Saturday, May 30, 2020

Two Things You Do That Bug Recruiters

Two Things You Do That Bug Recruiters I know, I know, you dont love recruiters. You are confused because they are supposedly there to help you, but they seem like they are part of the resume black hole. They dont share much information, and rarely get back to you. This was my experience.  I did not understand the recruiter / candidate (you, the job seeker, are the candidate) role.  I thought there were there to help me find a job, or to find one for me.  Indeed, thats not how it works at all. If you are frustrated with recruiters, you need to read this post: How Come Recruiters Never Call Me Back? CAUTION: SPOILER ALERT ITS YOU!.  Dan Levine shares two frustrations that recruiters have when they contact you. The first is when you immediately ask who is the client?  They sometimes cant tell you, but thats the main thing you want to talk about.  Dan shares a great idea on how what you should do, instead of letting this be the stumbling block (read it here). The second is when you ask about the compensation package.  I know why we do this.  If a recruiter calls and wants to offer me a job for $x, and I need to make $y or $z, it doesnt make sense to talk much about that job, right?  Right! Dan is suggesting that we (job seekers) take a different approach (read it here). I agree with him. I wish recruiters would be more open about the compensation, but whether they are or not, we need to start looking at recruiters as really good networking contacts, not just a tool. A really good networking contact is a long-term relationship, not dependent on the one job that they called us about.  As Dan says, perhaps give them a referral instead of brushing them off.  You do that enough times and you should have a recruiter that thinks you are pretty cool, and might go the extra mile for you. Two Things You Do That Bug Recruiters I know, I know, you dont love recruiters. You are confused because they are supposedly there to help you, but they seem like they are part of the resume black hole. They dont share much information, and rarely get back to you. This was my experience.  I did not understand the recruiter / candidate (you, the job seeker, are the candidate) role.  I thought there were there to help me find a job, or to find one for me.  Indeed, thats not how it works at all. If you are frustrated with recruiters, you need to read this post: How Come Recruiters Never Call Me Back? CAUTION: SPOILER ALERT ITS YOU!.  Dan Levine shares two frustrations that recruiters have when they contact you. The first is when you immediately ask who is the client?  They sometimes cant tell you, but thats the main thing you want to talk about.  Dan shares a great idea on how what you should do, instead of letting this be the stumbling block (read it here). The second is when you ask about the compensation package.  I know why we do this.  If a recruiter calls and wants to offer me a job for $x, and I need to make $y or $z, it doesnt make sense to talk much about that job, right?  Right! Dan is suggesting that we (job seekers) take a different approach (read it here). I agree with him. I wish recruiters would be more open about the compensation, but whether they are or not, we need to start looking at recruiters as really good networking contacts, not just a tool. A really good networking contact is a long-term relationship, not dependent on the one job that they called us about.  As Dan says, perhaps give them a referral instead of brushing them off.  You do that enough times and you should have a recruiter that thinks you are pretty cool, and might go the extra mile for you.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Networking Id rather eat my own shoes, thanks University of Manchester Careers Blog

Networking I’d rather eat my own shoes, thanks … University of Manchester Careers Blog ‘Professional’. ‘Networking’. Two words that strike fear into the core of any sane individual. The title of this blog is a direct quote from a successful, experienced professional who I was out networking with but we call it going for beers or ‘grabbing a coffee’, depending on the mood and time of day. Between academic study, a social life, sports and society commitments, a regular slot at the gym, plus usual daily stuff, who in their right mind would willingly give up precious time to attend a session or situation where we have to mingle with strangers and make uncomfortable small talk. Networking is much, much maligned, and Im starting to feel a little bit sorry for it like someone you have always found irritating but on mature reflection realise actually they’re not nearly as bad as you thought.  There is no magic to it. It’s not rocket science. It’s not that we can’t grasp the basic principles of it â€" we know what it is … we just can’t seem to DO IT. What’s that all about? The shocking, hidden truth about networking is that it is about being sociable and having a chat. Er …. that’s it, really. However, this simple human instinct has morphed into something that makes us feel ever so slightly inadequate. Am I good at networking? How can I tell? Will I otherwise die friendless and penniless? Frankly, we are all at it pretty much all the time. Youre at it while you are going about the daily business of life  chatting to course-mates,   academics, to the guys that serve you coffee, on the bus. Whoever you meet all networking.   