
15 of the Most Careless Interview Mistakes People Make
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A version of this article previously appeared on Skillcrush, an online education program for creatives, thinkers, and makers that gives total tech newbies the tools to make major career changes.
Cameron Chapman, Skillcrush
There's nothing quite like the feeling of opening an email that says: "You got an interview!"
But that sense of elation melts away when you start to think about the interview. It's the kind of dread you only feel when you're afraid you won't get something you really really want.
I've been there! Interviews are nerve-wracking, especially if you haven't done one for awhile. It had been almost a decade since I'd had an interview when I started looking for a more traditional job after years of freelancing. And I'd never even done a video job interview before I started interviewing with tech companies last summer. Extra scary.
Below, I pulled out some of our top tips from our Ultimate Guide to Interviewing for Your First Tech Job, so that you won't blow your tech job interview with any of these common mistakes. Get the full ebook here for even more great advice on nailing your interviewāit's free!
1. BEING UNPREPARED FOR A CODE TEST
Putting your coding skills to the test in front of a potential employer is nerve-wracking. There's no doubt about it. But if you're applying for any kind of developer job, you're almost certainly going to be asked to do some kind of code test, likely at the interview. How else will prospective employers be able to tell if your real-life skills match those you listed on your resume?
2. PANICKING WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO SOMETHING
Whether it's on the code test or during the interview itself, there's a chance you won't know the answer to a question you're asked. That's okay. Employers don't expect you to know everything. What they do expect is that you'll keep cool under pressure and you won't freak out. So remember, when you don't know the answer, just stay calm, take a deep breath, and then deal with it rationally. In some cases, interviewers ask you things you're unlikely to know just to see how you cope.
3. NOT RESEARCHING THE COMPANY
Before you step into any interview, be sure you've researched the company you're interviewing with. Find out exactly what the company's mission is and how you can help them.
4. NOT BEING FAMILIAR WITH THE JOB DESCRIPTION
Make sure you know exactly what the original job description said. Re-read it before the interview, and mark any areas that you have questions about so you remember to ask in the interview.
5. HAVING AN OUTDATED PORTFOLIO OR WEBSITE
Your portfolio and website both need to be up to date before your interview (they should really be up to date before you start applying for jobs, but definitely before the interview). Make sure all your projects are prominently displayed in your portfolio, and check that your site looks great on different screens and devices and is free from glitches or missing links.
6. BEING UNPROFESSIONAL
The impression you make at your interview can make or break whether you get the job. Showing up late, being dressed sloppily, or otherwise coming across as not being professional (or not taking the job seriously) are going to seriously hurt your chances of getting hired.
7. NOT ASKING ANY QUESTIONS
I'll admit, I'm guilty of this one. Sometimes an interviewer is so thorough about explaining the job and the company that you can't think of any questions to ask. But you should think up some questions ahead of time so that when the interviewer asks if you have any questions, you'll have some ready to go.
8. NOT BEING FAMILIAR WITH THE COMPANY CULTURE
This ties into first impressions, but if you want to work for a company, you should have an idea of what the company culture is like. After all, if you show up to a casual startup office wearing a suit, you may come across as not understanding what the company is like, and also looking very out of place (the reverse is also true).
9. NEGATIVITY
Being negative is a buzzkill. Talking down about yourself, your past work, or anything else during an interview is a really bad idea. It will make the interviewer question whether you're going to say negative things about them down the road. Besides, no one wants to work with someone who's always negative.
10. NOT PREPPING BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
I already talked about researching the company and familiarizing yourself with the company's culture. But prepping also includes more basic things. Make sure you know where you're going, how to get there, and where to park (there's nothing worse than showing up early and then spending 15 minutes trying to find parking).
Be sure you eat something, too! You don't want to listen to your stomach rumbling during an interview and wonder if the interviewer can hear it, too. You might want to avoid the onion bagel, though.
11. NOT BEING FAMILAR WITH TECH TERMS THAT MIGHT POP UP
Especially if you're new to tech, be sure to familiarize yourself with common terms that might pop up in the interview. Things like agile, scope, lean, and MVP, among tons of others. Read Kelli Orrela's 99 Terms You Need To Know When You're New To Tech for a comprehensive list of terms that might come up.
12. DOWNPLAYING YOUR GOALS AND POTENTIAL
Companies want to know that you have career goals and ambition. People who have career goals work harder and do more for the companies they work for than those who are happy to stay put in the first job they get.
That said, if your big goal is to become a tour boat captain in the Bahamas and you're applying for a web developer job, you might want to keep those plans under wraps.
13. GIVING "STOCK" ANSWERS TO COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
In most cases, the person interviewing you has interviewed quite a few people before you, for the position you're applying for or for others in the past. They've heard all the stock answers to the questions you're most likely to be asked.
You need to come up with something different. When they ask you something like, "what's your biggest weakness?" don't answer with, "I'm a perfectionist."
14. NOT FOLLOWING UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW
You HAVE to follow up after a job interview. Send a thank you email after the interview, and include any questions you may have thought of. Not following up can make the difference between you and another candidate if the interviewer is having a hard time deciding. Just keep it short and sweet, and don't suck up.
