Final Interview this Thursday

jbaello

I am on my way on a final interview with Dell, as a MVFS the first interview was all technical, which I believe I did good as the interviewer mentioned, I was asked alot of networking question on IPV4/Raid/Backup/DNS/AD, I am unsure on what type of questions I will be getting on the 3rd interview, I am feeling nervous like always, I just need to get some feedback on how to control being nervous while in the middle of the interview? I tend to stutter too, which I'm trying to avoid.

deadpool287

breathe

gojericho0

good luck!

sexion8

jbaello wrote:

I am on my way on a final interview with Dell, as a MVFS the first interview was all technical, which I believe I did good as the interviewer mentioned, I was asked alot of networking question on IPV4/Raid/Backup/DNS/AD, I am unsure on what type of questions I will be getting on the 3rd interview, I am feeling nervous like always, I just need to get some feedback on how to control being nervous while in the middle of the interview? I tend to stutter too, which I'm trying to avoid.

This is the 3rd interview which is a good thing. Take the time to understand that you are quite possibly "in", so treat the interview as if you were with a coworker. Don't go at it as an outsider, show some interest, post questions right back and relax.

People who interview candidates understand about someone's nervousness, first thing I do is open with some little small talk joke and I insist they not be nervous. I tried to be as friendly as possible in order to gauge someone's capabilities outside of a stressful situation.

Don't go in there with "interview OMFG", go in there with a "alright, so this is who I will be working with for this company. Let me shine" without being boastful or arrogant. Good luck

jbaello

Thanks for the advise, I went prepared and suit up for the interview, met with the Regional Manager, and I believe the interview went pretty hell, the way he describes the job, it looks like it will be more heavily on front end as a technical lead ensuring projects goes smoothly, and very limited on the back end, since clients will only let you touch what they want you to configure, the good thing is the potential to move up with the company is the sky, and to work on different technogies.

Anways when the interview finished he mentioned that he hopes that I would join his team (not sure if he really means that), it's not finished yet there's another interview on the 16th with the hiring manager this time, I'm already on my 4th interview and the 16th is going to be the 5th interview yay!

One more thing is they were asking me if I had a security clearance which ofcourse I cannot apply since I am only a permanent resident card, but mentioned that the 2 MVFS guy has it so it kinda evens out since there will be more job that does not require security clearance, it looks like I will also have the opportunity to apply for a clearance as soon I become a US Citizen with the company paying for it.

wish me luck

deadpool287

so you DID remember to breathe hahaha

EDIT: sorry for the terrible spelling. working off of less than one hour of sleep.

jbaello

I was actually observing myself while doing the interview to make sure I don't screw up and I don't go off track, the guy is really nice and very approachable so that helped me as well

nel

Jeez man, 5 interviews!!! must be some job Good luck!

jbaello

I believe this is the first time I had to interview for this much for the same position as well.

3 Phone interviews
2 Face to face interviews (1 more to go)

I wonder if anyone from TE actually works from Dell I'm sure someone out there is.

scheistermeister

jbaello wrote:

I wonder if anyone from TE actually works from Dell I'm sure someone out there is.

My dad does. He is a Storage Specialist in the Advance Channels Group, but that is only because the company he used to work for (Equilogic) got bought out by Dell.

jbaello

scheistermeister wrote:

jbaello wrote:

I wonder if anyone from TE actually works from Dell I'm sure someone out there is.

My dad does. He is a Storage Specialist in the Advance Channels Group, but that is only because the company he used to work for (Equilogic) got bought out by Dell.

This was actually mentioned to me today, they are specialized on scsi/iscsi if I am correct, and have a partnership with EMC as well, seems to be a great place to work for if you want virtualization and storage technologies.

sexion8

jbaello wrote:

One more thing is they were asking me if I had a security clearance which ofcourse I cannot apply since I am only a permanent resident card, but mentioned that the 2 MVFS guy has it so it kinda evens out since there will be more job that does not require security clearance, it looks like I will also have the opportunity to apply for a clearance as soon I become a US Citizen with the company paying for it.

wish me luck

Hate to be the bearer of bad news but if its DoD related, you cannot get much clearance without being a citizen. Even if you obtain citizenship. It all depends on what country you're from... Asian would be a hard sell in this day and age (http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/doha/industrial/08-03424.h1.pdf). Not far fetched though, just depends on the nature of your work (http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/doha/industrial/07-11727.h1.pdf)

I mean... If a child molester can get clearance (http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/doha/industrial/07-17559.h1.pdf) there is a potential for just about anyone. Whatever you do, when its time for questioning, let it all out. Even that little joint you might have had when you were in school.

