Couple of IT interview questions..

rz30 · 28 Nov 2008 at 17:12

BigglesPiP said:
Can I watch your interview, I'll pay.

I'll stream it via a torrent....

matt_fsr · 28 Nov 2008 at 17:12

dangerstat said:
Alternatively, he becomes a massively depressed, gathers illegal arms, hunts down and murders Fox.... still I supposed I dont see the downside there either

Oh the irony that would ensue.....

palmy · 28 Nov 2008 at 17:14

rz30 said:
I am looking into doing the CCNP which is, from what i can, one of the only recognised certs in networking, who isn't largely self taught as a PC tech?

Ok.. I'll be a bit more friendly.

Going on your posts.. You would be well to start with ICND1 and 2 from Cisco. Which when completed would give you a CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Assosiate)

From that you could go on and do CCNP. But it would be worthless without some practical experience first. If you went for a first networking job at CCNP level you would be ripped to shreds. CCNA and experience then CCNP.

This would be going down the networking route. CCNP gets quite specialised and you would ultimately be looking to fit into a network team in a large organisation.

What do you want to get out of IT. Which element excites you the most? Servers, Security, Networks? I get the impression you really need someone to guide you. If you went into a Servicedesk role hopefully if you are any good somebody will spot you and give you a bit of mentoring to help you find your way.

Mr^B · 28 Nov 2008 at 17:14

I take it the web venture failed because they laughed too much at your code.

On a more serious note, I've interviewed far less competent people in the past, so I wouldn't fret unduly over the comments here.

rz30 · 28 Nov 2008 at 17:15

tbh it was probably laziness on my behalf rather than anything, expecting you guys to answer my question. It's kind of woken me up a bit though.

dangerstat · 28 Nov 2008 at 17:23

rz30 said:
I am looking into doing the CCNP which is, from what i can, one of the only recognised certs in networking, who isn't largely self taught as a PC tech?

I don't know why I'm bothering replying but hey. Firstly how old are you? Secondly is there any area of IT that you do have some *experience* (not stuff you've done at home but in the workplace)? If so what is it?

It's perfectly possible to be self taught at all sorts of things in IT, and networking is no different. But I've got the strong sense from you that you 16-18 with absolutely no work place experience, had a go at web development but didn't give it enough effort, and you about to do the same with networking.

usa-brit · 28 Nov 2008 at 17:37

[TW]Fox;12986678 said:
He's applying for a job where he's expected to know this stuff and would get paid to know it, it's not as if he's just posted for a bit of help fixing his own computer and got a load of abuse from the elitist nerd squad?

How about letting the interviewers decide whether or not he is good enough for the job?

usa-brit · 28 Nov 2008 at 17:37

[TW]Fox;12986555 said:
Why? I'm not a database administrator by trade, I never have been, I never will be and I've never considered it. The interview would be a disaster but it's irrelevent because I'm not applying for database admin jobs thinking I could hack it because I can name a database program and I once put my address book in it.

As previously stated, it was a joke!!!

paradigm · 28 Nov 2008 at 17:38

usa-brit said:
How about letting the interviewers decide whether or not he is good enough for the job?

How about pre-warning him that he is wasting time/effort (granted not much)/fuel in going to the interview in the first place? :rolleyes:

usa-brit said:
As previously stated, it was a joke!!!

Try editing your posts rather than posting multiple times.

Talbs13 · 28 Nov 2008 at 17:42

Good luck with the interview

Do a bit reading and studying before though. Try not to get caught on some basic questions which might come up during the interview.

Blackhawk47 · 28 Nov 2008 at 18:04

Right, basically Windows NT will be very similar to windows operating systems you have used already, and it does have good features for the corporate world. The general process of setting up a peer to peer network should be pretty similar and straight forward on any windows os with the possible execption of vista - which i personally never used for networking.

It also really depends on the setup they have, for a few computers in a SME or home, would be better off with a peer to peer network as eg, they have 4 office computers. All the computers must communicate with one another eg, A-B, A-C, A-D and then B-A, B-C, B-D and so on. A server or a machine dedicated as the server isnt neccesary as all machines will be connected locally.

