Job interview tips, advice, help, etc.

[JERRY2KONE]

For future reference you can also ask about dress when you setup the interview. I had one last week, and during the conversation for setting up the interview I asked if there was anything specific that they would prefer me to wear for the meeting, and they told me to wear "Office Casual" clothing. Of course I nailed the interview and wore black slacks and a long sleeve polo button up dress shirt. It felt good so I wore it. And at 52 this was not my first interview either. When they asked me when I could start I told them today if they needed me, and that I am available 24/7/365, but that we already have plans for a 6 week vacation setup in June-July. They hired me on the spot and told me thanks for being right on time, and for being prepared with confidence and detailed info. I have no experience for this particular job, but with my background I could tell them that there is nothing that I cannot do without a little up front hands on "one-on-one" training. Good luck with your interview kid.

[swiftneed]

A little compliment on how eager to work there because of its reputation is a great idea well yea its sounds like brown nosing but they will remember who said the place is good just no overkill like this

[simplechamp]

I agree, a little flattery is good, just don't push it too far. One or two statements complimenting the company and/or interviewer (on a professional and job related level) is plenty.

[brainanator]

make sure you say you would like the job as the interview is closing. I've talked to a few recruiters at job fairs and they say that nobody ever comes out and says "I think I would like working at your company". Which is actually a huge turn on, since if you like doing what you do you'll probably do better...

I always try to close an interview with something like "Thanks for the time you've taken to meet with me today. I'm very interested in this position and would love to have the job." thanks again-hand shakes-blah blah-have a great day

[rawfuls]

Woooo!

Interview was postponed because the guy forgot about Memorial Day!

Scared me at first, who forgets a 3 day weekend?

E-mailed back and forth this week, and came up with today, and just whenever I could.

Came home from school, and went straight to the shop!

Anyways, decided to go from my dark jeans & nice polo to nice slacks & nice polo. and it was for the better! I was complimented on my dressing, near the end. He also gave me a shirt to wear! woo!

But let's go back! I first walked in, he had a customer at the register, so I just waited, then introduced myself, and then we went into the back room (It's really just a small room, divided into two..), and he complimented on the things I'm able to do that I put on my resume. He almost didn't believe it! (I'm guessing he still doesnt! But I'll show him on my first day! )

Basically just said he could really use somebody like me, at my skill level since he is just backed up with computers. Regardless of my age, he said he could really use me.

It's just a one man shop, one owner, maybe 3 tech's in the shop, and a few onsite engineers that rarely come into the shop.

Said I could start whenever I'd like, but would like the first couple weeks (1-3 weeks) to be a trial, mainly with virus removal, and all the easy stuff, and if he likes what I do, then he'll put me on his payroll! (yipee!)

So I start Monday, from 10:30 til 4:30, Mon/Wed/Fri for the first week, I guess... Then he said we'll go from there.

I'm really excited!

Although it's in a pretty busy plaza, the shop is way clean!
Has a really nice setup, he stocks up the waiting room with just parts, a nerd's paradise!

He also showed me how he organizes, he had 2 HUGE shelves full of computers, laptops stacked on top of each other, the ones he works on in clear boxes (in pieces, waiting for parts). Everything is so organized, it's really amazing.

Has two really nice work benches, one has 3-4 screens wall-mounted, 2 screens on the side, all just for diagnosing & repair, then has another solely for hardware repair.

Has a pretty neato front desk, it's a nice two-tone desk, blue & brushed aluminum, with a very beautiful iMac on top (as much as I hate Macs for their pricing, they sure do make a work area very nice) for invoicing and whatnot.

Has a CB radio in one corner where he can quickly talk with his drivers if he's too lazy to call them up (I could see this being useful! )

Although the back room is really, really compact (I'd say probably, 4 guys working at the work benches, and then you can't really maneuver with a lot of space)

It's owned by one guy, and he seems to be in his mid-20's, which is pretty cool!
He's very nice, and even told me "If you're ever late, don't freak out, just as long as you don't come midway through your shift, I really don't mind"; also complimented on my politeness when he talked with me, and said he doesn't see much of that when he speaks with teenagers these days...

All in all, an awesome day!

Thanks guys again for all the good pointers!

My first interview, has been aced!

Anyways, it's a VERY nice shop, and I'm really looking forward to it!

[Bondonutz]

Rock on dude !

Glad to hear all went well and your clearly very excited, condratulations young man.

[rawfuls]

Originally Posted by Bondonutz

Rock on dude !

Glad to hear all went well and your clearly very excited, condratulations young man.

I really am!

My parents complain about work all the time... Maybe I'll be the odd one out and actually like it!

[Bondonutz]

Get back to us in 20yrs and let us know if you still love work

[brainanator]

congratz bud! hope it works out as well as you plan and it's still fun in a few months :)

[swiftneed]

I think if you like the type of work you choose it becomes a matter of just enjoying what ur doing and not work so it doesnt become a chore

[rawfuls]

Almost 24 hours of work so far.

One day of 8, the next of 6, and today I logged 9 hours!

All were very fun for me!

