Career Services Workshop:Interview Coaching
for SQL Server Professionals
Presented to you by:
Erica Woods (Manager of Contractor & Community Relations)
and Cate Murray (PMO Practice Director)
Copyright (c) 2006-2014 Edgewood Solutions, LLC All rights reserved
45-60 minutes from now…Top 3 reasons why candidates don’t get hired
Evaluation criteria
How to set yourself up for success to impress your
interviewers
How to effectively communicate your strengths and brand
Common interview pitfalls
Tactics to leave a lasting impression
Follow up protocol suggestions
Effective Interview Preparationwill only enhance the likelihood
that you’ll have an enjoyable interview experience and will
position yourself as a frontrunner!
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Who are we?
• Erica Woods, Apex Systems • Manager, Contractor and Community
Relations
• Project and Program Management of initiatives that support our national IT contractor base
• Support of our nonprofit and technical communities
• Social Media
• Career Coaching
@ericawoodsgo
• Cate Murray, Apex Systems• PMO Practice Director
• 9 years of IT Staffing
• Oversee strategies that impact our PMO, BA and QA Practice Groups
• 5+ years of Management of Technical Recruiters and Delivery
• Expertise in marketing, IT staffing, training, and career services
@murray_cate
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Poll #1
•What is your biggest concern when
it comes to interviews?
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Top Reasons Qualified Candidates Don’t Get Hired
No Passion
• Lack of enthusiasm and professionalism prior to, during, and following the interview.
Lack of Prep• Poor interview preparation.
Inadequate Presentation
• Poor communication by the applicant to the client why he or she left previous jobs.
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What Managers Evaluate • How skills align with the role
• Interest level in the role
• Attitude
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Initiative
• Adaptability
• Flexibility
• Work Ethic
• Follow Up / Follow Through
• Passion
• Resourcefulness
• Team Oriented
• Solution Oriented
• Customer Focused
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Preparation and practice are necessary to successfully perform!
The 3 P’s
Prepare Practice Perform
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Best Practice #1 (Pre) – Familiarize yourself with your past!
• Review highlights from your past. Make lists of:
• Achievements
• Strengths
• Stories
• Improvement Areas
• Learning Experiences
• Potential Concerns/Red Flags
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What if I’m no longer familiar with a technology
or skill listed on my resume?Have no fear… Just
further prepare!
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Best Practice #2 (Pre) – Visualize Success
• Read the job description the day before
the interview and write down a list of
reasons why you think you’ll be successful
in that role!
• Think through your last positive interview.
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Success is often a self-fulfilling prophecy!
Visualize success!
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Best Practice #3 (Pre) – Research Company
• Be prepared to answer:
• Why do you want to work here?
• How familiar are you with our organization?
• Did you have an opportunity to look at our
website?
• What attracted you to our organization?
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Ask questions that demonstrate you did your
homework!
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Best Practice #4 (Pre) – Prepare Questions • What are the top skills you need this individual to walk in the door with?
• Break down your technical landscape for me. What does your technology
roadmap look like?
• What are the goals of the executive leadership team for this company
over the next 1 year? 5 years?
• What are the goals for this department?
• What’s the culture like?
• Are there any concerns about my background that I can address for you?
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What do you want this individual to come in and
accomplish over the next 3 months? 6 months? 1 year?
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• Prepare your 30 second “elevator pitch”
• What’s your brand?
• What have been your focus areas over the last 3-
5 years?
• What contributions are you most proud of?
• What are your technical competencies?
Best Practice #5 (Pre) – Prepare Elevator Pitch
Preparation is the key to success when answering the dreaded “Tell me about yourself!”
Tip: Read your Elevator Pitch out loud! Practice in front of a mirror!
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Best Practice #6 (Pre) – Research the Unknown
• Are there aspects of the job
description you’re not familiar
with? Then do some research!
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Going the extra mile to researchtechnologies, concepts, etc… youdon’t have exposure with shows initiative, curiosity, and a strong
interest in the position!
