Impress an MSP for a possible job (interview tomorrow)

I have a job interview tomorrow and am looking at ways I can show that I'm really interested in the position. It is with an MSp as a support specialist in which im driving 2 hrs away for (in another state), it pays a little bit less but the amount of information that I would get to learn would make the job worth while.

How can I show someone how professional I can be and how well I can work at an MSP? I will obviously be dressing up in a suite with a few resumes in a binder portfolio type thing, but what are some questions interviewee's like to hear or have been impressed to hear?

Find more posts tagged with

Free for TechExams community: Cybersecurity salary guide

Compare cert salaries and plan your next career move

Button

Comments

White Wizard

Be yourself.

Your resume, accomplishments, goals, and how you present yourself will speak for themselves. If you try too hard you will come off the wrong way. As a tech that works at a MSP (this may be different depending on your position and how well the MSP is doing) I can say that they negotiate with each individual on salary. All businesses are different so this may not be the case but, if you are in a position where you need experience, then take what you can get and make it happen.

Raisin

MSP's love strong cologne, the stronger the better. Make sure you bathe in that stuff. If they can smell you before you walk through the door they'll know you mean business.

NetworkingStudent

This site should help:
http://mikenation.net/files/Preparing_for_the_Job_Interview.pdf

Good luck

gbdavidx

NetworkingStudent wrote: »

This site should help:
http://mikenation.net/files/Preparing_for_the_Job_Interview.pdf

Good luck

Thanks!!!

ande0255

I'd think about any programs at all that you use to troubleshoot pc issues, not just the ones you have used in the work place. At my MSP we have to resolve customer issues by any means possible, using literally any tool available on the internet that may work. Showing your versatile and resourceful in troubleshooting will be key.

BradleyHU

so wait...you're willing to drive 4 ways(if there's no traffic) 5 days a week??? and it only pays a little less than what you're making now?

yeah, there's no way i'd do that...i

colemic

OP didn't say he would be commuting... I assumed the opposite of what you did, that he would pack up and move.

CIO

That was what i was thinking as well.

Zartanasaurus

Or maybe the central office is somewhere 2 hours away, but he'd be doing remote support.

jibbajabba

I am commuting 2-2.5hrs each way for years now. Must be living in the wrong country

gbdavidx

Its in reno nv. I would move. No state tax. Id lose some pay but gain the work expierence which I'm in dire need of

alan2308

Raisin wrote: »

MSP's love strong cologne, the stronger the better. Make sure you bathe in that stuff. If they can smell you before you walk through the door they'll know you mean business.

At first I LOLed, but it's true.

N2IT

You are on the right path with the suit and business portfolio with resumes. I think from a conversation standpoint (interview) I would learn as much as you can about the MSP. I would ask about the direction and what type of business they are looking to continue to explore. Ask questions about the support and technologies they support.

Make sure to emphasis customer service and having the big picture view. What's best for the company and it's direction.

Those are items I would focus on.

tkerber

gbdavidx wrote: »

I have a job interview tomorrow and am looking at ways I can show that I'm really interested in the position. It is with an MSp as a support specialist in which im driving 2 hrs away for (in another state), it pays a little bit less but the amount of information that I would get to learn would make the job worth while.

How can I show someone how professional I can be and how well I can work at an MSP? I will obviously be dressing up in a suite with a few resumes in a binder portfolio type thing, but what are some questions interviewee's like to hear or have been impressed to hear?

I work for a pretty large MSP and can say this--the experience is great, that is hands down not even debatable. If you want to learn something outside of your realm you're going to the right place. However, taking a pay cut and moving may not be financially worth it (honestly). Do you have a wife and kids? If so I would not recommend this. Reason being is that I work for an MSP and although I get a company car and company gas card, phone, etc, and I get to drive my car to work and all sorts of benefits--working for an MSP IS stressful and exhausting!

However, a few things MSPs want in their candidates are:

Professional appearance and (Great) customer service skills: As an MSP Tech you're constantly dealing with clients and one mistake can sometimes cost you an entire client, and that is how the company makes money so you have to be VERY careful. Demonstrating excellent customer service skills for an MSP or any company will be absolutely necessary.

Diverse Experience - MSPs generally want someone who is more of a jack of all trades and some different backgrounds. I had worked retail IT, healthcare IT, and corporate IT before working for an MSP and it really helped me get my foot in the door for an interview--in fact they head hunted me.

