In This Issue:
Education: 10 Tips on How to Master an Interview
News: Y2K Was Nothing Compared This
Education: There’s Still Time!
Tips: Tech Toys

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10 Tips on How to Master an Interview

If you were in charge of hiring and conducted 20 interviews a week, what sort of things would stand out in the process? Wouldn’t a bad handshake stick out like a sore thumb? Wouldn’t you notice in an instant if the interviewee wasn’t prepared or didn’t know what the tech they were talking about? Wouldn’t your judgment be affected if they were not presentable?

We know you all know, but we could all use a refresher course on the basics, since it’s been awhile since a lot of us have been “out there”. When it comes to basic interviewing tips, the same advice you were given as a child still applies here:

1. “Do your homework.”
Prepare. Sounds simple enough, but did you know that most people go into an interview without knowing that much about the company they are trying to get into? Imagine going in to a cert exam without a minute of studying? If you want the job, do some serious research, not just the company’s main website. Execute a full online search, including local newspaper websites, press releases, etc. and then research the exact subject of the business and their competitors. If you speak eloquently about the biz to your interviewer, it’s bound to raise an eyebrow. Plus, it’s a great way to show off your willingness to learn, your research skills and even your presentation skills.

2. “Isn’t it past your bedtime?”
There’s a reason why your parents were so adamant about getting you in bed on time every night. You need your sleep in order to do stuff. We don’t want to be cranky when we see the interviewer, now do we?

3. “Eat all your vegetables.”
Well, eat a well balanced meal before your interview, at least. That excludes anything extra greasy or fatty, since that’ll drain the energy right out of you.

4. “Wear your ‘good’ clothes.”
First impressions are everything. Your interviewer will judge you based on the first couple of minutes he or she sees you and once they have a negative idea of you in their mind, it takes three times as much positive to turn their viewpoint around. Save all that work and dress appropriately for your interview.

5. “Don’t be late for school.”
Actually, anything less than 10-15 minutes EARLY is being late for an interview. Enough said.

6. “Wipe your feet.”
Don’t take this one literally, unless you’ve been walking in the snow or mud. This is an example of practicing good manners, or in this case, business etiquette. Give a firm hand shake, maintain eye contact with your interviewer and wait to sit until you’re invited to do so. Most importantly – turn off all electronics, even while you’re waiting in the lobby. Prove you’re a techie with your experience and your knowledge, not with your gaming habits.

7. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
When you are asked a question, think for a second and then speak up and be confident in your answers and explanations. If you doubled as Superman one day at your last job and saved the entire IT department from hours and hours of pain-staking and tedious work, tell them exactly what you did, why and how. Talk numbers – they love that, too!

8. “Honesty is the best policy,” and “Don’t be smart and don’t interrupt when somebody is talking to you.”
Well, do be smart, but do not interrupt and certainly don’t lie about your experience or credentials, etc. If you know you need something more, be honest and tell them your plans to get it done.

9. “If you don’t have something good to say, don’t say it.”
If you hear someone continuously speaking negatively about something or someone, how do you view that person? If you talk badly about a previous employer, co-worker, client, etc., it will reflect badly on you as a person and will make them wonder what you’ll say about them when you part ways. When in doubt, say it was “a learning experience” and move on to more positive things.

10. “Say thank you, Billy.”
What ever happened to the good ol’ fashioned thank you note? Okay, it may seem a little outdated, but if you don’t send anything, they won’t think that you’re very thankful for meeting with them and so maybe you wouldn’t be thankful for getting the job, either! Get creative if you want to, just please don’t send a text message with a smiley face.

Now, after the interview, don’t go to your room and think about what you did. The interview is over; it’s time to concentrate on the next one. Be a good lil’ interviewee and soon you’ll be rewarded with an allowance – your paycheck!

Next week, we’ll go over how interviews have changed over the years, how to win at tough interview questions and why so many interviewers are looking for specific examples of how well you functioned at your last job. We’ll also tell you what to say if you were fired or laid off from your last position. If you can’t wait, call 1-877-872-4646 and ask a training advisor for more info on interviewing tips, business etiquette and getting a job.

Y2K Was Nothing Compared to This

Remember the Y2K scare when businesses spent thousands and thousands of dollars or more changing code to prevent a system crash at the stroke of midnight on 1/1/00? Well, could we run into a similar problem for spending too little?

Based on surveys taken by their members, the Association for Computer Operations Management (AFCOM) predicts that in a period of the next five years, one of four data centers will experience a serious problem disruption. What’s more - AFCOM feels that due to the economy, this could become even worse.

The lack of spending and continuous cutbacks could prove to be an issue much worse than was thought about Y2K. This is because many companies are cutting back in the one area that protects them – physical security and data security. You can read about this survey as reported by ComputerWorld here.

Sure, the economy is bad, but opportunity is knocking…are you listening? Check out these certification training courses in security and database administration: Cisco CCENT, CCNA, CCNP, CCDA and CCDP; Oracle Certification training, Microsoft SQL MCTS, MCITP and many more. Or to get some sound advice on your own situation, call 1-877-872-4646 Monday through Friday, 9am-6pm.

There’s Still Time!

Spring Boot Camps are filling up fast, but it’s not too late to book your “cert-cation” in Tampa Bay! CBT XPress specializes in Certification Boot Camps to get you certified NOW. Imagine increasing your salary or getting that new job with the pay that you always wanted, all from taking a “cert-cation” in Tampa Bay, Florida! CBT XPress Certification Boot Camps include CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ Boot Camps; Microsoft MCITP Enterprise Administrator 2008; MCSE 2003; MCITP Messaging Administrator; Cisco CCENT and CCNA Boot Camps; all to get you certified NOW at the luxurious Safety Harbor Resort and Spa in Tampa Bay, Florida. Take a look at what our recent students have said about their CBT XPress Boot Camp experience. For more information, call 1-877-872-4646 Monday through Friday, 9am-6pm.

Tech Toys