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Best Practice #7 (Pre) – Consult with Others
• If working with a Recruiter, ask “Is there any other information, best practice guides or other
resources you can provide me to help me perform my best during the interview?”
• Do you have any ‘Interview Prep’ Guides?
• Do you have an example of a ‘Post Interview Follow Up’ thank you email?
• Do you have any technical assessments you can send me?
• Do you have example Interview Questions for database professionals?
• Do you have any additional insight into this Manager, their team, our track record with them, etc…?
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Best Practice #8 (During) – Communicate Qualifications
• Communicate your experience, skills, contributions, and interests.
• Focus on what you’ve done, not what you’ve seen others do.
• Balance the “I” vs. “we” experience.
• Explain how your experience/skills aligns.
• Concentrate on the employer's needs, not yours.
• Summarize your understanding of the role, the priorities, and how
you can contribute at the end of the interview.
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Focus on standingout from the crowd!
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Best Practice #9 (During) – Ask the questions you prepared!
• Ask at least 2-3 questions
• Express that you’ve done your homework on the
company
• Interview the Interviewer
• Ask questions that show you’re interested in the
company long-term
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Asking ZERO questions is a quick way to get
disqualified. If you have no questions, assume the
interviewer thinks you have no interest in the position!
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Best Practice #10 (During) – Demonstrate your interest!
• Express Passion/Excitement
• Are you communicating your interest in the company, group, project, and role?
• Reiterate your interest and qualifications near the end of the interview!
Best Practice: Jot down reasons why you’re interested in the opportunity and company!
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Don’t let a perceived “lack of interest” be the reason you’re not selected for a position!
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Best Practice #11 (During) – Establish Connection!• Find a way to connect & relate
• React and relate to comments by the interviewer
• Establishing a common interest, group, person, etc.
is a quick way to potentially establish credibility and
set yourself apart!
• Is there an opportunity to establish a personal,
community, or technical connection?
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“You’re a member of the ___ SQL Server User Group? Me too!
I really enjoyed the presentation they did last month on ___! Did you attend?
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Best Practice #12 (During) – Share Successes
• Share your stories.
• Follow the PAR format for telling stories!
*Problem
*Action
*Result
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Best Practice #13 (During) – Be honest about experience!
• If you don’t have experience in a specific area,
don’t fret. Walk through how you’ll gain
experience or get up to speed.
• Follow the 80:20 rule!
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“While I haven’t had the opportunity to work with xyz technology, I’m confident I
could pick it up. It’s similar to xyz technology, which I worked with at ABC
corporation, and I can do some self-training prior to starting.”
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Remember that the majority of perceived communication is based on non-
verbal cues (i.e. facial expressions, body movement, posture, arm placement)!
Focus areas:
• Avoid fidgeting
• Lead and close with a firm handshake
• Eye Contact
• Good Posture
• Don’t fold or cross your arms
• Smile
Best Practice #14 (During) – Focus on your Non-Verbal Communication
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Best Practice #15 (During) – Offer additional “sales ammo!”• Proactively offer:
• References/Letters of Recommendation
• Portfolio
• URL to personal website and/or LinkedIn profile
• Samples of work
• Personal/pet projects
• Projects for charities
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“Would you like to see samples of my work that I think would relate to your particular need?Or is there anything else I can provide you to demonstrate
my qualifications?”
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Best Practice #16 (Post) – Send a “thank you!”
• Send a brief thank you email in a
timely fashion.
• Avoid being generic.
• Show appreciation for their time.
• Reiterate qualifications and interest level.
• Offer any additional materials that could
help differentiate you.
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Phone Interview Tips • Stand
• Smile
• Avoid heavy exhalations
• Ask questions to gauge whether you should
expand on answers
• Use a land line when possible
• Have pen and paper
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Additional Tips • Know interview details! Who, where, what, & when.
• Keep in mind…. Your interview begins as soon as you drive into the parking lot
(everyone matters!).
• Use numbers where applicable.
• Show appreciation to everyone you meet.
• Avoid tangents.
• Don’t be afraid to follow up on opportunities/interviews.
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Poll #2
•What would you like more help on
related to interviews?