what to prepare for an interview

dj_kenshin

Interview coming up this week for a University tech support position.
I've been doing off site support as a layer one tech for a while and this seems like a baby, but step up to move on.
I'm wondering what to prep for so I can be ready.
Thanks!
Department

Computer Services (IT Operations)
Position Type

Full-time staff
Work Hours

Operation hour (37.5 hours per week and work in shift):
08:00 to 21:00 from Monday to Friday
08:30 to 18:00 on Saturday
Report to:

IT Operations Manager, Computer Services
Salary & Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience, plus transportation.
Eleven days paid vacation in the first fiscal year (July-June) increasing to 20 days after 6 years of employment, plus 5 paid "personal and sick days" each year. In addition, approximately two weeks company-wide break over Christmas/New Year, Japanese social insurance and pension, commuting allowance, and tuition benefits.
Junior Help Desk Support

Department

Computer Services (IT Operations)
Position Type

Full-time staff
Work Hours

Operation hour (37.5 hours per week and work in shift):
08:00 to 21:00 from Monday to Friday
08:30 to 18:00 on Saturday
Report to:

IT Operations Manager, Computer Services
Salary & Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience, plus transportation.
Eleven days paid vacation in the first fiscal year (July-June) increasing to 20 days after 6 years of employment, plus 5 paid "personal and sick days" each year. In addition, approximately two weeks company-wide break over Christmas/New Year, Japanese social insurance and pension, commuting allowance, and tuition benefits.
Overview of Position

Provide the 1st level support for staff, faculty and students to ensure the best possible computing experience.
Primary responsibilities

• Primary function of this position is the 1st level desktop support helpdesk
• Provide assistance to end users (Student / Staff / Faculty)
• Identify opportunities for improvement within the helpdesk and IT areas
• Provide front line support to clients on connectivity, printing, productivity applications & business applications
• Answer, evaluate and prioritize incoming telephone, voice mail, and email requests for assistance from staff / faculty / students experiencing problems with hardware, software, networking and other computer related technologies
• Manage PC and Macintosh computer labs
  • Technical maintenance
  • Open/Close computer lab
  • Lab reservations
• Provide Audio-Visual equipment support
• Other duties as assigned by management

Qualifications & Experiences

• Good verbal and written communication skills in both Japanese and English
• Microsoft Windows 7/8.1 support experience in windows based network preferable
• Understanding and experience for supporting of Microsoft Office 2010/2013 Application (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Mac OS X experience/knowledge preferable
• Installation and troubleshooting experience with PC workstations, printers and basic network equipments
• Demonstrated problem solving skills and customer service skills
• Creative, team player and self-motivated
• Professional appearance and attitude

Plantwiz

dj_kenshin wrote:

.
I'm wondering what to prep for so I can be ready.
Thanks!

Well rested.
Clean and showered (no perfume)
Clean and pressed clothing, proper and/or slightly nicer than the employees were everyday. Nice pants, button shirt/collar...jacket/Tie depending on what their day to day wear is...probably just a tie, but never fear dressing nicely!


Probably need to prove you speak/write Japanese with proficiency was that was mentioned. Probably need to discuss situations you have dealt with regarding the technologies they list as well as how you manage people...might even give you scenarios.

Have questions ready for them too!
-why is the position open?
-what type of budget does IT have? Who has a say in recommendations of budget?
-are there upgrade plans that are SOP or how are technology 'emergencies' handled?
-is IT treated as an expense? Or is it viewed as a vital part of their healthy organization? Will you have opportunities to meet with other departments to stay abreast of their needs and goals to react and plan properly...

Small 'chitchat' stuff




**** ugh???just realized your are in Japan. Follow whatever is normal for their customs. I did have a friend who worked there for many years and wchieved the highest level of Japanese writing/language certificates possible (particularly for a westerner). So, you may want to error on the conservative side, I was thinking you were looking for job in the US that needed Japanese ties...

dj_kenshin

Thanks Plantwiz! For the clothes they are in cool biz mode, so shirt, top button not buttoned, no tie besides that I'll be shiny!
I was told by the HR guy not to worry about the Japanese. The questions I had at the moment was position open, how the hours work for each week, and opportunities for advancement.
I'm looking forward to the chance of meeting them!

Plantwiz

From those whom I vicariously live through who have been there, things are loosening up a bit from say 20 years ago. If you are already there, you are familiar with the nuances. Certification of language proficiency is a tough road, and many native folks do not achieve the higher levels. At least you have that information out of the way.

Otherwise, I would recommend knowing about their company, whatever you can get your hands on that is publically available. You made it through the toughest part...and landed the interview!

Best wishes!

dj_kenshin

Thanks again Plantwiz! It's hard because a lot of the jobs require a high level of the language proficiency. However, there are a lot out there that don't require it also!
I've been looking around at the University a lot to get an idea about everything!

shauncarter1

Here are the things you must do. I have been interviewing for about a month now and candidates that miss these things are all but eliminated.

1. Know the organization: It's almost a slap in the face to know next to nothing about the organization you would like to be a part of. If you really want to impressive mention something they have done from a technology or university standpoint that is pretty significant.