15. NOT BEING PREPARED FOR A VIDEO INTERVIEW
Since so many tech jobs are remote, you may find yourself doing some interviews via video chat. There are some special considerations you need to think about before your video interview, including making sure you're familiar with the the software you'll be using (likely either Google Hangouts or Skype), and making sure that you've found a good place to actually have the interview. Make sure you check out these 11 Tech Tips for a Stress-Free Video Interview.
If you want even more great tips for nailing the interview for your first tech job, be sure to download our FREE Ultimate Guide to Interviewing for Your First Tech Job!
5 Networking Tips to Score a Remote Job
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of workers have turned to remote work. Before the pandemic in 2019, 22% of employers offered at least some remote work. Now in 2022, that percentage nearly doubled to 40%. The shift to remote work has become beneficial for me and many of my friends who are recent college grads starting their careers. Itās allowed us to dictate our own time and save money from commuting, spend more time with loved ones at home, and have the flexibility to travel and build connections from anywhere. Remote working has also changed how people network for jobs. We have more options now.
Since remote networking is so new, it can be challenging to understand how to do it effectively. Read on to learn my top tips for networking for a remote job.
1. Connect with your high school or college.
The schools you went to want to see you succeed! Connect with old professors, classmates, or alumni on social platforms like PowerToFly or LinkedIn. You can find connections through sports teams, clubs, or topics of interest that will help you build stronger relationships. Donāt be afraid to ask them for advice, mentorship, or even introductions.
2. Join a class!
Have you ever had a hobby that you never had the chance to pursue? Coding? Running? Painting? Itās never too late to learn something new. Plus, spending time doing what you love will introduce you to other people who love the same thing. Not only will this help expand your social circle, it can also help your career! Once you feel comfortable, talk to your classmates about your work, and ask them about theirs. The perk of classes like these is that you will build relationships with people from all different career backgrounds which will help you determine your career path, especially if you are looking for a mid-career pivot.
3. Register for the Early Career Summit.
My friends and I are very excited to join PowerToFlyās Early Career Summit this fall to meet the inspiring founders and CEOs of incredibly impactful companies. This is a great opportunity to get useful tips and learn about different perspectives, professions, and topics that you may be interested in.
4. Attend a virtual job fair and connect with leaders who inspire you.
Job fairs are great for meeting people who can be helpful because everyone attending is there to network! Job fairs at PowerToFly are a great place to meet hiring managers and recruiters from our sponsoring companies. If you come prepared with a resume it is an opportunity to make a great first impression with a company. After the virtual job fair, remember to connect with the people who stuck out to you and introduce yourself on PowerToFly or LinkedIn. Make sure to tell the recruiter who you are, and highlight what stood out to you about their talk.
5. Offer to help.
People really value your help (when itās needed). If you know someone in your network looking to hire a web designer and you know a great place to find one, donāt be afraid to make the connection! If you see a job opening that would be great for someone in your network, let them know! Helping people in this way will help build your trust and credibility.
Remote networking has its differences from in-person networking, but it has never been easier to have access to social platforms that can help create connections. It will take some creativity and hard work, but once you have the appropriate mindset the options are endless.
Careers in Web Development: Which One's For You?
We all have our favorite websitesā the ones we frequent, bookmark, and recommend to others. You might even enjoy some website features so much that youāve found yourself wondering why they arenāt more popular. Or maybe youāve experienced times where you were frustrated with a website and wished you could add features or even design your own!
If youāve ever found yourself intrigued at the prospect of designing and developing your own websites, then a career as a web developer might be just for you!
As a web developer you would be responsible for coding, designing, optimizing, and maintaining websites. Today, there are over 1.7 billion websites in the world and, in turn, the demand for web developers is on the rise. In order to figure out what kind of web development work best suits you letās start with an introduction to the three main roles in web development that you can choose from.
The Three Types of Web Development Jobs
Front-End Web Development: The Creative Side
Think of front-end development as the dĆ©cor of a house. The color scheme, furniture, manicured lawns, and overall aesthetic. In terms of a website, front-end development is laser-focused on the appearance of a website and its presentation on different devices. If youāre considering a role in front-end development, itās important to learn programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These three languages go hand-in-hand. HTML allows you to create user interface elements, CSS helps you with stylistic elements, and JavaScript allows you to incorporate online tools and connect your website to back-end functions.
In addition to programming skills, front-end developers need to be detail oriented, creative, willing to keep up with the latest trends in web development, cyber security conscious, and geared toward user-friendly designs. The median salary for a front-end developer can reach well into the $90,000 to $100,000 range.
Back-End Web Development: The Logical Counterpart
While a house can be beautifully decorated, itās incomplete without a solid foundation and efficient infrastructure. Similarly, a well-designed website depends on logical and functional code to power the features of that website. Back-end web development is code-heavy and focused on the specifics of how a website works. If you enjoy the analytical challenge of creating the behind-the-scenes code that powers a website, then back-end development is for you.
