I have a job interview on Thursday and I need some advice

I have an interview for a Sysadmin position for a small software company on Thursday and I wanted to know what I could do to impress them besides getting a fresh haircut and going in with freshly ironed shirt and slacks.
I was thinking of putting together a little portfolio but have no idea what to put in it.
Here is a little info about myself. I currently work as a junior net admin for a bigger company and im responsible for all aspects of support, maintenance and vendor relationships. I have about 3 years of IT experience, I have a AS in CIS with an emphasis in IT and ill have my BS in Network Administration within the next year.
The position that im going for in a small company with about 15 users. They had the job ad posted on Craigslist and they got about 75 applicants. They cut that down to 30 and now to the top 8.
I was thinking of putting together a little portfolio but have no idea what to put in it.
Here is a little info about myself. I currently work as a junior net admin for a bigger company and im responsible for all aspects of support, maintenance and vendor relationships. I have about 3 years of IT experience, I have a AS in CIS with an emphasis in IT and ill have my BS in Network Administration within the next year.
The position that im going for in a small company with about 15 users. They had the job ad posted on Craigslist and they got about 75 applicants. They cut that down to 30 and now to the top 8.
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In high school we made career portfolios and I have been using one ever since. What I do is get a clean copy of my resume, summery letter, certs, diploma, and put them in a decent portfolio. I have had many employers comment on this (in a good way).
Dress nicely (suit / tie). Study up on the company. Employers like to see that you have done some work researching the company. I also make sure I have several copies of resumes, cover letters, references, copies of my certifications, and a copy of the job description you applied for. I usually write down a list of projects I'm working on (no need to details), or have completed.
Good Luck!
Good luck on the interview though.
I was kind of thinking the same thing.
I think the dress situation varies. The best advice I got was to dress one level up from the normal attire. If everyone normally kicks around in bluejeans and polo shirts, you may make them uncomfortable showing up in a fitted suit. They need to be confident you can become part of and work well in their group.
Good luck.
My current junior admin position is in a company that has about 50 users, I technically run everything myself and reccomend any necessary upgrades or purchases directly to the President, the problem is that there only giving me part-time hours with no benefits and still expect me to get everything done. Mind you im the only technical person there.
The new position that im going for will give me fulltime hours plus benefits.
And that's why this is a better opportunity for you. As others have said, dress nicely, be well-spoken, don't be shy about socializing with the interviewer before and after the interview, and actually ask THEM questions. If you ask them questions about the organization / network you will be managing it makes you look prepared to start working on day 1.
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
Well of course it is a better opportunity then
Agreed.
Or you could even wear one.
I am in the process of hiring 5 -6 IT sales engineers and here is what I am looking for.
1. A clean, accurate and precise resume. Skip the fluff and make sure the spelling is correct nothn luks wurse then lotsa misteaks - see what I mean and DO NOT TRUST spell check - I am awful at spelling and often have someone else read my stuff
2. Like one of the first posts said dress like you are the boss - suit and tie.
3. Have references and if possible use Linkedin alot of companies look at it
4. Try and remain calm, professional and outgoing.
5. The comments about researching the company and asking questions are dead on - interviewers love to see that, it shows interest.
6. Be on time but not too early, if you have to arrive early and sit in the parking lot until 10 minutes or so before the interview.
7. Shake hands firmly and look people in the eye especially when answering questions
Good luck
Bill
This is honestly the best advice in this thread. A firm handshake and looking a man in the eyes through the interview process shows confidence not only in what you know, but how you carry yourself. I've interviewed people who on paper were extremely qualified but stared at the window when I was talking to them.
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
I brought a portfolio when I interviewed for my current job and it really impressed the HR manager. Here is what I had in the portfolio:
Resume
Copies of Certifcation transcripts
Visio diagrams of infrastructure projects I completed
Also, I had a USB flash drive containing copies of user instructions, process documentation, visio diagrams and power point presentations I delivered to senior management.
I don't know if she ever looked at the USB drive, but the fact I submitted one was mentioned by others in later interviews.
Did you ever get the USB drive back? She probably formatted it and put pictures of her kids on it.
Anyway, there have been a couple of times that I felt particularly overdressed. Once was at a large entertainment company. It was casual Friday, and I was just completely overdressed... the HR woman was wearing a tight tank top and jeans!! I still received a job offer from them. Another time at another large entertainment company, I wore a suit on a casual Friday, and was similarly overdressed. One of the interviewers actually commented that I was the only guy in the building wearing a suit who wasn't a lawyer!
LFCE - MCITP: EDA7, VA, SA, EA - MCSA:S 2003 - CCA (PVS 5, XD 3 / 4 / 5, XS 5 / 6) - VCP 4 / 5
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
Ha.
www.blacksintechnology.net
"Dang dude, so YOU'RE who my girlfriend is married to!"
CCNA Security | GSEC |GCFW | GCIH | GCIA
[email protected]
http://twitter.com/paul_bosworth
Blog: http://www.infosiege.net/
She kept it. It was a free flash drive full of sales presentations from a vendor that I repurposed for a more noble cause.
I think I think I did pretty good, I even created a Portfolio to give to the interviewers.