#wtm15

#BeInspired Jovena Whatmoor

● Co-Founder, Clutch Talent● Co-Creator, NYTechWomen● Organizer, NY JavaScript Meetup● Interview Success: Secrets to Winning

jovenaw

jovena

+JovenaWhatmoor#BeInspired

#wtm15

Interview SuccessSecrets to Winning

#wtm15

#InterviewSuccess: Secrets to WinningCracking the secretsWhy didn’t you get that offer?What does that “reason for decline” really mean? How to win.

5 Common reasons for decline● Communication● “Culture fit”● Lack of passion● Negative attitude● Technical

#wtm15

#InterviewSuccess: Secrets to WinningCommunication problems● Ramble● Answers do not relate directly to the company you’re

interviewing with● Tied down in your current employer’s lingo

Communication wins● Give yourself time to form a concise answer● Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes● Be brave about asking for clarification● It’s okay to not know every answer● Smile!

#wtm15

#InterviewSuccess: Secrets to WinningCulture fitWhat does it really mean?

They’re evaluating if you would be happy there.

Culture wins● Ask about Core Values● Do your homework: twitter, blog, etc to get a sense of

the personalities, activities, etc.● Strive to connect with every interviewer.● Dress to fit in (usually no suits!)● Smile!

If you do all this and are declined for culture fit, you probably would not be happy there.

#wtm15

#InterviewSuccess: Secrets to WinningLack of passion...● Do not seem interested in the technology / company● Did not act enthusiastic● Do not show passion for technology & learning

Passion wins● Memorize 5-10 things you love about each:

○ the company○ the technology product○ the tech stack & tech culture○ the team

● Read recent press about the company● Use an enthusiastic tone or words● Smile!

#wtm15

#InterviewSuccess: Secrets to WinningNegative attitude● Talk about bad managers at previous jobs● Complain about poor tech decisions by peers● Express dislike toward specific tech - languages,

frameworks, etc

Attitude wins● Find honest, but indirect / kind ways to express why you

left previous jobs● Save criticism & concerns for post-offer discussions● Practice: Turn every negative statement into a positive● Smile!

#wtm15

#InterviewSuccess: Secrets to WinningTechnical assessment methods● Core Computer Science fundamentals● Problem solving - verbal, whiteboarding, sketch● Pair programming● Code tests & extensions

Looking for● Knowledge of their tech stack (50%+ is probably okay)● Ability to fit into their tech culture, for example: agile,

TDD, fast-paced, continuous release● Ability to articulate your experience in a way that is

relevant to their tech

#wtm15

#InterviewSuccess: Secrets to WinningTechnical problems● Not prepared● Talk about non-relevant experience

Tech wins● Find out everything you can about the interview● Relevant side-projects on Github● Meet an engineer for an informational coffee● Practice, practice, practice● When you don’t know the answer -

○ Talk it through outloud○ Discuss experience w/ something similar○ It’s okay to say “I’m not familiar...”

● Smile!

#wtm15

#InterviewSuccess: Secrets to WinningDo not forget to...

SMILE

@jovenaw