Interviewing

Interviewing for a job

One of the hardest parts of working is getting the job in the first place.  Most high tech, white collar companies have a rigorous job applicant, interviewing
process.  Making it through this gauntlet is essential, if you don’t you won’t need the rest of this blog’s advice.  Just kidding, the success rate in an interview is probably at best 25%.  There are other companies to interview
with.  So go out and keep interviewing for the type of job you want.

The first step is to be granted an interview.  In my experience the best way to get an interview is through networking.  This is the network of school
mates, workers from past companies, your parents’ friends and their co-workers, and the rapidly expanding network opportunities on social media.  Do not neglect any and all possibilities.  I don’t think random resume submissions work,
although most larger companies do have on line job openings listed on their company web sites.  Check them out and submit your resume, but it is much more effective if you know someone who works at the company and they can tell the hiring manager about
you and show them your resume.  The availability of job openings is also a very strong function of the economic climate.  Sometimes it just stinks.  Be brave, hang in there, it will improve.  Silicon Valley just went from no jobs available
2 years ago to now if you can fog a mirror you can get a job. 

The resume – lots have been written about the resume.  It is important that it be strong, concise, accurate, be written in good, correct English and in descending
chronological order.  It will be the main tool that the interviewing folks will use to question you about your past.  Highlight your successes, be ready to explain why you left your past companies or are looking to leave.  You will probably
have no more than 1 hour with each of the interviewing people.  You will also probably have to explain the same things several times to the different interviewing people. 

In the interview, be as positive as possible.  Do
not complain about your past positions, managers, co-workers, working environment.  I have found that a very good thing to do is to take control of the interview.  How do you do that?  Bring examples of what you have done in past jobs. 
Obviously don’t bring company private information, but there can be good examples of your past work that will be of interest to the interviewing people and company. 

When I was interviewing for a job as a VP for quality and
reliability, I directed the interviewers to open the web site of the company I had previously worked for, and showed them the on-line product quality and reliability data, and the extensive explanation of the way the data was taken and what it meant. 
I had written all of that, it was in the public domain as it was on their web site, and I got the job. 

I got another job after bringing in several small samples of the hardware that my group had designed and developed.  If the
product is too large to bring it with you, bring pictures.   Having something to look at, to hold and to talk about keeps you in control of the interview. 

If you are just starting out in business you probably have papers
you have written for your college or school classes.  Bring them, be ready to explain them. 

Before going to the interview do as much research as you can about the company.  Know the company’s size, their products,
the people, the locations, the customers.  Know as much as possible.  You never know when and with what knowledge you can impress your interviewer.

Be prepared with good questions to ask the interviewer.  I use to always
end my interview of an applicant by asking them if they have any questions for me.  I was usually disappointed if they didn’t – not enough curiosity or interest.  Result – no job offer.