Bombed first Help Desk interview

New2ITinCali

I had an interview for an entry level help desk position and I have my Bachelors degree. The other candidates had experience from the 90's but no degree and are trying to re-enter the field. Other candidates had no education and no experience. I was do nervous that I don't think I did well. I do have experience from interning and my BS in MIS. What are the odds that I'll get the job based on the above information?

cvuong1984

New2ITinCali wrote: »

I had an interview for an entry level help desk position and I have my Bachelors degree. The other candidates had experience from the 90's but no degree and are trying to re-enter the field. Other candidates had no education and no experience. I was do nervous that I don't think I did well. I do have experience from interning and my BS in MIS. What are the odds that I'll get the job based on the above information?

Was this a phone or face to face interview?

Based on past experience if you bomb a phone interview, you still have a chance.

How did you know the candidate information? It's weird that a hiring manager would tell you that...
And when it comes to entry level, I think it's more based on personality, and how fast you learn vs experience.

NetworkingStudent

New2ITinCali wrote: »

I had an interview for an entry level help desk position and I have my Bachelors degree. The other candidates had experience from the 90's but no degree and are trying to re-enter the field. Other candidates had no education and no experience. I was do nervous that I don't think I did well. I do have experience from interning and my BS in MIS. What are the odds that I'll get the job based on the above information?

Honestly, I would send them a thank you letter mentioning your interest in the position, and why you think you would be a good candidate. Then I would start applying for other jobs. Eventually something will come your way; the economy is still a little rough. Besides if you keep applying for other jobs, it will keep your mind off the job that you’re trying to land.

fredmoogie

how do you know so much information about your competition?

ivx502

When going in for an interview I find that it helps to pratice and be confident. If you are stumbling through interviews it helps to maybe find a few people in your field who currently aren't hiring but would be willing to give you an informational interview. That way you walk in with some level of what to expect.

rsutton

Where you at in the Bay Area? My company is looking for help desk guy. PM me your deets.

N2IT

fredmoogie wrote: »

how do you know so much information about your competition?

LOL I was thinking the same thing. I'm going to guess it was a group interview.

New2ITinCali

cvuong1984 wrote: »

Was this a phone or face to face interview?
Based on past experience if you bomb a phone interview, you still have a chance.

How did you know the candidate information? It's weird that a hiring manager would tell you that...
And when it comes to entry level, I think it's more based on personality, and how fast you learn vs experience.

It was face to face, with 3 interviewers. I know the backgrounds of the candidates cause I know 2 personally and the others willingly shared as we waited.

Akaricloud

What kind of questions were asked and how poorly did you respond? -Saying you bombed it could mean anything from you didn't know a networking question to you punched the interviewer in the face.

It sounds like you could really use some interview practice.

New2ITinCali

I was asked simple questions to be honest, but my nerves got the best of me. I tried to answer as competently as possible, but I think I was all over the place. I do need help interviewing, it's definitely like stage fright in my eyes. I tried to mention my internship role & education as much as possible and this is my first IT interview as well.

Akaricloud wrote: »

What kind of questions were asked and how poorly did you respond? -Saying you bombed it could mean anything from you didn't know a networking question to you punched the interviewer in the face.

It sounds like you could really use some interview practice.

New2ITinCali

I'm in the North Bay and for the record I'm a woman.

ImTheKing

How bad did you really do, though? Any example?

You might be surprised. I've heard of people "bombing" interviews before and getting the job, presumably because they did better than they thought.

joshmadakor

New2ITinCali wrote: »

...and for the record I'm a woman.

How was your hair that day? Were your nails done? You wore nylons with open toes right? Skirt/Slacks?

New2ITinCali

The "I'm a woman" comment was directed at rsutton cause he said "guys".. I notice most people assume if you're working in IT you must be male. It is a male dominated field to say the least

New2ITinCali

ImTheKing wrote: »

How bad did you really do, though? Any example?

You might be surprised. I've heard of people "bombing" interviews before and getting the job, presumably because they did better than they thought.

