Job Interviews?

Galaril · 03-28-2005, 12:13 AM

Can anyone recommend good nbooks on taking interviews especially for IT positions? Any other good advice appreciated. Any good question to ask the interview ie interviewing the interviewer?

Desnudo · 03-28-2005, 01:36 AM

Learn all the names of the original crew from Star Trek. Memorize every line from the Monty Python movie, "Search for the Holy Grail."

Shkspr · 03-28-2005, 02:06 AM

Manhole covers are round so that they can't be turned on their sides and dropped into the sewer.

Raiders Army · 03-28-2005, 05:19 AM

Power Interviews is a pretty good book. It is a little dated though.

I have interviewed for mostly management positions in the past 6 years, and the questions have changed. In the late 90s, they asked questions like "How good of a manager are you?" Now, they want you to tell a story about something: "Tell me about a time that you had to deal with a disgruntled employee." This may or may not translate to the IT job search.

As far as questions to ask, I went to four job conferences in the past 6 years. I used headhunters (Bradley-Morris and the Lucas Group). I told them that since I was paying to come out to their conference, I wanted a list of all of the companies that would be there. I then did research on the internet and made 3x5" cards on each company. I would study the information and then ask them a question pertaining to them.

For instance, I asked Nuclear Fuel Services, "I understand that you are one of two Class A facilities in the United States. Since you have recently received a contract with Russia to turn their nuclear weapons into nuclear fuel, how will that affect your ability to store nuclear fuel? Where will the fuel that you don't have room to store be held?"

I found that if you ask a specific question pertaining to that company it shows that you are interested in them and you are willing to do some research. I would shy away from the generic questions or selfish questions (that already assume that you have the job).

jeff061 · 03-28-2005, 05:43 AM

Both the interviews I've been on for IT(got a job each time), they asked mostly tech questions about their enviroment. I answered and asked in depth questions back about their stuff, tried to sound like I love what I do(which I do). Worked out both times.

I may have been lucky not to get the crappy "what are your weaknesses?" type questions.

Galaril · 03-28-2005, 08:04 AM

Jeff,
I see you are a pats fan , do you work in the Boston/NE area? I am looking to relocate there and am interested about the IT job market.

jeff061 · 03-28-2005, 09:04 AM

Recently worked in Connecticut, now working in Providence, RI.

Galaril · 03-28-2005, 09:11 AM

Mind if I ask what area of IT. I am from the area (Worcester)but am moving back and looking to get into network security/information security type work. I have been told by a number of peopel that the market is rapidly improving as far as hiring goes.

jeff061 · 03-28-2005, 09:24 AM

Network and Windows administration.

"Left" my last job after some "disagreements" with my boss, found a new and better one within two weeks. Job market is defintly better now than it was three years ago. Though I'm at an intermediate level, not sure how it is for higher level jobs.

Galaril · 03-28-2005, 10:03 AM

Actually I am looking at something in a positon in the above entry level but probably below intermediate. I only have a few years in IT (mid-career change) and it was mostly working on writing IT security policies and help desking/consulting work. If you place is hiring in the next few months(network/infosecurity/windows do me a favor and drop me a PM. It would be gretaly appreciated.

QuikSand · 03-28-2005, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shkspr

Manhole covers are round so that they can't be turned on their sides and dropped into the sewer.

Excellent.

BrianD · 03-28-2005, 11:30 AM

Make sure you avoid any canned interview answers. Basically, anything you see on the latest Monster.com commercials is the wrong way to go in an interview. Be honest, but try to come up with answers they don't hear all the time. Saying your biggest weakness is the fact that you are a workaholic won't get you anywhere.

You will probably also get situational-type questions. "Tell us about a project that didn't go well and how you handled it." This seems to be a big one. Be ready to talk about your successes and failures. Since you aren't looking for a majorly technical position, you will probably get a lot of non-technical questions. At many levels, companies believe that personality is more important than technical skills. You can teach people to be technical, but you can't teach them to work well with others.

Talk about being able to work with minimal supervision. Talk about being comfortable working on solo projects and with a full team. Try to think of an example where you were forced to do something that you didn't know how to do, and describe how you learned what you needed to know in time to make a deadline.

Being able to work in different situations with different teammates is a big key, and so it being able to teach yourself new things to get a job done.

Franklinnoble · 03-28-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shkspr

Manhole covers are round so that they can't be turned on their sides and dropped into the sewer.

I'm not sure where this comes from, but I'm fascinated.

I always assumed they were round just because all the sewer plumbing was round.

