FIRST STEPS


by Christopher Zacher editors@ccgmag.com


WINNING TIPS FOR JOB INTERVIEWS


says, “but how do you set yourself apart? That’s the key.”


Interviewing for jobs can be a stressful process. After all, your future is at stake. You need to show your interviewer that you have the right technical skills, experience, and attitude to perform the job well.


W


ith more and more competition for good jobs you need to do what you can


to stand out. How can you prepare for a job interview to show your recruiter that you’re the best candidate for the position?


In her “Interview Success!” seminar, conducted at the 2018 Black Engineer of the Year Conference, Houri Tamizifar offered her audience some job interview advice. She discussed a few of the challenges faced by interviewees and provided some preparation techniques that make for a stronger interview.


Tamizifar emphasized the value of distinguishing yourself from the crowd. After all, some interviewers will speak with eight to ten candidates in a single day. The person who receives the job will be the individual who can show their future boss that they are different than everyone else. “There are tons of interviewees out there who have the same technical skills that you do,” she


Inevitably, the interviewer will ask you to tell them about yourself. This is an opportunity for you to illustrate the trajectory of your career. Explain why you are interested in the field and what brought you to that place. “Paint a picture that shows them who you are, why you’re there, and why you’re a perfect fit,” says Tamizifar.


She stresses the importance of not “faking it” and of acting natural while still showing the interviewer what makes you special. “Think about your personality,” she says. “Ask yourself what your friends and professors like about you. What are some of the things that attract you to people? Likability, whether in an interview or in your day-to-day life, is a big deal.”


One of the best things that an interviewee can do is to make their recruiter feel comfortable. Smiling, making eye contact, and maintaining good posture throughout the meeting are all crucial. It is also vital to show the interviewer that you’re excited about the meeting and passionate about the field. “Show your passion and that this is something you love doing,” she says. “They’ll connect it to the technical skills that you’ve acquired, and then you have the perfect package.”


You also want to show your interviewer that, if hired, you’ll be committed to your job at their company. From their perspective, new hires are a big investment. Companies don’t want to hire someone who only plans on being there for two years,” Tamizifar explains. “They want to invest in you, and they want you to invest back. You’re going to stay there for ten, fifteen, twenty years, so show them that you’re as committed to them as they are to you.”


Practice is a key aspect of the interview process. One way to practice is to


16 HISPANIC ENGINEER & Information Technology | SPRING 2018 www.hispanicengineer.com


familiarize yourself with common interview questions and to think about them ahead of time. Most interviewers, for example, will ask questions like “Why should we hire you?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” If you can come up with answers to those questions before you walk into the meeting, you’ll be better prepared to address the interviewer.


By developing some responses beforehand, you’ll also have the


“Likability, whether in an interview or in your day-to- day life, is a big deal.”


opportunity to conduct mock interviews with a friend or family member. “Find someone that you can sit down and practice with, and it will start to feel more natural,” she says. “This can help to eliminate the awkwardness of the actual interview.”


Whether you are offered the job or not, make sure to contact your recruiter. If you do receive the position, call or email them to say thank you. If you aren’t chosen, you should reach out to them anyway. This will give you the opportunity not only to show them gratitude for spending their time with you but also to ask what you could have done better. “This will show them that you’re willing to learn from one interview to the next,” says Tamizifar.


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