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I had these questions for a $12.00 an hour part time job interview

vi edit

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
I've been applying for jobs for going on a month now. Applied to well over 40 positions. One nibble, but probably not going anywhere.

So, I'm starting to slum, looking for part time jobs so that I can work part time and brush up on technical certs to boost my resume a bit and start looking for something better after I get a couple acronyms behind my name.

I find a job a couple minutes from my house. Works 20 hours a week and pays $12.00 an hour. Basic duties are break/fix stuff with some very light network administration on a single W2k server.

I get an interview for it and they flip a piece of paper at me with a handful of technical questions.

1st question was list the layers of the OSI model (which I could do) and list which one you were the most comfortable with. I put down application simply because that's one you can see working and have the most interaction with as a normal user doing email, web browsing, ect. Followed up with the physical layer simply because you easily troubleshoot it with cable testers or trying known working cables/patches.

Next question was how does the OSI and Internet model differ. This was the one that caught me. I've been craming for the Network+ exam and I don't even remember the mentioning of "The Internet Model" in the books I've been reading. So I have to put down "I have no idea what the Internet Model is".

I've since gone back and looked up on wikipedia what the Internet Model is, and it's just a condensed version of the OSI model where they combine the top three layers into one appliaction layer....

Then the next question is "How do you maintain settings on your web browser". That one really stumped me as to what they were wanting. I said that short of making sure that you have all the latest crital updates and security patches and you kept the security settings at "High" and only dropped the protections when required by a website or an application there weren't really any settings that you had to maintain.

😕

Maybe I'm just completely out of interviewing and job hunting loop, but the first two questions just seemed pretty far out there for a simple break fix $12.00 an hour job. 😱

I know the OSI model is important, but unless you really are invovled in in-depth networking (which this job isn't anywhere close to) it really doesn't serve much purpose in day to day skills.
 
It's probably just a questionnaire that they have to ask all candidates for IT spots. HR probably put them up to it. Stupid HR.
 
No luck yet? I think DTN may be hiring right now. We're probably going to be looking for someone, but I don't know if you'd want to drive the 30-45 minutes it would take to get down here. It's just an email broadcast position, but might get you an in for networking. I can have my buddy check to see if there's any spots at Paypal for you, too.
 
I'm sure some of those questions would even catch me offguard because you never some of that info in your everyday job. Sure, if something weird came along and I had to figure it out, I'd brush up on it, but I don't know all the obscure, rarely used stuff offhand.
 
One of the questions I had to answer when I interviewed for my current position:

"Do you drink beer?"

Now.... how are you supposed to answer that? It's a job interview. lol

- TK

BTW: I answered honestly. "I'm not a big drinker, I'd rather drink pop. But I've been known to down a few brewski's from time to time."

I got the job...so it must have been a good answer. lol
 
IF they're asking about the OSI Model on a $12/hr job, I'd think you took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in India. Sheesh. Job market sucks these days.







 
Originally posted by: dman
IF they're asking about the OSI Model on a $12/hr job, I'd think you took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in India. Sheesh. Job market sucks these days.
Click to expand...

Heh. Kind of what I was thinking. At that level of pay, If I knew the difference between a PCI and an AGP slot I'd almost be a shoe in...but to know the different layers of the OSI model.

Good grief...

😱
 
Internet model is likely just TCP/IP hybrid model

edit: it *is* important because it relates more to what people actually use, whereas OSI is more abstract and typically used to teach layered models
 
Was this some small shop somewhere? If so, my guess is the guy doing the hiring wrote up a quiz that had included all the acronyms he could remember from the one networking class he took a few years ago at the local JC.
 
Originally posted by: Landroval
Internet model is likely just TCP/IP hybrid model
Click to expand...

Yeh, I had to come home and google it. It makes sense...but it's just a very odd question to ask for that level of job and it really doesn't have any functional purpose in reguards to what the job requires.