Since this role is more code-heavy, itās important that you learn numerous programming languages and understand algorithms and data structures. Some languages that are essential to back-end development are Ruby, Python, SQL, and JavaScript. Back-end developers also ensure that users can successfully retrieve and access data. This requires creating and using APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) which act as messengers that relay data related requests. Additionally, developing the code for the inner workings of a website also requires back-end developers to be conscious of the user interface features designed by front-end developers and to internally mitigate potential security risks. Due to the increased technical aspect of this position, back-end developers normally earn higher salaries than front-end developers. The average median salary for this role is around $118,000 per year.
Full-Stack Web Development: A Little Bit of Everything
A full-stack developer is essentially the Jack (or Jill)-of-all-trades in web development. Full-stack developers need to be knowledgeable about both front-end and back-end roles. This does not necessarily imply that you would need to be an expert in both roles, but you should fully understand the different applications and synergies they each imply. In order to work in this position, you will need to know the programming languages used by front-end and back-end developers. In addition to these languages, full-stack developers also specialize in databases, storage, HTTP, REST, and web architecture.
Full-stack developers are often required to act as liaisons between front-end and back-end developers. Full-stack developers need to be both problem solvers and great communicators. The end goal for a full-stack developer is to ensure that the userās experience is seamless, both on the front-end and on the back-end. In return, you can expect to earn a median salary of $100,000 ā $115,000 a year for this role.
Taking the Next Step
Web development is both in-demand and lucrative! All three roles described above contribute to specific aspects of web development and the scope of each one can be customized to the industries and positions you feel best suit you. Regardless of which role you choose, all of them need a foundation in programming.
To gain the programming skills needed in each role, you can enroll in courses or learn independently. Coding bootcamps are a great way to boost your skillset quickly and efficiently.
Click here for some of our highly rated programming bootcamp options! Make sure to check out the discounts available to PowerToFly members.
Engineering Teams Are Growing At CallRail! Join Them!
š Are CallRail's engineering teams the right fit for you? Watch the video to the end to find out!
š¼ Engineering teams at CallRail encourage collaboration, communication, and empathy. Ayana Reddick, Senior Software Engineer at CallRail, shares what they are looking for in candidates and tells you why youāll thrive there.
š¼Engineering teams want candidates who have a growth mindset, love to learn, and are really good at communication. They also value team members who are excited about solving problems and working collaboratively. If you think you have what it takes, don't hesitate to apply.
š¼At CallRail, engineering teams use Ruby on Rails for their backend, Angular on their frontend, and PostgreSQL for persistent data. They also use Jira for creating and tracking tickets, GitHub for their version control, and AWS for many cloud tools. Get familiar with these resources if you want to join them!
Engineering Teams And Diversity - Companyās Culture
CallRail seeks to hire from underrepresented groups. They pride themselves in selecting from a pool of very diverse candidates. They value the work that people do over their resumes. They encourage people to take their authentic selves to work. And they strive to create a supportive and welcoming environment. For this, they have Employee Resource Groups, that give voice to, provide safe spaces for, and educate the company at large. Some of their ERGs include the Rainbow Coalition, Black and Brown, Women Circle, and more.
š§š¼ Are you interested in joining CallRail? They have open positions! To learn more, click here.
Get to Know Ayana Reddick
If you are interested in a career at CallRail, you can connect with Ayana on LinkedIn. Donāt forget to mention this video!
More About CallRail
CallRail is here to bring complete visibility to the marketers who rely on quality inbound leads to measure success. Their customers live in a results-driven world, and giving them a clear view of their digital marketing efforts is the priority for CallRail. They see the opportunities in surfacing and connecting data from calls, forms, and beyondāhelping their customers get to better outcomes.
Ashlee Bobb on Taking Advantage of Nikeās Financial Literacy Program
Below is an article originally published in April 2022 on Nikeās LinkedIn. Visit Nike's company page on PowerToFly to see their open positions and learn more.
āIn my early twenties, I wasnāt the best at saving money. So, when I got the job at Nike and found out a financial coach was offered to me ā for free! ā I thought, āItās time to be an adult. I should use this service to help me learn how to buy stock, tell me what Iām doing right with my money and where I can improve.āā
Thatās Ashlee Bobb, Nike Media and Influencer Relations Manager, on the free, unlimited access to financial coaching offered to every U.S. Nike employee through EY Navigateā¢. EY coaches are trained on Nikeās benefits and programs, so Ashlee was able to work with her coach on a budget and savings plan utilizing Nikeās 401k match and Employee Stock Purchase Plan ā all in one 45-minute session. She left the meeting feeling confident about what her next paycheck would look like and how her money would work for her.
āThe EY coaches are really willing to come on the journey with you,ā Bobb says, adding that hers was willing to work with the fact that, hey, sheās not going to give up take out, but still wants to save for the future. āThe cool thing is I can see how this financial guidance could help me down the road when I decide to get married, buy a house, have a kid. Every Nike employee should take advantage.ā
Sound like the kind of company you want to be a part of? Check out our open roles on jobs.nike.com