I feel like an idiot cause my mind went blank and I started drifting off talking about programming cause they asked about computer experience but it's not a programming job!!! DUH.. I could kick myself!!!

joshmadakor

New2ITinCali wrote: »

The "I'm a woman" comment was directed at rsutton cause he said "guys".. I notice most people assume if you're working in IT you must be male. It is a male dominated field to say the least

No I was really asking. There has been quite the study about the way women present themselves during interviews within predominantly male populated fields of work, so I was just curious.

My IT manager is a female. Best manager I've ever had.

New2ITinCali

I actually wore black slacks and a black dressy turtleneck. It was cold that day, oh and heels

New2ITinCali

Guys please help! How can I prepare myself for the next interview. I feel as if I'm scatter brain and just blurt out whatever is in my head. I feel so dumb! And I could see one of the managers had a frown on his face, probably because my answers were so dumb!

fredmoogie

New2ITinCali wrote: »

Guys please help! How can I prepare myself for the next interview. I feel as if I'm scatter brain and just blurt out whatever is in my head. I feel so dumb! And I could see one of the managers had a frown on his face, probably because my answers were so dumb!

as with anything in life, practice makes better. the more you go, the more experiences you have and thus, the more you are better prepared.

my strategy is to frequent the online job boards and do a query on "help desk", "desktop", "tech support" and start applying to those positions posted. even to those u don't think u qualify, just apply anyway.

employer nowadays want to initially do a phone screen to weed out unqualified candidates. so, this is a good opportunity to improve on your communications skills and when they call you in for an in-person interview, u will gained invaluable face to face interview skills, both tech and people skills. and next time when the opportunity presents itself, you will get an idea of what questions will be asked and you will be in a better position to answer them.

here's a starter place to view interview questions for desktop support:

http://www.careercert.info/2009/06/interview-questions-for-desktop-support.html

best of luck to u! keep at it

Turgon

New2ITinCali wrote: »

I had an interview for an entry level help desk position and I have my Bachelors degree. The other candidates had experience from the 90's but no degree and are trying to re-enter the field. Other candidates had no education and no experience. I was do nervous that I don't think I did well. I do have experience from interning and my BS in MIS. What are the odds that I'll get the job based on the above information?

You might not have bombed. I was offered a good job years back after I had my face to face interview which I felt hadn't gone too well.
Either way you only become better at interviews by having them. Keep having them.

hackman2007

New2ITinCali wrote: »

Guys please help! How can I prepare myself for the next interview. I feel as if I'm scatter brain and just blurt out whatever is in my head. I feel so dumb! And I could see one of the managers had a frown on his face, probably because my answers were so dumb!

Practice does make perfect as mentioned previously, but stop and think before you say anything. It would be better to have a few awkward seconds rather than blurting something you didn't mean to. Stopping and thinking isn't necessarily a bad thing; it shows you are going to stop and think before performing an action (ie. server is locking up, first reaction is reboot it, but maybe you should ask more questions before just rebooting).

TLeTourneau

I don't know about California but in Minnesota the job service has interviewing classes and mock interviews to help people get more accustomed to the process. May be something to look at.

slushi

Turgon wrote: »

You might not have bombed. I was offered a good job years back after I had my face to face interview which I felt hadn't gone too well.
Either way you only become better at interviews by having them. Keep having them.

Same here. The interview panel asked the first question and I gave them the most technical explaination -- I thought it was going to be cake -- then they asked me the next question and I simply replied with -- Uhh... I don't know. Yeah, my confidence was rocked. I countered that with "I may not know this now, but I'm willing to learn blah blah blah"

My previous boss asked me how my interview went and I told him that I was pretty sure I'd be working here next year... Fast forward to a week later and I got an email offering me a job haha.

NOLAJ

hackman2007 wrote: »

(ie. server is locking up, first reaction is reboot it, but maybe you should ask more questions before just rebooting).

Bounce it!!

FloOz

just take it as a learning experience

froufrou123

New2ITinCali wrote: »

Guys please help! How can I prepare myself for the next interview. I feel as if I'm scatter brain and just blurt out whatever is in my head. I feel so dumb! And I could see one of the managers had a frown on his face, probably because my answers were so dumb!