My boss is INCREDIBLY laid back, like no other!
Doesn't really care if you're late, leave early, wanna take a rest anytime you want, wanna grab lunch.

Made my boss incredibly impressed, soldered in front of him, replaced a DC power jack (or two), and some small soldering.... Told me that it was amazing at how much I knew at 16 years of age.. Thanks to RC I suppose!

Best part... he has an Ayoue INT 968 hot air station... holy cow is that thing sweet!
I've been using regular cheapo irons all my life, and finally got to use one... and on a customer's laptop no less!
I was sweating a ton, but still did a dang good job, if I do say so myself!

Also found out that I may be replacing our main hardware guy (for laptop and stuff), who is currently getting paid ~$22 an hour!

So if I do take over, will be getting quite a lot!
Especially for just my first job!

Still excited about working..
I guess I'll come back in another 20 years!

[JERRY2KONE]

Good for you young man. It is nice to hear this kind of info about an individual private type of PC business. I hope things go well for you as long as you like working there. It sounds like this will be a very good experience in the IT tech world for you, and who knows where it may launch you to next. I am not an IT techy, but if I were I would try to learn every facet of the business and divercify my skills so that I could do anything and everything in the computer business.

I have a close friend who started out in the IT field in the mid 90's when the computer business was really just getting started. He taught himself through video training programs, and on line Microsoft/DOS/Lenix ceritfication courses and reached a level that put him above a lot of his peers and competitors. He began working through a temp agency, and wound up being hired after one year by the same company. After 15-20 years in the business he now works for a company in Charlotte, NC that administrates a very large % (60-80%) of business and account controls for all of the major banks in the USA.

He started at about $20 an hour and is now earning approx $80K-$100K per year, and is the number one PC guy in his company. He alway tells me how amazed he is at how many complete idiots work in this field because they are just too dammed lazy to learn and improve their skill level. Knowedge is power. The good thing about driving yourself and becoming the best that you can be in any buisness is that even if you were to lose your job for whatever reason it would be fairly easy to find another one because of your reputation and experience. Work hard while you are young and reap the benefits when you are older. I retired at the age of 38 from the US Navy and receive $20K a year for doing absolutely nothing for the rest of my life. So now work is not an absolute neccesity for my survival. Work hard, but also work smart with your eye always on where you want to be when you retire.

[simplechamp]

Just got the news today that I am officially employed (almost 1 month exactly from date of the interview). My first taste of corporate hiring, they sure make you jump through plenty of hoops! Stacks of paperwork, background check, drug screen, etc. But all totally worth it. Start on July 11th and can't wait.

I also think there was some divine intervention, funny story:

When I sat down for the interview, the very first thing the recruiter says: "So tell me a good joke." My brain instantly panics. The only jokes I really remember are at best inappropriate for a job interview, at worst downright despicable. What am I supposed to do!?!? Then I remembered, on Easter Sunday my mother asked me to go to church with her. Now, I'm not very religious, but I was raised going to church every Sunday, and I generally make a point to go on the holidays (more for my mother than anything). Well during the sermon the pastor told a joke that, while not particularly funny, was at least OK to tell in polite company. And for whatever reason I remembered it. Told the joke to the recruiter, we had a good laugh to break the ice, and from there the interview went perfectly. As I said I'm not very religious, but I think the man upstairs was looking out for me on that one!

The moral of the story: always remember one clean joke, you never know when you'll need it.

[BP-Revo]

Thought I'd let you guys know.

I wanted to find an internship for this summer (as well as in general to gain experience). I went in for my interview last Tuesday (a week ago) and they said they'd let me know early this week. Got a call early Monday morning and they offered me the job.

I just filled out all the paperwork (was seriously 1/2" thick stack, never wrote my name and address so many times in my life) and took the drug test today. I emailed the HR lady to ask when I would start (I'd like to start right away, but if it's not for a while I wanted to know so I could enjoy my summer a little).

Anyway, I used a lot of the advice outlined here and it helped a lot. So even though this thread wasn't made for me, it sure helped, so thanks to everyone who contributed.

[JERRY2KONE]

Its great to hear that we can contribute to heling others overcome abstacles no matter what they may be. I served 20+ year in teh US Navy and was taught that our number one job as we grow is to help others to grow with us. In the military you are always told that teaching others is your own contribution towards training your replacements. I have always been lucky enough to have some pretty good crews and was able to teach them to do my job. While doing so it not only gave me some slack to do other things, but it also helped to lift them up to meet their own dreams and goals.

Doing interviews is supposed to be a challenge so that the potential employers get a chance to see just how motivated you are about wanting the job. Being qualified is only one of the aspects to selling yourself for a new job. Confidence, motivation, enthusiasm, and persistance are major keys to breaking through the walls of being able to confince someone to hire you. Like anything in life this is a learning experience that all of us have to go through in order to become good at it. Even after you get the job you have to convince your boss every day as to why they should keep you on their payroll by doing a great job and setting an example of integrity, and the willingness to grow with the company, and not become an irritating fungus that needs to be killed and flushed away.