I know they are trying to weed out total morons, but even having a 4 year C.S. degree and having worked as an IT pro for 7 years it still took me off guard.
 
Originally posted by: Landroval
Internet model is likely just TCP/IP hybrid model

edit: it *is* important because it relates more to what people actually use, whereas OSI is more abstract and typically used to teach layered models
Click to expand...

Again, I'm talking practical uses within the scope of the job. This was a small office of about 50 people with a single Win2k box and getting internet access via DSL.

Being able to regurgitate the differences between the OSI and Internet Models really isn't a big deal for what the duties of the job require.
 
well nobody said you had to get them all right. They probably wanted to see your proficiency level and how your mind works. But I don't think anyone should be grilled for $12/hr. I made that much doing clerical at a pharmaceutical company making photocopies and binders.
 
Ha, you think a month is a long time to find a job. I have been looking for over a year with a IS degree and another in Business MGT. A couple nibbles myself, as you put it, but damm I either am overqualified or don't have enought long term bla bla bla...

I could only find 1 place to hire me as I worked there 1 day a week sometimes in college. Other places would look at me weird and just mutter... "but you have a college degree..." So I make $10 a hr and thats not even enough to pay my bills. Next month is the last month I can pay rent and everything else.

So keep looking and don;t be surprised if you get this job and 6 months from now still looking for a REAL job.
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Originally posted by: Landroval
Internet model is likely just TCP/IP hybrid model
Click to expand...

Yeh, I had to come home and google it. It makes sense...but it's just a very odd question to ask for that level of job and it really doesn't have any functional purpose in reguards to what the job requires.

I know they are trying to weed out total morons, but even having a 4 year C.S. degree and having worked as an IT pro for 7 years it still took me off guard.
Click to expand...

The reason I think it is a good question is that it would really separate those who learned the framework of protocol model development and thought about how it actually applies to real-life implementation. Someone who did that probably is a good problem-solver and would be more likely to be a crtical thinker that can handle a variety of problems. Although it seems out of left field, OSI vs TCP/IP is something I would hope all CS grads are learning in their basic data communications courses. Not just how they relate but how standards are developed and the purpose of protocol layers in a more abstract sense 🙂
 
osi model? wtf, i know what it is, but only because it was in the book, are they looking for an instructor? because frankly, it is a useless knowledge unless you're teaching about it.
 
Originally posted by: Pepsei
osi model? wtf, i know what it is, but only because it was in the book, are they looking for an instructor? because frankly, it is a useless knowledge unless you're teaching about it.
Click to expand...


:Q
 
The reason I think it is a good question is that it would really separate those who learned the framework of protocol model development and thought about how it actually applies to real-life implementation. Someone who did that probably is a good problem-solver and would be more likely to be a crtical thinker that can handle a variety of problems. Although it seems out of left field, OSI vs TCP/IP is something I would hope all CS grads are learning in their basic data communications courses. Not just how they relate but how standards are developed and the purpose of protocol layers in a more abstract sense
Click to expand...

May I ask what area of IT you are employed in and how long you've been doing it?
 
If you want to brush up on a few of those Networking facts/concepts, get the first prep book for the CCNA exam. Heck, maybe even take some time out and try to go for the certification.
 
Originally posted by: wyvrn
I applied for a unix admin job last fall and got offered $10 an hour :|
Click to expand...

Damn... what were they going to require you to do? I would have simply laughed and walked out...

 
Originally posted by: wyvrn
I applied for a unix admin job last fall and got offered $10 an hour :|
Click to expand...

D'oh! Ouch. That's rough.

If you want to brush up on a few of those Networking facts/concepts, get the first prep book for the CCNA exam. Heck, maybe even take some time out and try to go for the certification.
Click to expand...

I'm scheduled for Network+ tomorrow night. Then I'll slam down the A+. Next will be XP pro and then the final three needed to get my MCSA. Maybe go the extra two tests at some point and get the MCSE.

Cisco would come after those since system administration is more what I've done in the past than network administration.
 
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