Interviews Keeping Me Busy

In addition to taking care of classes and work I’ve been really busy with interviews lately. In the past this usually wouldn’t be a problem as there was little prep required for most interviews I’ve done. However I’m now hunting for a career job, and getting into the best places means I need to know my stuff inside and out.

So far I’ve had interviews with Telus, IBM, and Microsoft. I’ve been fortunate so far and have made it through to the second round on all.

Telus
My first interview at Telus was a phone interview for the Business Transformation Leadership Development Program a mouthful, I know). It’s essentially a 3 year program that lets you develop and find your niche within their company. The second interview is on Monday and requires me to do a presentation on a project that I’m particularly proud of. I’ll be presenting on the fantasy stock market Facebook application I made two summers ago. This job would be based out of Scarborough.

IBM
I’ve had one interview with IBM so far. The position I am seeking there is “I/T Professional, Interactive Communications”. The first interview here was also a phone interview and was with the manager of the team. They deal largely with middle-ware for call centers. There was also mention that I could be a good fit in another team that deals with the self check-in kiosks in airports. I have a second in-person interview on Friday (a week today). This job would be based out of Markham.

I also have an in-person interview for an SAP/Oracle Consultant a week Monday. This one is two 45-minute interviews back to back and would be based around Ottawa.

Microsoft
Microsoft hires for three main positions when recruiting new grads: Product Manager, Software Developer, and Software Testers. From there they evaluate your skills and try to match your skills to a team that has an opening in their company. I applied for Product Manager, which means I would be responsible for writing the specs of a product among other things.

The first interview was an in-person interview on campus, and was my first technical interview (meaning I was asked technical questions and asked to write a little code as well). The interview went well and I was lucky enough to be asked to come to Microsoft’s main campus in Redmond for a second in-person interview.

Microsoft’s interviews are notoriously tough and I plan on being prepared. From what I have been told and read elsewhere, the process is something like this:

1. First screening process: your resume is evaluated and you are selected for an interview
2. Preliminary interview in your local area or over the phone if there isn’t a recruiter available in your area
3. If selected, Microsoft flies you to Redmond for a grueling day of tough interviews. I’m told it will be 3-5 hours of one hour technical interviews with different people. From what I’ve read online, if you don’t make it past the 3rd hour you’re not likely to receive an offer.
4. If you’re fortunate enough to dazzle the recruiters at your interviews throughout the day, you’re likely to receive an offer at the end of the day

I’ll find out when I’m flying down in another week or two.

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$100 NHL/NFL Challenge Update
I won my $20 bet on PIT Penguins beating the BOS Bruins, which paid $41 ($21 profit).
I lost a $10 bet on DET Red Wings to beat the VAN Canucks.

I have no bets right now, and my balance is currently $186.47