Interview advice.

JC-Retro

JC-Retro

JC-Retro

Associate
Joined
21 Aug 2009
Posts
108
Just a shot in the dark asking this but I've seen people asking similar things so might as well:

From the off, pardon my ignorance and don't get worked up if I sound like a complete and typical...well... student. :D

In my 2nd year, doing CompSci at Uni. Applying for placements and have a got an interview for the 8th December. It's for security software company called Cybersource and a contact I have has told me a thing or two about them (Agile methodology, Java-based.)

I'm just wondering if there is anything in particular anyone might recommend strongly (what to read up on or even just general advice) when preparing for this kind of interview.

I just don't want to come off as a complete numpty as I feel if given the right push in the right direction, I could do a job for someone eventually.

Appreciate any responses and no worries if it's a bit hard to give advice without working for the company themselves.
 
I will sound like a broken record, but confidence is key and doing little research on the company would go a long way too.
 
1. As said, research the company and be able to talk about it in such a way that the interviewer feels like you're already in the organisation.

2. Treat the interview as a meeting of equals. Ask questions, be challenging (politely), be open and don't do the 'rabbit in headlights' thing that many interviewees, particularly younger ones, tend to do. They want to hire someone so show them why it should be you.

3. ALWAYS have questions at the end when they ask if you have any. You do. It's impossible to not have questions after such a short meeting.

4. Research your interviewer if you can or at least understand if he's the hirer or the vetting guy/gal.

5. Gain from the experience. It might not work out but if it doesn't then ask for feedback, good and bad. If it does work out, still ask for feedback, good and bad.

6. Good luck :)
 
I had a telephone interview with Virgin Media the other day. He asked me to tell him about the services Virgin Media provides. I answered "Well, internet, TV and phone." that was it lol.

Did he want me to list all their packages and pricing or what? I thought it was a ridiculous and boring question tbh. I could write a 1000 word essay on "the services virgin media provides".

It's saddening because I didn't get the job, yet one of their employees didn't even know how to restart windows :(. I was relaxing on the sofa and he had to call me over because he didnt know how to restart it.
 
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asim18 said:
I had a telephone interview with Virgin Media the other day. He asked me to tell him about the services Virgin Media provides. I answered "Well, internet, TV and phone." that was it lol.

Did he want me to list all their packages and pricing or what? I thought it was a ridiculous and boring question tbh. I could write a 1000 word essay on "the services virgin media provides".

It's saddening because I didn't get the job, yet one of their employees didn't even know how to restart windows :(. I was relaxing on the sofa and he had to call me over because he didnt know how to restart it.
Click to expand...

But that's not soley what Virgin media do - you clearly didn't research the company and probably came across ignorant.

Research is key - know your potential new employer!
 
Research the company. Also research the industry. Know their competition and how the differentiate against their competition. How are they different? Any depth you can give that isn't on the front page of their website will demonstrate your reading around.

asim18 said:
I had a telephone interview with Virgin Media the other day. He asked me to tell him about the services Virgin Media provides. I answered "Well, internet, TV and phone." that was it lol.

Did he want me to list all their packages and pricing or what? I thought it was a ridiculous and boring question tbh. I could write a 1000 word essay on "the services virgin media provides".

It's saddening because I didn't get the job, yet one of their employees didn't even know how to restart windows :(. I was relaxing on the sofa and he had to call me over because he didnt know how to restart it.
Click to expand...

A company is going to expect more from a question like that. A better answer might include when they started diversifying into those areas, takeovers etc. They also do a lot of business solutions regarding the areas you mentioned.
 
asim18 said:
I had a telephone interview with Virgin Media the other day. He asked me to tell him about the services Virgin Media provides. I answered "Well, internet, TV and phone." that was it lol.
Click to expand...

It was a perfectly sensible question and also one that you really should have expected. He wanted you to go into a bit of detail, demonstrating that you'd bothered to research the company beforehand.

As you couldnt, it was clear to him you don't have what it takes to sit in a call centre and discuss Virgin Media.

I could write a 1000 word essay on "the services virgin media provides".
Click to expand...

And you can read 1000 words in a few minutes, so why didnt you?

It's saddening because I didn't get the job,
Click to expand...

Rightly so.

yet one o
f their employees didn't even know how to restart windows :(. I was relaxing on the sofa and he had to call me over because he didnt know how to restart it.
Click to expand...

a) I don't beleive you
b) Who cares anyway, it isnt a 'how to restart windows' hotline.

People who show they can be bothered can be trained. You showed you couldn't, so you didnt get the job.

Tried Farmfoods?
 
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