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5 IT interview tips for permanent roles

Over the past few years the IT job market has continued to grow, a trend that is likely to continue further for years to come. This growth has brought with it a breadth of skills and requirements across many different permanent roles. Read our top 5 interview tips for IT candidates to help you navigate the process and find the best suited employer for you.

These tips could be useful if you are looking to land your first job from university, or if you are looking for the next step in your IT career.

1. Push your personality

IT is a technical subject, and involves a lot of quantitative data. There may be candidates that know the work front to back, but when looking to pick the successful applicant, the employer will also be looking at those who will fit as part of the team, or have the right attitude and personality. Be yourself, be friendly and show them how good you are.

2. Give honest answers to technical questions

Technical questions in an IT job interview usually require a very specific, well defined answer. If you don’t know this answer, admit it and discuss your thoughts – it’s better to do this than to make an incorrect guess that will make you look inept. If you’re torn between two answers, say so, explain your thinking and you will come across as well considered and knowledgeable.

3. Brush up on the basics

Your knowledge or experience in IT may be specialised, and you may have seldom worked outside of this field of expertise for a number of years, but if you’re now applying for a different role the interviewer may touch on areas that you haven’t thought about for some time. Be ready to answer a question or two on the foundations that a ‘jack of all trades’ IT candidate would be able to. Demonstrating that you know the foundations can be vital if you are to kick on into more advanced areas.

4. Express yourself

Interviews can be daunting, but remember that you will likely be interviewed by like-minded people who were once in your position. They likely have similar interests, particularly in the IT field. Don’t be afraid to discuss mutual interests, or pass comment on something that excites you about the work you do. As mentioned earlier, push your personality and let the interviewer see the person behind the knowledge.

5. Don’t curb your enthusiasm

If you’re excited about the role, let it show! If you can show, on top of all of your knowledge and experience, that the role excites you, it’s likely that this will influence the interviewer. Ask about further progression, or opportunities to learn more. The employer is likely looking for an investment, rather than someone who will simply do the basic job.

If you have taken our tips on board and feel ready to take the next step, start job hunting right now by registering your details and uploading your CV here and we’ll contact you if we have any jobs matching your skills, or view our IT roles here.

Testimonials

"Their knowledge of the industry, our organisation and candidates is one of the leaders in the market. They have always been able to supply us with the right calibre of engineering candidate no matter what the discipline or regional location is.

"First Recruitment Group’s service delivery has always been to a high standard and the customer service provided by the team has ensured that First Recruitment Group will remain a preferred supplier of engineering personnel to WorleyParsons on our future engineering projects."

WorleyParsons

"In my dealings with First I have found them to be responsive, knowledgeable, quality-focused and engaging in their approach. I would have no hesitation in recommending the services of First Recruitment Group to any prospective customers."

Global Engineering Consultancy

"We have a good working relationship with First Recruitment and they always put every effort in to filling our positions whether it's on a permanent or contract basis. First have an honest and open approach to recruitment and their clients which is refreshing. First offer an excellent payroll service which compliments their overall delivery service to MWH Treatment."

MWH Treatment

“As the biggest services supplier to the nuclear industry our demand for personnel is significant, when I have an urgent requirement I know I can rely on First Recruitment to rise to the challenge.

“As a preferred supplier for temporary labour and a fundamental part of our permanent recruitment process we get the right people at the right time. Whether its highly technical/specialist resources or back office support personnel the approach is to the same high standard.”

Veolia Nuclear Solutions

"It’s great to work with a recruitment agency we trust. The team at First Recruitment Group are friendly and straight talking and they continue to provide an excellent service. We’re proud to still be working with them after 20 years."

Simon Carves Engineering Ltd

"First Recruitment are on the 1st Tier of Sweett Europe’s preferred supplier list. We have found First recruitment to be hugely supportive and value adding partners to Sweett, helping us source a wide range of roles. The consultants at First are hugely knowledgeable and have a real desire to listen to, and understand, our needs. They have shown an unrivalled desire to work on hard to fill roles using innovative methods to ensure they always supply us with CVs.

"I have been hugely impressed by their willingness to support us, even when we have simply been after guidance which would not attract them a fee. I would be more than happy to recommend First Recruitment Group to any prospective organisation, and to discuss in more detail their capabilities."

Sweett Group

“We’ve worked with First Recruitment for over 12 years and have built up a great relationship with their team. They’ve helped us in sourcing contractors for our chemical division, maintaining consistently high standards in delivery, and we hope to continue building on this relationship in the future. I have no hesitation in recommending First to others.”

Haden Freeman Limited

"We have used First Recruitment to support the recruitment of several key roles within our business. The quality of the candidates put forward were extremely high which helped enormously in our ability to fill all roles, also the candidates have all been a success since joining our business. They were prompt, knowledgeable and very professional and made the recruitment process for us extremely simple. The service we have received has been first class and I would highly recommend the services of First Recruitment to any Company looking to fill a vacancy."

Meadow Vale Food Group

“I have worked with First Recruitment frequently over the last couple of years. Their ability to understand our business and support me in terms of recruitment has been excellent. Candidates are screened initially to meet our requirements and taken through the process in a professional way. I would have no hesitation in recommending First Recruitment to any employer who needs that little extra support in their recruitment process."

Bokomo Foods (UK) Limited

“I have found First Recruitment to be very efficient and professional in their approach to recruitment. They were able to gain an in depth understanding of the needs of our business and source high quality candidates. I would highly recommend their services to anyone with a recruitment need.”

AAK

"First Group are one of the key suppliers to Cobham. The team are quick to respond, friendly and professional, and as such have made a massive difference to the account. The team have supported and filled a variety of roles. Without hestitation I would recommend First."

Cobham

Read all Testimonials

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