So I have an interview....

[TwiceOver]

I never said I didn't have any IT skills, their requirements are just silly. They want a front end web developer, back end developer, graphic designer, video producer, PC support tech, app developer, and more all in one. I've done a lot of this stuff before, but am by no means a master of most of it.

It's called "Jack of all, Master of nothing". It's a good way into the IT field, but not a way to make the big bucks. Do this type of job for a while, but learn 2 or 3 really big technology skills and hunt for jobs specializing in those requirements. That's where the big bucks are at.

 

[CountZero]

Thank you. I can't remember how many times I've read people post here about how a suit is uncomfortable so they don't wear one, or that they think it'll be ok since the company is laid back, etc.

For tech jobs it is ok, you do not need to wear a suit. No one cares. You are ok because it is a tech job.

It doesn't hurt but it is far from necessary and if you don't currently have one rushing to get a cheap and likely ill fitting suit is a huge waste. Showing up in a good dress shirt is significantly better than a cheap suit.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

For tech jobs it is ok, you do not need to wear a suit. No one cares. You are ok because it is a tech job.

It doesn't hurt but it is far from necessary and if you don't currently have one rushing to get a cheap and likely ill fitting suit is a huge waste. Showing up in a good dress shirt is significantly better than a cheap suit.

There is a reason why certain people won't get too far in life....

 

[MrDudeMan]

There is a reason why certain people won't get too far in life....

I disagree. I interviewed and received offers from several huge tech companies for moderately high dollar engineering positions after showing up in khakis and a dress shirt with no tie. I did have nice shoes on, but I doubt that made the difference. They were far more interested in my abilities than my clothing. I interview people for engineering jobs semi-frequently and no one shows up in a suit. Ever. It would be awkward because everyone in the tech industry is lucky if their coworkers wear shoes. Work environments that aren't customer visible have changed a lot in the last 20 years.

With that said, if you aren't completely sure how to dress, it's certainly not going to hurt you to dial it up a little. Don't wear a tux, but you get the idea. I definitely don't think a suit is necessary.

 

[SockHaser]

I've only ever had three other interviews and they were all for retail so at the very least this will be a good learning opportunity for me.

 

[MrDudeMan]

I've only ever had three other interviews and they were all for retail so at the very least this will be a good learning opportunity for me.

It will be great experience. You should ask someone to fake interview you before the real one. Seriously, a huge piece of the decision is if you present yourself well. You also have to prove your baseline skill level is sufficient to be considered, but there are factors beyond that. If it's ever a close call, I'll definitely pick the person who looked more prepared even if they lack some of the required experience. A teachable person is worth a whole hell of a lot more than an experienced person who thinks they know everything. Convey that you have a teachable spirit and show passion for the work.

 

[CountZero]

There is a reason why certain people won't get too far in life....

Yeah I suppose the multiple offers I've gotten without a suit would indicate that...

In my experience the only people that wear a suit to a tech interview are fresh graduates.

If you are interviewing for a more business oriented role or a customer facing role than a suit is likely the rule but for a tech role it isn't even a little necessary.

 

[Sonikku]

You have to bullshit them. Google the companies name and check out their website. Read up on their mission statement and in the interview when they ask you what your goal/passion/why you want to work here ect simply reiterate the mission statement back in your own words, like you actually believe in the company line. Also look at what products they sell and think about ways they are useful and helpful to their customers. It also probably wouldn't be a bad idea to learn the names of some of the big wigs in the hierarchy and a generalized summary of the companies history if they have it listed.

Also if you don't know anything, try to sell it as an asset instead of a liability. Stress that you haven't yet had a chance to pick up any bad habits at other companies and will learn to do everything from the ground up just the way the company wants them done. Businesses love drones that perform tasks as instructed to the letter, regardless of any potentially less costly or more efficient alternatives.

 

[Udgnim]

interview is actually in-person and not phone?