At the gym, waiting for the train, in the pub. At work, chatting to colleagues.  Old friends, new friends, social networking friends. Its everywhere and nowhere. My point about all this is this lets relax. People love to be asked about what they do, what they know and how they think. There is nothing skilful in getting out into a room full of people, and asking people questions about themselves …. thats the enjoyable part, and human nature is programmed to respond to interest with interest. Be interested, and amazing things will happen. You will be interesting, simple as that. People who say they are not good at networking are, in my experience, the very ones who are excellent. Why? Because they use ears (2) and mouth (1) in the proportions as allocated to the human body. As a result, new and interesting stuff can be learned about other people, which can be shared with, well, other people. If you are able to avoid questions relating to traffic (isn’t it shocking) and the weather (what happened to summer?), then you are already way ahead of the game and will be immediately rated the ‘Rooms Most Fascinating Person’. So â€" get busy being interested. Keep socialising. Then keep in touch send people articles you found out they were interested in, introduce them to people in your circle who might be interested. And so it goes on.  Start today with the guys serving you coffee or the people you encounter but have perhaps never really spoken to. Have a chat. Ask a question, show some interest. You never know what they might know.. Bernadette Lyons Careers Consultant All Graduate Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted careers employability job hunting networking

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Why the Good Survive and the Best Enjoy Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Why the Good Survive and the Best Enjoy Success - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I believe there’s a list in the universe like the one we believe Santa keeps all year. At his annual retreat with senior elves, Santa wrestles with finite resources he allocates at the end of Q4, among all the good boys and girls. At work, the good get to come back next year, and keep doing what theyve done. In a metaphysical context, the list of deeds you’ve been racking up becomes a karmic accounting of your character. As such, you’d be worried not about this year or even next, but rather how you’ll fare in the coming lifetimes. If you own a business youre often basing what you can do in the afternoon, on what youve netted in the morning. So whether your perspective is today, this year, next year or a lifetime from now, it’s a good moment to take stock of yourself. We’re more than half past 2014. We’re just in time to ask whether you see evidence that your stock is worth investing in, or would an objective analyst recommend a sell order. I am mixing as many metaphors as I can, to help you consider two things. Thing One: Are you the person you wished you would be, when you made resolutions? Maybe those resolutions came at the beginning of this year, and maybe they are as old as a decade or more, when you thought a certain career or business would the highest and best use of you. Maybe you never got to do that thing you thought would be amazing, or maybe you did and now feel like it’s a failure, you’re a failure or the company you keep is failing you. The only three questions that matter right now are gross measures of success. Are you doing as good as you thought you would? Are you doing something better? Are you the best you can be? Thing Two: How are you going to approach the balance of this year? Take advantage of summer doldrums, before the bite of a crisp autumn apple seduces you into believing you’ll get moving after the holidays. Success never takes a holiday. It’s never too late or too early to take one hour to review your goals, revise your course and even plan for your next big move. You might do this each week â€" I do my own Is this success? assessment, each Friday at 3 PM PT. This meeting appears on my iCal calendar, permanently. If I have to move it, I get an automated prompt with one of the scariest messages I’ve ever received: Do you want to change all events in the future? Sometimes I do. Not just the weekly calendared hour with myself to ask “Is this success?” Sometimes I want to redefine success entirely. So I do. Perhaps you need to ask, with a blank paper in front of you: What is the best use of me? What is the depth of misery? What is the height of awesomeness? You and I grow up a little every day. It pays off to take stock of whether this is the best we can be, or is this just good enough â€" even when it’s a bit better than the last time we checked. Kick this day, this week, this year and your career into high gear. Set the best expectations for yourself. Revisit and repeat. Each week let your brain route the shortest, most joyful course to what you want. What you really, really want. When you take time to see yourself at your best, youre it.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

