I've got a job interview coming up in a couple of weeks and part of it is a technical written test. The job is a technical engineer (3rd/4th line) focused on Microsoft Server, AD, Exchange 2010, VMware etc..

I've done all the usual phone interviews and online physchometric tests etc.. but never a written technical test in an interview situation (I know its common I've just never done it). Was just wondering what kind fo format its likely to be and what I should expect?

Hmm I've had 4 or 5 of them and while the format generally stays the same (10-15 questions with space for small answer) the questions differ SOOOOO much.

Went for a 1st/2nd line phone monkey job... Questions were "What are the FSMO roles" - "How would you test and rollout a new anti-virus software suite" - "What is DFS, how to you set it up and what benefits does it bring"

Went for a 2nd/3rd line position which would of mainly been AD & Win2K3 server maintance and project work... Questions were "How to add a printer to server" - "What to do if a user cannot access network" - "How do you view the event log and what information will you find"

As you can see, questions don't always fit the roll but either way they have never actually been difficult. I think most of the time they are trying to see how you go about figuring them out and what sort of answer you will give over the actual technical side of things :/

Ah ok cheers mate. Ok that sounds simple enough - although I am a bit confused why the questions are so irrelevant to the roles! I'd probably have found those first questions easier TBH - I haven't done desktop stuff for ages!

Will let you know how I get on - I may well be moving to Telford if I get it!

QuoteWent for a 2nd/3rd line position which would of mainly been AD & Win2K3 server maintance and project work... Questions were "How to add a printer to server" - "What to do if a user cannot access network" - "How do you view the event log and what information will you find"

You know what - I'd so answer the first two with 'I'd pass it to 1st line'

I had to do one of these last week, got a little nervy as it's the first time I've had to do it and I got some easy questions wrong.

Raid 0, 1 and 5, what are their names and functions.
Arp, Rarp, DHCP, What are their full names and what do they do.

D'oh!  I left the interview and instantly realised I'd cocked up.

Quote from: soopahfly on July 26, 2012, 15:52:34 PM
I had to do one of these last week, got a little nervy as it's the first time I've had to do it and I got some easy questions wrong.

Raid 0, 1 and 5, what are their names and functions.
Arp, Rarp, DHCP, What are their full names and what do they do.

D'oh!  I left the interview and instantly realised I'd cocked up.

Yeah this is my problem - I know my stuff but just a little nervy. It's a pretty perfect job for me (hours, location, small firm etc..) and the money is about abother 4.5k on what I earn now. I have no issues at interviews talking, answering questions etc.. so I just really don't want to blow it on an unknown! Sure it'll be fine tho - thanks guys!

Plus as we all know there is a big difference to being able to do it if its in front of you and being able to do the steps from memory to write it down.

I think one of the basic questions for the job I'm doing at the moment was list two ways to access the event viewer (plus a follow-on question) but I sat there going through it in my mind going "Right click computer... Properties... wait, is it manage, no its properties... ah crap now I'm confusing myself"

Quote from: Leon on July 26, 2012, 16:19:24 PM
Plus as we all know there is a big difference to being able to do it if its in front of you and being able to do the steps from memory to write it down.

I think one of the basic questions for the job I'm doing at the moment was list two ways to access the event viewer (plus a follow-on question) but I sat there going through it in my mind going "Right click computer... Properties... wait, is it manage, no its properties... ah crap now I'm confusing myself"

I've never understood those types of questions - they don't achieve anything. You're absolutely right - its totally different to sticking a laptop in front of you and saying "fix this"

that was the best desktop support test I had... They put a laptop in front of you which they had done certain things to and a piece of paper with basic commands on it telling you to do something:

"Access google"
You opened IE and got a page cannot be displayed... Popped into internet options and ticked proxy box.

"set default font in Word 2010 to xx"
I opened my now working google, checked where the setting was and then changed it

Few other questions I can't remember.

Quote from: Rivkid on July 26, 2012, 16:10:17 PM

Quote from: soopahfly on July 26, 2012, 15:52:34 PM
I had to do one of these last week, got a little nervy as it's the first time I've had to do it and I got some easy questions wrong.

Raid 0, 1 and 5, what are their names and functions.
Arp, Rarp, DHCP, What are their full names and what do they do.

D'oh!  I left the interview and instantly realised I'd cocked up.

Yeah this is my problem - I know my stuff but just a little nervy. It's a pretty perfect job for me (hours, location, small firm etc..) and the money is about abother 4.5k on what I earn now. I have no issues at interviews talking, answering questions etc.. so I just really don't want to blow it on an unknown! Sure it'll be fine tho - thanks guys!

Well I've been asked back tomorrow for a "chat" about the role

Grats!

They've not specifically said yes though, but I can't see them calling me in to say no.

Awesome mate sounds promising.

I'm hoping there is some common sense applied - it would be disappointing if a clearly suitable candidate who interviewed well was dismissed for some silly nervous mistakes on a written test. But it happens - small firm should have a bit more flexibility tho with a bit of luck. Not that I'm planning on doing sh*t!!

I didn't quite fit the job they had advertised, but it sounds like they've made a new job for me.
Pays pretty good, 2 hours study time a week to get myself up to speed with MS Certs, and they'll pay for my exams.

Grats

Awesome stuff soopah

When's your interview, Rivkid?