In a well organized and professional company, the likelihood is that you will be faced with a highly organized interview. The panel may consist of the recruiting manager, a member of regular staff, and a representative from the company's personnel department. The person leading the interview most likely will start by going through basic information such as the layout and makeup of the organization. Even though you will know a great deal of the information from your pre-interview research, this is a time when you should just listen. From here, conversation will most likely move to the position you are being interviewed for and what's involved with that. Again, this is a time where you should be listening rather than talking. As the interviewer starts to probe into your personality and knowledge, the conversation will move to a two-way exchange. Now is your chance to impress the interviewer(s) with your positive outlook and enthusiasm.
The questions you must answer are likely to be the same as those asked in any job interview-what are your strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, and ambitions. Where the IT interview differs from the normal interview is when the discussion turns to your technical knowledge and experience. Though there may be no definite separation, you are entering the phase of technical interviewing.
Technical Interviewing
Many companies choose to give candidates a technical interview as well as a conventional one, though as discussed above they may happen at the same time. The idea of a technical interview is a simple one. In most cases, the technical interviewer, who may or may not be the original interviewer, will ask questions about your technical knowledge. Some questions will be direct, focusing on a specific product or technology. Other questions are likely to focus on troubleshooting or configuration issues in an attempt to determine how you can apply your knowledge to a given situation.
In either case, the key to surviving a technical interview is to understand the interviewers objective.The interviewer is trying to ascertain two things-Do you know the technical areas that you claim you do, and are you able to recall that information and apply it to a given scenario under pressure. The interviewer also may ask you questions to which you are not expected to know the answers. This strategy is not meant to trip you up, but rather to see how you react when presented with a problem to which you do not know the answer. As we have mentioned before, knowing when to ask for help is as important as the other aspects of your knowledge. When you are being technically interviewed, stay within the boundaries of your knowledge. Moving outside of them will almost certainly be visible to the employer and will ultimately erode your credibility. If you are asked a technical question that you do not know the answer to, say so, and then stress your enthusiasm and ability to learn about new products and technologies.
Telephone Interviews
Either due to geographical limitations, or simply to save time, some employers opt to do an interview over the telephone before asking you to visit their offices. This type of interview can work for you if you are good on the phone, and almost certainly guarantees a high level of interest in you by the employer if you are asked to attend an additional interview in person. For many people, however, telephone interviews can be one of the most uncomfortable interview methods and provide new challenges and rules to the interview process.
Telephone interviews tend to be relatively brief with their main use being to quickly clarify qualifications and background information. Although you may elect to dress in your pajamas and slippers, many of the rules that apply to a normal interview should still be observed. Try and ensure that while you are being interviewed, there are no distractions.The television should be turned off, and ideally you should be by yourself. Answering difficult questions from an employer can be intimidating enough without the members of your immediate family spectating from the sidelines.
Second Interviews
For a number of reasons, employers may choose to conduct a second round of interviews. Sometimes it is because they're having trouble deciding between a number of candidates, other times it is because they want to have a more in-depth discussion or involve other members of the staff. Obviously, the offer of a second interview shows a high level of interest from the employer. Even so, there is still the opportunity to mess things up. Approach your second interview with the same level of professionalism as the first interview. Doing this will make the second turnaround even easier as you now have some idea of what to expect.
Do not be too casual in your approach or manner, but at the same time acknowledge you are no longer strangers. Asking how projects that were discussed during the first interview are progressing will reinforce your enthusiasm and show that you were actively listening during the first interview.
Meta: In a well organized and professional company, the likelihood is that you will be faced with a highly organized interview. Read more here.
