Landing a Job

Remember that one saying, “it’s not what you know, but who you know”? Finding a job will be a lot easier if you have an existing network of people you know. One way to start building a network is to connect on LinkedIn with people you meet in person at events, workplaces, school, or any other place you find relevant. Also making connections with your current co-workers and classmates is vital.

Process

Each companies interview process is different, but it starts with a job application or if you’re lucky a recruiter will find you!

Then if you’re a fit you’ll get a call for an initial phone interview to see if you’re a right fit.

If they think you’re a good candidate then you’ll have a 2-3 rounds of additional interviews with different team members.

Application Tracking Systems

If you submit an application and resume, just be aware that most larger companies use an Application Tracking System (ATS) to automate some of the weeding out of applications since some of job postings receive hundreds if not thousands of applicants.

Resume

Recruiters only spend a few seconds on resume so make sure to keep 1-2 pages long and easy to read. For each job or project on your resume use the XYZ method to describe your accomplishments.

Interview Attire

What you wear is important, as it’s how you will be perceived by those interviewing you. There’s an attire color psychology when it comes to what you wear. Considered using blue, but other options are good too. Red can intimidate your interviewer and brown can make you seem like a boring person. And orange is a no.

Behavioral Questions

Be prepared for behavioral questions! Which sometimes start with, “Tell me a time when ______”. Sometimes they’ll ask tricky or random questions like, “What would you do with a million dollars?”. Number one thing is don’t be negative or trash anyone or any other company.

Answer these in a way that show your experience and if possible try to adapt them to emphasize alignment with what they’re looking for.

Some people use the STAR method, CAR method or a variation of it. The way I think about this is like a movie or book: intro, problem, climax, and resolution.

Ask Questions

Some examples, “What would you say is the most stressful part about the job?”, “Six months from now, how would you know if I was the right person for the role?”, or “If there’s something you can change about the company what would it be?”.

Miscellaneous

For those doing technical interviews practice on sites like leetcode.