Failed interview

[Tech bud]

Hey, I'm not really sure if I failed or not. There was some good signs for an entry level Help Desk Interview. At least I thought it was. They had a skill assessment, it was one hour.

They had one VM that was a server with active directory, then they had another VM the was a Windows 10 client. They wanted me to add a new Domain to the Server and add 5 users to a Marketing department, 5 new folder shares and certain permissions. Also I had to set up a new printer share on the Windows 10 computer.

My background is all Internet Tech support. Now the catch is, both vms didn't have internet access, I was freaking out because it didn't seem like I would be tested on something like this for an entry level position so wasn't prepared for all that. I thought maybe the internet connection thing was a test, but IP address was all set to static and I though, maybe it isn't a test and I'm going to mess up the way the VMs were set up.

So just went with it, I got the printer share set up, just went to devices and printers. There was already a connection to the server, I could ping the tip. I got the Marketing department set and got the 5 users set up, answered 30 questions he had on another sheet. But that's when they came back in and it was time.

I thought that was crazy for a skill Assessment, but maybe I'm just a newb. But there was some good signs in the follow up interview, they seemed to want me to only put in my two weeks notice at my other job. Though if they didn't like me, why would they bring it up. Also when I sent a thank you letter, she didn't say if we call you next week she said when. But this is towards the end of her day, so maybe she didn't think about wording.

But I was thinking, Active Directory for dummies is only 340 pages, I could read it and write a report on it by Monday and send it to them as a way to show I really want the job? Or do you think it's over kill?also do you think that there test was over kill?

 

[glricht]

Wow! Pretty detailed Skill Assessment test when the target job is an entry-level Help Desk position. They really expect an Help Desk person to do this type of work?!?

 

[Porthos]

So I guess the business you were starting when you joined this forum did not work out?

 

[trevm999]

But I was thinking, Active Directory for dummies is only 340 pages, I could read it and write a report on it by Monday and send it to them as a way to show I really want the job? Or do you think it's over kill?also do you think that there test was over kill?

I think that would be overkill, and kind of weird. The test seems like it would be simple enough for someone who's done IT vocational training, but not necessarily something I would expect someone who's had a Tier 1 job to be able to do, unless the company only has like 2 IT staff.

So you just didn't finish setting up the shares?

 

[Tech bud]

To answer the first questions. I'm gaining experience and building a business on the side.

I got one share done. I was confused, his instructions were really kinda simple and me not working with it that often was hard to follow. You only had one hour, which seems easy until you don't have internet. I though maybe it was part of the test to get internet access, but I also didn't want to mess up the vms.

 

[Tech bud]

But I'm setting up my own server right now and going to mimic what he wanted me to do now. I know next time at least.

 

[trevm999]

I though maybe it was part of the test to get internet access, but I also didn't want to mess up the vms.

It doesn't sound like it would be part of the test to me.

 

[Tech bud]

That was my first thought as I googled help desk assessments and everyone talked about easy stuff, reseating RAM, changing the IP address, stuff like that haha. But maybe I will not be weird and not send them that stuff, unless I get the dear John letter haha Though maybe I could show I willingness to learn if I did it.

 

[Markverhyden]

The way I see it testing is supposed to identify knowledge limits. To define those you need to know the failure points as well as success.

 

[NJW]

I think you'd be better off putting it down to experience and moving on. Don't follow up with any of that weird stuff – it's too much like stalking and desperation. From your report of the the process, I'd say that they are either trying to hire an all-rounder at Tier 1 rates, or they have no idea what they're looking for. In either case you'd end up with a poor deal for you.

I have had a couple of similar experiences. In one case, I didn't get the job and found out later that they already had an internal candidate, so the interview was set up for failure. In the other case, I got the job and later discovered that the head of department had absolutely no idea nor ability and I spent three years fighting him all the way.

So yeah, walk away.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

The way I see it testing is supposed to identify knowledge limits. To define those you need to know the failure points as well as success.

This^. We inform technical interview candidates that they are likely going to leave out of the interview feeling "bad" because we are going to take them to the edge of their knowledge to see where they're at technically. We feel that it helps to let them know this ahead of time so they aren't caught off guard.

The "test" they gave you seems a bit much for an entry-level position. Seems to me that many corporations these days are looking for someone with experience (not entry-level) who will settle for entry-level pay.

 

[Your PCMD]

send it to them as a way to show I really want the job

Like you did when you really wanted to be a member on here? Think about it, you'll understand where I'm going.

@Nige @Bryce W

 

[ZenTree]

Not sure why the OP is getting some flack for not being a business owner. They are an aspiring tech who is actively seeking employment. Maybe there's an initial post where they claimed they had a business but so what, maybe they run it as an aside? Everyone starts somewhere.

 

[Tech bud]

Ya, I can't live off my income yet and it doesn't hurt to gain more experience to offer more services than just desktop and computer support.

 

[Tech bud]

There is a local company here that literally offers everything, that is the level I want to be on. He don't know competition is coming soon haha

 

[Encrypted Existence]

Maybe there's an initial post where they claimed they had a business but so what...

I went back and looked at Tech Bud's original post and he never claimed he owned his own business. And yes, I realize that is a "requirement" for membership here, but I also believe that this shouldn't be "chiseled in stone" and should be open to exception. and I no longer own my own business so if we're on a witch hunt then the mods may as well deal with me as they please. Seriously, I have learned so much here, but trolling is off-putting.

Give the dude a break. He is obvi not an end user and is asking for legit help.

 

[ZenTree]

Pretty sure that it's not a requirement to have your own business here for the record. Just got to be in the industry (or trying to get into it)

 

[Porthos]

What I asked was an innocent question since he has been a member almost 7 years. It was just a comment about how break fix is basically gone in many areas. And many have to do something else to pay the bills in this economy and do the work we love on the side for extra money since in many places you cant make a living with just break/fix.

 

[Tech bud]

I do have a registered businesses, but it's tiny, maybe a couple hits a month, that would be a good month. I need server experience so I can hit small business es

 

[mikeroq]

Pretty sure that it's not a requirement to have your own business here for the record. Just got to be in the industry (or trying to get into it)

From the rules:
No End Users
These forums are for either current computer technicians, or soon to be computer technicians. We do not provide computer help to any non-technicians.

You don't have to be a business owner. You just need to be a tech or working to become a tech.