Whether you're just starting your search for a position within the GIS field or you already have experience in the field, preparing for an interview is crucial. You don't want to step in to an interview and try to ''wing it.'' The result will be a disaster and your GIS position is might be offered to someone else, perhaps even someone less qualified, but who took the time to prepare.
Dressing for Interview Success
You've heard the advice before, but you really do want to dress well and present yourself professionally for an interview. First impressions are made within seconds and are very hard to erase, so you've got to be sure that whatever people think of you is going to be positive. Otherwise you've lost the battle before the war has even started.
Even if you know the department in which you'll be working tends to be casual in terms of dress, you don't want to assume that's how you should dress for an interview. It's better that you take a more conservative approach, even if your personality and normal style are far from conservative. Employers will see this as a sign of respect.
Male job seekers should invest in a dark colored suit. Navy blue or dark grey are both excellent choices. They should also purchase a high-quality dress shirt. A white or light blue shirt will work nicely and are well-received by executives and hiring manages. Make sure to purchase a matching tie and polish your dress shoes on the day of the interview.
Female job seekers should follow many of the same guidelines as their male counterparts. Dark colors are going to be the wisest choice. Keep accessories to a minimum: an expensive watch or your wedding/engagement rings are fine, but don't add too much. You also want to remember that less is more when it comes to make-up.
Perfume and cologne should be applied with care. You don't want to overwhelm anyone with your scent. The key when getting ready is to remember that you don't want to draw attention to yourself based on your appearance. Try to blend in in terms of dress, and stand out in terms of what you say.
Getting Ready to Answer the Tough Questions
While dressing for success is important, the real test is how you answer the questions posed to you. If you're new to GIS interviews, this prospect can be terrifying. You may have no idea what questions you'll be asked or how best to respond.
All interviewers are different, so there's no way to guarantee which questions you'll be asked in a meeting. Below are some sample questions and example answers that may help you get ready to tackle an interview. Some are general and others will deal specifically with the GIS field.
Question 1: Tell me a little bit about your past jobs.
This is a very common question. It may be worded as such, or interviewers might target a specific point on your resume that they would like to know more about.
First, you should always be positive about your past work experiences. Being negative is a turnoff to employers. It gives the impression that you will be an unhappy employee and they will always put themselves in the boss's shoes. You should be very specific in the comments you make about your experiences. Try to make connections between what you've done in the past and what they might want from you. Giving specific example can help too. It makes you sound more credible and your answers less cliché. It might also make you stand out. For example, everyone says they are detail-oriented, but if you can tell a story illustrating it, they will remember it about you.
If you're unsure how long to talk because of the open-ended nature of the question, remember to keep it concise. When you've said what you wanted to say, smile and stop. Practice will help you get this one just right.
Question 2: How do you stay current with the changing GIS technological environment?
This is an important question because future employers want to hire someone who is going to stay up-to-date. They need to know you are passionate about having a GIS career and about everything that is going on in the field.
If you already take steps to keep up with the changes, then be honest about what you do. Be specific about the web sites, publications, and other sources you use for information. If you have plans to take additional courses or learning modules, let the interviewer know this too. Continuing education plans can frequently score points with interviewers.
Otherwise, take some time to start investigating what you should have been doing all along and go in armed with a solid answer to this question.
Question 3: What do you see as the primary difference between CAD and GIS?
Here is an answer you may want to consider tweaking and practicing in case this question comes up at your interview: ''In my experience, I've seen the distinctions between CAD and GIS become less clear because GIS has been able to enhance the performance of CAD systems. However, the primary difference seems to be that GIS is mainly about creating a database of information that is visually displayed graphically while CAD is a drawing program which focuses on the lines themselves.''
Question 4: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Most interviewers always throw this question out at some point during the process. It's a tricky question because you don't want to seem like once you have the job, that's the end of your expectations for the future. However, you also don't want to seem presumptive about advancement opportunities.
Never say you don't know. That makes you seem irresponsible and not goal-oriented. Most employers won't find that type of person a good match for their needs.
Conclusion
When preparing for an interview in any field, it is important to prepare properly. Practicing answers to common questions is important, but don't ever memorize answers. They will sound rehearsed and you will sound unnatural. The point of practicing is to know the gist of what you might say so that you don't have to think too long or hard about it during the interview. On the other hand, if you memorize an answer, you will look like a deer in headlights if you forget what comes next. Remember that the interviewer is just asking questions about you, your experience, and your knowledge. It's not like you won't know the answer, you just have to know how to present it. It might also help to remember that they want you to be the perfect person for the job. Otherwise they will have to continue to conduct interviews, which takes time away from their other duties. All you have to do is help them see how great you will be for the position.
