CS Interviews

September 15, 2018
Reading Time: about 7 minutes

Literally Must Read

Overviews

Applying

Interview Prep

During the Interview

  • If you can’t answer a question, be honest about it but think out loud about what you would guess for it to be<
  • Additionally, talk about alternatives that you might know

Questions to Ask

  • How would you describe the general culture of the company and the workplace?
  • Why did you choose this company?
  • Will there by any form of training provided?
  • What are some of the biggest challenges/successes currently facing the department?
  • Who will be my direct supervisor?
  • Are there/what are the opportunities for professional development within the company?
  • What is the usual time frame for making the hiring decision?
  • What projects would I be working on?
  • Where do you see this company heading in upcoming years?
  • What’s the worst thing about working here?
  • What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the company right now?
  • What motivates you to get out of bed to come into work in the morning?
  • Would you join this company if you could do it all over again?
  • How many friends/family members have you recruited to work for this company?
  • Thinking back to people who have been in this position previously, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great?
  • If the interviewer is an executive or senior manager: “What keeps you up at night when you think about making this business successful?”
  • For anyone: “How would you describe how decision-making gets done at this company?”
  • What are a few things that really drive results for the company?
  • What are the common attributes of your top performers?
  • If I get the job, how do I earn a “gold star” on my performance review?
  • Based on our talk today, do you see me a good fit for this position?
  • Further Internship Practice
  • Interview Questions to Ask

Negotiating Offers

  • Hi company, Thanks so much for the offer; I’m super excited! I’d like to let you know I am in the interview process with another company and although I am very excited about your offer it is important and fair to keep all options open. I have asked the other company to expedite the process and will respond with my decision as soon as possible. I hope this is understandable; I’m looking forward to hearing back from you.
  • Negotiating Offers
  • Job Salary Negotiation - Haseeb
  • Salary Negotiation

Understanding the Offer

Culture

Getting the Most From Your Internship!

Resume

Tell the other company to hurry up

Hi $REPRESENTATIVE_OF_OTHER_COMPANY,
I really enjoyed meeting with you on $DATE. As I mentioned in the interview, it would be a pleasure to work with $SMART_PEOPLE on the $VERY_INTERESTING_PROBLEMS that you have.
I understand that you’re considering my application, and these things take time. However, I have an offer deadline from another company on $APPROACHING_DATE. Will it be possible to let me know the team’s decision by that time? I thank you again for all your time and help. You’re doing $EXCITING_THINGS, and I’d love to see if I can be a part of it.
Best wishes,
$WHATEVER_YOUR_NAME_IS

Other