10 Best Resume Writing Services in Nashville, TN

10 Best Resume Writing Services in Nashville, TN Are you a Nashville job hunter? If so, you need a good resume.We’re talking, really good.Contrary to what tourists may think, we know that it’s not all fun and games in Nashvegas. When you’re looking for a job, it’s no light-hearted manner.Luckily, there’s help to be found… right in your backyard.There are Nashville resume writers who work day in and day out to provide clients with the best resumes that the city has to offer. With a standout resume, after all, the world is your oyster.Our list of the top 10 resume writing services in Nashville â€" as well as surrounding cities like Knoxville and Chattanooga â€" will have you singing the praises of the resume writers in Music City, USA.Best Resume Services in NashvilleIf you are in a hurry and don't want to read our detailed reviews below, here is a list of the Best Resume Writers in Nashville:Find My Profession (that's us!) Taste of Mind Consulting Executive Decisions Search Group Know Your Project Careers Plus Resumes AA A One Hour Resumes 1 Day Resume Vanderbilt Resumes Scenic City Staffing Resume Service The Resume ClinicAnd now for the detailed reviews...1. Find My ProfessionFind My Professionis not just a top-notch resume service available in Nashville. We are a global company headquartered in the US on a mission to master effective, ATS compatible resumes that convert into offers.A major perk of Find My Profession is that we are not a one-person shop.Collectively, our team of elite resume writers has experience in 85+ unique industries/professions. This allows us to assign you a professional writer (in the United States) based on your unique background and experience.We are also not a resume factory. We will never use “ghostwriters”. You will have your resume writer’s name, email, and phone number for direct communication.With 100+ 5-star reviews and a 60-day interview guarantee thatspeaks for itself, you can sleep easy knowing that your satisfaction is our #1 priority.Pros:Find My Profe ssion commits to working with each client until they are completely satisfied. Don’t worry about having a limited number of edits, or a set amount of time with your writer.Cons:Find My Profession is a virtual/online company. While we provide services in your city, we don’t have a physical office.Also, with a focus on more senior positions, our entry-level resume service may be a bit pricey for recent graduates.Turnaround: 3-5 business days. Can expedite to 2 business days.Cost: $395-$895Phone: (831) 888-0967Don't take our word for it, check out some of our 5-star reviews.Trustpilot2. Tate of Mind ConsultingTate of Mind Consulting is run by the business’ namesake, owner Kimberly Tate. Kimberly, who calls herself a “transformation specialist,” is a member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers Career Coaches. Additionally, she is a Certified Professional Resume Writer.Pros: Tate of Mind Consulting is a rather affordable resume writing service in Nashville. For jo b seekers on a budget, this is one of the lower-priced services on the list.Cons: The turnaround time for receiving for your shiny new resume is quite long.Turnaround: 1 week.Cost: $225+Phone number: (615) 585-73933. Executive Decisions Search GroupExecutive Decisions Search Group is a Nashville-based resume writing service that exclusively caters to executive-level clients. While their primary focus is as an executive search firm, they offer well-revered resume writing services.Pros: Because of their focus on executives, high-level professionals can feel confident that Executive Decisions Search Group will take their needs seriously.Cons: While they write great resumes, it’s admittedly not their primary focus.Turnaround: 7-10 days. $100 rush fee for 2-3 day delivery.Cost: $395Phone number: (615) 624-91994. Know You ProjectKnow You Project offers resume writing services as a part of their job seeker counseling. Based on a variety of tests and assessments on which they give to clie nts, the folks at Know You Project then decide how to best help you meet your career goals.Pros: They take a thorough approach to getting down to who you are at your professional core and thus where you’d succeed best moving forward in your career.Cons: Looking for a one-and-done service? Know You Project may not be the most ideal Nashville resume writing service in this case.Turnaround: Varies.Cost: Not stated.Phone number: (615) 476-00385. Careers Plus ResumesCareer Plus Resumes is a resume writing service that caters to the Smashville area. Beyond being reasonably priced, they offer no-obligation resume reviews for potential clients. That way, job seekers can see whether or not their resume needs a total overhaul in order to be more effective in the job search.Pros: Career Plus Resumes is super affordable! It’s a practical Nashville resume writing service for professionals on a budget.Cons: Their average rating on Yelp is just so-so, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you sh ouldn’t