How to talk your way into that job

By VIKKI BLAND

Flowery, fluffy talk is out. Keep your head up, make eye contact, be animated; don't talk in cliches. Look good, and for goodness' sake smell good.

We're talking about your next job interview - a challenge most people face at some point and more than a few struggle with.

Within the IT industry, IT recruiters say poor interview skills are robbing some candidates of positions that would otherwise have rightfully been theirs.

Barry Hardy, manager for IT recruitment firm Auckland Elan IT recruitment, says there are broadly two types of interviewee; the capable and confident, and the more reserved and less communicative. He says young people often fall into the latter category. "It is a competitive industry and there has been resurgence of IT employers seeking to secure top talent. It's critical candidates present themselves in a professional manner in order to win the positions they want."

Sarah Lee, a director of IT recruitment specialists IT Maniacs, says even professionalism won't cut it if an interviewee is boring - something even confident and animated job candidates are capable of being.

"IT candidates need to think carefully before launching into cliches. If asked what IT skills they have, they shouldn't say, 'I like to bridge the gap between technology and end users'. Most IT employers will think, 'Oh please think up a new one'."

She says candidates can alternatively describe a previous role in which they took ownership of an end-user situation by sitting down and working through what the users liked and disliked about the software.

Other gems, such as claims of being a "people person" need to be qualified, says Lee. "The employer can respond to that with, 'What is it that makes you relate so well to others? What makes you stand out and why would people want to listen to you above others?' Candidates need an answer ready."

Hardy says it's common for IT recruiters to brief candidates before an interview, and stresses the importance of candidates researching their prospective employers through websites and other sources.

Lee says good recruiters will also supply client feedback following an (unsuccessful) interview and candidates should be prepared to listen to that feedback along with any from the IT recruiter.

She says employers are increasingly focused on obtaining and checking good references, so solid professional referees will stand IT job candidates in good stead.

"Have at least two referees able to comment on your technical ability and your personality. And don't use friends and family."

This could be a good time to remove your flatmate's mother from your CV.

Steps to impress

How to deal with IT recruiter and employer interviews

PREPARATION

* Call the recruiter to express your interest in a position and let them know your CV is on its way.

* Verbally practise selling yourself by being confident about your achievements without sounding arrogant.

* Be able to back up your selling points with examples from positions listed in your CV.

* Create an honest CV; it's okay to write "time out for overseas travel" or "time out to assess career". Prepare answers for questions your CV may raise. For example, "So what did you find out when you assessed your career?"

* Know your CV inside out.

INTERVIEWS

* Look sharp, speak clearly; have excellent personal hygiene.

* Leave in plenty of time to get to the interview.

* Smile at the receptionist and fill in the visitors' book.

* Smile when you meet the interviewer, stand up when you shake hands.

* The ideal ratio of you talking and the interviewer talking should be about 50/50.

* Don't bad-mouth previous employers - ever.

* Do not interrupt the interviewer.

* When answering a question, get to the point, don't waffle.

* If you don't know how to answer a question admit you don't know and state how you would attempt to discover the answer.

* Demonstrate project management skills by describing your role in previous projects and explaining how you complimented or ran a team. Provide examples of how you handled difficult situations.

* Don't ask about money unless it is raised.

* Do ask good questions: What are the skills a top employee in this job would need? What future changes do you see in the work here? What values are important to this company?

* Thank the interviewer for their time and for seeing you.

Courtesy of IT Maniacs