Interview Preparation Strategies and Techniques

Aug 22, 2024

Lecture Notes: Interview Preparation with HR Manager and Automation Developer

Introduction

  • Introduction of speakers:
    • Elina: HR Manager, 3.5 years in IT recruitment, recently started career coaching.
    • Mike: Automation Developer at Spectrum, experienced in failed interviews and now successful.
    • Sergio Kenko: Founder of Codify Bootcamp, helps people become QA Engineers.

Interview Structure

  • Focus on HR interview techniques.
  • Behavior-based interview with a focus on experiences, skills, and contributions.

Mike's Self-Presentation

  • Background:
    • 4 years of experience as an Automation Developer and Manual Tester.
    • Leading voice projects at Spectrum, responsible for automation frameworks.
    • Previous experience in mobile testing at a healthcare company.

Key Points to Highlight in Self-Presentation

  • Detailed description of previous roles and projects.
  • Importance of metrics and personal contributions to projects.
  • Emphasis on teamwork and collaborations.

Interview Techniques

Important Questions to Prepare For

  1. Tell me about yourself
    • Include current role, past experiences, and contributions.
  2. Strengths and Weaknesses
    • Highlight soft skills (e.g., teamwork, curiosity).
    • When discussing weaknesses, focus on non-core technical skills.
  3. Behavioral Questions
    • Use the STAR method for structured responses:
      • Situation: Describe the context.
      • Task: Define what you were trying to achieve.
      • Action: Explain what you did.
      • Result: Share the outcomes or impacts of your actions.

Michael's Responses

  • Struggles with presenting personal contributions; improve by clearly stating contributions while acknowledging teamwork.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, working closely with managers and team members.

Networking and Continuous Development

  • Importance of networking within the company and attending industry conferences.
  • Staying updated through seminars, webinars, and online learning resources.

Conclusion

  • Importance of clear communication during interviews.
  • Encouragement to hit like and subscribe to the channel for more resources.
  • Availability of a link to request HR coaching sessions for interview preparation.

Key Takeaways

  • Present experiences in a structured, detailed way that emphasizes contributions.
  • Use STAR method and focus on both personal and team achievements.
  • Highlight soft skills as unique strengths in the field.