give them a try.Turnaround: 24-48 hours. Rush orders are available.Cost: $99-$229Phone number: (866) 788-89786. AAA One Hour ResumesAAA One Hour Resumes may not have the chicest name or website, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve a spot on our list of the top 10 resume writers in Nashville. This resume service has reviews that confirm it’s absolutely worth considering on your search for the perfect resume.Pros: Their website has not been updated in a while. Sounds like a con, right? Not exactly. What AAA One Hour Resumes lacks in a sharp website they make up for in the many happy clients who comment directly on the website’s blog about the quality of services they have received.Cons: They have a solid review average on Google, but as we just mentioned, their average rating on Yelp is not as hot. That being said, their Yelp rating is based on only 2 reviews, which doesn’t say too much. Plainly stated, the many positive Google reviews speak a bit louder. Turnaround: Not stated.Cost: Not stated.Phone: (615) 290-79787. 1-Day Resume1-Day Resume isn’t based in Nashville, but it’s a great regional service based out of Knoxville. With over 23 years in the resume writing game, 1-Day Resume’s history of writing A+ resumes is no joke.Pros: They have an enormous amount of public reviews from clients, all while maintaining a 5/5 star rating.Cons: They are not located in the heart of Nashville, so if you’re looking for a tried and true local resume writer this is a no-go.Turnaround: Based on their name, you’d think you’d receive your resume in one day. However, the turnaround time is not clear.Cost: “We are not a one-price fits all service.”Phone number: (865) 691-37968. Vanderbilt ResumesVanderbilt Resumes is another Knoxville resume writing service. But don’t you worry, this list is about the top 10 resume writers Nashville has to offer, and we haven’t forgotten that. Vanderbilt Resumes may be based a bit away, but that do esn’t mean that they’re not willing to work with you thanks to the magic of this thing called the Internet.Pros: They have got enough glowing reviews to instill you with the confidence to put your resume in their hands.Cons: Vanderbilt Resumes does have a few not-so-nice reviews, but no business can possibly satisfy every single client.Turnaround: 24 to 48 hours. Turnaround may take up to 72 hours if it is an executive resume.Cost: Not stated.Phone number: (865) 789-22249. Scenic City Staffing Resume ServiceScenic City Staffing Resume Service offers not only staffing services and job placement, but they also specialize in resume writing. If you’ve stumbled across this list of the top 10 Nashville resume writers but actually live near Chattanooga, you can head on in to their office and work with them directly.Pros: They will write the appropriate resume for your needs, whether that be a chronological, functional, or combination format. Not to mention, a 24-hour turnaround â€" without added fees â€" is pretty hard to beat.Cons: It is based in Chattanooga, although you may still utilize their services.Turnaround: 24 hours.Cost: Not stated.Phone number: (432) 208-980010. The Resume ClinicThe Resume Clinic consists of Nashville resume writers that also work with clients from other US cities. They have a fairly large reach while maintaining middle-of-the-road pricing and delivery times. This makes The Resume Clinic a viable resume writing service for people who don’t want to spend too much time (or wait too long), but don’t want to spend too little time or money either.Pros: Beyond their presence in Music City, The Resume Clinic has happy clients across the country.Cons: All of their reviews aren’t exactly stellar, but they’ve had enough happy clients to land them a spot in our top 10.Turnaround: 4-5 business days.Cost: $265-$595Phone number: (888) 291-9821This List Serves The Following Areas Near Nashville, Tennessee:Lexington, Waynesboro, Lawrenceb urg, Pulaski, Hohenwald, Columbia, Franklin, Brentwood, Camden, Paris, Waverly, Dickson, Fairview, Clarksville, Adams, Cedar Hill, Springfield, Greenbrier, Hendersonville, Lebanon, Shelbyville, Lynchburg, Tullahoma, Manchester, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Dayton, Athens, Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Jefferson City, Morristown, Kingsport, Johnson City, Morristown, Maryville, Crossville, Sparta, Smithville, McMinnville, Manchester, Murfreesboro, Cookeville, LivingstonBest Executive Resume ServiceNot worried about finding a local company? Want to work with the best of the best? Check out the Best Executive Resume Services.Best Resume Writing ServicesBy Major CityBelow you will find a handful of lists on all of the top-rated resume writing services we could find.Whether you are looking for a local resume writer to meet in person or you just want to work with a resume writer in a particular location, this list should help you find what you are looking for.Allentown Hartford Portland Atlanta Houston Providence Austin Indianapolis Richmond Boston Jacksonville Sacramento Bridgeport Kansas City Salt Lake City Buffalo Las Vegas San Antonio Charleston Los Angeles San Diego Charlotte Memphis San Francisco Chicago Miami San Jose Colorado Springs Milwaukee Seattle Columbus Minneapolis Silicon Valley Dallas Nashville St. Louis Denver New Orleans Tampa Detroit New York Tucson El Paso Orlando Ventura Fort Worth Philadelphia Virginia Beach Grand Rapids Phoenix Washington D.C.

