Welcome to another edition of the ConTech newsletter! Â
Last week, we had our first Twitter space conversation for the year where human resource and career experts — Deborah Okechukwu (People Operations Associate, PiggyVest), Funke Onafuye (Founder, CV Loft) and Diseye Amy Naasin (Happiness Engineering Lead, Eden Life), shared best practices for interviewing for the tech job you want.Â
You can still listen to the episode here, but in this edition of the newsletter, we highlight some of the most important things you should know.
If you're looking to transition into a career in tech, you'll need is a well-crafted CV that highlights your relevant skills and experiences.Â
Focus on the most relevant information
The key to a successful CV is to highlight the most relevant information that showcases your abilities and experience in tech. Include your technical skills and any relevant certifications or training courses you've completed.
Highlight your extracurricular activities
This can include side projects or any other initiatives that show your passion for technology. Use the summary section of your CV to talk about these activities and how they've helped you develop skills that can be applied in a tech career.
Use storytelling to your advantage
Using storytelling to explain your experiences and achievements can help you stand out in a pile of CVs. Elaborate how your work has had an impact and added value to the teams or projects you've worked on.
Common mistakes you shouldn’t make when writing your CV
Writing it longer than two pages
Your CV should be at most two pages. Keep it simple and easy to read by using bullet points and clear font size. Avoid adding any irrelevant information or experiences that do not relate to the tech industry.Â
Including irrelevant personal information
It's important to keep in mind that your CV should not contain any personal information that is not relevant to the job. This includes details such as religion, age, or marital status.
How to Prepare for a Job Interview: Dos and Don'ts
We all know the job interview process can be nerve-wracking, but proper preparation can help you feel more confident and increase your chances of success. Here are some tips on how to prepare for a job interview.
Research the Company
One of the most important things you can do before an interview is to research the company. Visit their website, read their mission statement and check out their social media pages. Download their app if they have one. This will help you understand the company culture and the role you're interviewing for. Being knowledgeable about the company shows that you're genuinely interested in the position.
Be Prepared for a Virtual Interview
Virtual interviews have become more common in recent times, so it's important to ensure that you're prepared for them. Make sure that you're in a quiet place and that you have a stable internet connection. Dress appropriately as if you’re attending an in-person interview, in case you’re asked to turn on your video.
Tone Down Nervousness and Anxiety
It's natural to feel nervous or anxious before a job interview. However, it's important to try to manage these feelings so that they don't negatively impact your performance.
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Interview Dos and Don'ts
Proper preparation can help you feel more confident during a job interview. You'll be able to make a great impression on the interviewer and increase your chances of landing the job. Remember to trust your instincts and don't be afraid to decline a job offer if it doesn't feel right.
Here are some interview dos and don'ts that will help you put your best foot forward:
If you don't know the answer to a question, say so. It's better to be honest than to provide a wrong answer.Â
Ask for clarification if you don't understand a question. This shows that you're attentive and interested in the position.
Ask about the benefits of the role and the team culture. This shows that you're interested in the company and its culture.
Link your answers to past personal or professional experiences and explain how you solved problems in the past. This helps the interviewer understand how you can contribute to their company.
Don't speak negatively about your previous employers. This reflects poorly on you.
When Not to Take a Job offer
There are a few red flags that should make you reconsider accepting a job offer during an interview process:
If the interviewer is not transparent about the company's products or services, that is a sign of poor communication and could also show that something is not right.
If the interviewer cannot provide you with a salary range when asked.
If the interviewer is rude or insensitive during the interview, that is a good indicator of how they will treat you as an employee.
Ask if the role is a replacement hire or a new hire and ask why the former employee left. The reason should help you make the decision to take the role or not.
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