I got a new job recently. This place has the best "system engineer" q/a session I've ever seen. The first interview had the standard 30-some-odd question basic knowledge test with feelers to see how deep my knowledge might go. Then, passing that, I was brought back to have a live-lab test for 3-4 hours.
I was brought to a cube with a high-end system with two monitors. It was running vmware and gave me access to 4 virtual systems in various states of [dis]repair and/or needed functionality. I was given a couple of pages of background info for the "scenario", with desired results/tasks listed. I was then given the opportunity to see how much I could get done within a finite period of time. After the timer buzzed, I was then given a person-to-person review of what I accomplished, what I got stuck on (intentional no win scenarios with given tools) and asked about where I left off, what my next steps would have been, etc. And, my thoughts in general. Its by far the most impressive engineering test I have ever had the opportunity to take part of. The scenario was designed by and given by one of the owner/founder's of the company. Super-smart dude... I got the job, but I'm still not expected to actually be client-facing for 2-3 months until I am substantially versed in company tools, procedures, etc. No rush. No harm no foul. Just a very careful organization. So far this place has been seriously impressive. These are exactly the kind of people I would want to hire... In any event, I think the virtual environment lab quiz is simply the best thing to do. Bonus, you can script-inspect the systems to test for desired results. Detailed real-world test, you don't have to have a verbal meeting/discussion, and you can automate result-checking. Do it all from virtual images and you can instantly reset the test for the next candidate. I told him he should package and resell the testing environment. Everyone should do a level of expertise testing like this. Note: How I passed this test after being out of the server/corporate game for over a year I'll never know. It's been a scary year or so for me. But its sooooooo gooooooood to be getting baack in the professional game! -- ME2 On Thu, Mar 24, 2011 at 3:04 PM, Eldridge, Dave <[email protected]> wrote: > We are going to be hiring 2 additional “Network Engineers” very soon as 1 > is leaving and we have approval to add 1 more. > > > > The bulk of the questions that I get to ask will be AD related as past > experience has dictated that I need that level of expertise here. > > Those of you that do hiring what are some questions you are using in the > interview process? > > We are a 2003 domain with exchange 2003. We will be migrating to 2008 > domain and exchange 2010 next year. > > This is not a Sr. level job but we are looking for an experienced person. > > Thanks much for any feedback. > > > > dave > > This e-mail contains the thoughts and opinions of the sender and does not > represent official Parkview Medical Center policy. > > This communication is intended only for the recipient(s) named above, may > be confidential and/or legally privileged: and, must be treated as such in > accordance with state and federal laws. If you are not the intended > recipient, you are hereby notified that any use of this communication, or > any of its contents, is prohibited. If you have received this communication > in error, please return to sender and delete the message from your computer > system.{token} > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ > ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ > > --- > To manage subscriptions click here: > http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ > or send an email to [email protected] > with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ --- To manage subscriptions click here: http://lyris.sunbelt-software.com/read/my_forums/ or send an email to [email protected] with the body: unsubscribe ntsysadmin