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Resume Writing For Felons

Resume Writing For FelonsWhat can you do if you are trying to come up with a resume that is aimed at felons who have been discharged from prison? It is quite possible that you will find it a little difficult to do so. Keep reading this article and you will learn about the things that you should avoid when writing a resume for felons.Don't pay too much attention to grammar or style, because it is unlikely that they are going to go away, especially if you are using them as a crutch. Felons don't write as easily and won't be able to get around the problems they have, if the grammar is poor, they will have to change it, which will take time. Your resume is supposed to capture their potential in the eyes of the employer, so try not to let it.Make sure that the keywords that you use for your resume are relevant. For example, if you write about a construction project in Florida that you have worked on before, that may not seem very relevant to a criminal who has been charged with a felony f or defrauding people. It is therefore necessary to make sure that the job title you use for your resume and the type of property you are mentioning are relevant. This way, you will not only be giving the potential employer the information they need but you will also make sure that the job you are applying for has a vacancy.Try to use a font that is easy to read and choose words that are short and to the point. You want to put a lot of emphasis on what you are saying and at the same time you also want to make sure that you are describing what you do. When you talk about your past work experiences, stick to the topics that are important to you. You are trying to sell yourself here, so take note of what you want to sell and then make your statement as strong as possible.Felons who have been out of the system for quite some time may have had some trouble building trust with the employers they already had. Make sure that you are making that extra effort, especially in the area of present ation. Talk as if you were on a first name basis with the employer, to give the impression that you are capable of handling any kind of job.Tell the interviewer about your accomplishments in the past and how you have been successful in your projects. The fact that you have been dealing with felonies before shows that you are capable of taking care of yourself and showing a positive attitude. Try to keep this attitude up when you present your resume and you will be much more likely to get hired.Don't make up stories that you have seen on television or read in a magazine, even if they sound plausible, or just because they seem interesting. You are trying to get into a job that you want and make sure that the employers know that this is the truth. By telling a story that is based on your personal experiences, you will put the personality and qualities you have that made you qualified in the first place.These are all good advice when writing a resume for felons. By following them, you w ill be able to provide the best resume possible for the job you are applying for. The key to getting hired is to make sure that you use the appropriate words and to avoid things that are more common among felons.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Connect with Retainer Executive Recruiters - Hire Imaging

Connect with Retainer Executive Recruiters - Hire Imaging Have you decided to use retainer executive recruiters in your job search? These can include those large, medium-sized and “boutique” firms. There are numerous firms out there. Because retainer firms work only “on retainer,” each is filling a completely different list of jobs. You’ll have entirely non-overlapping exposure, even if you contact all of these firms. The bulk of firms are generalists and likely to conduct searches that interest you. Some are specialists. Do your research before you contact a firm not in your field. Many of these firms accept resumes by email. When you email, apply a “Dear Recruiters” email cover letter not addressed to any specific person in the firm. A growing number of these firms request that you visit their websites to input your information, even though they continue to accept email submissions. A rare few accept only on-paper mailings. If you decide to submit by postal mail, send to the firm’s home office and address your cover letter to a specific person. If a firm has multiple offices, use the home or corporate office. If there are cities with branch offices (with phone number and name of local manager), locally and nationally you can, if you like, phone and ask who specializes in your field. However, unless you’re trying to target a personal appointment, there’s no advantage. The firm’s internal process will typically redistribute your inquiry appropriately. Although not mandatory, you may decide to send an on-paper letter and resume to one person in