Job Interview questions! Help me out OOT

[pulledagroin]

These questions sound pretty dumb to me, but I'm very inexperienced with interviews and presentations in general.

I'm going to an interview where I have to make a 10 min Powerpoint presentation. After that is the normal behavioral/techincal stuff.

1) Do I do my presentation and interview with my suit/sport jacket on or take it off?

2) I've talked to one person who has been accepted for this position in the past. Apprently they will ask some technical questions which I don't know, because they involve an elective course I didn't take in school. I'm planning to learn as much of the material as I can, however, should I be honest and say I do not have much knowledge yet in this area? then try to answer the questions as best I can? How do I approach this situation?

[tuq]

1) Probably too subjective for us to answer - the company's culture/industry could be a factor. For example, these days I often tell people not to bother with the suit/tie if it's the type of place where people wear jeans every day.

Anyway, if you're gonna wear it there you might as well leave it on, unless you're the sweaty type.

2) Be honest. Not only a generally good course of action but if you're interviewing w/someone technical they should be able to smoke you out eventually.

If you decide to go the BS route just make sure your answers are concise. People tend to ramble when they are pulling things out of their ass.

Good Luck.

[James Boston]

[ QUOTE ]
2) I've talked to one person who has been accepted for this position in the past. Apprently they will ask some technical questions which I don't know, because they involve an elective course I didn't take in school. I'm planning to learn as much of the material as I can, however, should I be honest and say I do not have much knowledge yet in this area? then try to answer the questions as best I can? How do I approach this situation?

[/ QUOTE ]

If the person doing the interview knows this subject very well, they'll know more than you even if you've taken that class. So, it's unlikely you'll be able to BS your way thought it. If you somehow did, they would not be pleased once you got the job, and the truth WILL eventually come out.

[Utah]

1) Present with the jacket on, even if the culture is not to wear one. You simply cant go wrong.

2) Be honest and dont fake it. BUT, do not simply say you do not know as that is as disasterous as faking it. Respond with something cool like, "It is a topic that is new to me. However, last night I read up on it as I anticipated that I would be asked about it today. My understanding from a general sense is xxxx. It is a subject I am certainly interested in and I can get up to speed quickly...."

With an answer like that you convey all kinds of great messages:
1) You are confident and self assured and you dont appear frazzled that you dont know something and you are not afraid to admit you dont
2) You are prepared and you did your homework
3) You showed respect to your interviewer by being prepared
4) You showed good judgement
5) You believe in yourself and your capabilities to get up to speed.

just a side note - also make sure you read up well on the company and google the name of your interviewer.