The Interview- of Doom

by Andrea Grabemeyer on July 3rd, 2014

Finally! What you've eagerly anticipated, the interview for the job of your dreams! But you want to make a good first impression right? Here's how...

1. Call ahead to the company that's interviewing you, and let them know who you are and what's going on. After introducing yourself, kindly and politely ask what is the preferred dress code at their place of business.Be one notch more formal than what they describe for the preferred dress code. Remember, you want to stand out, not blend in!

2. When you arrive 15 minutes early (hint), greet everyone, and remain professional at all times, (Yes, that includes the janitor). Most employers tend to ask about your interactions and behavior from their employees.

3. When meeting the employer for the first time, the rules are: A firm handshake, which consists of 2 pumps and release. Eye contact, but no staring. Sit up straight. It shows your confident and have a positive attitude.

4.Be prepared not only to be asked questions, but to have the interviewer answer some of yours! But do your research.

5. Only explain or discuss work related information. That goes for the interviewer too! Watch your language and never be too casual. Some Interviewers will try to be casual on purpose to test your professional integrity. Don't fall for it! Always, always keep your professional game face on!

Raves & Praise

Jennie

Student Employment Success - Project/Process Manager

My Career Services Manager was very friendly and helpful and had excellent follow-up. She seemed to really care how things were going and kept me moving in the right direction. The resources available in job search were great and the visibility that there were jobs out there looking for my skillset was promising. Additionally, the training, as well as having an updated resume stating the Microtrain course work I had taken made me feel more confident and marketable as I looked for employment. It showed that I was dedicated and took project management and process management seriously.

David

A Cisco Success Story

I attended a resume writing seminar & conducted mock phone interviews with a Microtrain career counselor. These two activities gave me a leg up on distinguishing myself from all the other people looking for work. Since the career counselor's at Microtrain had a track record of getting people hired, their insight and positive past experiences helped me tremendously in getting hired with a Cisco Voice Systems Integrator in the Chicago area. I was hired as a Cisco Voice Tech Engineer with a starting salary of $65,000 / year with a Cisco voice systems reseller located in the Chicagoland area. Microtrain was very instramental in making this a reality. From expediting my WIA grant, to providing excellent hands-on training from knowledgable instructors I was able to achieve becoming certified with my CCNP. Microtrain's career services was the final catalyst in connecting me with this company by communicating with them on my behalf and with me in setting up the interview. One week later and I was hired. No joke. Thanks Microtrain!

Karine Bucci

Project Management

Great class, loved the interaction and team-building exercises. Plenty of materials and learning tools supplied. Although it was a full week's class, never boring. Donna [Russell] was awesome and gave many supporting examples for better understanding.

Scott Wilson - Team Bradley

Employer Partner Feedback

Dawn has been a pleasure to work with. She is diligent in her efforts to give MicroTrain’s students the best opportunities to connect and network with various companies and players in the job market. The curriculums and certification programs are in line with today’s current IT needs. It’s good to see that they evolve with what employers are most seeking out there. I would recommend to any employer that hires skilled IT workers that they look into MicroTrain’s career services department as a potential source of candidates. The business of hiring can be quite costly, and Dawn and her staff provide a free service to outside companies. This value-add for MicroTrain’s students aligns with their mission in both training and job assistance to set up a win/win scenario for all involved.

Christopher Fowler

MCSA

Very thorough, good mix of lecture and lab work. Al is great! Keeps classes interesting and supplements required test material with need-to-know items from real world experience.

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