Any tips?

Nafe92014

Hey all,

I dropped off my resume in person at a local ISP for a T2 Help Desk position. Before I walked out, the receptionist asked me to take a seat for 2 minutes. Surprisingly, the exec director came out, we shook hands and introduced ourselves, and she said she was quite impressed with my detailed resume that she offered me an interview for Friday at 1:00PM with Management/HR. So I am looking for some interview tips.

All in all, I never knew I'd get an interview offer 2 minutes later after I submitted my resume.

Verities

A few off the top of my head:

1. Make sure you have a suit ready to go for the interview. You can never go wrong wearing a suit to an IT interview.
2. Read the ISP's "about us" section if they have one and learn all you can about the company.
3. Practice smiling and introducing yourself in front of a mirror.
4. Review the job description and be prepared to answer any questions regarding the technologies stated or the duties listed.
5. Create a list of questions to ask the interviewer like, what types of benefits, what the hourly/salary rate is, what kind of opportunities for advancement are there, do they offer paid training or offer certification reimbursements, ask what shift/hours you'll be working on/is it a rotating shift schedule, and what the dress code is.

Bokeh

I would ask them what brought them to that job, what made them think this is the place I want to work for? People love talking about themselves. Get any business cards or write down the names and email addresses and follow up immediately afterwards with a thank you note. Should be 3 simple things:

Thank them for their time
Re-iderate your qualifications and how they benefit the employer
Ask them if they need any further information to help make a decision to contact you immediately.

tmtex

Verities wrote: »

A few off the top of my head:

1. Make sure you have a suit ready to go for the interview. You can never go wrong wearing a suit to an IT interview.
2. Read the ISP's "about us" section if they have one and learn all you can about the company.
3. Practice smiling and introducing yourself in front of a mirror.
4. Review the job description and be prepared to answer any questions regarding the technologies stated or the duties listed.
5. Create a list of questions to ask the interviewer like, what types of benefits, what the hourly/salary rate is, what kind of opportunities for advancement are there, do they offer paid training or offer certification reimbursements, ask what shift/hours you'll be working on/is it a rotating shift schedule, and what the dress code is.

DO NOT ASK THIS !!! "ask the interviewer like, what types of benefits, what the hourly/salary rate is, what kind of opportunities for advancement are there, do they offer paid training or offer certification reimbursements" NO NEVER NO That's the worst thing you can do. If they bring it up then fine but do not do that.

A quick google search and look at this https://www.livecareer.com/interview-tips/advice/dos-donts/dont-ask-your-employer

scaredoftests

Good for you! Bring a notebook with you, full of questions: How has the economy affected your business? What are the responsibilities of the job? What is the first project to be addressed? How many people are supported? how many computers? Software used? How many people in the division? How is performance measured? Things like that.
Dress nice. Research their company before your interview. Sending good cyber vibes.

fmitawaps

Some tips from the fmitawaps school of employment:

If they ask you how much money you made at your last job.... LIE.

You didn't make $12 an hour, you made $15. You didn't make $20 an hour, you made $23.

They will ask to see how cheaply they can get you, so offset that by padding the truth by 3 or 4 dollars an hour. They cannot find out your real income. Give yourself a raise, you deserve it. Besides, why are you applying for a job if it is not to make money?

Level 2 help desk is ok, but it is no big deal. Wear a nice shirt and maybe a tie, but not a suit. A suit could be seen as kissing ass too much. I'm not an ass kisser. Now if you were interviewing to be a network engineer or CIO, then it is suit time.

Do not ask about money or vacation or benefits in the interview. At all. Let them tell you about it. They will when they are ready to.

cyberguypr

Wow, i had no idea physical resume drops still happened in 2016. I am surprised that worked.

I can tell fmitawaps has been burned once or twice. LOL!

And please, do not ask anything about benefits. It is clearly not the time for that.

ThePawofRizzo

tmtex wrote: »

DO NOT ASK THIS !!! "ask the interviewer like, what types of benefits, what the hourly/salary rate is, what kind of opportunities for advancement are there, do they offer paid training or offer certification reimbursements" NO NEVER NO That's the worst thing you can do. If they bring it up then fine but do not do that.

