MAKING A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION
During the interview Use concrete examples from experience
It’s not always about getting the correct answer
Talk technical, but be understood
Use examples from any work, volunteer, or internship experiences that can show how you used or picked up technical skills in a commercial environment. This will prove your ability to apply theory to practice, and will also reassure recruiters that you know how to translate your knowledge to the company’s needs. Another thing you should talk about are the projects you worked on at university; these demonstrate your ability to work independently, your in-depth knowledge of your subject and how you use practical skills and techniques to solve problems. Prepare a brief summary of what your project focused on, how you overcame any problems that came up, and how you got the final results. You can also produce a short portfolio of your projects to illustrate your responses as you speak, or leave it with the interviewer at the end of your interview session. You only have a limited amount of time during the interview, so this is a great way to ensure that the interviewers have at least one way to find out the full extent of your accomplishments.
Technical interviewers may ask you to comment on a range of scenarios or hypothetical situations. You may not know the answer to everything you’re asked, but try to show the interviewer how you might go about solving the problem or finding the information you would need to answer the question. Remember that apart from your technical knowledge, they also want to know how you reason and approach problems. This isn’t an exam, so don’t be afraid to ask for a few pointers if you find yourself stumped. If your interviewers oblige, try to pick up the thread and move on from there.
Technical interviewers also look at interviewees’ personal skills. You need to show that you can work well with others, and that you can communicate technical information and scientific ideas clearly and concisely to laymen and experts alike. When communicating ideas, try your best to use simple terms to explain complicated concepts. Avoid technical or scientific jargon if possible, but if you absolutely need to drop a few of those, be sure to clarify what they mean or stand for. It’s always a good idea to focus on the application of the idea – how and why this idea is important, and why your audience should care about it. Remember that even in a technical interview, not all your interviewers may be experts in your chosen field. Do your best to keep things simple yet meaningful, and not lock any one of them out of the loop!
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