If you have been paying close attention to the earlier chapters you should already know, to make a mark in the interview you need to DPI (Demonstrate Passion & Interest). Since you are switching to IT field without a CS degree it is imperative that you do your homework and take this seriously if you want to nail the interview and get the job. Remember you are now competing with other freshers who HAVE a CS degree.
Depending on what type of job you are aiming for I have broken down things you can add to your resume to DPI. And build on that during the interview as well.
And don’t take the resume sample I have provided lightly, I have received praise on several occasions and it is IDEAL for an IT job. So make full use of it!
Programmer:
If you are looking for a programming job, pick a programming language and develop a desktop application, web or mobile app. You can create your own small daily journal, or consume a popular API from YouTube, Twitter etc. You can find the samples and tutorials from the below links.
http://www.programmableweb.com/
Also add some blogs you are following and tell the panel what sites you are using to learn coding! I will help to impress. Don’t just throw names of the sites, learn more about the sites and their authors if the information is available. Mentioning the names will impress the panel especially if they recognize the authors!
Software Tester:
There are tons of “broken” Indian websites you can test. And make a report and take it to the interview. Make a list of 5 mistakes/bugs you noticed. There are usually broken CAPTCHAs, dynamic menus, links etc.! Check out the public banks, government sites. Their websites are hideous with lots of broken links and various other issues!
It will be even more awesome if you find mistakes/bugs on the company’s websites you are interviewing for! Take help from your software tester friends in finding some minor or major bugs on the site. Don’t be smug (excessive pride) about it in the interview if you do find bugs. Play it cool and confident.
Testers sometimes use Excel heavily. Learn some advanced concepts of Excel and mention in the resume. Of course bring it up in the interview as well. Ask your employed friends who work as testers what features to learn or you can also ask your course instructor.
DBA:
Search for sample databases and start using them. Almost all database software providers have sample databases for you to work with. For example Microsoft provides Adventure Works and Contoso database. You can find for others as well like MySQL. http://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com/ http://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com/releases/view/93587 https://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com/releases/view/125550 http://www.databaseanswers.org/data_models/ http://sportsdb.org/sd/samples
Once you have the software and its sample. Start creating databases, writing SQL queries and also stored procedures. Learn about data modeling and designing websites. Also work with creating back up jobs, replication, scheduling them etc.
Network Administrator:
Start logging into your broadband router and check out all the settings. Before you start screwing around make sure to back up the settings. You don’t want to want to lose your internet and settings inadvertently.
Also learn about networking software like Wireshark, VPN clients etc.
Learn more about protocols on routing, TCP/IP, VPN, DHCP, DNS etc. VPN and its different protocols, it is a ubiquitous technology in the corporate world. One cannot live without it, especially if you want to work from home. You will soon use it too, once you get the job.
System Administrator:
Download different operating systems and play with them with VMWare. Install OS like Ubuntu, Windows Server etc. on VMWare. And play around with their file system management, group policies, Active Directory (Windows server) DNS servers etc.
Windows Servers have lot of different services like Mail server, DNS, DHCP etc. Install these services and play around with them.
If you want to learn more, learn the technologies I have mentioned in the Network Administrator section.
If you are planning to work as a network admin or system admin learn DNS system compressively. It will save you from lots of headaches, trust me!
DevOps:
Even though I have never worked as DevOps, it would be a mix of programming and system/network admin. Learn Python, PowerShell, Unix etc.
After you have followed the above steps, talk about your experiences to the panel, if you struggled or had trouble, talk to them about it confidently with the right body language. It should look like you came out wiser and stronger from the experience, not frustrated or angry that you couldn’t get it to work etc. Also ask meaningful questions about your roadblocks if it makes sense!
Next Lesson : IT DPI Content For Resume & Interview
Previous Lesson : Simple IT Job Break-Down