🚀Entering Tech #012: How to ace your job interview

Here are today’s trivia questions. It’s inspired by the crazy activities that shock us every day.

So you applied for your first tech job and have been invited for an interview; what next?

Like the talking stage, the interview stage is where you and your prospective employers get to know each other a little better.

Unlike the talking stage though, things in the interview stage move a lot faster and the questions asked are critical and straightforward. 

It’s during this stage that prospective employers will also find out if you’re a culture fit for their organisation. 

💡JSYK: Culture is the way people act and think in an organisation. It encompasses a lot of things, including the way managers give feedback, how employees relate to one another, and even the kind of activities people do at work. It’s all culture, and each company has its own. A good company culture eats strategy for breakfast, and companies make sure that whoever they employ is an excellent fit for theirs.

Your CV tells prospective employers if they should consider you, but interviews are really what convinces them. Not only will they get to see if everything you said on your CV is true, but they’ll also discover if your personality fits their culture.

So how can you ace your interview? That’s what we’ll figure out in this edition of #EnteringTech🚀.

1. 👀 Stalk the company

The first step to acing your interview is preparation. This means learning about the company you’re applying to, the role you’re applying for and even your prospective co-workers.

Showing up to an interview without knowing what the company does gives a bad impression. Without preparation, you won’t be able to answer questions on how you can contribute to the company, and you’ll basically be telling the recruiters they’re not worth your time.

So stalk your prospective employers. They’ve read your CV and looked at your profile—return the favour.

Take a couple of hours to go through their website, LinkedIn profiles, media kits and any resources that can tell you what the company does and how you can fit in.

This involves a number of things.

First, reach out to the interviewers and ask if you can get an outline of the interview. If they can’t share that, then work out a mini-outline for yourself. Write down key points about yourself and your work history that you can talk about.

You’ll also want to make sure that all the devices you need for the interview are functioning perfectly. With the way MTN is not everywhere you go, and Glo flows without pride, it’s best to have up to two internet service providers ready for the day.

Make sure your camera is working properly, and that you find a quiet spot where you won’t be interrupted. 

3. 📑 Ask questions

Interviews are two-way streets.

They’re a way for companies to appraise your value and history, and you can also use them to learn about the company too.

The company is shopping for a new employee, and you’re shopping for a new place of work. Make sure to ask questions about the company’s work ethics and style. 

Asking questions solves two things: they help you learn about the company, and they show recruiters that you’re interested in the role. 

Here’s a list of questions that you can adapt for your interview:

• What does success in this role look like? This helps you understand what you need to do to succeed.

• Can you walk me through my first 30, 60, and 90 days at work? What will I achieve in my first quarter? This helps visualise your first tasks. The first three months at a new job can be challenging but having a preview of your tasks will help alleviate anxiety.

• Is this a new role or a replacement? If it’s a new role, why did the company create the role? If it’s an old role, how did my predecessor succeed at the role and why did they leave? This question helps you understand how you will fit into the business goals of the company. It shows you your place in the company.

• Other than the salary, are there any other benefits available to employees? Health insurance, pension, employee stock options, even pizza parties and unlimited paid leave days are benefits that can make working at a company even more rewarding.

• Who will I be reporting to? How best can I communicate with my manager? This will show help you know how best to foster a relationship with your manager and teammates.