weed-out questions

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:58 am

What kind of software hardware does your company deal with? Heat? Novell? Windows obviously, Gimmie somthing to go on and i may be able to cook up some questions.

Post by **AmIdYfReAk** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:08 am

What is Netbeui and how is it implemented in todays networks?

a what would you do senario:
if a Client called you explaining that his/her computer crashed or gave errors on a frequent bassis and explained to you what he/she done previous to said errors, you remove the computer and try to re-create the error's but are unable to. What would cause said issues?

i especally like those ones, because you can get a feel of how far someone is willing to go to get the job done.

cant think of any off hand right now.. its 1 am and i need to go to sleep.. just dident want to leave you hangin

I'll post tommorow between class's

Post by **axbaby** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:30 am

annoying popups on client machine what software would he use to rid it.
this question is geared towards his geek status ..if he says Norton or some other commercial product $$$ he's no geek who can get his hands dirty.

if a client presents him with a problem such as a computer that won't boot what should his first 5 question be to the client.

communication is key ..if he's got an air of superiority when speaking to a client either he's a keeper but not a team player or someone who is hiding his inabilities and rides on other peoples coat tails.

Post by **Tormentius** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 8:45 pm

Just come up with some real world questions about things you've dealt with before and see how they work their way towards solutions.

Post by **Foo** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 9:13 pm

Only thing I would say is don't shoot someone down if they can't answer a few of those. Test them in a wide range of the very specific questions and expect to get answers for most of them but the odd 1 or two where they just don't know is fair game.

Better questions are ones that give you insight into the way your interviewee handles a problem. For example, a good one is giving them a scenario where a PC is not picking up a DHCP address when connected to the network. Run them through the steps they would take to troubleshoot the problem and have them justify their reasoning for doing so at each stage.

Post by **dzjepp** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:52 pm

riddla can you post the list of questions you came up with?

Post by **axbaby** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:03 am

i failed miserably

Post by **Captain** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:30 am

Does the grandma in #11 have Alzheimer's?

I'd probably fail with those smartass comments.

Post by **Foo** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 5:28 pm

riddla wrote:None are terribly hard, but if I can find someone who answers at least 85% of these correctly I'll be happy:

1. What does the acronym DHCP stand for?
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol? I never memorised that one... I just know what it does

2. Give any example of a reverse DNS lookup.
determining that 64.233.167.99 is the IP resolved using google.com

3. Write a class B subnet mask.
255.255.0.0

4. How would you go about installing windows 98 with a bootdisk and Windows 98 CD?
Set the machine bios to boot from floppy first. Boot to floppy and load CDROM driver. Mount 98 CD and start setup.exe

5. How would you prevent a group of users in an Active Directory forest from installing ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer?
Initially probably by not making them administrators of their own machines via any administrator group applied on the machine. But for just this specific limitation there's probably a group policy setting available to control this.

6. A Windows XP Pro computer upon bootup stops with an error that several system files have been corrupted. What steps do you take to troubleshoot/remedy the problem?

7. A user calls telling you their laserjet is causing unwanted black marks down the left edge of all paper. They also say this is still happening after putting in a new toner cartridge. What component is most likely to blame?
Probably the fuser, but since 'black marks' is quite vague, this could also be scuffing from a crappy pickup roller

8. You are given the task of setting up a raid 5 array using a single max-size partition across three 500GB hard drives. How much usable space will you have once the array is initialized?
about 1000 gig

9. What is your favorite Linux distro?
Never gone beyond LiveCDs. Not that I wouldn't, I just haven't.

10. Given $5000 to spend as you see fit on the job, how would you spend the money?
This needs clarifying

11. How would you explain how to use Microsoft Excel to your grandma?
I'd prolly know a little about her background like where she worked. If she worked in a bank like my gran did then it's easy, you just relate it to balance sheets and suchlike and she'll get it. if she didn't have any kind of background knowledge you could latch onto, then you'd have to try and determine her current level of proficiency with the PC and try and develop it from there by running her through some useful sample projects and have her do the work while you help her along. It's damn near impossible to teach the much older folks a completely new process, so latching onto previous knowledge is really important.

12. Starting with the motherboard, verbally explain the components and basic specs in a typical Pentium III.
Question really needs clarifying.

Anyway, hire me. I'm only halfway across the world and currently seeking gainful employment in the field :P

Post by **^misantropia^** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 8:48 pm

riddla wrote:10. Given $5000 to spend as you see fit on the job, how would you spend the money?
This needs clarifying

No, it doesn't. Blackjack and hookers!

Post by **Foo** » Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:46 pm

See you only know that because you have more Linux experience :E

Post by **Magestic** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 10:08 am

I'd probably fail 5, but that questionlist seems good. About Q10, is that about what system a employee would buy? Or could it be anything... Don't really get that.