Being indifferent or too laid back during the interview is almost the worst thing you can do! You will end up communicating much more to the manager than just your neutrality and brevity on the subject.
Think about it...besides the right "qualifications", what do managers really want in a candidate?
- Conviction - people who have strong, well-educated opinions
- Passion - people who love what they do
- Clarity - people who can clearly articulate things
Often times, candidates play it too cool and their responses to particular interview questions end up being too neutral, brief or over simplified. Unfortunately, this runs the risk of coming off the wrong way. Let me give you some examples:
Q: "How do you feel about VMware?"
A: "Yeah, VMware is an OK tool to use for that."
"OK"...? That's all you have to say, huh? A response like this indicates that you either don't know much about this technology or you don't have an opinion on it. I don't actually know what's worse. Don't be too generalized or brief in your answers and also don't be too low key about it. Techies should be passionate and specific about technology. You should absolutely answer any questions about technology with honesty, details and opinions (while, of course, keeping any really negative comments reigned in).
Q: "Are you OK with working overtime?"
A: "If it's really needed, I guess that would be OK".
HELLO??...this is obviously part of the job and the manager is not going to want to hear that you feel that this is some sort of sacrifice and concession you'd be making. Instead of saying you "wouldn't mind" or it would be "OK", how about actually stating your mature acknowledgment of the importance of doing this. How about answering this by saying "I have worked in 24 X 7 environments in the past and completely understand how important this is and that this would be an important part of this job. You count on me with overtime! I am very familiar with what's involved here".
Q: How do you feel about doing troubleshooting work?
A: I don't mind doing troubleshooting.
Oh gee thanks for doing us that favor! Same points here as before. You never want to communicate that you feel that some aspects of the job are "beneath" you. Now obviously, with any position, there will be some level of grunt work. Make sure you respond to this with a level of enthusiasm. The manager does not want to think that you have a distaste or level of apathy towards ANY aspect of the job. Your answer should be that you enjoy doing these things and are highly competent in those areas.
Q: How do you feel about travel ?
A: That's fine.
Translation = I tolerate this. If I absolutely HAVE to, I will do it. This is not what the managers want to hear. Travel shouldn't be a means to an end but something you enjoy and accept. If you don't like traveling, then you shouldn't be interviewing with this company in the first place. Answer this question by saying you enjoy traveling and make sure you have a strong handle on the amount (% of your time) and type (local/ international) of travel this is so that you aren't misrepresenting yourself by saying that you would enjoy doing this.
Remember with all of this....you want to communicate:
- Conviction (not your apathy)
- Passion (not what you merely tolerate)
- Clarity (not vague, generalized statements)
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