Tips for preparing for job interviews in networking?

[suihcteg]

I'm going to a job fair in a couple weeks, and IT has a lot of representation. I was a network admin for the military, and since getting out, I took some refresher classes for networking and have a home lab with bits and pieces from ebay and craigslist. Aerospace companies and hospitals will be at the job fair. What should I do to prepare for the job fair and interviews that follow? I've found top-10 lists of questions employers ask job applicants. Anything else?

 

[Joe Porter]

Think about questions to ask the employer. Stuff you want to know about the job. It is almost as important to have a good set of questions to ask as it is to have good answers for the ones you are being asked.

Research the company. If you get an interview with any of the companies do your research. Find out specifics about them, what sets them apart from the competition etc.... Tonnes of good interview information on google if you have a browse and I am sure you will get some good advice from the people here as well.

Good luck!

 

[Ralston18]

Agree with Joe Porter.

I will add that job fairs (as you may know) are quite hectic.

As suggested, research the attending companies in advance - especially those that you are most interested in and excited about. Look for specific job openings in those companies that you wish to apply for and feel qualified for. Do that in advance before the job fair. Don't apply for positions that require heavy travel or relocation, etc. if you do not wish to do that or are completely unwillingly or unable to do that.

Build you own packet with respect to each company and position of interest. Map and rearrange your resume (one page - correct?) to highlight the required skills stated in the job descriptions you have found and studied. Be ready to answer why you are interested in that company and have a set of relevent questions ready to ask as previously suggested. Real questions as best you can and not generic stuff. Do not ask what certifications are necessary: ask do I need a A+, CCNA, etc..... specific.

Keep your questions technical: not benefits, salaries, etc. unless the recruiter raises the matter which will most likely be the salary range that you are looking for. You can research that salary information (because you have researched that for the position of interest) as well to have some idea of what is applicable, appropriate, or geographically determined. But you need to state a range that is realistic for your life situation. Always trade-offs all around.

Prioritize your packets from first choice/opportunity to last but made sure you are truly interested in and qualified for all of the positions. You may lack a requirement or two but just be honest about that.

After finishing with one "interview", take a minute or two to step aside, make and file a few notes as applicable - thank you note information and follow-up names to contact.

Review the next position/packet, take a breath, clear your mind, and head to the line. Look ahead and change the order to get in shorter lines if at all possible. The shorter the line then, potentially, the more time you may get. There will be a learning curve as sometimes you will find propective employers asking similiar questions: maybe they are all competing for or will be competing for the same contract and need the same skill sets.

Overall that puts you in a position to be able to walk up to the recuriter/staffer/manager with a specific objective/ job position to address and discuss. You will probably get a lot of pleased responses when you can walk up and hand them a resume with a copy of job description attached. Clearly demonstrates that you have done your research and are taking a deliberate approach versus showing up to mill around in lines with other hopefuls.

Keep your papers organized, collect business cards, skip picking up all the goodies.... show that your are there with purpose and focus on demonstrating your skills and what you can do for the company/propective employer.

Makes it quite a bit easier to target specific companies and avoid/minimize standing in lines. Everyone gets tired as the day progresses and it all becomes a drone of sorts. If really busy, they will probably not be asking many questions if any at all. Becomes a resume collection exercise. Your goal is to stand out and maybe get an actual hiring manager to come over, take you aside, and then get questioned.

Go early, go fresh. And again, Good luck!

 

[suihcteg]

What about appropriate apparel? I have a dark grey blazer and dress slacks that are slightly darker, close to black... and a few nice shirts and ties, that make the ensemble pop. It almost looks like a suit, since the coat and slacks both have the same blue undertone. But some people I've heard are insistent on a suit for any interview, and anything else is wrong. In the IT field, in which situations is a suit a must? I've been looking at becoming a network admin at perhaps a hospital, oil company, or aerospace company, but my professional profile has gotten the attention of a govt agency.

 

[Ralston18]

Dress appropriate and a blazer and slacks as your describe should be fine.

Too many techie types take advantage of the geeky image look thinking that they are allowed/entitled to be "sloppy". May be great techs and wonderful people but they still get judged by appearence. Especially if things go bad via Mr. Murphy. Then the customers are all looking at each other and saying things like "what was he/she smoking...."

I have seen many forms of dress at job fairs and even interviews. A professional look trumps (no pun intended) the all too common "casual" approach.

Even if you really have some really rare, intense job skills, high security clearance, etc. you need to look professional.

Especially when job hunting. You will see some of the company staff manning the tables dressed casually - but remember they will be there for a very long day(s) and sometimes will fall back on a more relaxed dress code. Managers, hiring managers, will more likely wear a tie.

On the job site collared polo style shirts and dress slacks were allowed for certain people. Usually the technicians/engineers who had to crawl underdesks, run cables through ceilings etc. That dress code could be and was relaxed for especially heavy work situations: e.g., relocating an office with large numbers of computers, printers, scanners, etc.. Probably not T-shirts, but possibly blue jeans... Then there were casual Fridays but there were still some rules such as no holes in jeans etc..

When in formal meetings with supervisors and customers a tie is appropriate. Dress does not make the person, however, the person makes the dress by acknowledging seriousness, hierarchy, and professionalism. (A manager who cannot/will not communicate does not make up for that via a $500 suit. Often can fool people though.)

Once you have been in an environment for a while the "proper attire" requirements become apparent and you adjust accordingly.

For interviews, a professional look and demeanor is key. To me that does not mean a high $ fitted suit. But it does not mean wearing navy blue slacks and a bright yellow blazer either. You need to be comfortable in the clothes that you are wearing. (Be sure to test wear everything, move and walk around for a while - hard to focus on questions, body language, etc. when something too tight is making you uncomfortable. Blazer/suit coat can prove to be too hot, shirt collar/tie too tight then you start sweating. Not good. Things are tense enough as they are without adding to the discomfort.

Yes some people are insistent about a suit and no problem with that per se. However, there is a bigger picture involved and dressing appropriate really should considered as expected without further ado. Hopefully those same people can provide more applicable and appropriate advice than just "you must wear a suit". Would not be surprised if they also insist on some introductory video (at extra cost to you) to electronically mail out to prospective employers.

It is always easier to take off a tie and/or blazer you have on than put on a tie and blazer you do not have..... Take some other clothes along to change into afterwards if viable. Will help you unwind on the way home. Maybe just the shirt and tie - switch to whatever makes you relax a bit.

For the the job fair and all interviews - dress and maintain the professional profile. And, by the way, turn off your mobile devices!