Interview for dream job

Xcellor

I've just scored an interview for a technical team lead role for desktop support. It's quite a senior role and the salary is going to be 50% increase on my current one.

There are quite a few technical requirements listed now I would have a fairly good idea of the majority of them but I haven't actually used some of them in my current role.

Should I be honest in the interview and say this or swot like crazy and see if I can get an understanding. The interview is Monday giving me a few days to prepare. The techs mentioned would be Netware 6, backup exec.

I would be inclined to swot a bit and get an overall appreciation so I make statements showing that I know what they are rather than just go ,,"er... no never heard of that..."

The job ticks all the boxes and would give me a great opportunity to improve my current skill set and I know if I could get my foot in the door I would be able to grow quickly and learn fast. One thing I am curious about is why advertise this position externally, they already have a team, I'm a bit surprised they didn't promote within?

Nody

Xcellor wrote: »

Should I be honest in the interview and say this or swot like crazy and see if I can get an understanding. The interview is Monday giving me a few days to prepare. The techs mentioned would be Netware 6, backup exec.

I would be inclined to swot a bit and get an overall appreciation so I make statements showing that I know what they are rather than just go ,,"er... no never heard of that..."

What they will do the moment you start to claim experience (if they are competent) is ask you to explain how you would configure the netware set up for a network with 6 routers and 200 PCs etc. In short I strongly recommend you're not trying to exagerate your knowledge or experience on them because you will be called on it in most interviews and if you suddenly show up knowing nothing...

MIN2511

Good for you.... Congrats!!

PLEASE DON'T LIE!
If you have an idea, say it but don't garble that you know it when you don't! I bet you know to say "I don't have much experience in xxxx but i know its xxxx and would be interested in exploring xxx"

All the best! And let us know how you get on

Dub6Kevin

You do both!

Fess up to the fact that you are not au fait with the particular products but go on to say that you have studied them since becoming aware that they are necessary for the role and have picked up a basic knowledge. Then say you would be confident you could master them in a very short period of time.

Of course honesty is the best policy but give the best honest answer.

Xcellor

Dub6Kevin wrote: »

You do both!

Fess up to the fact that you are not au fait with the particular products but go on to say that you have studied them since becoming aware that they are necessary for the role and have picked up a basic knowledge. Then say you would be confident you could master them in a very short period of time.

Of course honesty is the best policy but give the best honest answer.

OK. I am really happy to have the interview but on the other hand crapping myself. From what the recruitment agency says she is very friendly with the IT manager and forwarded a testimonial on my performance that I gave to her and that went down really well.. I was thinking of using the fact I have received two promotions in the company I am in presently as ammo to show I can progress quickly. I've only been with my current company 3 years and I started at the bottom and now I am the highest technical role in my department.

Anyone have some valium they could send me?

MIN2511

Sorry no valium

But yes, you should use the fact that in 3yrs you have been promoted twice. Dude, you do know how to sell yourself why bother asking?

Xcellor

Did the interview today, it went well although as I expected some corporate IT stuff came up. I did my best to answer according to what I had studied or knew from previously. Anyway, I got a call from the recruitment agency when I got home and I got myself a second interview, this time with the Head of IT operations for ireland. Ive been given a few ideas on what to expect

- IBM Tivoli
- Hyena
- BMC Patrol
- Corp backup scenarios

Now since I know nothing about the above and the guy who interviewed me knows this I am expecting not to have to know everything, i.e. a working knowledge. I will read up on the technologies as much as possible.

I'm up against an internal candidate as well so thats nerve wracking since he will most likely know all the above like the back of his hand...

Ive some time to prepare at least... not for a couple of weeks.

X

Dub6Kevin

Brilliant! Well done. Delighted for you.

First interviews are to check that you are able to do the job, second interviews are to see if you're the best of the people they have to choose from.

Prepare well and try to exude confidence (despite the nerves inside) when you in.

Let us know how you get on.

Xcellor

Dub6Kevin wrote: »

First interviews are to check that you are able to do the job, second interviews are to see if you're the best of the people they have to choose from.

Well when he was showing me all the server rooms I was like (in my head of course) "OH MY GOD. I'M GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THIS......"

The server rooms were unlike anything I'd seen in terms of scale but then its a financial institution with over 1000 people so reliable hardware and redundant servers are obviously required.

I'll let you know what happens ....

mikeruurds

Good luck! Sounds like a great opportunity for you.

Xcellor

Well second interview done and dusted. Overall it went well. It was with the most senior IT person there

Don't think I'll get the job though He made comments along the lines of "You did really well in the interview but I'd like someone with more corporate IT experience........" He asked me how old I was which was awkward but I answered... But really he could have figured that out since I put when I finished secondary school.

I will find out early next week. Hoping of course but not holding my breath.

X

Raekwon

Xcellor wrote: »

He made comments along the lines of "You did really well in the interview but I'd like someone with more corporate IT experience........"

That's not really a good sign An interviewer told me before that I had an excellent CV and even if I didn't get offered a job there that I should have no problems getting a job somewhere else. Guess what happened?

But you never know he might have found some really good quality’s in you that other candidates lacked. Best of luck anyway

Xcellor

As feared I got the call from agency saying that I hadn't been successful. She said that they really liked me and were "bummed" they couldn't go ahead with my application and that they would keep me in mind for future positions. They just wanted someone with a lot more experience than I had.

Damn. Took two days of my holidays to attend interviews Ah well... It's a learning experience !!