Preparing for Your Communications IT Interview: What to Expect

Hundreds of thousands of tech layoffs in the last 12 months have flooded the market with talent and made the telecommunications job market much more competitive than it has been for a while. When interviewing for a communications IT position, it is now crucial to be prepared so you can stand out and succeed in job interviews. 

This guide will show you what’s most important and help you be prepared for everything you will face during the telecom interview process. 

Understanding the Job Description

The first step to preparing for a telecommunications job interview is to thoroughly understand the job role and responsibilities by carefully reading the job description several times. Another good step is to write down keywords and skills listed in the description so you can be sure to address these during the interview. 

While it isn’t necessary or even sometimes possible to match a job description perfectly every time, you should be able to show that your skills and experiences match the job requirements of the role. For a job that has many qualified applicants, however, it will be important to show that you bring exceptional talent to the table.

Researching the Company and Industry Trends

Would you want to hire someone who didn’t know anything about your company, culture or values? Probably not. 

This is why you should do some research about the company’s mission, values, products/services, and recent news and look for opportunities to share that information during the interview process. 

In addition, you may be asked during the interview about specific communications IT trends and technologies in order to test your general knowledge of the field. You should prepare an answer for this question so you are ready when you get it. 

Common Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

There are several main types of questions you will get during an interview for hiring in communications IT. 

First, you will have the technical skills questions that let you showcase your knowledge base and ability to do the job. These could include questions like “Explain what a fiber optic cable is”?” or “How have you used programming languages to develop or update telecom systems?”As part of this category, you may also get questions about certifications you have obtained and your educational qualifications for the job.

Next, you will have questions about your specific experience in other telecommunications jobs or previous jobs in other related industries. If you have participated with or led a team, worked on a major development or update project, or have any other accomplishments in previous jobs, this is the ideal time to talk about them. 

You may also get questions about soft skills, which are important in all jobs. Be ready with some examples of how you adapted to changing situations, communicated with your team or supervisor effectively, delivered results under time pressure by managing your time well, or all of these together. 

Finally, there may be questions about culture and values to determine whether you would be a good cultural fit for the company. You can find out about company culture and values by researching the company before the interview. 

To see more possible questions you may be asked during a telecommunications IT interview, click here or here.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

You should be prepared to demonstrate your technical skills and knowledge both by answering questions and by completing a short task during the interview, if asked to do so. You may in some cases receive the task ahead of time so you can prepare. In other cases, it will be more of an on-the-spot request. Both answering questions and completing a task will show your technical expertise so the prospective employer is confident that you are up to the job if you do get hired. 

Soft Skills that Telecommunications IT Employers Look For

Soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are needed for communications jobs in order for them to run smoothly. You can convey these in an interview by answering hypothetical questions about how you would handle challenges and by giving examples of how you used these skills in previous jobs. If asked to participate in a group exercise during an interview, you may also be able to demonstrate these skills during that exercise. 

Closing the Interview and Follow-Up

Often, interviewers will end the interview by allowing the candidate to ask questions about the job and the company. Having a few questions prepared for this part of the interview will show your continued interest in the position and convey your thoughts about the job and what it might entail. These questions should not be about information you could easily research, but should go beyond to show that you have taken the time to prepare.  

For a strong end to an interview, be sure to thank the interviewer for their time and let them know you look forward to hearing from them about the job. You should always send a thank-you email soon after the interview is over and maintain professionalism in all follow-up communications. Many people also send a handwritten note as well, which is a nice, personal touch.

Using these tips and techniques should help you present yourself well in telecommunications interviews and give you a better chance of finding a job when a telecommunications IT hiring opportunity presents itself. GDH Consulting can be a partner in your job search by helping you navigate opportunities and giving you access to connections you wouldn’t otherwise have.. 

Need a partner on your career path? We’re it.