Post by Admin on Nov 14, 2012 18:52:51 GMT -5
1. If you are asked during an interview to think out loud, please do just that and do not make the interviewer ask again. This is very typical of interviews where questions are asked not necessarily in order to determine the correctness of the answer but rather to assess the candidate's thought process. If you are unsure of something e.g. a specific product, let them know honestly and then proceed to offer an answer based on a hypothetical set of conditions (e.g. Question: Test a toaster. Answer: I have never seen or used a toaster but if it comes with a door then I would do ABC, and if it had plastic casing then I would do XYZ ...)
Two big mistakes candidates naturally make at interviews are:
a) Assuming conditions / parameters (e.g. when a question asks "How would you test a toaster?", the interviewer first expects the smart interviewee to ask back "Are there any given specifications? Is this a battery operated toaster? Is this meant for local use or for export (voltage differences)? Is this a single or double slot toaster? Is this a toy or a kitchen appliance? In other words, make sure not to overlook the obvious.
b) Depth of answer / Running out of ideas. A good rule of thumb when answering a question is always to break things into 3 parts:
* make a point (what needs doing)
* explain rationale behind the point (why it needs doing)
* give examples to illustrate the point (how it could be done)
Repeat the steps for each item in your answer. Imagine the customer you are helping is on the other end of the telephone line and you need them to be your eyes in describing the problem encountered and then you need to guide them step by step through the solution.
NEVER tell the interviewer you have run out of ideas / examples or "That’s all I can think of ..." That would be giving up.
2. Show enthusiasm for the position!
3. Study before the interview and visit company websites to find out as much information as possible. Ramp up on all skills that you need to brush up on prior to interviewing. This is a common mistake among potential candidates.
4. Ask questions! Managers like to think you are excited about their group and what they are doing. After all, you are often working with cutting edge technologies that have not yet been released.
5. Dress accordingly. No t-shirts with slogans, jeans or dirty tennis shoes.
Two big mistakes candidates naturally make at interviews are:
a) Assuming conditions / parameters (e.g. when a question asks "How would you test a toaster?", the interviewer first expects the smart interviewee to ask back "Are there any given specifications? Is this a battery operated toaster? Is this meant for local use or for export (voltage differences)? Is this a single or double slot toaster? Is this a toy or a kitchen appliance? In other words, make sure not to overlook the obvious.
b) Depth of answer / Running out of ideas. A good rule of thumb when answering a question is always to break things into 3 parts:
* make a point (what needs doing)
* explain rationale behind the point (why it needs doing)
* give examples to illustrate the point (how it could be done)
Repeat the steps for each item in your answer. Imagine the customer you are helping is on the other end of the telephone line and you need them to be your eyes in describing the problem encountered and then you need to guide them step by step through the solution.
NEVER tell the interviewer you have run out of ideas / examples or "That’s all I can think of ..." That would be giving up.
2. Show enthusiasm for the position!
3. Study before the interview and visit company websites to find out as much information as possible. Ramp up on all skills that you need to brush up on prior to interviewing. This is a common mistake among potential candidates.
4. Ask questions! Managers like to think you are excited about their group and what they are doing. After all, you are often working with cutting edge technologies that have not yet been released.
5. Dress accordingly. No t-shirts with slogans, jeans or dirty tennis shoes.