your car to see if you're the kind that leaves burger wrappers all over it. They might have the boss eavesdropping on your conversation with the receptionist to see how you treat people. All kinds of things. Obviously, you might not be interviewing at the company's premises, but the point is the same: the interview doesn't begin and end with the face-to-face contact with the interviewer.

- I second just about everything above. Also, dress nice. Depending on the job you might not need a suit but it can't hurt. A tie is bare minimum unless it's one of those places like Google that prides themselves on being kooky.

There are entire classes on this stuff that go on for days - I literally just got done with one last week. So much to learn about the right way to do a job interview. Next time (if there is one and hopefully there won't because you already have the job) I'd recommend looking for advice a little earlier ;) seriously, there's a lot you can do pre-interview, like, call ahead to scope out the dress code, the research, prep your clothes, rehearse your answers, etc.

I'm guessing two Step Brothers, one Harold and Kumar, and a Monty Python reference were not what you were looking for.

Minimum should be slacks, collared shirt and a tie but more likely a suit. If the interviewer/HR person tells you not to wear a suit, don't wear a suit (it depends on your industry) but if it's a laid back place of employment/manual labor job it might be best to not wear a suit. (I always ask the contact what the dress code is if it's business casual or business).

Look on their website for core values or qualifications for the job. Be sure and have an specific example from your life that demonstrates you have that quality. For example, if they say they want a "creative, analytical" person, be able to tell a story when you were creative, and another when your analytical ability was useful in a situation.

Don't be uptight, show personality.

lots of good advice above, but keep in mind that while they are interviewing you, you should be interviewing them to see if this is the right fit for you professionally and personally.

1. research the company, and the industry, to see what types of challenges and opportunities exist. also, as 4godking said, know their mission and values and how they mesh with your own. interviewers are very impressed when you give examples that directly tie to their mission/values.

2. be yourself, and do not lie (cliche, but important). you do not want to get a job based on lies or by acting like someone you are not. you will likely be unhappy in the position, or worse, the company will be unhappy with their hire.

Mention that you post items on the MGoBoard during the day. Or better yet, get a letter from Brian, confirming that you create content, might even get you a raise.

As far as THIS job is concerned, I have none.

I am an alcoholic and a cleptomaniac, but that has nothing to do with this job.

Don't Tell Them, that your avatar on MGoBlog is a picture of Brutus with COCK SUCKER scrawled across his groin.