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Job Interview Questions and Tips
Insource.ICT finds IT jobs for IT people…
If you’re looking for a IT job, you probably have loads of questions that you’d like to ask us.
We’ve tried to answer all of the general ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ that we receive in this section.
If you can’t find an answer to your question here, please contact us directly.Questions:
- How should I prepare for an interview?
- What questions can I expect to be asked?
- What should I wear?
- What documentation should I take with me?
- How do I handle salary issues?
- How do I handle a panel interview?
- What should I do at the end of an interview?
- Should I follow up with the client after the interview?
- What if I don't like the job after the interview?
- Can you help me with my interview technique?
Q: How should I prepare for an interview?
An interview is an opportunity to sell yourself and to gather as much information about your potential employer as possible. Remember, this is your chance to decide whether this is the right career opportunity for you.
A few hints:
Research the company: Most companies have websites brimming with information about who they are and what they do. This is your best source of information.
Network: Use your network of friends to find someone who has inside knowledge of the company and pick their brain. However, it’s important to remember that each person's perception of a company is different. Listen to what the person has to say, and then go along to the interview and make up your own mind. Don't let negative comments stand in the way of a brilliant career opportunity - you may not experience the environment in the same way.
Prepare a list of open questions to ask the interviewer. These questions should focus on the potential that the job and company have to offer. Don't focus on company benefits and leave offered - you'll create the wrong impression immediately.
Questions you could ask include:
What is the most difficult aspect of this job - what is the biggest challenge?
How do you think that I could add the most value to your team?
How could I improve on the performance of the person who held this position before?
What expertise or skills do you think are the most necessary to ensure success in this job?
What is the first problem that I will be solving?
Are there any set criteria for promotion - or are promotions purely merit based?
What are your future growth plans for this division/company?
How do you measure performance?
Q: What questions can I expect to be asked?
Always find out what position your interviewer holds in the company. This will give you an idea of the types of questions that you can expect to be asked in the interview. The Human Resources Manager is likely to focus on questions relating to your personality and ability to fit into the company's culture, while the Line Manager is more likely to focus on your IT skills and your ability to do the job.
In the past few years, many companies have started using technical tests in the interviewing process. Don't panic - most often, these tests are used only to assess your level of skill. The interviewer is not trying to catch you out!
Questions you could be asked include:
What do you know about our company?
Tell me about yourself? Caution: Briefly describe your career to date, highlighting your achievements.
What is the most difficult situation that you have had to face and how did you handle it?
How do you think that you could add value to our company?
Why do you feel that you are right for this job?
How do you handle confrontation?
What has been your greatest triumph and why?
What has been your greatest disappointment and why?
Conservative is best. Even if the company's dress code is casual, always dress smartly for an interview. Taking time over your appearance gives the right impression.
Don'ts:
Don't wear a brightly coloured suit - a dark suit and tie are best.
Don't wear a comical or joke tie - stick to solid patterns and colours.
Don't wear white socks - dark, preferably black, is best.
Don't wear an extremely short skirt or low cut top - it's important to look professional.
Don't wear scuffed and dirty shoes - polish your shoes before the interview.
Don't wear excessive jewellery - this includes nose and ear rings.
Do:
Understand the environment and offer to tame unruly hair/ remove piercings if the situation warrants it.
Q: What documentation should I take with me?
All of your documentation will be sent to the client by Insource.ICT before your interview, so there’s no need to worry about taking anything with you.
Q: How do I handle salary issues?
The golden rule is: Be honest and realistic.
You may have decided to change jobs because you'd like to earn more, but be very careful that you are not pricing yourself out of the market - or asking for less than you are worth.
Always have your current salary breakdown available when you go on an interview. Make sure that the information in this breakdown is correct and that it accurately reflects your annual cost to company package. If you are not certain what this is, sit down before the interview and work it out. Talk to your HR Department for information if you need to.
Remember, if you give the wrong information in an interview situation, you will lose credibility when the mistake is discovered - and it will be.
Salary terms:
Cost to company: The price your company pays annually to employ you. Cost to company includes your cash package, your car allowance, the total cost of your medical aid and pension - including your company's contribution, any other allowances - including petrol and cell phone, cost of your study bursary. The list is endless and all things must be considered. Ask your Insource.ICT consultant for help if you are uncertain.
Nett salary: Your after-tax salary.
Q: How do I handle a panel interview?
Most of us know the feeling. You arrive for your interview, nervous, but outwardly calm - only to be faced with a whole room full of people, all firing questions at you at the same time.
There is an advantage to this. A panel interview often means a shorter interview process - and a quicker decision.
A few hints:
Introduce yourself to, and shake hands with, each panel member at the start of the interview.
Listen to each question carefully and take time to consider your answer before speaking.
Maintain eye contact with your questioner and complete your answer before moving on to the next question.
If you have not heard a question clearly, ask for it to be repeated. Don't try to answer questions that you have not heard clearly.
Shake hands with, and thank, each panel member at the end of the interview.
Q: What should I do at the end of an interview?
The interview has gone well. You're interested in the job and the interviewer has given you positive signals. How do you end the interview?
A few hints:
Always shake the interviewer's hand firmly and thank him or her for taking time to interview you.
Express your interest in the position. Interviewers are often not able to gauge your levels of interest properly, particularly if you are nervous. People like to be liked - and interviewers are no exception. Mention that you would be interested in taking the process further.
The interview is not over until you have left the premises. Be polite to the receptionist and security gate guard - they will mention rude behaviour to the decision maker.
Q: Should I follow up with the client after the interview?
Do not phone the client - unless you have been given permission to do so by your Consultant.
Endless calls from different sources will annoy the client and will potentially ruin your chances of landing your dream job.
Leave feedback and negotiation up to your Consultant. She is well aware of your needs - which she will have probed during your interview. She will get you the best deal possible.
Your Consultant is always available to you. Call her with any questions, issues or problems - she is your sounding board throughout the recruitment process.
Q: What if I don't like the job after the interview?
The interview is your opportunity to gather as much information about the company and the job as possible. You’re under no obligation to accept any IT job that may be offered to you.
We’ll call you after the interview to find out how it went and to give you feedback from our client.
If you decide that the job isn’t right for you or if you need more information, talk to us and we’ll help you.
Q: Can you help me with my interview technique?
Yes. We will guide you and give you advice about how to handle yourself in each interview.
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