The hiring process is something that we have not only experienced in great detail, but we have studied and codified. As a candidate, interviewing means going through a procedure that will test your skills, inform you of jobs outside your current employer and as a goal, secure an exciting opportunity. All this happens without cost but will take time and effort. The testing portion will take the most preparation.

We place technologists and that means every job has a technical component, from low-level support to mid level management. Potential employers will want to test the portion of your skill set related to computers. Whether that skill is based in coding, support, analysis, project management or another discipline, expect a verbal and sometimes a written test. It is a matter of memorization and an ability to articulate all the knowledge that you utilize on a daily and cumulative basis.

What does that mean on a practical level? Study; review manuals and project documentation; formulate a presentation of your overall experience; take practice tests if possible. The interview is an exchange of information and the burden is definitely on the candidate to prove the most.

Job changing takes time and your employer doesn’t pay you to go on interviews. We understand that and so do hiring companies. However interviews will not be scheduled solely at your convenience. Expect that interviews will be conducted during office hours. That means starting times as early as 9:00am and as late as 4:00pm. Occasionally there is some flexibility earlier in the morning or later in the day. We will do our best to help you manage a schedule.

Interviewing is an art and some people have a natural talent at presenting themselves and communicating to others. For anyone wanting some in-depth advice, we recommend a book called Knock ’Em Dead by Martin Yate. It is available at most bookstores or on-line and has been updated yearly. There is a section entitled, “Great Answers to Tough Interview Questions” that focuses on the core of non-technical interviewing. The purpose is not to memorize the answers but to gain an understanding of what can be asked, and what constitutes a good response. Another useful and easily found book is Ace the Technical Interview by Michael Rothstein. It has chapters devoted to most of the mainstream technologies used today.