Feel free to read summaries on approvals and denials
http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/doha/industrial/2008.html

Ahriakin

Best of luck.

On another note I'm always warey of a company that takes more than 2 Interviews. The first should give you a good idea of the candidate and the second should just be for verification/clarification against the closest competitors. If you need more than that there is something seriously wrong with the process (and the interviewers judgement).

jbaello

Ahriakin wrote:

Best of luck.

On another note I'm always warey of a company that takes more than 2 Interviews. The first should give you a good idea of the candidate and the second should just be for verification/clarification against the closest competitors. If you need more than that there is something seriously wrong with the process (and the interviewers judgement).

I kinda find it peculiar that I had to go for more than 3 interviews. Anyway the guy I interviewed with yesterday mentioned that he rather have a candidate talk to everyone as much as possible.

If the 2 Managers gave me a positive feedback and says Yey, I think this should be enough, oh well it's their call.

I was also thinking since this job requires a special engagement due to the fact that I am basically travelling for a good 5 days per week and not seeing my family, and that I will also act as a Technical lead (meaning I can fire contractors that are problematic), that I would stick around 90K annually, I can mention something along those lines "special engagement".

As far as security clearance goes, I do have a clean record no criminal conviction, and the manager said that there are more work that do not require the security clearance, I will go ahead and read more about the link you posted and thanks for that.

Anyway with my current position I was literally investigated from head to toe, the IT director I kinda find somewhat paranoid, so yes they even run my credit cause I had the option to request all their findings.

jbaello

Confirmed by the HR final interview is set on the 16th.

I hope they don't surprise me with more interview this time, I already spent alot on a new suit with this :P.

Not to mention the drycleaning and days off I had to take gas redbull etc, it does add up for a poor guy like me hehe.

nel

Good luck!

jbaello

Here's some update, I had the final interview with the hiring manager on 10/16/08, the interview was more none IT related more on management and disciplining people, I did answered his questions etc., and I told him on how I could be a great asset since I am continously improving myself technically on different areas and added more stuff to sell myself.

The interview overall lasted for 1 1/2 hour, I was little annoyed with the interviewer, since he was talking non related stuff :P but it's good maybe he was testing my social/communication skills.

I sent a thank you letter to the HR and got a reply today stating that she will try to get the result by tomorrow, oh well if I don't get the job that just means it's either not for me or I still need to improve and need to study more.

cisco_trooper

jbaello wrote:

Here's some update, I had the final interview with the hiring manager on 10/16/08, the interview was more none IT related more on management and disciplining people, I did answered his questions etc., and I told him on how I could be a great asset since I am continously improving myself technically on different areas and added more stuff to sell myself.

The interview overall lasted for 1 1/2 hour, I was little annoyed with the interviewer, since he was talking non related stuff :P but it's good maybe he was testing my social/communication skills.

I sent a thank you letter to the HR and got a reply today stating that she will try to get the result by tomorrow, oh well if I don't get the job that just means it's either not for me or I still need to improve and need to study more.

Dont' be discouraged with this. If they're having a non-technical interview with you in your final interview then you can pretty much bet your technical skillset was strong enough to meet their needs. A lot of a job is personality and how you work with others, they just want to make sure you can work with other people and get one last look at your work ethic etc, before extending an offer to someone. This interview isn't a guarantee of an offer, but it IIISSS a good sign. Good luck.

jbaello

cisco_trooper wrote:

jbaello wrote:

Here's some update, I had the final interview with the hiring manager on 10/16/08, the interview was more none IT related more on management and disciplining people, I did answered his questions etc., and I told him on how I could be a great asset since I am continously improving myself technically on different areas and added more stuff to sell myself.

The interview overall lasted for 1 1/2 hour, I was little annoyed with the interviewer, since he was talking non related stuff :P but it's good maybe he was testing my social/communication skills.

I sent a thank you letter to the HR and got a reply today stating that she will try to get the result by tomorrow, oh well if I don't get the job that just means it's either not for me or I still need to improve and need to study more.

Dont' be discouraged with this. If they're having a non-technical interview with you in your final interview then you can pretty much bet your technical skillset was strong enough to meet their needs. A lot of a job is personality and how you work with others, they just want to make sure you can work with other people and get one last look at your work ethic etc, before extending an offer to someone. This interview isn't a guarantee of an offer, but it IIISSS a good sign. Good luck.

Well thanks this makes alot of sense, if someone out there is better than me, then ofcourse they should get the job. And at this point this would be the only thing that this job will go to someone else, hey 2nd runner up is not so bad :P I'll update you guys later.