Interview Question

[Keeper]

Dear Group,

I was posed with an interesting interview question the other day and I
wasn't sure what the best answer is. The question was "what would you
do if you had a system that you couldn't start or was constantly
rebooting?"

I gave a decent answer but I believed that this was of a question of
character rather than technical skills. Without more detailed
technical or detailed information, I don't know what was needed to
repair the system. What answer would you have given?

Keeper

[JohnB]

I know with a lot of companies, especially larger ones, the goal is to get
it working and back in the hands of the user as quickly as possible. In
other words, don't get so wrapped up in using one's technical skills that
you spend more time troubleshooting and fixing the problem, then you would
just re-imaging the PC - once you've determined that it is not a hardware
problem. Just re-image it and get it back to them.

But you're right, that is a very vague question.

Post by Keeper
Dear Group,
I was posed with an interesting interview question the other day and I
wasn't sure what the best answer is. The question was "what would you
do if you had a system that you couldn't start or was constantly
rebooting?"
I gave a decent answer but I believed that this was of a question of
character rather than technical skills. Without more detailed
technical or detailed information, I don't know what was needed to
repair the system. What answer would you have given?
Keeper

--- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: ***@netfront.net ---

[Chris M]

Post by Keeper
Dear Group,
I was posed with an interesting interview question the other day and I
wasn't sure what the best answer is. The question was "what would you
do if you had a system that you couldn't start or was constantly
rebooting?"
I gave a decent answer but I believed that this was of a question of
character rather than technical skills. Without more detailed
technical or detailed information, I don't know what was needed to
repair the system. What answer would you have given?

JohnB is right, usually just reimaging the PC is by far the easiest way
and wastes less time.

If they were after something more technical, I suspect that the answer
they would have been looking for is to boot the system into Safe Mode.
If that didn't work, then boot into the Recovery Console via removable
media. You can disable services and drivers from here.

Or if they were looking for a hardware slant, open up the machine and
unplug everything not absolutely necessary for booting the system, and
gradually add components until it starts failing again.

The question might have been deliberately vague to get an idea of where
you'd start and how you'd continue based on what you found - good
diagnosis skills can save an awful lot of time.

[Special Access]

Post by Chris M

Post by Keeper
Dear Group,
I was posed with an interesting interview question the other day and I
wasn't sure what the best answer is. The question was "what would you
do if you had a system that you couldn't start or was constantly
rebooting?"
I gave a decent answer but I believed that this was of a question of
character rather than technical skills. Without more detailed
technical or detailed information, I don't know what was needed to
repair the system. What answer would you have given?

JohnB is right, usually just reimaging the PC is by far the easiest way
and wastes less time.
If they were after something more technical, I suspect that the answer
they would have been looking for is to boot the system into Safe Mode.
If that didn't work, then boot into the Recovery Console via removable
media. You can disable services and drivers from here.
Or if they were looking for a hardware slant, open up the machine and
unplug everything not absolutely necessary for booting the system, and
gradually add components until it starts failing again.
The question might have been deliberately vague to get an idea of where
you'd start and how you'd continue based on what you found - good
diagnosis skills can save an awful lot of time.

When I was asked that question (3-4 years ago for the current
employer), I made the interviewer provide answers... I said "replace
the PC, troubleshoot the other on the bench" He said no additional
PC, then we got into the "need files?" and other questions (who's
desk, VIP, manager, worker-bee etc) before answering. I went back to
the interviewer after I was hired and asked him if he even KNEW an
answer to that question since he was not a techie. He said he was
told to look for interaction and thought processes from the person
rather than a simple quick answer (like replace the pc, for example
heheh)

Good troubleshooting skills often translate into other desirable
skills like decision making and add to group dynamics in a large
environment. It also can add to leadership qualities, both of which
most companies are glad to have in thier workers.

Good luck in the job. Hope you get it!

Mike

[Leythos]

Post by Special Access
When I was asked that question (3-4 years ago for the current
employer), I made the interviewer provide answers... I said "replace
the PC, troubleshoot the other on the bench" He said no additional
PC, then we got into the "need files?" and other questions (who's
desk, VIP, manager, worker-bee etc) before answering. I went back to
the interviewer after I was hired and asked him if he even KNEW an
answer to that question since he was not a techie. He said he was
told to look for interaction and thought processes from the person
rather than a simple quick answer (like replace the pc, for example
heheh)

When I interview people for technical positions I ask a few questions
that don't have right/wrong answers, it's about seeing how they think
and how well reasoned they are. So few people today can think outside of
the box, it's almost impossible to find good technical people.

