Job interview advice (1 Viewer)

[BPTDirector]

I am an IT manager for a government agency in Illinois. If someone internally was qualified you most likely would not have received an interview go into this interview with your eyes wide open. Accentuate any practical experience you have and be prepared to a answer those touchy feely questions leaning toward liking to work on a team, being a self learner that doesn’t need hand holding, paying attention to chain of command issues and literally relax relax relax. Never let them think you are sweating. Good luck, I think you have a real shot here. Make sure to mention your performance awards it does make a difference. I do hiring interviews all the time so am not blowing smoke up your rear end. Go for it!

 

[Quicksilver-75]

As I have virtually no recollection of any interview or have any knowledge of techniques, I’ll offer what little but priceless advice I can to this discussion.
everything you need to know can be found in the “Interview” part of the movie Step Brothers.

Boats and Hoes!!

 

[Marhault]

I am an IT manager for a government agency in Illinois. If someone internally was qualified you most likely would not have received an interview go into this interview with your eyes wide open. Accentuate any practical experience you have and be prepared to a answer those touchy feely questions leaning toward liking to work on a team, being a self learner that doesn’t need hand holding, paying attention to chain of command issues and literally relax relax relax. Never let them think you are sweating. Good luck, I think you have a real shot here. Make sure to mention your performance awards it does make a difference. I do hiring interviews all the time so am not blowing smoke up your rear end. Go for it!

I was an internal interview. I work for the Bureau of Prisons and the interview was for the computer specialist at my institution.

 

[BPTDirector]

I hope you get the gig.

 

[Marhault]

I hope you get the gig.

I'm optimistic but I'm sure you understand working for the government that you never know what could happen. Connections at higher levels really make a big impact on selection.

 

[Organista1]

Good luck @Marhault ive interviewed a thousand times and confidence is the key!! Sell yourself and research the position, and you’ll be alright. Rooting for you

 

[BonScot]

I'm optimistic but I'm sure you understand working for the government that you never know what could happen. Connections at higher levels really make a big impact on selection.

Shoulda bribed them with scrub donkey chips!!

 

[Mongoose]

Good luck with this and your future career endeavors. I don’t have any experience in Government IT work but have been part of Corporate America for over 25 years and in and out of management. My experience tells me you’re getting some stellar comments and advice from the likes of @Moxie Mike @CraigT78 @ekricket @BonScot. Sorry if I missed anyone!

 

[BPTDirector]

I'm optimistic but I'm sure you understand working for the government that you never know what could happen. Connections at higher levels really make a big impact on selection.

There has been a judgement against this kind of thing in Illinois and so they have what’s called a Rutan interview to guard against the I know a guy type of preference. Illinois can be a shithole otherwise but this is one place they got it right.

 

[BEANO52]

Went really good. The questions were easy simplistic computer questions. They literally asked me what an IP address was. Other than that nothing complex. I haven't heard anything yet. The government works slow. There was a surprise candidate that has really good qualifications so it's very possible he gets the job but it was a good experience. If it doesn't go my way I should get another opportunity later in the year.

Good to hear, good luck & best wishes for this!

 

[Marhault]

Just wanted to update. The selection email came out yesterday and I wasn't selected for the job. As is typical with most things at this level the person selected was someone with close ties at the regional office. I do really appreciate all the advice you guys gave here and in PM's it really did help me prepare for the interview. I'm just going to have to widen my search area and think about relocating because with the bureau relocating can greatly improve your chances of promotion. I've got 15+ years in the BOP and I can work another 19 if I want before they force me out, so hopefully better things come down the pipe in the near future.

 

[BonScot]

Just wanted to update. The selection email came out yesterday and I wasn't selected for the job. As is typical with most things at this level the person selected was someone with close ties at the regional office. I do really appreciate all the advice you guys gave here and in PM's it really did help me prepare for the interview. I'm just going to have to widen my search area and think about relocating because with the bureau relocating can greatly improve your chances of promotion. I've got 15+ years in the BOP and I can work another 19 if I want before they force me out, so hopefully better things come down the pipe in the near future.

Mate ask them for feedback and what you can do to improve your prospects for the next time a job comes up.

 

[Marhault]

Mate ask them for feedback and what you can do to improve your prospects for the next time a job comes up.

I did. I took the advice of someone and sent a follow up email after the interview to the regional computer services manager thanking him for the opportunity and asked him about some things I could work on to improve my skills or resume for the future. His exact response was "keep plugging away". I asked the supervisor here that was in the interview but wasn't the selection official and he said "you did good but the deck was stacked against you".

If I'm being honest I'm not wanting to get negative. I've done that in the past but you're just fighting a losing battle with the BOP. I either have to make my application, interview and resume unimpeachable and even then I could still not win or I just move on and hope the position isn't preselected prior to my application.

 

[BonScot]

I did. I took the advice of someone and sent a follow up email after the interview to the regional computer services manager thanking him for the opportunity and asked him about some things I could work on to improve my skills or resume for the future. His exact response was "keep plugging away". I asked the supervisor here that was in the interview but wasn't the selection official and he said "you did good but the deck was stacked against you".

If I'm being honest I'm not wanting to get negative. I've done that in the past but you're just fighting a losing battle with the BOP. I either have to make my application, interview and resume unimpeachable and even then I could still not win or I just move on and hope the position isn't preselected prior to my application.

At least you know that there’s not much you could have done. Seems a bit daft putting people through the stress of an interview if they already had someone in mind.
You’ve had some valuable experience anyway and that will help you whenever you apply for something else. Main thing is don’t give up and keep going until you wear them down.

 

[Chip1525]

Sorry to hear and sounds like a bad beat, but I'd echo what @BonScot said. Don't give up. You seem like a good guy and your passion really comes through, so don't lose hope and keep on plugging away, as they say. At least you are on their radar now, and hopefully the cards will eventually fall in your favour.

 

[LotsOfChips]

Interviews- ugh!

Most memorable question I remember was “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be, and why?”

WTF?

Apparently they want you to be a willow, because you can bend with the changing winds and not be broken. Oaks or fir trees need not apply. You can’t make this shit up.

 

[davislane]

Interviews- ugh!

Most memorable question I remember was “If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be, and why?”

WTF?

Apparently they want you to be a willow, because you can bend with the changing winds and not be broken. Oaks or fir trees need not apply. You can’t make this shit up.

I would have guessed a palm tree as its highly desirable to have the confidence to leave your nuts out blowing in the wind....

 

[Budha]

Sorry the opportunity didn’t work out - that sucks.

If you’re interested in a career change to IT, the first thing I would recommend is to get a baseline certification in networking, or whatever area interest you (Microsoft, Cisco, etc).

IT related degrees don’t mean as much you’d think and it’s absolutely not a barrier to entry. Many IT managers could care less if you have a degree period. They do care about certifications though, and certifications are what opens the doors. From there, if hired most companies will pay for additional training, certifications, and then you are off to the races.

2nd suggestion- widen your net. Look at opportunities in different agencies outside of corrections and broaden your search to include the corporate/private sector.

I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met that got into IT this way. It’s extremely commonplace.

there are TONs of IT jobs out there and a good number of the people in their current IT jobs are “under qualified”. There’s just not enough qualified candidates.

See if your agency has education reimbursement.

 

[Schmendr1ck]

You guys know this was a year ago, right?

 

[Budha]

Nope - I did not lol

 

[LotsOfChips]

You guys know this was a year ago, right?

No way, last post was May 19. (Oh yeah, 2020 - NVM)