Can I get some tips on interview skills and my resume?

Jasiono

I need to get some tips for interviewing for a network technician position I'm going out for at my current job.

If I post up my resume could you bash and thrash it so I can improve it?

I know that one thing I need to do is show confidence during interviews. When I interviewed for the systems engineer position here the person that interviewed me told me I have a lot of knowledge and can troubleshoot really well but I lacked confidence in the interview.


Ill post the entire story up as well. I'm on the iPad and it keeps jumping around. I just wanted to get this thread started. I'll post up my resume after I get home on the pc.

ThunderPipe

Google some interview questions. They all ask the same stuff. Write down your answers, say them outloud. Try to get a friend to ask you the questions so you can practice. I used to be completely opposed to it and thought it was "lame", but it truly helps prepare this way.

I'd peek at the resume if you posted it.

Being prepared is one way to ensure the confidence. And the practice above will help.

Jasiono

I'll post it up when I get home.

The person told me that the first thing I told him was that I was very nervous but other then that I did amazingly well with the questions and scenarios he gave me. Was a 3.5 hour interview.

Ill have to interview with him again and I remember a lot of the questions he asked me.

He really drilled me with network questions. The drill was to see if I knew all the network components and how everything comes together to create a network. Some security was involved too, I know dmz was mentioned as part of security.

The person that got the job was a network technician already doing network engineering since they got backed up. Now his technician position is open.

SteveLord

-Make sure to know who you want to work for. "What do you know about our company?" may be the first question they ask you. Five minutes of poking around their website can give you just enough knowledge to know what they're business is.

-Make sure to also ask them questions...NOT related to your vacation hours or similar junk. Ask about future projects or initiatives that are in the pipeline. This helps set up your thank you letter/email. "I especially enjoyed hearing about your company's plans to install wireless APs at all of their locations this summer."

You want to display genuine interest in working there.

MrBishop

Great advice here and yes you should know about the company. I learned this the hard way and now I will look at the company's website for information and also wiki the company for details about things that otherwise won't be posting on their website. Knowing a few details about who the CEO of the company is, what do they do, how many customers they service, and a little history about them will go a long way. I've been asked these questions and not knowing the answers can cost you the position. Other things that they will usually ask are:
1. Tell me about yourself?
2. Why should I hire you?
3. What are your 3 strength?
4. What are your 3 weaknesses?

This is just a sample and you should have these answers in your head already. I would do a Google search for the top 20 interview questions to start. Also, you might want to Google for interview questions related to the job you're applying for. Believe it or not, it took me some time to complete some of these questions and you should create a list of questions and keep them updated to questions you get in the future.

Jasiono

I think my resume is attached to this post.



To Steve and Bishop, it's for the company I've been with for 5 years now. Those 4 questions you posted Bishop have been around in my previous interview questions and I will be writing them down now for reference, thanks.


Here is the story.

I went to interview for the systems engineer position a week and a half ago with the same company. I knew I wasn't going to get the job due to my lack of experience, but I went out for it anyway because I wanted to see how they interviewed for that kind of position.

The current network technician went out for the job and got it. Absolutely NO surprise to me. His old position is available now, which is what I'm applying for now.

I interviewed with the manager of networking. It was a 3.5 hour long interview and very technical. For about 10 minutes he introduced himself and gave background information and asked me to tell him about myself, so I did.

He then asked me what a HUB was, then a switch, then a router, and kept on elaborating about networks. I basically told him about all of the network components and their respective roles in a converged network.

I asked him how I did after the drill and he said I did very well.

He proceeded to give me two troubleshooting scenarios, which I did very good with as well. He told me that I'm the only person that did what I did and he thought it was very neat (I used a flash drive to back stuff up). You would understand why I put a flash up as a file backup if I typed out the scenario.

Anyway, as previously stated, I was not surprised I did not get the job.

When I saw that the technician position opened I emailed him. I asked what he thinks I could work on to nail this interview. He knows I have a genuine love for networks and REALLY want to be in that department. He called me down to sit and speak about it.

He said my resume was great, my self nomination form was great and very detailed. He also told me that I did the best on the troubleshooting scenarios. These compliments coming from him meant a lot as I think of the guy as pure genius.

I also believe he told me that if it weren't for the current technician already doing half the job he went out for I would have most likely gotten it. Maybe that's wishful hearing haha.
He said I lack confidence during interviews. Apparently the first thing I told him when he asked me how I was is that I was extremely nervous.

He told me that I'm a VERY STRONG candidate for the technician job and he will recommend me for the position.

I have to interview with the manager and then him again...... since he is her manager.

I think I have a damn good shot and I don't want something stupid to screw it up for me.

matt333

I'd add position description and 2-3 bullets of your accomplishments at that position.
I like the template

MrBishop

Sorry, I can't give you any other advice! I see you're in Horsham and I'm in the running there for a position! In all seriousness, the resume format looks pretty good and probably will standout from the norm. I didn't see a cover letter, which is very important and many candidate forget about this. Good luck!

Jasiono

MrBishop wrote: »

Sorry, I can't give you any other advice! I see you're in Horsham and I'm in the running there for a position! In all seriousness, the resume format looks pretty good and probably will standout from the norm. I didn't see a cover letter, which is very important and many candidate forget about this. Good luck!

You're not in the same company as me are you? Because that would be awkward!

MrBishop

Yes, that would be a little awkward, but no I'm not. I'm shooting for an entirely different title position.

Jasiono

Are you applying to the company I work for? The only other position available is QA test specialist and a non technical/production position.

MrBishop

No, this is for a service provider in the area. I don't live down in Philly, just seen a position that looks like a good opportunity.

Jasiono

Very nice! I wish you the best in pursuing the position!

MrBishop

Thank you, same to you

Jasiono

matt333 wrote: »

I'd add position description and 2-3 bullets of your accomplishments at that position.
I like the template

Sweet. I'll check it out and try that, see how it looks. I think I need to shorten the description of the current company I'm in since they know what they do already.