If you are referring to all the 5 points Verities listed I disagree, if you're referencing point #5 I think asking about the work schedule/shift, general questions on benefits, and training benefits is fine. I wouldn't go overboard asking super detailed questions, as likely if they present an offer you can look at the packages and bennies at that time. I don't see an issue asking "Are there education reimbursement benefits?", and if college tuition reimbursement and/or certification training is paid for, the interviewer can fill in the blanks on their own. I certainly see no issue asking something like "Is this job shift work? daytime? nighttime?" or about the dress code.

And yes, WEAR A SUIT...at the very least a nice shirt, tie, and slacks. Too many IT guys think they can interview super casual because they have these marketable skills.

In my experience the general HR interview, which is often a screening interview, will just go over the job basics and what the company offers benefits wise, and get a feel to see if you fit the job. The IT manager will then do a more detailed interview regarding the job....but may not really know all about any benefits offered to give a good answer.

As for salary questions, you kinda have to feel that out in the interview. Some interviewers will just spew it out. Some will ask you what your expectations are.

alias454

cyberguypr wrote: »

Wow, i had no idea physical resume drops still happened in 2016. I am surprised that worked.

I can tell fmitawaps has been burned once or twice. LOL!

And please, do not ask anything about benefits. It is clearly not the time for that.

I think it is sometimes a good way to make yourself stand out.

@op
Wear shoes
Take a shower
Brush your teeth and your hair

On a more serious note, other than that, just be yourself and be honest. If you don't know something don't try and BS your way through it. Sometimes this may lead to you not getting the job but then so be it there will be other interviews.

Good Luck.

bhcs2014

I agree with fmitawaps post. If they're gonna try to play the lowball salary game then play it back (unless this your first IT job? you won't have much leverage). Dress shirt/tie is more than enough for a help desk position so I'd go with that.

Try to learn a bit about the company. If your excited about the opportunity try to show it. If you're eager to learn show that as well. This is stuff employers are looking for in help desk. Also as Verities said, try to get a good idea of the job from the job description, any type of questions about the job you have ask them during the interview. Good luck!

Verities

tmtex wrote: »

DO NOT ASK THIS !!! "ask the interviewer like, what types of benefits, what the hourly/salary rate is, what kind of opportunities for advancement are there, do they offer paid training or offer certification reimbursements" NO NEVER NO That's the worst thing you can do. If they bring it up then fine but do not do that.

A quick google search and look at this https://www.livecareer.com/interview-tips/advice/dos-donts/dont-ask-your-employer

You should always ask this information in interviews after the interviewer asks if you have questions. Of course if they have already covered the topics then obviously don't ask them. There is nothing wrong with asking any of those questions and by the way that's an opinion piece; you're going to find a lot of those saying dos and don'ts.

If you don't feel comfortable asking those types of questions that's your own perogative.

Kreken

fmitawaps wrote: »

Some tips from the fmitawaps school of employment:

If they ask you how much money you made at your last job.... LIE.

You didn't make $12 an hour, you made $15. You didn't make $20 an hour, you made $23.

They will ask to see how cheaply they can get you, so offset that by padding the truth by 3 or 4 dollars an hour. They cannot find out your real income. Give yourself a raise, you deserve it. Besides, why are you applying for a job if it is not to make money?

Level 2 help desk is ok, but it is no big deal. Wear a nice shirt and maybe a tie, but not a suit. A suit could be seen as kissing ass too much. I'm not an ass kisser. Now if you were interviewing to be a network engineer or CIO, then it is suit time.

Do not ask about money or vacation or benefits in the interview. At all. Let them tell you about it. They will when they are ready to.

I had to wipe tears from my eyes. Preach on, brotha.

ITSpectre

Interview tips

1. Wear a suit and tie... starch the dress shirt and iron it twice
2. Make a list of questions to ask at the end of the interview
Question examples:
- What constitutes success at this position
- What is the management style like
- What is a big project the company is working on right now
- What do you like about this company
- Do you encourage continuing education?
- What is a day in this position like
- Who was prev in this position and why did he/she leave
3. google windows and Internet explorer troubleshooting, know how to troubleshoot the BSOD, IE11, know about Office 365, and MS Office suite
4. Eat before the interview
5. If they offer you a drink, coffee, tea etc.... take it!
6. have mints handy and pop one before you go in
7. bring SEVERAL copies of your resume

Nafe92014

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Basically, because it's going to be 28 degrees Celsius on Friday, I think I'm going to go with my black dress shoes, my khakis, a new dress shirt (not black), and a tie. Last interview I had last summer, I wore dress pants, dress shirt, tie, and a trench coat....never again (unless it's winter).