That's awesome. Boy I wish I could do even a small testing bed. Vmware makes it perfect just like you said.
Thanks and good luck with the new gig. dave From: Micheal Espinola Jr [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 6:45 PM To: NT System Admin Issues Subject: Re: OT: looking for favorite Network Engineer interview questions 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 ~ 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
