Working in technology can be an enticing prospect – as an industry which is ever-changing, it will always keep you on your toes and you’re sure to learn something new every day. If you’re a gadget geek, it could be ideal for you. Add to that the fact that the industry is booming at the moment and the current average UK salary stands at around £40,000, it certainly can make for a lucrative career move.
But whether you’re new to the industry or you’re a seasoned expert, all IT professionals, regardless of experience, will at some point have to attend an interview or two. And, when you do, you want to be as prepared as possible. So, let the team from ITSM Jobs reveal to you exactly what it is that employers are look for in these five top tips.
Nobody Likes A Know-It-All
You may love talking tech, but try to reign it in a little for your initial interview. Try your best to explain any past projects, tools or programs you have come across in terms which are as simple and clear as possible. This shows that you can talk about technical issues and processes in a way which is understandable to all, which may help in the role itself if you are working closely with people who are less technical than yourself. Bear in mind that your interviewer may not be as technical-minded as you, as often you will initially be interview by a member of the company’s Human Resource’s departments.
Practice Your People Skills
IT workers are often seen as very introverted, obsessive individuals. You know this isn’t true, and your potential employers want to see you debunk this myth! As technology becomes more widely used it is slowly becoming a more fashionable industry – jobs in areas such as web design or digital marketing are openly sought after by many. Nowadays, working in IT does not only require you to be good with computers, but good with people too. In your new role you may have to deal with clients or colleagues who need help with their systems, so make sure that you sell yourself as a confident communicator as well as a computer whiz.
Do Your Homework
This may sound obvious, but make sure that you have read up on any industry developments or news, as well as news and projects within the company. The landscape of IT is ever-changing; you may have previously been working in a very specific area, so take a look at the bigger picture. Make sure you have original, insightful opinions on the industry and you are able to confidently answer industry-related questions such as: “How do you see this industry developing over the next five years?” and “Which is your favorite technology company and why?”.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
It’s all very well being able to talk the talk, but can you put your words into action? IT interviews often involve a test, as it is a relatively simple way to assess your technical skills, so be prepared. Take a look at the job description beforehand and ensure that you are familiar with any tools or programmes that it may require you to use. There are a number of free tools available online which allow you to practice and test your skills in coding and other areas of IT, so take advantage of these if you can in order to hone your skills.
Always Expect The Unexpected
Large tech companies are some of the most likely to throw you the odd curveball, in the form of unusual and unpredictable interview questions. We mean the types that you’re never going to have prepared an answer for – those which require you to think on your feet to come up with something witty, insightful or innovative. For example, over at Dell an interviewee was asked “Are you more or a hunter or a gatherer?”, and Xerox threw a genuine curve-ball in the form of “Why is a tennis ball fuzzy?”, but technology giant Apple has perhaps topped them all with the seemingly bizarre question: “If you were a pizza delivery man, how would you benefit from scissors?”.
Whatever you do before your interview – make sure that you are well prepared and that you know your own strengths and skills. No one knows what you are capable of better than you – make sure that you can confidently communicate this, so that your potential employers can see it too!
