How To Slam Dunk Your Next Job Interview

This post is an answer to a question asked by Chris who is attending his tenth (10) job interview. You may click here to read the original question or add your own question or comment to the discussion.

The original post is a No Holds Barred Discussion on challenges, problems or issues facing my readers. If you have a Burning Question or Challenge you need help with, be sure to add your question to that page and i will answer it fully just as I am answering Tom’s question below!

The definition of the word “slam dunk” below is from Wikipedia and the rest of the article is my anwer to Chris’s challenge with Job Interviews!

A slam dunk (or simply a dunk) is a type of basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air and manually powers the ball downward through the basket with one or both hands over the rim.

The term “slam dunk” was coined by Los Angeles Lakers announcer Chick Hearn and is one of the highest percentage shots one can attempt in basketball.

50 Ways To Slam Dunk Any Job Interview

1. Dress appropriately for your job interviews

2. Never be late for your job interviews

3. Verify the interviewer’s timezone ahead of your job interview

4. Verify the location of the interview ahead of time

5. Print a mapquest or step by step driving direction to the interview location

6. Before going for the interview, find out more about the culture of the company, what they like in employees or consultants or why they are hiring

7. Greet the receptionist and other people in the lounge or interview room courteously and with a smile

8. Research your potential employer using the internet before the interview

9. Research your potential employer by finding out about their products, services, industry and corporate history

10. Take samples or proof of your expertise to the interview

11. Demonstrate to the interviewer how portions or sections of the job posting relate to your resume and skills

12. Do not negotiate compensation before you get an offer

13. Do not talk down your current or previous positions

14. Be prepared to answer the “what are your strengths?” question

15. Be prepared to answer the “what is your weakness?” question

16. Be prepared to answer the “do you prefer working in teams or alone?” question

17. Give the appropriate level of technical detail for each interviewer. A senior business analyst or a tech lead will need detailed technical answers while managers or directors may need concise summaries.

18. Be prepared to answer the “what is your greatest accomplishment?” question

19. Be prepared to answer the “why are you looking for a position?” question

20. Be prepared to answer the “how do you handle stress?” question

21. Answer each interview question with specifics, examples and illustrations from your career

22. Answer each interview question quickly, completely and to the point

23. Answer each interview question and ask your interviewer if you provided enough information

24. Answer each interview question with confidence, command and authority

25. Answer each interview question by looking the interviewer in the eye

26. Answer each interview question by looking briefly at each interviewer in the room and returning back to the originator of the question

27. Answer each interview question with a smile and a relaxed, calm demeanor

28. Say you don’t know on interview questions, that you don’t have any idea about

29. If you interviewer corrects you on your answers, be courteous and thank the interviewer for taking the time to correct your response

30. Take the phone interview as seriously as a face to face interview because may even get hired on the phone without another face to face

31. Take you phone interviews in a quiet, distraction free room

32. Give an alternate phone number to the employer as a backup ahead of your phone interviews

33. Practice taking phone interviews while standing up or sitting down and then choose the style that works for you

34. Start your interview preparation a month or more before you take the interview

35. When preparing for a job interview, first prepare a list of frequently asked questions and answers

36. Prepare the questions to ask the interviewer about the job position before your interview date

37. When preparing for job interview, rehearse or practice answering the questions 10 or more times beforehand

38. When preparing for job interview, rehearse or practice before an audience that will give you immediate feedback

39. After taking a job interview, let the interviewer know that you really want and care about landing the job

40. After taking a job interview, ask the interviewer what are the issues that must be tackled immediately and effectively by you, if you are hired

41. After taking a job interview, ask the interviewer what personal attributes or traits are common among the sucessful employees or consultants

42. After taking a job interview, ask the interviewer who you will be reporting to if you are hired

43. After taking a job interview, thank the interviewer for their time and interest in hiring you before leaving the room

44. After taking a job interview, ask the interviewer for their contact information

45. After taking a job interview, send a thank you email to your job interviewers when you get home

46. After taking a job interview, decline to discuss your pay until you get a job offer

47. After taking a job interview, let the interviewer know that you are flexible when it comes to pay

48. After taking a job interview, ask the interviewer how long you it will take for them to get back to you

49. After taking a job interview, prepare a list of the challenging questions you had to answer

50. After taking a job interview, research, document and rehearse the answers to all the challenging questions you answered

What Is The Toughest Challenge Facing Your Career?

