This is it, the time has finally come. You’ve landed an interview for the role of your dreams. Perhaps you haven’t been to an interview in a long time, or you’re making the transition from a larger company to a smaller one. This is not the time to cross your fingers and hope it works out. Luck isn’t enough. If you want to nail your interview, here's what you need to know.
You probably don't need to wear a suit. Long gone are the days when a full suit and tie were required to make a lasting impression. The focus is on your accomplishments, passions, and future aspirations. It’s about what you can bring to the table and not what brand of Italian-leather shoes you’ve got on.
Of course, this isn’t permission to show up in your pajamas. Do your research. Visit the company website and checkout their LinkedIn to see what type of office environment they promote. If everyone is going to work in jeans, you’re going to stand out like a sore thumb if you show up with a shiny new pair of cufflinks. For the most part, a simple business-casual look is all you need.
Get comfortable with panel interviews. There is a chance you’ll face the dreaded panel interview. If the thought of being interrogated by multiple people at once isn't your cup of tea, don't fret.
There’s a certain art to nailing your panel interview and it starts before you show up. If you can, find out exactly who is going to be there. Take five minutes of your time to review their backgrounds on LinkedIn and try and find some common ground that will serve as a starting point for a good conversation.
Be sure to engage with all the interviewers during your conversation. Maintain eye contact with everyone, even if they haven’t asked you a question. Refer to each interviewer by name every now and then, and address your questions to a specific individual rather than the group as a whole.
Sell yourself, not your resume. Your resume serves one purpose: to provide a little context regarding your hard skills and previous employment history. Do not reiterate what the interviewer can read. This is your time to elaborate on the key accomplishments you've outlined on your resume.
Think of answers to these types of questions for each position on your resume: What was the biggest obstacle you encountered? What technologies did you leverage? Who did you involve? How did you coordinate with others? Remember, the interview is your opportunity to showcase the intangibles that shouldn't be written on your resume - like that you're a 'good communicator' or 'friendly.' Show, don’t tell.
Don't be afraid to talk about what drives you and why this team needs you. Is there a passion project you have going on the side? Do you have ideas for their latest product or launch? Do you have any hobbies in common with the interviewers? What can you teach the team?
It’s about demonstrating what gets you out of bed every morning. Your skills are important, but employers want to know not just what you can do… they want to see who you are.
Yes, you should still follow up. This might be as old-school as it gets, but following up with your interviewer(s) after the meeting will put you in a different league. You don't need to mail a thank-you card - that's old-school - just send a quick email (individually!) to give your personal thanks. Bonus points if you reference a specific part of the conversation that was particularly well-received, such as an unexpected joke, a mutual acquaintance, or a book recommendation.
The tech world is smaller than you think. Always put your best foot forward. Even if the opportunity doesn't work out, you never know who you might run into again down the line.