each of a large firm’s offices. But also email the firm! If only an electronic file is kept, in a few weeks the papers will have served their purpose and be discarded. If papers are kept, extras will be discarded. Redundancy will not have any negative repercussions. It is easy to get overwhelmed by online lists. One of my favorite resources is Hunt Scanlon, the publisher of Executive Search Review’s Top 50 Recruiters https://huntscanlon.com/top-50/. This leadership intelligence company has covered the retained search industry for more than three decades and regularly produces detailed reports. Hunt Scanlon Media says it interfaces daily with more than 60,000 human capital professionals in more than 30 countries. Its staff regularly communicate with heads of talent acquisition, hiring executives, and executive search consultants. They seem to have a finger on the pulse of things. Their research appears current. Note that addresses, key staff, and preferred ways to receive resumes are constantly changing. It will serve you well to research online or elsewhere before responding to a list. I always love to hear from you! Please comment below.

Friday, May 8, 2020

How to Prepare for a Tech Interview - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

How to Prepare for a Tech Interview When applying for a job, submitting your resume is only the first step. When you get fortunate enough to get contacted by the companies you applied for, the next big hurdle would be to pass the job interview. Job interviews are tough, and preparing for them entails a lot of preparation. As if this weren’t enough of a stressor, a lot of positions also include technical interviews on top of the typical human resource interviews, and this requires an additional set of preparations. In the information technology field, specifically, technical interviews are almost a sure part of the application process, especially for positions that require experienced professionals. If anything, technical interviews in the information technology field are among the most important interviews in the process, as it’s usually the part of the application process that is most difficult to prepare for. In this article, we take a look at the typical components involved in technical interviews. We explore the things that you should expect in such interviews, give a couple of tips on how to pass these types of interviews, and look at actual examples of technical interview questions that you are likely to be asked. Typical Hiring Process The hiring process of a company will largely depend on the type of hiring they will carry out. The default method is to hire in-house employees from the local tech talent pool. Here, hiring typically begins with job postings that describe the positions to be filled. Applicants then send out their resumes, and applicants will first be screened based on their qualifications and experience as described on their resumes. Those who are qualified will then be invited to a series of interviews with various people: an HR representative, the hiring manager, the domain expert, and so on. Those who will pass the series of interviews will then be given a job offer, and when the applicant accepts, he is then set to begin on the job. The process is a bit different when hiring remote employees. For example, when hiring freelancers, jobs are typically posted on freelance portals such as Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal, which employ similar types of competition among freelancers. These job postings usually contain instructions on the application process, such as some initial questions that applicants should answer and sample work that applicants should attach. Interested applicants then apply for these postings and accomplish the applications forms with the necessary requirements. Freelancers who are selected may then be contacted for an interview, and when the applicant passes that interview, the freelancer is then onboarded to the project or job that was posted. When hiring offshore dedicated developers, on the other hand, businesses usually contact dedicated offshore team providers and provide the profile and skills sets of the employee they’re looking for. The offshore partner then provides them with a list of resumes of available employees with profiles that match the requirements, and the hiring body selects employees from this list, most often based on the technology skills on resume. Those who are selected will usually be scheduled for an interview, and the applicants who pass the interview will then be onboarded to the project. Usually, offshore software development companies are located in places with the biggest talent pool. Evaluate the competition you can face from outstaffing companies like the one you can discover here and use this data to outline why you are a better fit for the job. Regardless of the method of hiring, the application process often involves interviews, and for IT jobs, technical interviews are often unavoidab le. Usual Interview Process The interview process comes in a variety of formats. Usually, multiple interviews are conducted by different persons, and these interviews focus on different areas. An