Visit the Shopping Cart, Click Here

ABOUT TRAINING & COACHING COURSES

• Business Analyst Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Business Analyst Video Training


• SQL Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, SQL + RDBMS Video Training


• Software Developer Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Software Developer Video Training


• Data Analysts Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, Data Analyst Video Training


• Get Hired Fast - Online, Web Based, Resume + Job Search + Interview Video Training


• Become A Leader Coaching - Develop hands-on experience, gain domain expertise, solve industry problems, Stand Up and Be Noticed, market your career using PULL instead of PUSH techniques!

Visit our Shopping Cart

Learning A Marketable Skill?

Hi,

Do you want to learn the C++ programming language or become a C/C++ computer programmer?

Have you ever asked this question? which programming language is the most complex and challenging?? and received the answer C++?

If you answered yes, you are not alone. About 13 years ago, I asked my mentors in computer programming which programming language is the hardest, toughest, most difficult to learn? and I got the same reply as you… C++.

I asked the question because I wanted to become a successful computer programmer.

So, I reasoned that if I could prove myself by conquering the hardest programming language, my success in computer programming would be guaranteed.

Do You Want To Learn The Hardest Programming Language?

Recently, a number of C/C+ software developers have been turning to me for help with their computer programmer careers.

You can do this by taking advantage of the developer coaching or training sessions available to computer programmers who enroll in the software developers boot camp.

So, what could go wrong with the career of a software developer who has conquered one of the meanest, hardest, most complex computer programming languages?

The real problem with learning C/C++ is not whether it leaves up to its reputation for being a tough guy, because it does!.

The challenge facing those who succeed in learning C/C++ is more subtle.

Continue reading and you will find out for yourself soon.

Is C/C++ Programming Good For Your Career?

A few months ago, I started mentoring a C/C++ computer programmer with real-world programming experience in C/C++, Microsoft Foundation Classes and Windows 32 API and a college degree.

He couldn’t get a computer programmer job, so he signed up for my coaching program to find out why he couldn’t get a job with C/C++ programming skills.

After he explained his situation to me, I presented him with a list of 3 hot programming technologies in high demand.

I told him that these programming languages were so hot that just having them on his resume would land him programming job offers, even though he had been out of work for 2 years!

Well, he acted on the information I gave him, took MASSIVE ACTION and in a FEW MONTHS learnt all he could about the 3 hot programming technologies!

Guess what? a few months after taking advantage of my software developer mentoring, he got the first programming job he interviewed for on the spot, after being out of work for two (2) years!

So, why couldn’t a C/C++ computer programmer with real world industry experience and a college degree get a programming job in the middle of a hi-tech boom?

WHY C++ PROGRAMMERS CAN’T GET JOBS

The simple reason why C++ programmers can’t get a job is that the C++ programming language is not suited for business or web applications development!

But, wait a minute, isn’t C/C++ also one of the fastest programming languages?

Yes C++ is one of the fastest programming languages. But the speed of C++ applies to the speed with which it executes on a computer and not to the speed with which you can code or develop software programs.

STOP! Think about what I just said. Don’t just read it, digest my last statement until you really comprehend it.

C/C++ is the wrong programming language for business or web programming because employers care more about the speed with which you code or develop software and care less about the speed at which your software program executes.

Why Employers Don’t Care About The Execution Speed of C++ Programs?

The reason is that the dramatic increases in computer processing speed and memory has made the personal computer faster and much more powerful.

So, the amount of processing power available on most personal computers makes the execution speed of any programming language sufficient for most business software development projects.

What Do Employers Care About?

Employers really want their software developers to code or write programs faster. And C/C++ fares badly at this, because it’s one of the meanest, hardest, most complex programming languages to either learn or develop real-world business applications with.

The problems of C/C++ does not stop with the difficulty of learning the language. It’s also harder, tougher and slower to develop web or business applications in.

This is the real reason why most employers will not hire C/C++ programmers for business or web application development.

Is C/C+ Dead?

Certainly not. C/C++ is best suited for software projects like writing operating systems, compilers, computer or video games, data mining applications, scientific applications or applications where the execution speed is critical.

Stop for a moment now and answer this question: do you really want to make money from programming computers quickly or easily?

If you answered yes, I recommend you go into an area of computer programming where the demand is hot and where there are lots and lots of jobs.

That area right now is in internet or web application programming which C++ is unfortunately not suited for.

Secondly, if you want to success in web or business applications development, learn a programming language which allows you to quickly create programs that meet business needs.

After 13 years, I realize that employers don’t care about the beauty of the C++ programming language.

Employers care about automating their business processes or making their businesses work better, quicker and faster.

Employers also want to hire programmers whose speed of development matches or outpaces their business operations.

The ugly truth is that C/C++ is not the right tool for achieving either of these results.

Dear friend, enroll in the Software Developers Boot Camp now and learn those programming languages that excel at creating business software applications easily and quickly and you will discover success in computer programming quickly and easily.