Fast Learner - MSPs want someone who can learn on the fly (although they may not tell you this). I can say that on a daily basis most of my job is reverse engineering. Figuring out how something works that has already been built and then troubleshooting. Often times I've been summoned to go troubleshoot a network I've never even touched before at a company I've never heard of.

Anyways those are just a few things. But honestly if you're getting a pay decrease and you have anyone you care about at home, I would really think twice about this. I'm currently a single 21 year old and even I can say that the stress of working for an MSP and the hours is sometimes just madness. Also factor in the MSPs benefits package, you may think that it's just a small decrease in pay but if the benefits are worse, it could be a LARGE decrease in pay.

Either way I think you should think twice and realize that there are probably other opportunities. But best of luck in whatever you decide.

gbdavidx

tkerber wrote: »

I work for a pretty large MSP and can say this--the experience is great, that is hands down not even debatable. If you want to learn something outside of your realm you're going to the right place. However, taking a pay cut and moving may not be financially worth it (honestly). Do you have a wife and kids? If so I would not recommend this. Reason being is that I work for an MSP and although I get a company car and company gas card, phone, etc, and I get to drive my car to work and all sorts of benefits--working for an MSP IS stressful and exhausting!

However, a few things MSPs want in their candidates are:

Professional appearance and (Great) customer service skills: As an MSP Tech you're constantly dealing with clients and one mistake can sometimes cost you an entire client, and that is how the company makes money so you have to be VERY careful. Demonstrating excellent customer service skills for an MSP or any company will be absolutely necessary.

I also think the interview went really well, he seemed to like me a lot and should have an answer by tuesday
Diverse Experience - MSPs generally want someone who is more of a jack of all trades and some different backgrounds. I had worked retail IT, healthcare IT, and corporate IT before working for an MSP and it really helped me get my foot in the door for an interview--in fact they head hunted me.

Fast Learner - MSPs want someone who can learn on the fly (although they may not tell you this). I can say that on a daily basis most of my job is reverse engineering. Figuring out how something works that has already been built and then troubleshooting. Often times I've been summoned to go troubleshoot a network I've never even touched before at a company I've never heard of.

Anyways those are just a few things. But honestly if you're getting a pay decrease and you have anyone you care about at home, I would really think twice about this. I'm currently a single 21 year old and even I can say that the stress of working for an MSP and the hours is sometimes just madness. Also factor in the MSPs benefits package, you may think that it's just a small decrease in pay but if the benefits are worse, it could be a LARGE decrease in pay.

Either way I think you should think twice and realize that there are probably other opportunities. But best of luck in whatever you decide.

hm... yeah I have a wife but she will be working trying to find a job to help offset the few dollars an hr in pay. I wouldn't mind the stressful work if I was actually learning something. I have been trying to apply everywhere and no one has given my a chance except my current work at a help desk where all I do is password resetting. Trying to get promoted within my hospital has failed as they only seem to promote from without the hospital at the place I currently work (at least the place I want to go to)

Raisin

alan2308 wrote: »

At first I LOLed, but it's true.

60% of the time, it works everytime.

gbdavidx

the benefits are actually quite decent, medical dental, vision, 401k with 5% company match and a few other things they provide, they also have free unlimited training resources and will pay for any cert up to one time, 2nd time i have to pay for it

w00t

I joined an MSP through a Skype interview from Florida before moving to Atlanta, GA. I decided to sport the mustache on my skype interview and it must have impressed them. I received an offer letter a few hours later and I re-located. I recommend the mustache.

geekgirl74

w00t wrote: »

I joined an MSP through a Skype interview from Florida before moving to Atlanta, GA. I decided to sport the mustache on my skype interview and it must have impressed them. I received an offer letter a few hours later and I re-located. I recommend the mustache.

Facial hair FTW. Every time. Actually...I'm not quite sure how a mustache would look over my lipstick.

Anyways, I LOVE my job - at an MSP - and I've said so in few posts. The experience is fantastic, and I was lucky enough to be hired without any - just my degree. Good luck!!

sizeon

I don't think op knows what he is getting to working for a MSP. Anyways, MSP love critical thinkers who could make decisions on the spot. I am 100% sure that they will make you take a written test and then ask you general AD/Exchange/networking questions.

BradleyHU

Raisin wrote: »

60% of the time, it works everytime.