Odd job interview

I just finished an interview over the phone. The description of the job was as a trainer for a Help Desk with an emphasis on Microsoft Office 2010 knowledge. I was on the phone for an hour answering questions. For the most part, I thought that it went well until the very end.

Out of nowhere, I started getting registry questions. I have no experience with this and I was honest and told them that. The interviewer said that I was not an expert with Windows 7. That came out of left field and now the interview ended on a bad note. I am very upset at this.

I do not see me getting this job. I am very frustrated.

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Comments

networker050184

Doesn't sound like an odd interview to me. If you don;t know something they want you to know then there is no point in continuing. You might still get the gig though. Good luck!

Akaricloud

I wouldn't necessarily write it off yet.

They most likely were trying to do one of two things:

1. Ask you something that you don't know the answer to in order to better understand your troubleshooting skill set and what you do when faced with a question that you don't know the answer to.

Or..

2. Determine if you are a Windows 7 expert which IMO includes understanding a good amount about the registry.

Considering this is a helpdesk position, I'd assume #1. Even though you didn't know the answer you could have still turned the question positive by letting them know how you would go about finding it.

gunbunnysoulja

If they are asking for a Windows 7 expert, it would be very reasonable for you to be familiar with the registry.

Is this the job?

Looking for an expert Windows7 / Office 2010 trainer / troubleshooter someone who is very well versed in the how-tos of Office (Word/ Excel / Powerpoint) in both 2003 and 2010 and can wear two hats ad-hoc problem solver when users call to the help desk and have an involved doc or spreadsheet that they need configured this person would be able to take one of two paths quickly teach caller how to or take the doc and complete. Additionally, want them to be able to conduct learning sessions for the inhouse IT staff to bring everyones understanding level up. They also will serve as part of the help desk team, answering calls during busy or short-staff times and responding to user requests for assistance submitted via our email process.

HackedAlias

Unfortunately, to be an expert in Windows I don't see how you can't have knowledge in or at least of the registry. If they weren't looking for a Windows expert that's one thing but if that was in the job description it'd be hard to not at least expect some registry questions...

cyberguypr

Well, what did the original posting look like? If they only mentioned the Help Desk Trainer thing then probably what happened is related to Akaricloud's point #1 where they were trying to throw you off to see how you would handle it. On the other hand, if the posting mentioned Windows 7 skills, then Akaricloud's point #2 is spot on.

SouthSeaPirate

To call yourself an expert; I would say you whould know the registry well. In real world experince, not at all.

To know exactly where a specific line is, for a specific application, likely proprietary; right. I was faced with a question like yours, or at least came into a scenario described above. I answered with; I dont know, I will try what I do know to figure out the issue, but I wont waste time when I can troubleshoot with Google. Assuming the answer is available to you.

Sounds to me, by that job description, you are to do peoples work for them. I would have passed.

BoneSpur

gunbunnysoulja wrote: »

If they are asking for a Windows 7 expert, it would be very reasonable for you to be familiar with the registry.

Is this the job?

Looking for an expert Windows7 / Office 2010 trainer / troubleshooter someone who is very well versed in the how-tos of Office (Word/ Excel / Powerpoint) in both 2003 and 2010 and can wear two hats ad-hoc problem solver when users call to the help desk and have an involved doc or spreadsheet that they need configured this person would be able to take one of two paths quickly teach caller how to or take the doc and complete. Additionally, want them to be able to conduct learning sessions for the inhouse IT staff to bring everyones understanding level up. They also will serve as part of the help desk team, answering calls during busy or short-staff times and responding to user requests for assistance submitted via our email process.

This is the job. Very awkward feeling right now. I can read and I did see the description, but the guy from RHT told me they were interested in my résumé and experience. I guess I should have seen it coming. I will chalk it up to experience learned. The more I think about the less I want the job.