The main advantages with a peer to peer based network is if one of the office computers fails, the others in theory will be able to communicate with all computers execpt the failed computer. So the business can remain operational to a degree.

Though with a server based network is much more secure as data is passed through the server (example: one of your mates goes on a "dodgey xxx" website) then if the server has a firewall etc then and anything like a virus will be stopped by the server before it reaches any computers on the network where as on a peer to peer network the virus could have infected not only the computer responsible, but also other computers on the network.

There is a lot more to go through though - and i have probably got something wrong as most of the time in my job im dealing with other problems and tasks.

Dano · 28 Nov 2008 at 18:23

[TW]Fox;12986678 said:
He's applying for a job where he's expected to know this stuff and would get paid to know it, it's not as if he's just posted for a bit of help fixing his own computer and got a load of abuse from the elitist nerd squad?

Are you the employer? it doesn't state anywhere that he's expected to know this stuff, for all you know it could be a trainee position and they were just trying to get a handle on how much he knows.

[TW]Fox · 28 Nov 2008 at 18:34

Dano said:
Are you the employer?

Yup, this is a hidden apptitude test.

rz30 · 28 Nov 2008 at 18:37

They are just general questions requiring a brief answer for a start-up role, they said training will be provided but are still checking your basic knowledge, that's one reason i wasn't going academically in depth about the internals of networking. I have some gaps in my knowledge with regard to networking, nothing that can't be learned in a couple of hours.

I mean it not exactly difficult, but can i be bothered reading thorugh a whole wiki as opposed to having an actual pc tech giving an answer ?

palmy · 28 Nov 2008 at 18:42

rz30 said:
They are just general questions requiring a brief answer for a start-up role, they said training will be provided but are still checking your basic knowledge, that's one reason i wasn't going academically in depth about the internals of networking. I have some gaps in my knowledge with regard to networking, nothing that can't be learned in a couple of hours.

I mean it not exactly difficult, but can i be bothered reading thorugh a whole wiki as opposed to having an actual pc tech giving an answer ?

If you go the networking route there is a lot to learn. Its pure ignorance to say you can learn it in a couple of hours.

But like I said. Get a Servicedesk role and hopefully a mentor.

Blackhawk47 · 28 Nov 2008 at 18:42

Before doing anything else, tell me if you are wearing a purple shirt?

(Sorry i just had to

)

usa-brit · 28 Nov 2008 at 18:50

paradigm said:
How about pre-warning him that he is wasting time/effort (granted not much)/fuel in going to the interview in the first place?

Who are we to judge whether or not he has the appropriate knowledge for the job? Have you seen the job description? Maybe the job requires no previous knowledge whatsoever.

So as previously stated, let the interviewers make the decisions.

usa-brit · 28 Nov 2008 at 18:52

rz30 said:
They are just general questions requiring a brief answer for a start-up role, they said training will be provided but are still checking your basic knowledge,

Sounds to me like the questions may even be there just to see at what sort of level you are rather than to test you. Ignore the idiots in this thread who are putting you off from applying.

Mat · 28 Nov 2008 at 19:02

If you're still going to go for the interview, it might be worth telling them the truth that you don't really know about those things, rather than trying to learn a few bits and pieces and blag your way through.

A friend of mine once deselected an applicant at interview as he waffled on about networking getting things wrong. The guy who said he didn't really know much about it was offered the job as he basically told the truth and was deemed less of a liability in the long run. (The job was desktop support and it was a leading question)

Just saying... you know...

Ev0 · 28 Nov 2008 at 21:25

We recently took on a new young lad. I was annoyed at my place though, they were banging on about getting a trainee with a year or so experience. That's my first hate, people who want a decent chunk of experience for a trainee role.

The chap they hired didn't have any at all however, I think he was a car salesman before. That's my second hate, totally going against what you banged on about wanting for so long

But then that's public sector for you. Oh and paying them 20k starting in an area where an experienced helpdesk person would probably be on less than that too.

So even with answers like the op gave a trainee job probably isn't out of the question

I'm still chuckling about the bit torrent comment though