Content Management Today

The job market is picking up (so they say) and more and more people are out on interviews so we thought it might be useful to throw in a few tips.

Your CV has done its job and secured an interview with a prospective content management employer

You’re positively excited about your new Documentum, Opentext, SharePoint, Filenet job. It’s the career move of a lifetime!

Now it is up to you to ensure that the meeting goes as well as possible.
The old adage “Failure to prepare is preparing to fail” could not be more pertinent. Couple this with first impressions and half the battle is already won and sometimes lost.
Books, essays and articles have been written on the subject of interviews. Here is just a brief guideline of what to do and what to expect.

How to prepare:
1. Research specific facts and even figures about the company (year it was established, number of employees, what they do - service and product offerings, growth rate and potential). There are a number of guides from Hambros to the company’s own annual reports and of course their web site. Additionally be sure to understand the role you are applying for, the context within which it sits and the culture within which you will find yourself.

2. Be sure to have all the correct and relevant information about your interviewer and the location of and directions to their offices. Arrive ten minutes early in order to compose yourself.

3. Re-read your own CV and refresh your memory on past employers.

4. Prepare the questions you yourself want answered - this is a two-way process and clients should be prepared to be challenged by you - always temper this by appreciating what level of person you are talking to.

5. Think about what you are likely to be asked - what you are looking for - your likes and dislikes - strengths and weaknesses - how/why you are the right person for the job - why you are looking to move - particular weaknesses in your CV that could be picked up on.

6. Whether the client operates a dress-down policy or not, you should always be smart and well presented

First impressions:

The first minute is critical. Whatever the situation most people decide on whether or not they ‘like you’ in the first minute. Focus. Do not get distracted but be relaxed.
The following are points to bear in mind:

1. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake.
2. Use his/her surname.
3. Wait to be offered a chair.
4. Be happy.
5. Maintain eye-contact and be sure to listen

The Interview:

1. Remain alert, enthusiastic, open and honest.
2. Maintain eye contact.
3. Be clear and concise when answering questions and be prepared to provide examples
and evidence to support your statements.
4. Do not answer questions with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
5. Be honest.
6. Don’t make derogatory remarks about previous or present employers.
7. Towards the end of the interview you may feel that there are some salient points
that have not come out. Now is the time to re-emphasise your relevance to and
interest in the role.
8. Thank the interviewer for his/her time and where appropriate enquire about the next
stage in the process.

Whatever you do, don’t walk in smelling of smoke or alcohol and do not chew gum.

Now go find the perfect content management job