Succeeding in job interviews

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Technical job interviews can be very demanding, and some have quite specific requirements. Finding the right jobs to apply for in the first place can be challenging! This job provides some tips and resources to help.

Prerequisites: N/A
Learning outcomes:
  • Effective strategies for job searching.
  • Developing qualities for that employers look for.
  • Selling yourself to would-be employers.
  • Preparing yourself for job interviews.

Effective strategies for job searching

  • Learn effective strategies for job searching. For example:
  • Attend networking events and job fairs to meet potential employers.
  • Keep an inventory of the people you meet and the companies you apply to.
  • Follow up with any promising leads you meet.

Developing qualities for that employers look for

Be aware of the attributes that hiring managers look for in a candidate and prepare accordingly:

  • Someone they can get along with.
  • Positive attitude, respectful, empathic, constructive.
  • Open-minded and works well in a diverse team with diverse viewpoints.
  • Graceful when a decision does not go their way, able to align for the greater good.
  • Good communicator and relationship builder.
  • Tenacious, focused, good problem solver.
  • Having a good portfolio.

Finding work experience

TODO

Selling yourself to would-be employers

  • Create a portfolio.
  • Build the perfect resumé.
  • Get experience — build real projects and contribute to open source.
  • Build your online persona.
  • Use sites like LinkedIn to help with the above.

Preparing yourself for job interviews

  • Be aware of the kinds of questions and tests you will come across.
  • Practice writing answers for coding and design interview questions.
  • Build a collection of anecdotes to use for experience-based interview questions.
  • Be patient. Even the best candidates will get rejections from multiple job applications before they land the job they want.

See also