interview with an HR representative is typical, and such interviews are concerned with behavioral interview questions to evaluate your personality, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and other soft skills. An interview with the hiring manager is also expected, and this involves second interview questions that will assess your suitability for the project or role you’ll be placed in, including your work ethic, work experience, and your responses to different scenarios. Finally, a technical interview will be asking the question concerning technology to test your domain expertise and tech skills. Here, a technical recruiter will ask you questions to reveal how much you know about the field you’ll be working in and how creative and resourceful you are with coming up with solutions to technical problems. Interviews may also be conducted in different ways. It may be through phone calls, through video conferences, or personally. It may also be an individual interview or a group interview, where you’ll be answering questions with other applicants. Regardless of the type of interview, it’s important to be on top of your game and be as well-prepared for the interview as you possibly can. Tips to Ace your Interview Here are some tips on how to help ensure that you’ll pass your interview with flying colors. Dress Appropriately In any job interview, first impressions are very important, and you begin by dressing appropriately. There are different appropriate interview outfits depending on the job position you’re applying for, but for tech roles, it’s safest to wear business casual or business attire. Although most tech companies have relaxed dress codes, it’s best to dress a few steps above the usual dress code of the company you’re applying for. Know What to Bring You should never come to an interview unprepared, and this applies to the items that you’ll be bringing with you. You should always know what to bring to an interview. For starters, you to should bring a pen and a small notepad. The pen will be useful for forms that you might be asked to fill up, and the notepad may be useful for technical interview questions that might require you to make some scribbles. Even if these will be provided to you, it’s best to show your interviewer that you came prepared. You also should always bring your resumes with you in case your interviewer asks for a copy. Be Confident There’s nothing more discouraging than interviewing an applicant who is unsure of his or her skills and who doesn’t show confidence that he or she is fit for the role. In facing your interviewer, be as confident as you can and let them feel that you’re the best candidate for the role, even when you actually have doubts about yourself. Be as confident as you can when you sell your tech talent pipeline. Most likely, all other candidates have doubts and uncertainties, but it’s the candidate who can hide all these doubts behind a wall of confidence that usually gets the job. Practice, Practice, Practice Nothing’s more effective at calming your nerves in job interviews than practicing a lot beforehand. You should engage in sample interviews with friends or on your own by trying to answer as many sample interview questions as you can and imagine how you’ll answer such questions in front of actual interviewers. Chances are, many of the questions you’ll have practiced answering will come up during the actual interview, and you’ll be able to breeze through those questions knowing you’ve answered them plenty of times before. Sample Technical Interview Questions Here are some examples of technical interview questions for a software developer to get you started with your preparations. What is object-oriented programming and explain the 4 pillars of OOP Enumerate the different types of loops, describe each one, and provide the code using your preferred programming language How do you say that an application is mobile-responsive? Differentiate between a native mobile app and a mobile-responsive app Describe the software development lifecycle following the agile methodology What is a technology stack? You should also prepare for task-oriented interview questions, such as: Create a simple app to perform a specific task Create a short project plan for a project given a certain number of resources Create a short proposal to sell a concrete tech product It’s best to actually try answering these questions and doing these activities to ensure you’re well-prepared to tackle whatever questions and tasks will be thrown your way. The Takeaway Job hunting is very tough, and going through the job application process multiple times can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. This is especially true with IT jobs, where technical interviews add to the list of things you should worry about. As such, it is best to be well-prepared when applying for jobs to boost your chances of getting accepted. We’ve taken a look at the different hiring process being employed, some of the tips to help you prepare for job interviews, and some actual technical interview questions you can try your hands on. You’re now on your way to acing that technical interview and getting your ideal tech job!