10 ways to smash that IT job interview: Tips to ace the interview and how to secure your dream job

Like most interviews, researching the company is vital. Make sure you know about their upcoming projects and highlight how interested you are in being part of it. If you can, get familiar with the people you could be working with and their work itself. Subtly mentioning that will show your keen interest in the company.

IT job interviews will of course involve some technical questions so if you don't know an answer, trying to mash together poorly formed ideas can almost ensure you don't get the job. Instead, just be honest. Let the interviewer know that you are not certain of the answer but that you have the capabilities to learn and master the mentioned technical challenge. 

While it sounds cheesy and a bit cliché, being enthusiastic about the role and more broadly IT, will leave a lasting impression on the interviewer. You're ultimately aiming to marry your technical aptitude with your (fantastic - I'm sure) personality. Mentioning hobbies outside of work is also a great way to do this. You're not a robot and most companies will like that!

Interviews are a great forum to discuss interesting topics related to the role with like-minded people. Bringing up recent news or updates will show that you are on top of trends and eager to learn. 

To put you ahead of the competition, focus on the skills you have that are in demand at the moment. This will prove what an asset you would be to the company and steer the conversation toward your strengths.

An obvious skill gap can feel like the death sentence in a job interview, so it's important to approach it properly. One way is to mention how you are always looking to expand your skillset, bringing the focus back to professional growth. Another is to concentrate on what the interviewer wants from a candidate who possesses that particular skill, rather than focusing on your lack of that skill.

It's easy to focus on the technical side of things when attempting to show that you're the best fit for the job. But don't forget to highlight your non-technical skills. Leadership, being self-starter and a good communicator are all skills that will promote you as a well-rounded candidate.  

Like all interviews, having specific examples of work scenarios or even examples of your work will tick a box in the interviewers mind. As long as they are relevant, you can't really give too many examples, so go for it!

Any questions surrounding future training and opportunities are a great way to finish an interview. Also focusing on the work culture will show your positive attitude to a good work-life balance.