Don't panic, the best recipe is just to be honest. If you don't know the answer, honestly state that you don't have the answer to that question but you're willing to learn and you're enthusiastic about the field. Don't focus too much on how the other candidates are. Be confident and prepare yourself as per the objectives of the job.

Keep a certain limit of friendliness, don't think that the interviewer is someone who is there to nail you. A little knowledge about company's operations can also be beneficial but not necessary.

Don't worry too much, you'll make it! Good Luck!

onesaint

New2ITinCali wrote: »

Guys please help! How can I prepare myself for the next interview. I feel as if I'm scatter brain and just blurt out whatever is in my head. I feel so dumb! And I could see one of the managers had a frown on his face, probably because my answers were so dumb!

Back some years ago, I went to 2 interview with a certain ISP, who was quote well known for a level 1 support position. The first interview was a 1 person meeting and an exam on Win 98 operations. There was something like 20 candidates. The interviewer informed me that I scored the highest out of the group and we scheduled my second interview. When the time came, I got all dappered up and drove out to the interview (naturally the car broke down on the way, but I still managed to make it on time). I was introduced to 1 guy, then walked onto the support floor. It was massive and I was intimidated. To add to it, they sat me down with 5 managers for the interview. They asked me to do tricks on a terminal and I choked... Massively. So I can relate to how you felt, but don't fret. Each time you have an interview your merely gaining experience on how to handle these situations. And believe me, it gets easier.

Some things I found:
Interviewers, don't want to intimidate you, they just want to know you. Almost like a very (very) formal first date.

Another note that was said previously, but to reiterate, every time you're asked something you don't know, relate it to something you do. An example, "Have you worked with open office?" "My experienced is limited with that software suite, but I am very familiar with MS Office and am under the impression the two are very close in functionality."

The interviewer is a person the same as you. They were once entry level and have gone through the same thing you are. It's said constantly, but it is true.

If you read a lot of the posts here on TE, you'll find it's often said that an interview is a two way street, you're having to quickly determine if they are the right fit for you (and vice versa).

Do some research on the company (glassdoor.com, google them, etc.).

Know your resume to build your confidence. If you give a resume out with certain technology on it, but prepared to answer any and all questions on said technology (to the limits of your experience and studies). That is the ultimate in confidence as you will be prepared for all they can through at you.

Good luck!

jibbajabba

Even if you think you did bad - the other ones might have done even worse ..

astrogeek

I completely bombed the interview for the job I have right now, as I walked out I swore that I had just screwed myself by not doing any practice interviews. There's definitely a lot of good advice here, but I think practicing an interview would help out the most if you can find someone that would know what sort of questions would be asked.

Just curious, but does anybody ever shy away from asking questions in an interview to avoid asking "dumb" questions? I mean, I don't want to ask something they would assume I should know, but I also don't want to seem like I'm not interested.....I dunno, maybe that's just me

NetworkingStudent

New2ITinCali wrote: »

Guys please help! How can I prepare myself for the next interview. I feel as if I'm scatter brain and just blurt out whatever is in my head. I feel so dumb! And I could see one of the managers had a frown on his face, probably because my answers were so dumb!

Watch this video, it has some good advice, on what to do before and after your interveiw. By the way the ask a a manger site is spam free. Good Luck!

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astrogeek wrote: »

Just curious, but does anybody ever shy away from asking questions in an interview to avoid asking "dumb" questions? I mean, I don't want to ask something they would assume I should know, but I also don't want to seem like I'm not interested.....I dunno, maybe that's just me

No, and you shouldn't. I try to make the questions more personal for the interviewer. I ask them some of the same types of questions they ask me. Some good ones are:

"What do YOU think is the best thing about working for (company name)?"

"What do YOU think is the worst thing about working for (company name)?"

It helps if you can come up with questions during the interview, don't rely on trying to have them all prepared before hand. Some of your per-prepared questions may get answered without you asking them. If they are, you should avoid asking them, but it doesn't hurt to ask for clarification on something. For example, if they ask you if you're ok with a travel requirement, you can ask for more details on that. Ask them how travel is handled, and what kind of locations you might be required to travel to. Or you could ask the interviewer about their experiences traveling for the company.