What To Do (And Not Do) To Rock Your Next IT Interview
Vincent Benjamin

Are you ready to get that IT job offer? If so, there is no better time than the present to get your interviewing skills sharpened and ready for your first test as a potential employee. Trust us, they already like your skills and think you have something to bring to the table, or they wouldn’t have called you from your resume. So now it is time to wow them and make sure they know they can’t be successful without you on their team. Here are the things you should, and shouldn’t, do on your next interview.

  • Be the geek you know you are. You love technology. There was a spark somewhere in your career that drove you to pursuing IT. So, don’t be afraid to demonstrate that to the interviewer. They want to hire people who are passionate about the work.
  • Don’t be creepy about it. Sometimes geekiness comes with some awkwardness, so it is also important that you know where to draw the line. Don’t go overboard with your knowledge or go off track too far with the things you love that are unrelated.
  • Dress professionally. Always treat the interview professionally. Men, wear a suit and tie. Women, wear a classic suit or blouse and skirt or pants with limited accessories. You want them to remember you, not your clothes.
  • Don’t ignore instructions. However, if the environment is casual and the interview expressly instructs you to arrive to the interview with jeans or non-suit clothes, don’t ignore their directions. They may be testing you to see if you do what they ask.
  • Be honest and confident. You want to demonstrate that you know what you’re doing, but don’t go beyond your own skills. You can be confident that you will be able to learn something or pick up new skills along the way, but never lie.
  • Don’t self-deprecate. By the same token, don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the trap of minimizing your accomplishments. Own them. Don’t give away credit. Don’t add a “but” to the description of your successes.
  • Do your homework. Before you go on the interview, make sure that you’ve researched the company. You want to know what they do, their history, and how this position fits into the corporate structure.
  • Don’t do too much homework. Do not internet stalk you interviewer before the meeting. Searching LinkedIn is one thing, but scrolling through their Facebook photos is another. Keep all of your research professional.

Are you ready to ace your next IT interview? VincentBenjamin is hiring for IT jobs today – so contact one of our IT recruiters located in Phoenix, Orange County, Los Angeles or Denver.

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