Interview, but feel unprepared

Hey guys,
I work at a large retailer as a help desk tech dealing mainly with store-level personnel; in other words, keeping the store running as far as their registers go by supporting their point of sale software which is run as a shell over Windows XP. I was picked by my manager to be involved in a project installing desktop machines to act as servers for the POS systems, basically to avoid the high cost of upgrading the registers for another couple years or so. I gained some experience in basic network troubleshooting as well as a lot of experience upgrading software and troubleshooting issues related to the process. I also have some experience supporting end users, however we mostly escalate those issues to desktop support.
Recently a position was posted for a desktop support analyst within the company and so I went ahead and applied for it. I have a bachelors degree in a field completely unrelated to I.T., but just started at WGU within the past month in the Network Admin program. My goal at this point is to become a server administrator. I'm also very interested in virtualization and obtaining vmware certification. I don't have any certs at this point, but should have the entry-level trinity (CompTIA) by the end of the summer.
The interview is next week, but I feel pretty intimidated. I have a lot of knowledge, but I tend to buckle in interviews. Plus, my knowledge is still pretty basic at this point... at least, that's how I feel about it. I could just be underestimating myself. I will be supporting end users within the entire company after hours (while on call) and the local office during the day. There are two phone interviews with each of the desktop support managers of two other offices, and then an in-person interview with the manager at the office I work at.
The person I would replace was actually a Lotus Notes support person, not really an admin as far as I know. Then again, someone may have taken that position and I might just be replacing that person. I have no idea what to expect as far as questions go. I'm just glad I don't have to go through HR.
Ultimately I don't want to waste their time if I'm not qualified (yet) nor do I want to look stupid by not being able to answer any of their questions. I figure it's good experience and helps to keep me on my feet so I can prepare for future opportunities when I finish my degree or get some certs under my belt. I've already accepted the interview, and that's when I saw the "gauntlet" so to speak that I will be facing.
A lot of the work they seem to do is troubleshooting access to applications, printer problems, setting up workstations, supporting home users (via VPN) and so forth. I'm confident that I could do the job if offered, but I fear getting pummeled with questions I just can't answer yet. Any advice, direction?
Your help is greatly appreciated.
I work at a large retailer as a help desk tech dealing mainly with store-level personnel; in other words, keeping the store running as far as their registers go by supporting their point of sale software which is run as a shell over Windows XP. I was picked by my manager to be involved in a project installing desktop machines to act as servers for the POS systems, basically to avoid the high cost of upgrading the registers for another couple years or so. I gained some experience in basic network troubleshooting as well as a lot of experience upgrading software and troubleshooting issues related to the process. I also have some experience supporting end users, however we mostly escalate those issues to desktop support.
Recently a position was posted for a desktop support analyst within the company and so I went ahead and applied for it. I have a bachelors degree in a field completely unrelated to I.T., but just started at WGU within the past month in the Network Admin program. My goal at this point is to become a server administrator. I'm also very interested in virtualization and obtaining vmware certification. I don't have any certs at this point, but should have the entry-level trinity (CompTIA) by the end of the summer.
The interview is next week, but I feel pretty intimidated. I have a lot of knowledge, but I tend to buckle in interviews. Plus, my knowledge is still pretty basic at this point... at least, that's how I feel about it. I could just be underestimating myself. I will be supporting end users within the entire company after hours (while on call) and the local office during the day. There are two phone interviews with each of the desktop support managers of two other offices, and then an in-person interview with the manager at the office I work at.
The person I would replace was actually a Lotus Notes support person, not really an admin as far as I know. Then again, someone may have taken that position and I might just be replacing that person. I have no idea what to expect as far as questions go. I'm just glad I don't have to go through HR.
Ultimately I don't want to waste their time if I'm not qualified (yet) nor do I want to look stupid by not being able to answer any of their questions. I figure it's good experience and helps to keep me on my feet so I can prepare for future opportunities when I finish my degree or get some certs under my belt. I've already accepted the interview, and that's when I saw the "gauntlet" so to speak that I will be facing.
A lot of the work they seem to do is troubleshooting access to applications, printer problems, setting up workstations, supporting home users (via VPN) and so forth. I'm confident that I could do the job if offered, but I fear getting pummeled with questions I just can't answer yet. Any advice, direction?
Your help is greatly appreciated.
Comments
Best way you can handle questions that you are unsure of or just flat out don't know is with that attitude. Of course the wording you use in a specific scenario may need to be a little different, but that's the general idea.
It's OK to say you're not sure, or you don't know, but always make it sound like you're at least willing to find the right answer. Even better if you can make it sound like you know where to go for the right answer.
Good luck.
Why do you think you buckle in interviews? Not enough confidence or just nervous in general? For whatever reason, I get really nervous until the actual interview happens and then I do really well. In fact, a good smile and personality got me a job offer in a technical position over someone way more qualified than I. They never said why, but I think it's obvious.
Good luck to you!
Good luck to you.
Life is a matter of choice not chance. The path to your destiny will be paved by the decisions that you make every day.
Agree.
I used to worry about interviews when I first started doing IT. Now I just don't think about it. I go there, answer their questions, ask some questions, show them what I have to offer, see what they have to offer, show them what they gain by hiring me, etc. and that's it. If you don't know don't try to play games; just be willing to learn it fast.
There is this job as Desktop Specialist that says it needs 2-3 years. I don't have that but I guess it doesn't hurt to try right?
I am good at interviews but what happens if I BS my way into something I cant do is my only concern
Better to be upfront about what you're not familiar with.
Life is a matter of choice not chance. The path to your destiny will be paved by the decisions that you make every day.
Resume writing, coverletter writing, and interviews are akin to marketing yourself, so I've read books and articles on marketing and try to apply marketing techniques to myself.
Thanks everyone for their encouragement.
Congratz!
Life is a matter of choice not chance. The path to your destiny will be paved by the decisions that you make every day.
Congrats!
"TRY NOT. DO. OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY" - Yoda