Nervous about first Java job interview, Help

[James Hambrick]

Here's what the job ad says

{BLANK} Software has an immediate opening for a creative, intense Java developer specializing in Java fundamentals both front-end and server side. This is core java programming covering a wide range of projects, including GUI design and implementation using Swing, image manipulation, security and encryption, server based programming (not J2EE) and more..

Here's what my email said about the interview

- The position is for programming in core Java. This means that there is no J2EE, servlet, HTML, JSP programming. The programming is for client side Java libraries and application and covers a wide range of the Java language.


- The interview will last about 2 hours. You will meet with {FNAME} {LNAME} and we ask that you take a java test (under Eclipse) where you will code some simple Java. We do this to help us determine your level of proficiency.

So what are your opinions on what I should know before showing up for the interview? I'm studying to make sure I know everything that I can.

[Bear Bibeault]

Cramming is unlikely to help at this point. You know what you know. I'd concentrate on interviewing skills and other soft skills to make sure that you will put forth your best effort.

[Bear Bibeault]

Though, obviously, make sure that you know your way around Eclipse.

[James Hambrick]

I have never used Eclipse, I have always used Netbeans or notepad.

[Bear Bibeault]

Well, then. Now you know what you have to do.

Or negotiate to use an IDE that you are familiar with (or no IDE at all).

[Michael Sullivan]

Being unfamiliar with Eclipse could cause you to lose sight of the real goal: Java programming. I don't know when your interview is, but if you have even a few hours to get somewhat familiar with eclipse, do so. It's a free download - and widely used. Here is a 12 minute video that will get you familiar with the basics.

And here is where you can get Eclipse

Good luck!

[James Hambrick]

Michael Sullivan wrote:Being unfamiliar with Eclipse could cause you to lose sight of the real goal: Java programming. I don't know when your interview is, but if you have even a few hours to get somewhat familiar with eclipse, do so. It's a free download - and widely used. Here is a 12 minute video that will get you familiar with the basics.

And here is where you can get Eclipse

Good luck!

Thanks! I am wanting to schedule my interview for the 17th of this month so I have some time to get used to the IDE and bruch up on my Java. I'm also afraid that they will want to pay me the least amount since I have no real work experience. If so I cannot take the job. I will be driving 87 miles to work and of course 87 back. Luckily I get good gas mileage but with gas getting close to $3/gallon I will be spening $100 a week in gas and being gone for 13hours a day to work 8.

[Ricky Jay]

I'm in the same boat as you are James. I have my first Java interview next week. I think that Bear is right, cramming will not help much at this going. I'm also going to focus on my communication and basic interviewing questions/skills.

Eclipse isn't that hard to get going. You can watch some tutorials on yourtube and pick it up really easily.

Good Luck.

[James Hambrick]

With a baby on the way I thought it was a good idea to go ahead and ask about the health insurance at the company and this is the response I got.

"We do not have group insurance plan. We offer $3,000 yearly towards
employees individual insurance plans which usually cover a good HMO plan
premiums or HSA plan premiums + deductible. We don't participate in spouse
insurance.

I understand that this can be a concern especially since you are expecting
a baby. As you might already know, some group insurance plans have a
probation period during which pregnancy or preexisting conditions might
not be covered. Your best bet might be to interview with bigger companies
that may not have such probation period."

Looks like I'm not going to the interview.

[Henry Wong]

I understand that this can be a concern especially since you are expecting
a baby. As you might already know, some group insurance plans have a
probation period during which pregnancy or preexisting conditions might
not be covered. Your best bet might be to interview with bigger companies
that may not have such probation period."

In the U.S., treating pregnancy as an preexisting condition is against the law. And once the new healthcare laws take into effect, being denied based on preexisting conditions, will be severely curtailed too.

Henry

[Campbell Ritchie]

In this country, that would be illegal as discrimination on the grounds of sex (if you are pregnant, then you must be a woman and you are being treated worse than a man) or marital status (if you have a pregnant wife, you are married, and that means treating you worse than a bachelor).
Similarly in most of Europe, I believe.

Back in 1985 I went to an interview where somebody asked one of the women candidates whether she was planning to have children and the HR person immediately shouted, "Don't answer that question!" because it would have amounted to discrimination on the grounds of her being a woman.

[James Hambrick]

I live in the US btw. Even if pregnancy cannot be considered a preexisting condition I don't want to be in the probation period when my wife goes into labor(or for any of the remaining prenatal visits). I told them that I would not be coming to the interview.

[Jimmy Clark]

With a baby on the way I thought it was a good idea to go ahead and ask about the health insurance at the company and this is the response I got.

Maybe it would have been better to hold off on questioning them about their health insurance policies prior to the actual interview, especially via email. Regardless, you might not have taken this position if offered, but you would have been able to engage in an interview and "see" if you can actually capture an offer. Right now you know nothing about your interview abilities, except what you "think" in your head.

Interviewing is only a part of the process. Actually getting an offer is a different story. Then negotiating compensation and benefits is a different story. You should have attended the interview, I feel. And would suggest not to decline any interview until you actually accept an "offered" position.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[James Hambrick]

yea I had thought about going ahead and interviewing to see what the interview and Java test was like. The company itself does not offer health insurance so I'm not sure how much I could negotiate. In the end, I would had to drive 2 hours there, interview for 2 hours then 2 hours back for a job that I could not take even if offered so I decided against it. I have interviewed for technical positions before, just not a Java interview. I feel a little more confident now that someone with no real world experience can get interviews for jobs that require work experience.

[arulk pillai]

Here are my tips to you

-- Brush up on the core Java fundamentals if you can.
-- Treat each interview as a free technical and behavioral training course. Have an attitude that even if you are not going to get the job, you are going to learn something good out of it.
-- Know yourself. Go through your resume. Identify what you can offer.
-- Know your occupation and industry -- This is bit harder if you are a beginner.
-- Know the organization -- do some research.
-- Prepare questions to ask -- to acertain it is a right job for you.

[prashant snv]

Hi,

Great tips are shared here. You should follow them and be confident in what you are and what you know. Also, your resume is your base,be accurate in that.

All the best.