Nailing Your Interview

Insider tips on nailing your tech interview.

I've interviewed hundreds of candidates for jobs at Microsoft, and now I'm sharing with you the tips that I wish most of them had read before seeing me.

I'd say I have a just little bit of insight into the technical interview process, and what it takes to really shine.

In Nailing Your Interview I share simple tips and practical advice you can use to really show what you're all about.

Tips and advice you can use to get the right job for you!

All in a downloadable, printable, readable, easy to use PDF book, or MP3 audio-book.

This isn't a book about "techniques" - there are plenty of those out there already. If you're looking for advice on how to sit, dress, breath or talk, this isn't the book for you.

This isn't a book of questions and answers either. Once again, there are plenty of resources for those kind of specifics as well.

Yep, if those are the things you look for, well ... I have only this to say ...

You're missing the point!

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The point is having that confidence that comes from knowing what the interviewer is really looking for, before you even walk in the door.

The point is that instead of being surprised by some off-beat, off-the-wall question, you'll be ready to react in exactly the way that lets your skills show through.

The point is understanding exactly what it is about you that makes you the perfect fit for the job.

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While others might be worried about their posture, their breathing, their handshake or why in heaven's name they're being asked about manhole covers, you'll be ready. You'll know what matters.

You'll be more likely to choose, and get, the right job.

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I can almost hear you asking:

"Who the heck are you?

I'm a software engineer. I'm a geek. I'm someone who was exactly where you are now, some (mumble) years ago.

I had horrible interviews. The kind that, when I think back to them today still give me the shivers. Did I really do that?

Then my world changed.

Microsoft hired me.

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My hiring interviews, went poorly - or so I thought. In fact, I'd gotten very lucky in a couple of cases because I happened to show exactly what they were looking for.

Almost by accident.

In fact, I didn't even realize it until years later.

The thing is ... Microsoft was growing, and after I'd been there a few years I moved to the other side of the interview.

I interviewed candidates looking for a job at Microsoft as software engineers, software testing engineers, and program managers.

I was at Microsoft for over 18 years.

I interviewed hundreds of candidates.

I was even chosen to travel overseas (on Microsoft's dime!) to help interview candidates in Microsoft's search for the best of the best.

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So, who am I?

I'm the guy that knows what interviewers want.

Because I'm one of the guys did it. For real. For years.

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And that's what makes Nailing Your Interview different.

I wrote it. Unlike so many of the interviewing tips and "techniquing" books and resources out there, this one's "from the trenches".

When I tell you what interviewers are really looking for, I'm telling you what I was looking for.

It's that simple, that unique, and that authentic.

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When I said earlier that I wished that the candidates I'd seen had read this type of book, I meant it. Being better prepared for an interview, being confident that you already know what I want only helps us both.

Whether you're a recent college graduate, or a recently laid off tech worker, this book will give you things you simply won't hear anywhere else.

And the people you interview with will appreciate that.

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It's not a long book.

I'm not going to overwhelm you with a lot of things you don't need.

If you've read this far you know that I'm not throwing out a bunch of suggestions on how to behave, or how to answer this question or that.

I focus on telling you what's important.

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You're getting more than a book.

After your purchase you'll have the opportunity to join an exclusive mailing list where I discuss questions and concerns (perhaps even occasionally "interviewing questions") raised by Nailing Your Interview readers.

I know the value of Q&A - I do Ask Leo!, a technical question and answer site. I also know that as important and as valuable as I believe Nailing Your Interview I can't begin to cover it all.

That's where you come in - you'll get access to submit your questions and comments, and exclusive access to the resulting essays and answers.

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I'd be remiss if I didn't include a few other bonuses and discounts, right?

How about this:

• A discounted price on the audio book version after you purchase the PDF. (Or vice-versa, if you're so inclined.)
• Free updates, for life. When I revise the book, the revision's yours for free.
• A discounted price on the next book.

My only caveat: you'll have to join that members-only mailing list so I have a way of telling you about these things when they're available.

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Next book? What next book?

Oops. You saw that, eh?

OK, here's the deal: I wrote Nailing Your Interview for you - the person being interviewer for a tech job. That was most important, because I saw so many people with potential who simply didn't "get" what the interview was all about.

But guess what?

The interviewers need help to.

That's the next book: the companion volume to Nailing Your Interview, this time written for the people doing the interviews.

If you think what I'm telling you is interesting, don't you think you'd like to see what I'm going to tell them!

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That book's a little ways out - it's written, but it doesn't even have a title yet! (And no, "Nailing Your Interviewee" is not an option. )

But having purchased Nailing Your Interview, you'll be the first to know when it's available, and you'll get a seriously discounted price.

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Enough Already! Want!

Here you go:

Nailing Your Interview