The
software market is growing. The opportunities for people wanting an employment
in this field are also growing but the main concern of employers now is the employability
of the candidates. Here are some tips to make your self employable and crack
the interview to your dream job.
With the
businesses becoming more technology focussed, the software development market
is growing everyday. This calls for more and more people to be employed in this
industry. So, the opportunities for people wanting to work in a software
profession are growing but at the same time growing is the concern of
recruiters over the employability of the candidates.
Whether
you are a fresh candidate or someone with experience, it is extremely important
that you should be able to impress the recruiter. The recruiters get a number
of applications from people seeking the employment for every position they
advertise. So, if you have already received an interview call, make sure that
you are able to prove your metal in the first round of interview to make it to
the second round.
Here’s a
list of 10 things which will help you in doing just that:
1. Prepare yourself for aptitude
tests, skill tests, on the spot programming:
The
interview process at most of the places these days comprises of a test to check
your aptitude, vocabulary, technical skills etc. You may also be required to do
some on the spot programming. Most of the people get eliminated in this round
itself for lack of preparation. If you want to really get the job, you need to
prepare yourself well to clear this round of interview.
2. Show
your communication skills:
One of
the most important qualities recruiters look for in candidates is their ability
to communicate clearly. This means – how good is the candidate at explaining
and understanding things. Software development is more of a team work wherein
you are required to interact regularly with your team and people from client’s
team. So, it is extremely important that you know the common language well –
which in most cases is English. So, ensure that you work on your English by
regularly reading the newspapers and other good books. Also, make sure that you
are well prepared to take up a vocabulary or grammar test if the need arises
during the interview.
3. Be
confident and humble:
Show your
enthusiasm and confidence during the interview but since you will be required
to work in a team it is extremely important to be humble and pleasant to work
with. This is one of the qualities recruiters would definitely want to see in a
candidate.
4. Exhibit your knowledge about various facets of
software development:
On most of the
occasions, you will be interviewed only for one position - developer, team
lead, project manager or tester for example. It will work in your favour if you
exhibit your knowledge about other related facets of the position too. For e.g.
if you are appearing for a developer’s position, it would help if you also
discuss about leading the team, managing the project, testing the software or
developing other people in your team. This will make you a stronger candidate
for the position as most of the people would just discuss what they have been
called for and go back. So, you can get a cutting edge here.
5. Research the company and the domain:
It is extremely
important to research the company, gain some know how about its business and
the technologies it works on. Going unprepared demonstrates your lack of
interest in the position.
6. Prepare well for the HR interview
More than 50%
candidates flunk it. So, you did well during your technical test? You think the
job is yours? No. You still have HR interview to face and more than 50%
candidates flunk the HR interview. HR interviews are conducted to understand
the character of the person and see if he would fit into the corporate culture.
So, make sure that you are able to understand the reason behind each question
that is thrown at you and take a correct approach to answer it.
7. Looking to turn you down:
As discussed earlier,
many people apply to every job opening that is advertised. So, interview is
basically the process to eliminate unsuitable candidates. Make sure that you do
not provide any additional information which is not asked for. For e.g. a
candidate just discussed about her migraine problem while appearing for a sales
job interview. The interview went well but the additional information she
provided worked as a reason for her elimination. Don’t lie; but you have the
right to remain silent.
8. Talk positive and be enthusiastic:
Avoid talking
negative things about your last job or boss in the interview. Talking badly
about the previous employer reflects badly on your attitude. Make sure that you
show your enthusiasm for the position you are being interviewed for and that
you are really interested in working here. If you stay dull, the employer will
take it as lack of interest and eliminate you for being a misfit.
It is important to make a list of your strengths and achievements in the last positions you have held. They give you the confidence and help you in demonstrating yourself as a strong contender for the position.
It is important to make a list of your strengths and achievements in the last positions you have held. They give you the confidence and help you in demonstrating yourself as a strong contender for the position.
9. Don’t tell lies:
With so many social
networking sites being in place and the companies having access to private
investigators it is extremely easy for the employer to verify everything you
said during the interview. So, while you have the right to remain silent, make
sure that you do not falsify your candidature at any point of time. You might
get the job by telling lies but the day they are exposed, the only door left
open for you will be the exit door.
10. Don’t bug them by following up:
So, your interview is over? Another important thing to know
at this stage is that while it is considered polite to drop a thank you e-mail,
bugging them up with a phone call everyday is not going to help. No company
would like to let a good candidate get lost. They will dig out your contact
details if they want to hire you. So, just drop a thank you e-mail and wait for
them to come back.