Finally, if you are a programmer needing help with career decisions, no matter how bad your situation is, sign-up for the Software Developers Boot Camp now and you will be personally coached on how to achieve success in your situation.

What Is The Toughest Challenge Facing Your Career?

Visit the Shopping Cart, Click Here

ABOUT TRAINING & COACHING COURSES

• Business Analyst Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Business Analyst Video Training


• SQL Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, SQL + RDBMS Video Training


• Software Developer Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Software Developer Video Training


• Data Analysts Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, Data Analyst Video Training


• Get Hired Fast - Online, Web Based, Resume + Job Search + Interview Video Training


• Become A Leader Coaching - Develop hands-on experience, gain domain expertise, solve industry problems, Stand Up and Be Noticed, market your career using PULL instead of PUSH techniques!

Visit our Shopping Cart

What are the computer programming career challenges, issues and problems facing you today?It’s time to have your tough, important and difficult questions on your programming career answered.

To make myself clear, let’s go over some typical programming career questions. You may ask any of these or another more urgent and critical programmer questions.

1. How do I study difficult computer programming books?
2. How do I overcome the fear of programming interviews?
3. How do I succeed at programmer interviews easily?
4. How do I transition to becoming a contract computer programmer?
5. Am I too old to become a computer programmer?
6. What do I need to learn to become better, competent, highly skilled at computer programming?
7. I can’t get a programming job, what is wrong with my resume?
8. Am I under qualified for programming jobs?
9. Do I need a college education to become a programmer?
10. Do I need to take classes and courses to learn programming?
11. Should I relocate to find a programming job?
12. What is the typical salary, wages or billing rate for junior, mid-level or senior programmers?
13. Should I become a full time programmer or a contract programmer?
14. I love programming but I hate my job, what do I do?
15. What do I need to do to become an expert, successful programmer?

These are just examples of programmer career questions. The floor is yours. Ask me for advice, tips, suggestions, help on any programmer career related issue. Make your question as detailed or as brief as you want to.

Begin by posting a question using the comments form below. And introduce yourself first before asking your question.

What Is The Toughest Challenge Facing Your Career?

Visit the Shopping Cart, Click Here

ABOUT TRAINING & COACHING COURSES

• Business Analyst Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Business Analyst Video Training


• SQL Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, SQL + RDBMS Video Training


• Software Developer Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Software Developer Video Training


• Data Analysts Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, Data Analyst Video Training


• Get Hired Fast - Online, Web Based, Resume + Job Search + Interview Video Training


• Become A Leader Coaching - Develop hands-on experience, gain domain expertise, solve industry problems, Stand Up and Be Noticed, market your career using PULL instead of PUSH techniques!

Visit our Shopping Cart

I want to help you become a more successful computer programmer. So, email me your questions here: contact me, and I will do my best to answer them.

Perhaps, you want to know

1. How to begin a career in computer programming
2. How to learn a programming language
3. How to become a highly skilled, in-demand computer programmer
4. How to find a high paying programming job
5. How to ace job interviews
6. How to prepare a killer resume
7. How to stay abreast of technology
8. How to market your services as a computer programmer
9. How to manage and develop your career

Whatever your questions or concerns, please email them to me here: contact me, and I will do my best to answer them.

Here are a few testimonials from my readers:

“I am an IT student here in Philippines. Your article greatly inspired me. I agree with you that being a programmer has rewarded countless people including me with career flexibility, job satisfaction, career growth, intellectual challenge and above average compensation when compared to the medium income from most careers. I was thinking to quit in world of programming but after a read this, I changed my mind.” – Jec, Phillipines

“Kingsley’s advice on interviewing has helped me get through the interviewing process successfully. The main two things that I implemented from his e-book was: 1) never look at anything you do as something small, like volunteer work, but see it as something that helped you gain experience and 2) be confident during the interview because this lets the interviewer know that you are competent where nervousness gives the opposite impression.” P. Mathias, USA

To learn more about your computer programming career, visit this resource.

What Is The Toughest Challenge Facing Your Career?

Visit the Shopping Cart, Click Here

ABOUT TRAINING & COACHING COURSES

• Business Analyst Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Business Analyst Video Training


• SQL Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, SQL + RDBMS Video Training


• Software Developer Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Software Developer Video Training


• Data Analysts Boot Camp - Online, Web Based, Instructor Led, Hands On, Data Analyst Video Training


• Get Hired Fast - Online, Web Based, Resume + Job Search + Interview Video Training


• Become A Leader Coaching - Develop hands-on experience, gain domain expertise, solve industry problems, Stand Up and Be Noticed, market your career using PULL instead of PUSH techniques!

Visit our Shopping Cart