Nervous about interview. Help!

Hey guys,

So I got this job interview tomorrow morning. The job is Level 2 Desktop Support plus some Active Directory stuff. The most I ever did is basic Level 1 Desktop support . Most likely the only reason I'm even getting this interview is because I have the A+ and 70-290 certs; my work experience doesn't even meet their requirements and the pay is pretty high as well.

What kind of questions should I be expecting for a position like this one?

Any help/suggestions would really be appreciated. Thanks.

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Slowhand

loss4words wrote:

Hey guys,

So I got this job interview tomorrow morning. The job is Level 2 Desktop Support plus some Active Directory stuff. The most I ever did is basic Level 1 Desktop support . Most likely the only reason I'm even getting this interview is because I have the A+ and 70-290 certs; my work experience doesn't even meet their requirements and the pay is pretty high as well.

This is pretty common. Those requirements are their "best-case scenario", but a lot of times these companies will be willing to compromise on some of the criteria if the candidate they're interviewing shows promise. They want to see that you're willing to learn and grow, if there are things you don't understand or skills you don't currently have, as well as what your current knowledge is like.

loss4words wrote:

What kind of questions should I be expecting for a position like this one?

You'll be hearing questions that relate to the job you're being hired for. Pay close attention to what the job description says, try to think about what you do know about things like AD, about ticketing systems, etc, and prepare that way. When you're in the interview, this is the most important thing to remember: be honest. If you know the answers to their questions, don't be afraid to answer. If you don't know, don't be afraid to say that you don't know, but you would look it up or work with a senior-level engineer to find out. Not knowing the answers isn't the end of the world, but trying to fake that you know is a one-way ticket to being turned down for the job. What a lot of employers are looking for is a willingness to learn and the potential to be a great tech.

Tell them what you know, what you don't know, and trust that they understand where you're coming from. If they read your resume and did their due diligence, they know full-well that you're not 100% on all the things they're going to ask, and will be counting on that. Just remember that, the worst thing that can possibly happen is that they'll say 'no', and you move on to something else. Try to put things in perspective, cool your nerves, and go in there and be confident in yourself and your skills, and you'll be fine. Good luck with the interview, and let us know how it went.

networker050184

Slowhand wrote:

Not knowing the answers isn't the end of the world, but trying to fake that you know is a one-way ticket to being turned down for the job.

I agree 100% with everything Slowhand said, but especially this part. Nothing worse than someone trying to fake the funk in an interview.

loss4words

Thanks guys. I think I feel a little better now. I just hope I don't forget everything I know when the time comes

I also wonder what exactly is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 support? Maybe I've been doing level 2 stuff all along but I just didn't know.

networker050184

loss4words wrote:

Thanks guys. I think I feel a little better now. I just hope I don't forget everything I know when the time comes

I also wonder what exactly is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 support? Maybe I've been doing level 2 stuff all along but I just didn't know.

That depends on the company structure. I have seen one companies level 1 doing what another companies level 2 does. Just be confident in your abilities and you will be ok!

loss4words

Well, just came back from the interview. I was SO nervous

I thought it went pretty well until the end where I pretty much shot myself in the foot. During the interview the hiring manager was saying how important it is for him that I know Active Directory and how much of my job will be doing stuff in AD. And in the end when he asked if I had anything I wanted to add I just HAD to tell him that most of my AD experience comes from practicing on the virtual machine at home and that I have almost no experience with it in real life. He said that it's alright since I have my 70-290 cert but I just can't help but think that I really messed it up.

On the other hand, he seemed happy with my answers to his technical questions, none involving AD though. I guess now it's just wait and see...

Slowhand

Sounds like it went fine, to me. You told him the truth, he didn't seem to balk at it, so you're doing well so far. That's the result we're all hoping for when we get certified, for people to recognize that we understand a technology, based on the fact we took a test that involves it. It sounds like things are tipping in your favor, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you to get the job.

rbutturini

I once had an interview that I felt like went awful. The guys were nice enough, but I didn't know a lot about some of their technologies and I kept feeling like there were these weird, awkward pauses during our conversation. The next day they called and offered me the job.

I'm sure you did fine!

loss4words

I got the job!!!

I just have to call them back on Monday to confirm when I can start, but other than that it looks like they're really giving me a chance. For now it's a 6 month contract with an opportunity to go full time after that, I guess if I can impress them enough. Even if I have to leave them in 6 months I'm sure I'll learn a lot while working there so I'm really excited. Thanks a lot everyone.

dynamik

That's awesome. Congratulations!

astorrs

Congrats on landing the job, that's great news!

mamono

Congrats! that's great news!

UnixGuy

Congratulations

your chance to learn Active Directory. Put effort and it'll pay off, even if you leave them.

Good luck

shednik

Congrats on the new job!!

snadam

congrats on the new job! best of luck!

Slowhand

That's fantastic! Congratulations on the job, and best of luck to getting hired at the end of the contract. Sounds like you've got your foot in the door either way, so have fun and make sure you learn everything you can.

samuelcaleb

when i was attending an interview for a big company..i was terribly tensed and nerves..but, due to my cool and positive attitude...i got that job.....u should always be positive even if u don't know the answer also....
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samuelcaleb

Job Positions

undomiel

Congratulations! Glad to see that September is turning out to be a good month for TE members on the job market as well.

jamesp1983

congrats!! good luck!

loss4words

Thanks everyone.

I think I may have jumped the shark, though, or maybe not. Here's what happened. On friday I got a call from the agency that found me this position saying that I did get the job, but they just had to confirm when I can start and that they'd call me back. There was no phone call so I called them myself yesterday and they invited me to the office to fill out some forms. While there the recruiter tells me that the guy who interviewed me really liked me, but the hiring manager needs to sign something first before I can start and that he didn't do it yet. The recruiter didn't sound too promising though saying that maybe they don't need a person anymore or maybe they can't pay or something like that. He said that he would keep in touch with me and that was pretty much it.

Now I'm feeling so disapointed. I've already told my family and friends and I'm afraid I'm gonna have to let them all down. This was really the most perfect job opportunity I could get at this point, I just hope that there's still a chance.

Well, that's my sad story

undomiel

What papers have you signed and what paperwork do you currently have? It looks like you're working through a recruiter so do you have any contact information for the hiring manager himself/herself or a way to get that contact information? Get on the phone and try to get ahold of that person and find out some more information directly from the source instead of the recruiter. Have you turned in your 2 weeks notice already (if necessary, I don't know your situation) or do you still have your current job secure?