Job Offer at Cisco

Guys and Girls, I am in trouble. I have a job offer at Cisco (Brazil) and I think I forgot most of my CCNA knowledge. I've already started reading and studying (practing as well). I believe they will do a English test and then a CCNA test before giving me the job, so that is why I'm worried.
They said that they will give me about 6 months to get certified, however I believe the test to get the job will be just like the cert test.
Also, tomorrow I have another interview about a job requiring CCNP and Cisco Security, and I have neither one. Don't even know why they called me.

Anyway, I was studying for my 70-270 to reach my MCSA, but I think CCNA will probably have to come first due to the situation.

I have all 4 CCNA semesters, but the problem is that my last semester was on May 2006 and since then I haven't touched a Cisco Router nor a Switch.
Is it possible to be sharp in about a month?
I have plenty books (Sybex, Cisco Press, Router Sim, Q&A).

Give me some encouragement guys, please.

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Comments

Netstudent

it;s like riding a bike man. At first you may be kinda rusty, but start pounding the pages now and it will start coming back to you. And don;t let that knowledge slip away. It is priceless!
ALso is you are trying to get this job, you may want to look into getting some kind of hands on experience. Even if it is online racktime, you need to get something. Just hit it hard man, you can do it for sure.

I doubt their entry test will be as skillfully crafted at the CCNA exam, but I could be wrong. Just be confident but not cocky. Be sure of yourself. Try to sound smart and intuitive. come up with some good stories of accomplishment in your head and be ready to deliver.

opers13

Gabriel,

just get it done! This is a great opportunity.

Are you from Brasil? I'm from Sao Paulo...anyway, tell me more about Cisco in Brasil...and the job market there.

If you want you can send me a private message.

Parabens!

opers13

gabrielbtoledo

There you go. I'm already feeling better.
Thanks buddy.

By the way, I wasn't gona let that knowledge go away, it was just in the back burner due to family problems. My path was, 70-270 + 70-291 = MCSA, then CCNA, then Security +.

gabrielbtoledo

Hey guys, today I had my first interview for that job.
Good news, the job is a management type to develop new projects and manage a team. Among 6 candidates only 3 passed. I passed the first 2 phases of selection, then in the end I did a technical cisco test and they will call to schedule the last 2 phases of the selection.

One guy had CCNA, CCNP and CCIE written, he didn't get chosen. They said they don't want someone totally techical, because the team is composed by one Senior which is totally techical and cannot be the manager and two other guys juniors.

Lets see what happens next week. Fingers crossed.

markzab

Good luck bud.

gabrielbtoledo

opers13 wrote:

Gabriel,

just get it done! This is a great opportunity.

Are you from Brasil? I'm from Sao Paulo...anyway, tell me more about Cisco in Brasil...and the job market there.

If you want you can send me a private message.

Parabens!

opers13

Hey opers13, yeah I'm from Brazil. I just came back from the states and am already working for Atos Origin for the XV Pan American Games, however it's a project and it will end in August. I'm trying to get transfered to Pequin, some people are already flying to China or Europe.
Anyway, the job market here is not as good as in the US. They pay little and require a lot. And the biggest problem is, candidates sell their expertise for so little, so if you don't take what they offers you, someone else will. Also if you ask for so much, they never call you back making an offer under what you asked, they call other candidates.
Anwyay, I'm still in the process of stabilization and getting to know how it works here.

About CISCO: You can't never work directly to CISCO, you will have to participate of selection through HR Companies that will select you to work at CISCO allocated. Cisco is implementing their first TAC in Rio de Janeiro, and they are looking for candidates with CCNA, CCNP, English and Spanish fluent. That is about it.

kadshah

Gabriel,

just curious how did you get this job offer? I lived in the Northern Eastern
part Brazil for many years (Recife) it's a beautiful country. I'd love to get a job offer
like yours

Sarava,

-kaj

gabrielbtoledo

kadshah wrote:

Gabriel,

just curious how did you get this job offer? I lived in the Northern Eastern
part Brazil for many years (Recife) it's a beautiful country. I'd love to get a job offer
like yours

Sarava,

-kaj

Which one? The Pan Games, Cisco TAC or this other one I did the interview already?

The Pan Games I found an advertise in the net, the Cisco TAC was in a job search site and the last one I think they found me and called me.

Did you know that there is a great technology center in Recife? I've never been there, but I read about it in google. I've been in Brazil for about 4 months, however I've been doing some research about companies, locations, work policies and some laws.

ms_visio

As some others have already said just pick up ur books and start reading again. I am sure it will be a lot easier than reading as a fresher. Good luck with the job offer

I would like to visit Brazil some time. Heard there are heaps of beautiful beaches and girls

kadshah

Did you know that there is a great technology center in Recife?

yes i know it's suppose to be the Brazilian Silicon Valley.
My brother-in-law is a programmer working in Recife for the past 15 years.
and yes the woman are gorgeous

See the big chicken in my Avatar? That's carnaval
in Recife. Over a million people come out to see the "galo" chicken.

gabrielbtoledo

And I can second that. Almost every year I would come back late to school after my vacation because of Carnival. I would go to Brazil for Christmas, New Years and stay till Carnival. It is very worth and I recommend to any one who likes party, girls, drinking and lots of fun.

gabrielbtoledo

OMG, I'm so freaking nervous, Cisco just called me and wants to see me today still (after I leave work).
I will post updates.

dtlokee

They have an offer you can't refuse, ever see the God Father?

gabrielbtoledo

ROFL, neven seen but I can imagine... it's like The Firm with Tom Cruise?

gabrielbtoledo

WOW!!! The interview was great. I was like a child in a candy store. In their coffee room, they have a fridge with soda, juice, sparkling water, regular water, then cookies, candies, crackers plus all the walls around are transparent, so you can see the racks with everything working (routers, switches, cables, leds, bips and bops).
Anwyay, he started the interview in Spanish asking about my professional experience, then he went to English to technical questions about Cisco equipament, then about some CCNA question with no multiple choice, and to finalize I had to go onto the board and write commands and do subnets, again without multiple choice.
In the end, he said I was great and was the best interviewed, however they are looking for engineers, which most have 5 years degree. He even said that no need to be graduated, if I was studying the job was mine already. He contract 6 people already and is looking for a few more. Tomorrow he has 3 more interviews and he said he will see what he can do for me, because at the moment I'm leading the second squad, so if no eligible candidates, I will still probably have the job.
He go so enthusiastic with my resume, that he even said if I don't get this job, that he will voucher for me in other openings.
Tomorrow I have another interview for some big bank to work as a security specialist.

Netstudent

Thats really cool. I need to get my degree and certs and move to some beautiful country where technologists are extremely valuable. Can a unilingual enlgish speaking person get a job like that where you are?

gabrielbtoledo

Yes, you can. Becaue English is the language that they want and the native language (Portuguese) you can learn day by day.
Move down here and enjoy carnival, beaches, bikinis and caipirinha (I will leave that one for you to search on google).

mikej412

gabrielbtoledo wrote:

he even said if I don't get this job, that he will voucher for me in other openings.

WOW is right! Sounds like you really impressed that guy!

ITdude

That doesn't have something to do with those topless beaches does it?