© 2002 IBM Corporation IBM Deep Computing Copyright 2006 – IBM Corporation 1 Ed Panel – Part 2 - The Interview & Subsequent Offer Rocky ’06 Dec 2, 2006 Kirk E Jordan Deep Computing Systems & Technology Group

IBM Systems & Technology Group Deep Computing © 2006 IBM Corporation 2 Outline  Overview of the interview day and reason for the interview  Some smart questions to ask  The offer – verbal & written

IBM Systems & Technology Group Deep Computing © 2006 IBM Corporation 3 Overview of the interview day – technical interview  May be asked to give a technical talk (most often at larger companies) –Key things to keep in mind: The audience may have a diverse technical background Need to provide sufficient detail showing your contributions – don’t overwhelm the audience (managers – those that will hire you may not have as in depth technical knowledge – don’t bore them to tears) Present a cohesive story – explain the problem, your contribution and the impact of your solution (you are marketing yourself). Be prepared to discuss how your work fits into a bigger picture – Problem, Contribution/Solution, Result/Impact  Individual sessions – –Human resources and/or hiring manager –Individual group members – 1 on 1 –People related to the group – possibly working with on initial project

IBM Systems & Technology Group Deep Computing © 2006 IBM Corporation 4 Some Smart Questions  What are the characteristics of the person that is going to be successful in this job? –In asking this question first, you draw out what they are looking for. –Listen carefully because the answer may give you clues as what to emphasize from you background throughout your discussions.  What do you like about me and my background? –This you ask towards the end of the interview – the person that suggested this to me recommended asking this at the close of each session – I found it works best with the key individuals. –Most technical people are not ready for this and the following question.  What don’t you like about me and my background? –This is a companion questions to the above. –The one above and this questions helps to check the person’s understanding of what you have said and gives you an opportunity to correct any misconceptions.  What stands between me and you offering me the position right now? –This is the closer. It tells you what you can expect. –Depending on the answer you may know right away that an offer will come.

IBM Systems & Technology Group Deep Computing © 2006 IBM Corporation 5 The Offer  Verbal – the phone call making the offer –Like anyone – the offerer is anxious to find out if you will accept their offer – the call – remember the offer is not real until you see it in writing. –When they call to make you an offer, remember that they have determined of all candidates you are the one they really want. –He who speaks first loses. When the person on the other end of the phone say we would like to make you an offer of $XXX in the position of YYY - - YOU SAY NOTHING - dead silence!!! The person then may ask are you there? You win then you ask for what you want, i.e. more dollars, more vacation, moving expenses – be ready to negotiate what you are willing to accept even if you everything is perfect, negotiate!!!  Written – this is the real offer –It should include what you negotiated during the verbal discussion, if it doesn’t call to get clarification. –At this point sign it and celebrate if everything is perfect but don’t forget to ask questions e.g. one offer I accepted stated in the written offer that they would move you from two locations – I discovered that the two location policy need not state that they be near one another – I got them to move me from New York State and Massachusetts.