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April 29th, 2011 | by Guru Shishyaa

It is important to pay attention to our interviewer’s body language as much as we pay attention to our own. It will give you a cue if you are on the right track or if you are doing something to irritate them or earn their displeasure. If you are holding the floor for too long or have been interrupting them too often, you will get to know their displeasure from the way they members shake their heads, sigh or fold their arms and lean back. You can take this as a tip and change your attitude as it is not too late. The interviewers body language also comes from their subconscious mind but we will have to act quickly before their displeasure gets to their conscious mind.

Do not worry too much about tension

Many of us are nervous during an interview and we would try not to show our nervousness. The nervousness has to be passed on to the interviewers in a right amount as it will let them feel that this job is important to you. If you sit in a nonchalant manner it might indicate that you are not interested. We should also realize that the interview is more than just a means for the employer to determine which of the candidates is most suitable for the job. It is a moment of mutual acquaintance. It’s a first meeting with people that you might soon work together with. Therefore the interviewer also might be nervous. So make sure you put your best foot forward.

When we go for an interview our sitting posture communicates a lot. As we can see in the movie “Princess Diaries”, every move and every posture communicates a message. At times sitting postures can either communicate over confidence or self belief. The golden rules in sitting are: avoid anything that will distract the interviewer from concentrating upon the content of your answers; and avoid making the interviewer feel uncomfortable. Interviewers generally do not feel comfortable if you sit leaning forward too much leaning back and crossing your legs at the thighs. In short, good sitting goes unnoticed by the interviewer.

Here are some tips on what you should avoid:

Leaning back: Gives the impression that you’re not taking the interview seriously.
Crossing your legs at the thighs: Too familiar, especially at the beginning of an interview.
Sitting with your legs wide apart: Far too familiar for an interview situation, and can be both distracting and uncomfortable for the interviewer.
Leaning forward too much: May make some interviewers feel uncomfortable, especially if you’re physically big and talk loudly.
Slouching: Gives the impression that you’re not taking the interview seriously and will likely slouch in your duties.

Tips on good sitting practice include:

Straight and upright body
Male legs: Males can keep their upper legs facing straight forward, that is, the dominant foot flat on the ground with the other foot having only the front part touching the ground.
Female leg:. Females can cross their legs at the ankles and position the legs slightly to one side.

Sit right, answer with confidence, show the right attitude and secure the job.

Job Interviews at Tech Firms

March 23rd, 2011 | by Guru Shishyaa

Tech firms are invoking new ways to interview potential employees. Riddles, puzzles and brainteasers are some of the methods being used to test skills employees would actually apply on the job.

Solve a Math Problem to Get a Programming Job?

Internet and computer software companies are struggling to find qualified job candidates in an increasingly competitive market. While sit-down interviews have not gone by the wayside, people seeking work as consultants, computer programmers, software engineers, etc., are being asked to solve mathematical equations and participate in group games and other tests that help employers evaluate a candidate’s ability to collaborate and think under pressure.

An Interview at Microsoft

Carl Tashian, a college senior, recently interviewed at Microsoft and said the process was not what he expected. During the interview he was asked first to solve a “simple math problem.” The interviewer expected a mathematical proof, which Tashian hadn’t done in many years. He couldn’t do it, so the interview continued.

The next challenge given to Tashian was a word problem. “I want an office phone book. It should have names and phone numbers in it,” the interviewer said. Tashian was expected to write some C++ code as a solution to search the phone book. It was a vague request, so Tashian probed for more direction. “I don’t care how you do it, I’m just your manager,” the interviewer replied. Tashian then went through several processes trying to please the interviewer and ended up explaining hash tables - how they work and how they applied to that particular exercise.

Assessing Ability of Job Candidates

Often, companies perform tactical interviews first, targeting exact skill sets of candidates. Online skills assessments are another option employers use to get a better idea about candidates’ abilities; these may include solving technical problems, writing snippets of code, etc. And some companies rely on outside professional facilitators to conduct group exercises or interviews.

Employers realize that good people are difficult to find, and it’s costly to bring someone in, only to discover later that they don’t fit. So this new process allows them to find out more than they would in just a 30-minute interview.

Not by the Book — Applying Your Tech Skills

Typically, employers try to include real-world puzzles and problems requiring the candidate to apply technical applications. Interviewers are not expecting textbook answers. So the candidate should be prepared to explain why they solved a problem or puzzle in a certain way, as well as provide alternative solutions.

In preparing for a tech job interview, have faith in what you already know. Brush up on your skills and be prepared to use your technical abilities for whatever the interview presents, whether it’s a word problem or riddle. Be confident. You’ve got the knowledge — now just apply it!

(This article posted in www.kforce.com)

Seven Questions Employers Have That They Won’t Ask You

March 23rd, 2011 | by Guru Shishyaa

If you want to get your dream job, you need to understand what is going on in the minds of the people in a position to hire you. No matter what organization you want to work for, and no matter what type of work you want to do, every employer and hiring person is secretly asking themselves seven questions about every job candidate and potential new hire.

Many hiring persons probably don’t even recognize that they are subconsciously asking themselves these questions, and none of them will blatantly ask you these seven questions. However, you still need to address them in every interaction you have with potential employers.

1. How much can we trust you?
If an employer doesn’t think he or she can trust you, you aren’t going to get hired, no matter how talented you are. Position yourself as someone who can be trusted.

2. How hard are you willing to work?
If employers think you are lazy or unmotivated, you aren’t going to get hired, no matter how talented you are. Position yourself as someone willing to work hard.

3. Are you going to be a “pain in the neck?”
If employers think you are going to be tough to manage or get along with, you aren’t going to get hired, no matter how talented you are. Position yourself as someone who gets along well with others.

4. Are you going to have one foot out the door from day one?
If an employer thinks you aren’t committed to his or her organization for the long-term, you aren’t going to get hired, no matter how talented you are. Position yourself as someone who really wants to work for the selected employer.

5. How much are we going to need to hold your hand?
If employers think it will take a lot of time and effort to get you up to speed, you aren’t going to get hired, no matter how talented you are. Position yourself as someone who can contribute from the start.

6. Are you going to embarrass us?
If an employer thinks you won’t represent the organization well in-person and online, you aren’t going to get hired, no matter how talented you are. As social media and the Internet continue to evolve, this is becoming more and more important. Position yourself as someone who is professional and responsible.

7. Are you more than capable of delivering the results we need in this position?
If an employer doesn’t think you can get the job done better than anyone else, you aren’t going to get hired, no matter how talented you are. However, keep in mind that if you satisfy the first six concerns, this concern is often eliminated, even if you don’t have a lot of relevant work experience.

The hiring process is like dating in many ways. When you first meet someone, you size him or her up (subconsciously or consciously), and you make judgments about his or her personality, character, value, and how much you fit with each other. It’s the same with getting your dream job. Overcome the seven concerns every employer has about job candidates and new hires, and you will significantly increase your chances of getting your dream job.

(This article posted in www.ncmahq.org)