Interviewing is hard!
Interviewing for a job can be a nerve wracking and extremely stressful process. The future of your career depends on your ability to convince people that you really do know what you’re talking about, and that you can excel at the job they’re interviewing you for.
If you’re an interviewer, finding the right person for a job can be a tiring and frustrating process.
In my 18 years at Microsoft I interviewed hundreds of candidates for technical positions. Of those, only a handful were “hire” recommendations. Why? Because at the end of the day, only they were the ones who clearly demonstrated what it would take to do the job.
With this site I’m giving both interviewees and interviewers a head start, an inside peek at what really matters when interviewing and how to make sure that you best demonstrate your skills and abilities or find those skills and abilities in the people you’re vetting.
The interviewing technique I’ll cover is that used by many high tech companies. Your future peers are the people interviewing you. A typical interview “loop” might begin and end with someone in a Human Resources department, but the real decision makers will be several of the people with whom you might someday work.
I’ll also touch on what’s called the “problem solving interview”. Microsoft became famous for this style of interviewing, though again, many high tech firms now use the same technique. During the interview you might be asked to attempt to solve problems, typically logic or thinking problems, as well as problems specifically related to the job you are interviewing for. What the interviewer is really looking for may surprise you.
Are you the interviewee? Then start here for tips to Nailing Your Interview for those being interviewed.
Are you the interviewer? Then start here for tips to Nailing Your Interview for interviewers.
And regardless of your role, be sure to visit “the other side” for even more insights on getting the job you deserve or the employee you need.