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UNIX Hints & Hacks |
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Chapter 10: System Administration: The Occupation |
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There are two common types of interviews: a phone interview and a regular meeting with someone from the group in which a position is open. If you prefer one over the other, you may be able to choose the type of interview. However, many companies will not hire you without meeting you first. If you already have a job and cannot get away without causing suspicion, human resources departments might schedule phone interviews around your schedule.
No matter what, if you say you will be somewhere at a scheduled time, be there! You can guarantee that points are taken away immediately or you may not get a second chance if you don't provide a sufficient reason for your absence. If you are running late, call your contact. They will appreciate this and you will gain points for being responsible. Those who are planning on interviewing you are taking time out of their daily routine just to meet with you.
Interview over telephone: These interviews typically last 15-30 minutes if the company is within a 60-mile radius. If the company is in another state or a significant distance away, the phone interviews might last over an hour. A telephone interview can help do a couple things for you. It can keep you from wasting your time if you're not sure you want the job. It can also help you find out more information about the company and the requirements for the position. These types of interviews have an enormous advantage over meeting someone face-to-face. You can have your résumé in front of you like a cheat sheet. Interviewers cannot see signs of physical nervousness in your body language, and they are usually less informal and technical. If you like the sound of the position and you think that the interview is going well, inform them that you would like to pursue a formal interview and make yourself available to meet with them at their earliest convenience. Let them know that you are interested.
Interview in person: When you're planning to attend an interview, always ask if there is anything special you need to do or be aware of. You may only get one shot at this interview; so make the best of it. There is one thing you always need to have: spare résumés. Someone almost always drops into the conference room to interview you and doesn't have a copy. Be prepared for anything. There are some extra things you may want to bring to the interview.
If possible, bring proof of your experience as an administrator and a list of any and all scripts and programs you have written over the years--not the actual source code. It is always nice to show off education certificates from training classes. Interviewers love pictures of you being a grunt on the job if you have any. Have everything prepared in a nice portfolio or album, and be ready to pull it out. It should be laid out in a way so others can glance through it at their leisure without explanation on your part. If pictures are involved, you may want to include short captions. Don't turn it into a vacation photo album or it will be turned away unnoticed. You don't want to take time away from the actual interview.
On some occasions, there are senior administrators who will interview you and ask you not to come dressed in a suit. This is done to see whether you will follow directions. They will not be dressed up and want you to be comfortable, not stiff and nervous in a suit. They want to try and get you to be yourself as much as possible. Whatever you do, if this happens, don't dress formally for the interview. For those who don't come dressed casually when asked why, they often reply with the remark such as, "I didn't really take you seriously when you said that." This is the worst thing you can say. You just told the person you might be working with that you don't listen to them and that you don't take them seriously. You haven't even started the interview yet and have already dug a deep hole that you might not be able to get yourself out of during the rest of the interview.
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UNIX Hints & Hacks |
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Chapter 10: System Administration: The Occupation |
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