[Special Access]

Post by Leythos

Post by Special Access
When I was asked that question (3-4 years ago for the current
employer), I made the interviewer provide answers... I said "replace
the PC, troubleshoot the other on the bench" He said no additional
PC, then we got into the "need files?" and other questions (who's
desk, VIP, manager, worker-bee etc) before answering. I went back to
the interviewer after I was hired and asked him if he even KNEW an
answer to that question since he was not a techie. He said he was
told to look for interaction and thought processes from the person
rather than a simple quick answer (like replace the pc, for example
heheh)

When I interview people for technical positions I ask a few questions
that don't have right/wrong answers, it's about seeing how they think
and how well reasoned they are. So few people today can think outside of
the box, it's almost impossible to find good technical people.

there are some great techies out there... problem is, most are "older"
(like me) and either are unaffordable in some markets or undesireable
due to advanced age (nearing or over 50). I have seen some very good,
seasoned techies walk out the door here only to be replaced by someone
that claims they are a SysAdmin but can't open the MMC without help.
cheaper labor, but at what cost?

[Keeper]

I understand completely. I'm 49 and I've been at this for 16 years.
I"m having trouble finding a simple support job. I won't do phone
support. I just turned down a job of this type yesterday.

The position that posed this question never called me back.


On Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:27:28 -0400, Special Access

Post by Special Access

Post by Leythos

Post by Special Access
When I was asked that question (3-4 years ago for the current
employer), I made the interviewer provide answers... I said "replace
the PC, troubleshoot the other on the bench" He said no additional
PC, then we got into the "need files?" and other questions (who's
desk, VIP, manager, worker-bee etc) before answering. I went back to
the interviewer after I was hired and asked him if he even KNEW an
answer to that question since he was not a techie. He said he was
told to look for interaction and thought processes from the person
rather than a simple quick answer (like replace the pc, for example
heheh)

When I interview people for technical positions I ask a few questions
that don't have right/wrong answers, it's about seeing how they think
and how well reasoned they are. So few people today can think outside of
the box, it's almost impossible to find good technical people.

there are some great techies out there... problem is, most are "older"
(like me) and either are unaffordable in some markets or undesireable
due to advanced age (nearing or over 50). I have seen some very good,
seasoned techies walk out the door here only to be replaced by someone
that claims they are a SysAdmin but can't open the MMC without help.
cheaper labor, but at what cost?

[Leythos]

In article <***@4ax.com>, ***@none.com
says...

Post by Keeper
I understand completely. I'm 49 and I've been at this for 16 years.
I"m having trouble finding a simple support job. I won't do phone
support. I just turned down a job of this type yesterday.

After 30 years as a programmer (more than a dozen languages) and network
engineer as well as a director of I.T. I started my own company, right
at the start of the great IT depression - the idea was a solid remote
support solution that has worked well. We have customers in many states,
some where we've never even met the customers in person/video, designed
and built their entire network, shipped it, had local grunts install it,
and operating smoothly for 5+ years....

At your age, if you're any good, start your own IT Support company,
you'll never be happier, but you may work more hours than when working
for someone else.

[Keeper]

Thanks group. The replies were what I was hoping for. I told this
employer that after a few minutes of trying to solve the problem, I
would slave the drive, copy the data and perhaps the profile and get
the person back up ASAP. I also said that it would depend on who the
person was. CEO or janitor.

Keeper


On Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:27:28 -0400, Special Access

Post by Special Access

Post by Leythos

Post by Special Access
When I was asked that question (3-4 years ago for the current
employer), I made the interviewer provide answers... I said "replace
the PC, troubleshoot the other on the bench" He said no additional
PC, then we got into the "need files?" and other questions (who's
desk, VIP, manager, worker-bee etc) before answering. I went back to
the interviewer after I was hired and asked him if he even KNEW an
answer to that question since he was not a techie. He said he was
told to look for interaction and thought processes from the person
rather than a simple quick answer (like replace the pc, for example
heheh)

When I interview people for technical positions I ask a few questions
that don't have right/wrong answers, it's about seeing how they think
and how well reasoned they are. So few people today can think outside of
the box, it's almost impossible to find good technical people.

there are some great techies out there... problem is, most are "older"
(like me) and either are unaffordable in some markets or undesireable
due to advanced age (nearing or over 50). I have seen some very good,
seasoned techies walk out the door here only to be replaced by someone
that claims they are a SysAdmin but can't open the MMC without help.
cheaper labor, but at what cost?

[Keeper]

Thanks group. The replies were what I was hoping for. I told this
employer that after a few minutes of trying to solve the problem, I
would slave the drive, copy the data and perhaps the profile and get
the person back up ASAP. I also said that it would depend on who the
person was. CEO or janitor.

Keeper

Post by Keeper
Dear Group,
I was posed with an interesting interview question the other day and I
wasn't sure what the best answer is. The question was "what would you
do if you had a system that you couldn't start or was constantly
rebooting?"
I gave a decent answer but I believed that this was of a question of
character rather than technical skills. Without more detailed
technical or detailed information, I don't know what was needed to
repair the system. What answer would you have given?
Keeper