Resume interview tips

RESUME & INTERVIEW TIPS
Notes from Stateline Women in Technology Meeting on May 14th
, 2014.
Skype Interview Tips:
 Make sure the camera is high enough, so that it is above eye level. That way you will not look
like your eyes are closed.
 Still dress the part.
 Check the background behind you to make sure it is appropriate for the interviewers to see.
 Do not be afraid to have the interviewers repeat or clarify questions.
Phone Interview Tips:
 In these types of interviews, there will be no visual cues…be prepared with questions or topics
 Write down everyone’s name when they introduce themselves.
 Be careful of saying um too much
 How to handle verbal gaps:
o Don’t speak just because there’s a gap.
o Ask a question.
o Its ok to pause.
 Saying “does that answer your question” or “would you like me to expand on that concept”
after questions is appropriate.
 Have your resume/cover letter handy as a reference.
Resume/Cover Letter tips:
 Tailor your cover letter to the position.
 Use the vocabulary from the job description or advertisement.
 Make sure the cover letter reflects how you meet their needs. Do not make them hunt for the
information.
 Make the information as quantitative as much as possible.
 For resume use power words. Look at how other places describe you.
 Do not be shy, but do not overinflate.
 Do your research: research the job, the people, and the company.
 Still sell yourself because you may not make it this round, but they may need someone in the
future.
 New person with little experience no longer than 1 page.
 Experienced person no longer than 2 pages.
 Bullets over sentences/be succinct.
 Objective is old/dated. Now people want to see work history.
 No references available upon request at the bottom. Employers know to ask you for it.
 Chronological resumes are preferred.
 As for Experience, go ahead and put experience that may not match the position and emphasize
transferrable skills.
 Don’t be afraid of white space.

 Don’t print from web page.
 When emailing or uploading your resume and cover letter: send it as a pdf, not as word
document.
General Interview tips:
 Look at everyone, do not just look at one interviewer.
 Be careful about things on the internet that they can see about you. Employers will most likely
perform an online search of you.
 Take notes very quickly after the interview so that you can follow up with thank you note or 2nd
interview. You can emphasize your strengths.
 Always have questions:
o Is this a job I will grow into or out of?
o What is the culture of this company?
 Be careful with people you use as references. Make sure to ask the people you use as
references.
 Will choose communication skills over technical if they have two candidates that are similar.
 Let the interviewer bring up money 1st
.
o Can ask pay range or pay scale.
o What is a good answer if the employer asks what you would like for a salary? A
competitive salary and benefits reflecting my skills. If the environment is something
where I can learn or add to my skills, then I can be flexible.
Popular/favorite Interview Questions:
 Explaining situations to non-technical people. For example, how would you explain TCP/IP to a
non-technical person?
o Use simple comparisons – such as post office example for UDP/TCP.
 What do you have to offer our organization?
o Brag about yourself without exaggerating.
 Scenario questions:
o Name a challenging situation in the past and say how you worked through it.
o Ones looking for troubleshooting approach
 Can you work independently or do you always ask an expert. How do you know
when you need to ask for help?
o Questions looking for communication skills.
 What kind of learner are you?
o How do you keep up in your field?
o Looking for if need to send person to class or can just learn from a book, etc.
 Strengths/Weaknesses (Challenges)
 Out of the technologies listed for this position, which are you technically the strongest in?
 Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
 Why did you get in technology to begin with? What gets you excited?

 Describe an environment that you thrive in. Describe a supervisor that you would thrive under.
 What do you do when you face a problem you’ve never encountered before?
 Describe a project where you were the lone team member.
 Describe a project where you worked in a team. What role did you hold in the team?
o Leader, follower, etc.
 Are you afraid to ask questions with team members or boss?
 Describe a situation where you disagreed with a coworker or supervisor and how did you handle
it.
 Give us an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer/client/coworker.
How did you handle this?
 When you are faced with a problem, what is the process?
o Do you shoot from the hip or are you an investigator?
o Do you follow standards?
 Tell me how others would describe you.
 What are your educational goals?

Resume interview tips

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Resume interview tips