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Posts Tagged ‘interview’
What Should I Know for Phone Interviews?
7/6/2008 12:22 PM By ArtisanYou've probably had phone interviews before, but they're especially common for freelance jobs. Here are a few tips: — Often, a hiring manager, recruiter, or HR person doesn't want to spend hours meeting with candidates for a freelance job. Your job is to respect this person's time by quickly absorbing new information about what the job involves, then conveying compelling reasons why you're the right person for it. Mention specific things you've done in the past that were similar, and successes you've had with similar lines of work. No need to go into your philosophy of work or the story of your life — the recruiter wants to know if you can do the job. — If an employer calls you and wants to interview you right now, make a quick decision. Are you prepared to conduct this interview? If not, ask to call back in a few minutes — realizing that the job may be awarded to someone else in the meantime. Otherwise, you might ask the employer to hold on for a moment while you find the quietest and least distracting environment possible, and go over your elevator speech in your head to help you focus. — Standard phone interview tactics include putting up a copy of your resume on the wall near the phone, and standing up and smiling while you talk (both will tend to lend energy to your voice). — Be sure your outgoing voice mail message is professional and brief, and that anyone else who might be answering your phone is capable of reliably taking messages. If you can't count on this, use a cell phone number as your professional line.
What Is a Behavioral Interview?
6/28/2008 12:25 PM By ArtisanBehavioral interviewing is popular in some companies because managers say it gives them a better idea of what someone will actually do on the job. Instead of just giving a sales pitch for yourself, you'll be asked to tell stories about work you have done in the past, or to envision how you would do various kinds of work in the future. Behavioral interviews can be difficult, but only if you're unprepared. As part of your interview preparation process, think about events from your past that show you excelling in your work and demonstrating valuable qualities such as interpersonal skills. It may help to make each story three sentences long, remembering the acronym STAR: Situation, Task/Action, Result. Here's a sample: "I was working at a television station and my boss wanted to do a live webcast, which no one in the whole state had ever done before. I researched the technical requirements and determined that we could handle it, then brought together the people I needed from different departments to map out how it would work. We had several thousand viewers that afternoon and demonstrated that there was an audience for this type of product."
Job Interview Tips When Presenting User Interface Designer Portfolios
6/17/2008 11:03 AM By ArtisanAlong with presenting your user Interface Designer portfolios at an interview, be sure to elaborate on your process as well. Explain your philosophy and technique regarding integrating the two primary Interface Design factors, aesthetics and information retrieval. Job interview tips for Interface Designers often stress the finished product, but overlook the critical components of the process and the techniques used.
If you are in a competitive situation, by stressing your process and technique, you should rise above the crowded list of other candidates. Whether you interview with an IT professional or a Human Resource representative, your display of expertise with your thought process and techniques to achieve your impressive product improves your interview on, not one, but two levels.
Describing your process, design philosophy, usability maximizations, and commitment to excellence displays –
- Your personality and humanity, and
- Your valuable expertise directly related to the project or job under discussion.
Should you be interviewing for a full-time job, your personality is just as important as your technical expertise. If you are a freelancer trying to garner a lucrative contract, your prospective client may be more interested in your technical expertise. However, never forget that “people do business with people”. By displaying your wonderful finished products combined with your personal insights regarding process, philosophy, and dedication may deliver that “something extra” to separate you from your competition.
Usability Experts Interview Tips for Those Offering Web Developer Jobs
3/18/2008 11:08 AM By ArtisanThe value of Usability Experts is a source of debate that remains unresolved. Some hard core critics often call these specialists “user Storm Troopers” or other similar derisive terms. Supporters believe usability experts to be critical to excel in web developer jobs. For many clients residing somewhere in the “middle” of the debate, the question becomes similar to the following: Do I need to consult one of the best thoracic surgeons when I have the common cold?
However, if you are in business to make money, you’ll want to retain the best of these specialists. Usability Experts interview tips for success should involve getting answers to some or all of the following questions and issues.
- Which candidate will help improve my company’s brand by designing a masterful user friendly website?
- With many consumers’ web watcher groups reporting that the majority of people state that website design is the key to credibility, how do the usability experts interviewing with you respond to design questions?
- Even if you love the portfolio, how do your usability expert candidates test the customers’ satisfaction of the “usability factor”?
- How do the candidates employ usability engineering to keep customers coming back to my website to make multiple purchases?
As you can see, the best usability experts for your company are those that combine technical expertise with a) an understanding of your branding and marketing goals, and b) intelligent ways of achieving these goals. Web developer jobs involve designs that are aesthetically pleasing and usability experts that make it easy for visitors to buy your products.
How to Market Yourself Interview Tips
1/2/2008 11:01 AM By ArtisanWhether you interview for a contract Information Architect position, for an entry-level job, or a CEO opportunity, you need to effectively market yourself on an interview. Regardless of the position, be it freelance contract or full time employee, here are some interview tips that will help you when interviewing.
- Make a good first impression. Remember, you have 15 seconds or less to make a lasting impression, be it good or not so good. If you dress appropriately, smile, offer a firm (not bone-crushing) handshake, and exhibit self-confidence (even if you don’t really feel it), you should make the right first impression.
- Know (or learn) your interviewer’s name AND the correct pronunciation. If you can find out his/her name in advance, do so. Practice pronunciation if your interviewer has a difficult name. This simple tip can effectively improve your image quickly and enhance your “brand”.
- Ask insightful questions. Prepare some thoughtful questions before the interview and you will market yourself as a knowledgeable, effective professional. Questions that you structure to display your expertise are very valuable marketing tools.
If you are one of the many people who are initially uncomfortable marketing yourself, practice your delivery. Much like a good athlete, the more repetitions you have the more comfortable and accomplished you sound and appear. You may even surprise yourself at how self-confident and professional you become, even if you’re shy.
