1. 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.
2. RESUME & INTERVIEW TIPS
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?
3. RESUME & INTERVIEW TIPS
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?