1. What is your typical workweek as an IT support officer?
The employers would like to know what the candidate would do while they work. Take a deep look at the job role you have applied for and how it relates to your previous role. When you wanted to talk about typical work for a week, avoid discussing about non-work related activities. During the time of the company, you should use the time in a productive manner. Your answers must be focused on work and formulate your answers in a way which presents that you are organized.
2. Tell us what is your troubleshooting process?
The basic troubleshooting process is:
☛ Identify the problem
☛ Consider likely causes
☛ Test theories to localise the cause
☛ Formulate and implement a plan to solve the problem
☛ Verify that the problem is solved and take steps to prevent a reoccurrence
☛ Record your findings, what action you took and the outcome
3. Do you know what is an IP Address?
An IP address is a unique numerical identifier of every device on a network. A typical IP address can look like this: 216.27.61.141. To detect a computer’s IP Address, go to Start – Run – Type in CMD in the Run Dialogue Box and click OK or hit <Enter> – In the Command Prompt Screen that comes up, type in IPCONFIG and hit <Enter>
4. Tell me what are the tools do you think is mandatory for problem solving?
Team members, experience, manuals, and knowledge are a few tools which are useful for troubleshooting. Also do not present that team members are the main tool because any issue to be solved must be handled independently.
5. Tell me what are the disadvantages of using imaging software?
This question is designed to test your familiarity with imaging software. Describe image testing and the attributes of particular software to show your familiarity with imaging.
6. Explain how do you feel about your abilities as a manager?
Focus on how you achieve results while maintaining good staff relations. Use examples of your successes and how you have learned from mistakes. Emphasise your energy and experience.
7. Explain what is the difference between CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and LCD (Flat Screen Monitors)?
CRT Monitors: The Monitor has a picture tube and uses a light-gun to highlight pixels on the screen.
LCD Monitors: These monitors do not have a picture tube and contain a layer of liquid crystals on an Electronic Board.
8. Tell me what is DHCP and what it is used for?
DHCP stands for dynamic host configuration protocol. It is used to allocate IP addresses to a large number of the computer system in a network. It helps in managing the large number of IP's very easily.
9. Tell me why do you want to work for this organisation?
Let the interviewers know that you have done some homework by saying that in your job search their company stood out from the rest because “….” You should also mention the company's history, products, philosophy, reputation etc.
10. Tell me what are your reasons for leaving your previous/present job?
Be honest and brief but avoid answers suggesting personality conflicts or that you were dismissed. Try to present the move in a positive light.
11. Tell me what is the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)?
A Blue Screen of Death (or just a Blue Screen Error) is an indication of a Critical System Problem wherein the Computer freezes altogether and does not respond to anything.
To rectify this problem, try Restarting the computer or Booting into Safe Mode. For more information, read this.
12. Tell me what qualities do you look for when you hire people?
Mention ability and experience and interpersonal skills. You should also mention initiative and future potential.
13. Explain me what are RJ45 and RJ11 connectors?
RJ45 connectors are used for LAN/Ethernet connections and RJ11 connectors are used for Telephone Cable connections.
14. Tell me which Windows OS are you most comfortable with?
This is a very basic question and you can prepare your answer by researching which OS version is used by the company you're applying in. Be sure to do a little reading on the systems you are familiar with, so you can showcase your skills.
15. Would you describe yourself as a problem solver? If so, why?
You should obviously give a positive answer. You should give examples that show that you can think critically and highlight your skills.
16. Explain me what have you done to improve your technical support knowledge in the last year?
Agility is the key to growth. Every person must do some activities to sharpen his axe. Talk about the books you read, training sessions/ conferences you attended, discussions you had with the team members as an answer to this question.
17. Please explain what is DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name Services – it is used to convert URLs into IP addresses and vice-versa.
18. What are some questions you would ask to help isolate a user's problem?
This question examines your problem-solving ability. You could say that you would ask the following questions:
☛ Describe the problem. Was there an error message? If so, what?
