by Mark Wehmhoefer

Before the Interview

When you set an interview date, prepare for it!

Get your best suit cleaned and polish your shoes! Even if the company advertises casual work, do NOT show up without a suit and tie.

The web is full of tips on pre-interview info, face to face interviews, follow-up, etc. so try your favorite search engine to find those web sites.

Go to the company web site! You are working in the computer field aren't you? Write down interesting information and questions you will want to ask the interviewers.

Study for your technical test! When I was interviewing permanent employees, I always gave a one hour written exam. It weeded out the candidates that were close calls. While you may think you're the world's greatest (fill in your best skill), bone up anyway! A great book that is absolutely required to pick up is:

Ace the Technical Interview : How to Get the Best Job in the Computer Industry Includes Y2K Job Opportunities 2000 Answer Tough Questions

Michael F. Rothstein; Paperback

It's chock full of great technical questions on many subject like MVS, Unix, RS/60000, Oracle, CICS, DB2, Client/Server, OOPS, C++, Cobol II, Delphi, Sybase, Visual Basic, WWW, and more! . I read the section on SYBASE which pulled me through a one hour verbal test for a SQL Server DBA position. I got the job!

Make a copy of your references, education and salary history. You may have to fill out an employment form.

Make at least 5 copies of your latest resume and remember to bring them with you.

Talk with your recruiter. Make sure you discuss who does the salary negotiation. A good recruiter will prepare you for the interview.

Prepare for the standard questions like:

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

What are your likes and dislikes?

Explain your background in 5 minutes.

Prepare for the unusual and tough questions like:

Can you teach me a technical skill that you have?

What steps do you take to resolve a technical problem?

How do you handle difficult internal or external customers? Give 2 examples. What was the outcome of the situations?

Talk with your recruiter. Make sure you discuss who does the salary negotiation. A good recruiter will prepare you for the interview.

Day of the Interview Tips

Take 5 copies of your latest resume.

Bring your copy of references, education and salary history. You may have to fill out an employment form.

Get to the interview early (no excuses - even a winter snow storm should not make you late).

Face to Face Interview Tips

Act naturally, be honest, keep smiling and relax - It's only a job.

Look at each person as you speak. Acknowledge the interviewer as they speak.

Ask for the business card of everyone you have interviewed.

Be sure you tell the interviewers that you saw their web site info. It will show your interest in the company. Make sure you read enough on the web site to answer questions about the company!

Make sure you get all the information you need to accept any future salary offer. However, do not fire off a billion questions about the benefit package. Ask each interviewer what they think is the best company benefit.

Do not discuss salary or bonus on the first interview. If you have a recruiter, you should have discussed who will do the salary negotiation yesterday.

Remember the company and your future manager are selling themselves to you as well as you are selling yourself to them.

No interview is a bad interview. You should always learn something about yourself.

After the Interview

Fax or email a thank you letter to everyone that interviewed you.

Some companies will require a drug screening, background check, physical, credit check, etc. Make sure you make those appointments on time too!

Respond promptly to all job offers.

Continue your search until you have a firm salary offer and you have accepted all its terms.

Nothing is over till it's over!