I got an interview for a DB2 C++ developer internship at IBM. I have the option of doing it over the phone or in person. Which would you recommend? Is it appropriate to say in my reply email "What will be the nature of the interview so I can best prepare for it?" so I can found out just how technical and code-based it will be.
But in general, what's the best way to prepare for an interview like this?
As with most interviews for a C++ programming job expect to be asked about the basic of the language as well as some of the common data structure such as vectors and maps. Probably allocation and de-allocation of memory and some of the stuff you should know about OOP, including inheritance and polymorphism. I havent' gone for a job at IBM so i couldn't tell you exactly, but as far as good jobs go these seem to be the standard type of questions.
Also by phone or in person, well in person i wager you will make more of an impact if you go in person. You get extra face time with the employers, and you can make a much better impression by showing you have people skills and are comfortable in situations where you have to deal with people.
So unless you are absolutely inept in social situations i would say in person would be better than over the phone. But if you get really nervous, visibly, maybe you should stick to the phone; but expect they may call you in for face to face later on anyway.