☛ Have you had a similar problem or other problems before? Give details.
☛ What were you doing when the system failed?
☛ Has any new hardware been added to the system?
☛ Has any new software been added to the system?
☛ Have you downloaded anything from the Internet?
☛ What, if anything, have you done to fix the problem yourself?
☛ Are you the only user who has access to the system?
19. Do you know about VPN server?
VPN means Virtual Private Network. It is a private communications network often used by companies or organizations to communicate confidentially over a public network. This is used by the mobile users in the network.
20. Explain me what does BOOT.INI do?
Boot.ini lists all the Operating Systems present in the computer and provide information about which partitions they are located on.
21. Explain me what have you learned from mistakes on technical support job?
Everyone who works commits mistake. You don't lose if you have also made some mistakes at work. However, it is more important to learn a lesson from it and never repeat the same mistake. To answer this question you can talk about some mistake you did and focus on what you learnt from it and that you never repeated it.
22. Explain me what are the types of operating system or O.S?
The two types of operating systems are:
☛ NOS : Network Operating System. Examples of NOS- Windows NT, 2000,2003
☛ SOS : Simple Operating System. Examples of SOS – Windows 95,98, ME
23. Tell me what are your reasons for wanting to work with us?
From your research on the company, you should be able to spell out what has attracted you to apply for the position – perhaps they focus on an area of research that you enjoy or would like to become involved with; maybe they offer opportunities that competitors do not; or possibly they are active in a field that interests you. Be careful, though, do not pretend to have an interest in something that you do not – your deception will be noticed.
24. Tell me how would you access the Recovery Console in Windows?
By booting with the Windows XP CD and following the on-screen instructrions. The Recovery Console can also be installed in your computer.
Ping is a command that checks the connectivity with an IP address. For more read this article
26. Tell me would you be willing to take training or classes to improve your technical skills?
Every new product has some new features. If the product you are going to take up is entirely new you will need more training to handle it. Say "YES" if they are offering you to take a training before you get started.
27. Explain some functions of BIOS?
☛ Performs a POST (Power-On Self Test) for all the different Hardware Components in the System to make sure everything is working properly.
☛ Activating other BIOS Chips on different cards installed in the computer, for example, SCSI and Graphics Cards.
☛ Provides a set of low-level suiting that the Operating System uses to interface different Hardware devices. BIOS manages things in your computer like the Keyboard, Monitor, Serial and Parallel Ports especially when the computer is Booting up.
☛ Manage the settings for Hard-disk drives, System Clock etc.
28. Tell me what is IPCONFIG command?
IPCONFIG command is used to display the IP information of the computer assigned like DNS IP address and gateway IP address.
29. Tell me what is the difference between RAS and VPN server?
RAS is truly a local area connection between two connections whereas, VPN is a local connection spread over large area.
30. Tell me what is scope and super scope?
Scope consists of an IP address like gateway IP, subnet mask, DNS server IP. It can be used to communicate with the other PCs in the network. The superscope becomes when you combine two or more scopes together.
31. Tell me what does the term USB stand for?
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It allows devices to be connected or disconnected from a computer without shutting down or restarting the computer. The current version of USB is 2.0
32. Explain me what do you know about our products and company?
The purpose of this question is to check your level of interest and preparation for the position. Read the job advertisement carefully and go through their website to get some basic information about them. You are not expected to know in and out of the product or the company but exhibiting a basic knowledge can take you a long way ahead in comparison to other candidates.
33. Explain me what do you mean by clustering? What are the benefits?
When one or more computers work together as a single system by sharing their resources is known as clustering. The benefits of clustering are that it reduces the load on one single system by sharing the load also it is used for redundancy of the services.
34. Tell me for what period of time do you expect to stay with us?
Say that you are looking for a career in the organisation but will need to remain challenged.
35. Tell me how do you remain abreast of new developments in technology?
You could mention seminars, courses, trade journals and technology magazines. You could also mention the value of social networking.