 

[MustISO]

It would help to see the job posting and your resume but BS and quick learner will only get you so far. We typically do a standard interview and then have people white board answers/diagrams or have them sit with some engineers for an hour actually doing the work. Many people can fake the answers but it's much harder to fake your way through the work.

 

[SockHaser]

interview is actually in-person and not phone?

Yeah in person.


So when people say to bring copies of my resume with, what do I do with them, hand them out to the interviewers?

Here's the listing
http://jobview.monster.com/Computer...y-Mathematical-Job-Chandler-AZ-122818489.aspx

Honestly my resume is really shitty and I didn't expect to get any response from my application.

 

[HN]

"What would you say is one of your weaknesses?"

"hmmm...i'd say i'm really honest"

"We don't think that's a weakness"

"I don't give a fuck what you think"

 

[zinfamous]

If you can't dazzle them with your brilliance...baffle them with your bullshit.

....and your penis. don't forget the penis.

 

[zinfamous]

"What would you say is one of your weaknesses?"

"hmmm...i'd say i'm really honest"

"We don't think that's a weakness"

"I don't give a fuck what you think"

 

[SockHaser]

....and your penis. don't forget the penis.

I can't dazzle with that. I'm Asian

Baffle on the other hand might be possible...



Do you bring reference lists to interviews? They never asked for any during the application process

 

[Schfifty Five]

Yeah in person.


So when people say to bring copies of my resume with, what do I do with them, hand them out to the interviewers?

Here's the listing
http://jobview.monster.com/Computer...y-Mathematical-Job-Chandler-AZ-122818489.aspx

Honestly my resume is really shitty and I didn't expect to get any response from my application.

You bring extra resumes in case the main interviewer lost yours, does not have a copy handy, or never got one from HR. You also bring extra in case other interviewers come in and interview you.

Just hold onto them in your leather folder/portfolio until some topic of conversation regarding your resume begins.

 

[quakefiend420]

Yeah in person.


So when people say to bring copies of my resume with, what do I do with them, hand them out to the interviewers?

Here's the listing
http://jobview.monster.com/Computer...y-Mathematical-Job-Chandler-AZ-122818489.aspx

Honestly my resume is really shitty and I didn't expect to get any response from my application.

am i the only one that thinks that 50K is a bit low for that skillset?

 

[TechAZ]

Keep this thread updated, this is interesting to me as I'm planning on switching careers into IT and it seems like almost all lvl 1 jobs have "requirements" that seem ridiculous.

Normally I don't click on these threads or links within, surprised to see this is a place in Chandler where I live.

 

[Phoenix86]

So they want an app dev/web admin/PC tech/graphics designer all in one? LOL

 

[SockHaser]

Interview is tomorrow (today?), wish me luck guys

Also, thank you for your advice everyone, I really appreciate it!

 

[Ancalagon44]

Tell them you are willing to do anything to get the job and make sure to wink while you say that.

 

[SearchMaster]

It's for a college - education jobs are a different bird in my experience.

Confidence is the most important thing to present - if you really have done all the skills on the list then you're ahead of most. They obviously aren't going to find someone who has mastered everything on the list for $50K/yr, it's just not going to happen. But if you're eager to learn and a curious enough person to have independently tackled those challenges before, you should stand a very good chance of getting the job. Just remember - there is no challenge you can't handle given the opportunity.

edit - misread the listing, but it's still in the education industry, I've found academic types value attitude over experience

 

[SockHaser]

Well i think I fucked that up They didn't ask many questions but my brain managed to freeze up on the two technical ones they did ask

 

[Saint Nick]

Don't sweat it. At least say its some interviewing experience. I once went into an interview, and in the middle of the interview, they started laughing at me. In retrospect, I now know why (I sounded like a try-hard).

Obviously didn't get the job. But was a good experience.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Well i think I fucked that up They didn't ask many questions but my brain managed to freeze up on the two technical ones they did ask

Give us more details.