I head a testing services company and everyday we take somewhere around 5–6 interviews. Our company has 3 rounds — one coding and two technical discussions. I was going through past couple months data and the feedback we have collected for each candidate. There are certain insights which caught my attention and must be shared for benefits of folks who take interview either with us or any other companies in industry.
Technical skillset is a must and we can’t deny that. When you are already working in any organisation, it’s because of the skillset you possess. There is no doubt and I am not even debating that. Depth and exposure to technologies is debatable and varies with the job requirement. You should definitely read the job description properly before attending any interview.
Some of the reasons which I had mentioned for bunch of folks for not hiring are:
- Attitude : Any company who is hiring, looks for people who can co-work with each other, co-exist in a competing space, shift up the knowledge quotient of the team and be a pleasant co-worker. Everyone is looking to hire a positive co-worker. There are folks who know what they know, then there are folks who claim to know everything they have heard of and eventually don’t know anything. Your attitude defines you and will shape your personality and growth. Be watchful of that.
- Ignorant: There are folks who walk in to the interview being ignorant about what is happening in the industry. If you are in IT industry, please do read at least 30 minutes to an hour a day about new technologies, technical blogs, articles/journals etc. The barrier to learning has really come down when it’s easy to look for what’s happening around us. Find, follow and read! You can’t choose to remain ignorant in today’s competitive world.
- Learnability : Have you attended any interview where they ask you what you have done in your previous job and just hired you? It seldom happens. Different companies have different problems to solve. When you are being interviewed, interviewers are looking for your ability to apply your existing learning to solve the new problem, your ability to push the boundary of your learning to think beyond. They are gazing if there is learnability in you. Many a times, they give hint for you to pick up. Candidates with no sign of learnability is a strict no-no.
- Lack of passion and enthusiasm: Your body language, approach to discussion, energy level when you talk, present your idea does half of the work in interview. There has to be passion when you talk about your work, your future plan, your career goals in interview. You have to be passionate about the job, the skills you possess and the other person has to feel that. Energy is infectious (in a good way) and it acts as a motivator and a differentiator.
I am sure, as the time pass by, I might have more reasons to add, but for now, these are the topmost non technical skills which might distance you from your dream job.
Happy Reading !!
Nishant Verma (CEO, TestVagrant Technologies)
