Interview Advice

[Lucio]

Ok, I've managed to finally get an interview for an IT position and I'm a little bit worried. I've got to prepare a 5 minute presenation on a "topic that interests me" but it notes that I'll be judged on the quality AND the content.

I have no idea what to prepare now! All my hobbies are not something you'd either a) want to discuss in an interview or b) something you can't easily present.

I was toying with the idea of doing "How to build a PC", a guide for beginners as it falls under something that interests me, but I'm not sure whether that's trying too hard to be techy.


Anyone got any advice on this kind of interview, as I've done nothing like it before!

[grayg1]

Well what exactly is the IT position?

[stevie lee]

how about a 5 minute talk on the joys of an internet based technology discussion forum and how it helps people who know very little about computers build one from scratch that they bought from the UK's best Computer Hardware shop....

[SiM]

I am not sure if this applies to IT jobs, but it might be good to present something not IT related. Talk about something else... a hobby is a good idea

[Templar87]

In some ways I agree with the above, as it's good to show that you're not a total geek (read: have a social/non-work life, therefore social skills) to the folk hiring you.

Then again, being able to present a technical subject in an easily comprehensible manner is a good skill to show off. This would be particularly true if you can find something in the area of the job you're applying for that could "interest you" for the purposes of the task.

[schmunk]

How about Naziism? Always a winner!

[Clunk]

Well what exactly is the IT position?

It's like the missionary, only you need to turn it off and then back on again afterwards.

[tiggerai]

It's like the missionary, only you need to turn it off and then back on again afterwards.

Oh LOL! (all by myself...)

[Lucio]

It's like the missionary, only you need to turn it off and then back on again afterwards.

That's just wrong! (but funny)


Anyhow, the position is Training and Applications Test Analyst for the L&D Hospital....

... which as far as I can work out means I have to learn the systems, and then teach people how to not completely break them

[Dareos]

I have no idea what to prepare now! All my hobbies are not something you'd either a) want to discuss in an interview or b) something you can't easily present.

!

As long as your hobbies don't include hanging around school playgrounds at lunchtime or cricket, then i don't really see a problem about talking about them at an interview.

you may find a common interest that helps your case


(its not gonna be LARP tho)

[Lucio]

(its not gonna be LARP tho)

Unfortunately that's probably the interest I can talk the most about!

[ShenBlade]

1) Adjust your presentation spiel depending if the audience is technical or not
2) Honestly, just do a topic you love and make it easy to explain with lots of pretty pictures and handouts
3) Practise the presentation on mates and family or even just put it on hexus for feedback

as long as you dont sound like a nutter everything should be fairly fine

[SiM]

good tips there...

you could even upload a video of your presentation here for comments...

remember to leave a minute for a Q&A session if appropriate..

[TiG]

My god, if its a proper company don't whatever you do talk about a hobby, don't patronise them about how to build a pc either.

The interview is there for you to impress them, tailor it to demonstrate your skills, but make it relevant to the job.

TiG

[Lucio]

My god, if its a proper company don't whatever you do talk about a hobby, don't patronise them about how to build a pc either.

The interview is there for you to impress them, tailor it to demonstrate your skills, but make it relevant to the job.

TiG

It's the NHS, so I have no idea about what level of technical skills they have! The job role includes presenting fairly basic PC related tasks to people who have zero clue about IT and need a helping hand. From the job description, this can be as simple as "How to check your e-mail".

I was considering the How to build a PC, because it's a technical subject I enjoy a great deal and it's moderately complex. If I can get a presentation together that would explain it to say, my fiancee, it shows that I have the ability to wrap up a complex subject in simple terms.

[Templar87]

I agree with the translating-something-techy-for-the-layperson approach. Showing them how to build a PC would be interesting, but could you maybe do something more related to the work at hand - maybe show them how to use some software? Examples could be basic things e-mail (like you say) or something like how to create a website or create a facebook profile? I'm sure there's something (much more) interesting that would fit the bill.