2. Know the industry: Almost the same as number one, but not quite. You want to know what the trends in the industry area. In colleges BYOD is no doubt a big issue since students can even bring game consoles in.

3. Know why you are a fit: Go beyond the technical elements here. You will likely be asked why you are the right person for the job. Make sure you can verbalize this.

4. Understand the technical stuff: Be prepared to answer questions about everything you see in the overview of the position. For me unless the candidate absolutely blows the questions this is less important than 1, 2, and 3, but important nonetheless.

Best of luck!

dj_kenshin

Thank you for the info Shawn!
A little more to look up!!!

Nemowolf

Even if the business is casual, I would still dress more formally because it shows you mean business. I don't know how interviewing in Japan goes but in the US you typically want to have prepared answers for questions such as:

- What are your Strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Scenario based questions concerning technical issues
- Scenario based questions concerning customer support issues

This is entry level so they shouldn't be asking you in-depth and detailed questions concerning complex technologies.

As mentioned previously, you NEED to have questions prepared for them as well. I got my current position because all the other candidates declined to ask any relevant questions and it made me stand out from the crowd. Here is a couple of new and expanded questions.

- Is the position open due to growth or are you replacing someone?
- If replacing, what is the turn over rate of the IT department?
- What are their expectations of you in a 30, 90, 120 time frame?
- What is the typical ramp up time for someone to start being self-sufficient at doing the job?
- Internally, is their a history of growth within the department and folks promoting within to more senior roles or having positions created?

Just as they are willing to ask you potentially awkward questions, you should get as much information and ask those same questions of them. If you hear something that isn't clear, make sure you get that clarification before you leave.


Personal note: Sides differ as to discussion of money but personally, I dodge money because it puts the ball in their court to make the initial offer. If you don't like what you hear, then you have all the power to start the negotiation. If they won't budge on a number, discuss alternate benefits such as starting with 1 week vacation on the books. What ever is verbally discussed in negotiation has to be part of the written offer letter or they will never give it to you. If the job doesn't work out, you can always take the cash out of the vacation as nice parting bonus.

dj_kenshin

So currently unknown how it will go. However, they were straightforward with me and didn't feel great.
Have you worked with AD in a live network? My response, No I haven't been able to at my current office (won't allow anyone from my office onto the servers) So I got all software questions which I couldn't answer very well and just kinda felt like a bad vibe to try and get all three interviewers into the same opinion that I'm not good for their job. Any counter I had seemed to have failed. They said by early next week I'll know if I get the second interview or not. But I don't have my hopes up...

Nemowolf

Even if you don't get the second interview, you have some experience under your belt. Examine the questions they asked and give yourself the time to answer them to the best of your ability because they may come up again. This is like a practice test every time you come out of the interview, keep a mental record of the questions and what did and didn't work. Build on it.

dj_kenshin

That's very true. I did get stuck on a question and had a pause with it. I know how to answer that one a lot better now. I'm going to get in touch with Robert Morris this weekend, I got a business card from them yesterday.
Just have to keep shooting for those stars right

dj_kenshin

*Update*
So against all odds and the studder even... I've still been called back for the second round. This will be with CIO and HR director.
Still a chance!

Nemowolf

Thanks for the update! Now based on the first interview being technical and possibly more customer service oriented, it wouldn't be a stretch to have the CIO and HR offer more global questions such as what your strengths and weaknesses are and checking what type of person you are. There is no way to know ahead of time what types of questions they may ask but again, check online for typical questions and prepare answers for them all.

dj_kenshin

Thanks for the advice. A friend who worked there gave me a basic idea what to expect from them. The CIO is not technical at all (kinda weird...)
He said to expect a lot of what you are talking about Nemowolf. A lot of how to deal with people and what would you do scenarios. I've been looking up the basic questions on that now.

dj_kenshin

Well went there yesterday. Got the questions I expected. Hit them hard with questions and felt great when I left. It says helpdesk, but it's really more. They do networking, helpdesk :P, administration and layer one cabling and some small to mid size projects. This is a huge jump up from break fix what I'm doing now! Can't wait to hear the results! (There is only one other person who made second interview)

cyberguypr

Very nice. Did they tell you or did you ask when do they expect to make a decision?

Best of luck!

Plantwiz

Congratulations thus far!

Scorp6

So far sounds like you've done great. Seems like you blew it out of the water the second time! Can't wait to hear the result. Congratulations!

dj_kenshin

Thanks everyone! They said final decision will be end of this week to beginning of next! As soon as I find out I'll let everyone know!

dj_kenshin

As a final decision I was offered the position! It wasn't quite what I was hoping for in pay, however the experience I'll receive is worth it alone!
The title says help desk but it's really a junior administrator position. I start at the beginning of September!
Thank you everyone for the encouragement and help in getting this!

cyberguypr

Congrats!

Snow.bros

Well done and congratulations!!!

LinuxNerd

I don't want to be a Negative Nancy but good luck getting a University job! I worked for a University for several years and in all hiring departments it was you get hired if you are personal friends with the hiring manager or a friend of his/her friend.

But if you get one, it's like European Socialism (France 1990s era) employment stability, almost impossible to get fired.