MikeVic · 03-28-2005, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franklinnoble

I'm not sure where this comes from, but I'm fascinated.

I always assumed they were round just because all the sewer plumbing was round.

I think Microsoft asks a lot of weird stuff like this. Like, how many phones are in your city? At least for the phone question, they want to see how you think it through... for the manhole question, I guess it would be to see how you respond to an unusual situation.

03-28-2005, 05:43 AM	#5
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Both the interviews I've been on for IT(got a job each time), they asked mostly tech questions about their enviroment. I answered and asked in depth questions back about their stuff, tried to sound like I love what I do(which I do). Worked out both times. I may have been lucky not to get the crappy "what are your weaknesses?" type questions. __________________

03-28-2005, 09:04 AM	#7
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Recently worked in Connecticut, now working in Providence, RI. __________________

03-28-2005, 09:24 AM	#9
jeff061 Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: MA	Network and Windows administration. "Left" my last job after some "disagreements" with my boss, found a new and better one within two weeks. Job market is defintly better now than it was three years ago. Though I'm at an intermediate level, not sure how it is for higher level jobs. __________________ Last edited by jeff061 : 03-28-2005 at 09:24 AM.

03-28-2005, 10:03 AM	#10
Galaril Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2004	Actually I am looking at something in a positon in the above entry level but probably below intermediate. I only have a few years in IT (mid-career change) and it was mostly working on writing IT security policies and help desking/consulting work. If you place is hiring in the next few months(network/infosecurity/windows do me a favor and drop me a PM. It would be gretaly appreciated. Last edited by Galaril : 03-28-2005 at 10:04 AM.

03-28-2005, 01:36 AM	#2
Desnudo Coordinator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Here and There	Learn all the names of the original crew from Star Trek. Memorize every line from the Monty Python movie, "Search for the Holy Grail."

03-28-2005, 02:06 AM	#3
Shkspr College Benchwarmer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Amarillo, TX	Manhole covers are round so that they can't be turned on their sides and dropped into the sewer.

03-28-2005, 05:19 AM	#4
Raiders Army Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: The Black Hole	Power Interviews is a pretty good book. It is a little dated though. I have interviewed for mostly management positions in the past 6 years, and the questions have changed. In the late 90s, they asked questions like "How good of a manager are you?" Now, they want you to tell a story about something: "Tell me about a time that you had to deal with a disgruntled employee." This may or may not translate to the IT job search. As far as questions to ask, I went to four job conferences in the past 6 years. I used headhunters (Bradley-Morris and the Lucas Group). I told them that since I was paying to come out to their conference, I wanted a list of all of the companies that would be there. I then did research on the internet and made 3x5" cards on each company. I would study the information and then ask them a question pertaining to them. For instance, I asked Nuclear Fuel Services, "I understand that you are one of two Class A facilities in the United States. Since you have recently received a contract with Russia to turn their nuclear weapons into nuclear fuel, how will that affect your ability to store nuclear fuel? Where will the fuel that you don't have room to store be held?" I found that if you ask a specific question pertaining to that company it shows that you are interested in them and you are willing to do some research. I would shy away from the generic questions or selfish questions (that already assume that you have the job).

03-28-2005, 08:04 AM	#6
Galaril Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2004	Jeff, I see you are a pats fan , do you work in the Boston/NE area? I am looking to relocate there and am interested about the IT job market.

03-28-2005, 09:11 AM	#8
Galaril Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2004	Mind if I ask what area of IT. I am from the area (Worcester)but am moving back and looking to get into network security/information security type work. I have been told by a number of peopel that the market is rapidly improving as far as hiring goes.

03-28-2005, 11:30 AM	#12
BrianD Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Appleton, WI	Make sure you avoid any canned interview answers. Basically, anything you see on the latest Monster.com commercials is the wrong way to go in an interview. Be honest, but try to come up with answers they don't hear all the time. Saying your biggest weakness is the fact that you are a workaholic won't get you anywhere. You will probably also get situational-type questions. "Tell us about a project that didn't go well and how you handled it." This seems to be a big one. Be ready to talk about your successes and failures. Since you aren't looking for a majorly technical position, you will probably get a lot of non-technical questions. At many levels, companies believe that personality is more important than technical skills. You can teach people to be technical, but you can't teach them to work well with others. Talk about being able to work with minimal supervision. Talk about being comfortable working on solo projects and with a full team. Try to think of an example where you were forced to do something that you didn't know how to do, and describe how you learned what you needed to know in time to make a deadline. Being able to work in different situations with different teammates is a big key, and so it being able to teach yourself new things to get a job done.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)