Job Interview Wednesday

Soldato
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Hi,

I've basically just finished Uni and managed to get a 2:1 somehow which is nice. Applied for a couple of jobs and one got back to me today. Had a short interview over the phone which I wasn't ready for but I think it went OK as they rang me back about 5 minutes later to arrange a second.

The job title is Service Desk Analyst, basically 1st line help desk support. This is my first interview ever in a role like this; all I've been in is retail prior, so I'd be lying if I said I’m not a little bit anxious. Moreover, I've done some research but does anyone have firsthand experience with the sort of things you get asked in an IT help desk interview?

Thanks.
 
Associate
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When i had my first interview for my IT Service Desk job (for the NHS) i didn't get asked anything on-topic or technical really. He just asked about my interest in IT & computers and what experience i had - i basically said i had no experience that could be put on a CV but i've always owned and been interested in using and repairing PC's. Your retail experience will be a bonus because you have practice dealing with people - that's a skill you need working in 1st and 2nd like support. I wouldn't worry too much if i was you.
 

SMN

SMN

Soldato
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Generally when I've been in interviews for this type of role I've been asked / asked more logical questions.

For example, if you are trying to access a host via telnet/ssh and it isnt working, talk through how you would go about diagnosing the problem.

The interviewer wants to see your logical steps to ensure you arent all over the place. He wants to see you start with the cable, then IP, etc, etc and work correctly and non hit and miss.

Then you get some general questions such as "On a Windows machine, how would you find the IP address?" etc etc. Just stress your customer service experience, willingness to learn and your well grounded technical skills and above all, remain calm and collected. Its all about how you think a problem through, more than how many facts you can regurgitate.

HTH!
 

SMN

SMN

Soldato
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Also - I'll be on MSN tonight if you want to talk this through further. I've worked in Big TAC's now for a while and have helped interview / build teams for Tech support so i have a good grasp on it.
 
Soldato
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Hmm... perhaps a degree is the ticket to getting past retarded HR and agency bods. Good luck with the interview :) I don't really have anything to add beyond what has already been posted.
 
Associate
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Yeah i asked because i think i've applied for this too and despite having 10 years work experience in Service/Sales/Admin and 2 years experience on a technical helpdesk (granted not IT) and having Comptia A+ i still can't get an interview for any entry level IT jobs. Oh hum!
 
Soldato
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Thanks a lot for the input guys!

What company is this job with if oyu don't mind me asking? Rethink?

Hi mate,

No it's not Rethink, they are an energy company located in the south-west. To me with your experience it almost sounds fairly unlucky tbh as I don't have anywhere near your level of experience.

SMN said:
Also - I'll be on MSN tonight if you want to talk this through further. I've worked in Big TAC's now for a while and have helped interview / build teams for Tech support so i have a good grasp on it.

Hi mate,

Thanks a lot for your input. I will drop you an email if I need any help, cheers for that.
 
Soldato
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lol...it's not something I plan on doing forever, just want to get some experience and get my foot in the door. The pay seems better than most graduate positions anyway. I hope to end up in consultancy and this seems like the correct path to begin with? University wasn't all about the degree either.

edit: or maybe I just need career guidance.
 
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SMN

SMN

Soldato
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[TW]Fox;16704652 said:
Did you really spend 4 years of your life getting a degree to get a job as a 1st line support call handler?

Its all about foot in the door. You cant complain and get yourself your ideal job from outside the company ;)

Plus the amount of people i've seen actually do the job they've been hired for is seriously low - everyone carves themselves a niche. I was hired as Level 1 engineer in 2007 and ended up becoming a Solutions Engineer designing 500+ seat call centre networks. Its all about the right place at right time.
 
Man of Honour
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Its all about foot in the door.

I could have got 1st Line job after finishing school at 16 or at worst from College with a BTEC.. but after Uni? Hmm would have thought you would go in a bit higher or into a more specialised role.
 

SMN

SMN

Soldato
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[TW]Fox;16705646 said:
Really? Were you chartered? What branch of engineering was your degree in?

Bsc (Hons) Computer Networks, did a work placement with Intel as a Network and Server Engineer as part of my degree and went from there. I'm currently leaving a multi-million dollar NAS vendor to join the worlds biggest networking company as a Network Eng - So i could say that degree has worked out alright for me actually :) More the work exp, but my experiences at uni in the non-academic fields such as living alone, learning to fend for myself, self-motivation etc have turned me into what i am today.

Living with my parents and going into the industry at 16 i wouldnt have had the drive to get where I am now, im convinced of it.
 

SMN

SMN

Soldato
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I could have got 1st Line job after finishing school at 16 or at worst from College with a BTEC.. but after Uni? Hmm would have thought you would go in a bit higher or into a more specialised role.

Its all about skills. You may *understand* databases for example (i know FA about DB's before anyone asks), but you couldnt join straight away as a DBA on SQL, etc. You need to join as a grunt, pay your dues (very important else nobody will respect you) and learn the ropes before you can step up.

Graduate schemes will give you the opportunity to get higher, but at the same time you tend to get terrible pay and treated like an intern for 3 years fighting for a position in some companies.
 
Man of Honour
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Its all about skills. You may *understand* databases for example (i know FA about DB's before anyone asks), but you couldnt join straight away as a DBA on SQL, etc. You need to join as a grunt, pay your dues (very important else nobody will respect you) and learn the ropes before you can step up.

Graduate schemes will give you the opportunity to get higher, but at the same time you tend to get terrible pay and treated like an intern for 3 years fighting for a position in some companies.

Thats what I'm saying, so why go to Uni if you're going to start at the bottom (like I did, so got savings rather than debt).
 

SMN

SMN

Soldato
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Edit: Re-read that post.

Read my post above the one you quoted, its more about life skills, etc than the academia which comes second. If you live at home and go to university then its pure academia which isnt all its cracked up to be, so unless its something that necessitates a degree i.e. law i wouldnt do it unless I was physically living in university etc.
 
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