If you are at a job interview and they mention some application and system you don't know about do you B.S. (IT)

[steppinthrax]

Essentially I'm in the process of looking for a new job (in the field of IT). Is it OK at a job interview to say you don't know something. I'm a fast learner. I would imagine most people would think if he understands or has dealt with X or Y he can certianly learn Z. But if you say you never heard of it before how do you explain this. Do you plan out right say NO.....

 

[Patt]

Definitely say you don't know it, but provide examples of other times you had to learn new software. You'll be discovered if you bullshit.

 

[nageov3t]

"I've never worked with it before, but I'm a fast learner."

 

[Platypus]

Of course it is.. if you lie about something that speaks volumes of your character.

If you do not know something they ask you write it down and read about it.

 

[OdiN]

Explain that you are quick to grasp and understand new technologies - and that is a strength you possess which allows you to progress in the rapidly changing environment that is IT.

If you say that you can support it, and they hire you and toss you right in the middle of a shit storm with it that needs to be fixed, what then?

 

[James Bond]

In situations like this I NEVER beat around the bush. They ask, and I immediately respond. Don't leave yourself out there though, find a way to work off of it (like Patt mentioned), and you can turn it into some that speaks well about you.

 

[purbeast0]

i will flat out say "i've never done that before" or "i dont know" if i don't know something they are talking about in an interview.

 

[jaqie]

I would word it in a good way... Something like, I don't know much about that right now, but I have proven in my past jobs that I am both a fast learner, and learning is one of my favorite things to do, so if it is necessary to know {app/system} I will be happy to learn it for the job!

 

[Platypus]

Don't word it any other way but "I do not know or have never worked with it."

 

[Baked]

Yes, I know everything, you got more questions? When do I start?

 

[jaqie]

Originally posted by: Baked
Yes, I know everything, you got more questions? When do I start?

If you knew everything, you would know that, too.

 

[Vehemence]

Lying never hurt anyone, ever. Lie as much as possible!!!

 

[blackdogdeek]

only lie if you are looking for a mangerial position. then you're expected to always lie. just throw out as many buzzwords as you know and sound like you know what the hell you're talking about.

otherwise, always tell the truth.

 

[QED]

Unless it is a common application, I don't even know how (or if) they expect most candidates to know it. Just say you never heard of it, but would love to learn more about it. Once you learn more about it (or if they give you a summary right there), use that as an opportunity to either

1) share your experience with a similiar application
or

2) share your experience learning, and eventually mastering, a completely foreign system.

Even if the system is foreign, you can explain how having an outsider's view can be an asset to the position you are seeking.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: jaqie

Originally posted by: Baked
Yes, I know everything, you got more questions? When do I start?

If you knew everything, you would know that, too.

Damn it. >_<

 

[AmpedSilence]

Originally posted by: loki8481
"I've never worked with it before, but I'm a fast learner."

:thumbsup:

 

[tfinch2]

If it wasn't in the job description, and I don't know then I say I don't know.

If it's in the job description, I don't apply for the job.

 

[lyssword]

"I've never worked with this software before and it would probably be very inconvenient for me to ever use that software. I am very stubborn and I just don't have time to learn that crap."

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you've never heard of it, say so and ask what kind of application it is. Then (if true) mention similar applications you have worked with.

If it's a support ticket system "bad-tix-pro" then (if true) mention you've worked with Kayako eSupport, if it's "UML-ware" then say you've used Visio for UML diagrams, etc.

If you haven't used a similar application then fall back on being a fast learner / have no problem learning new applications.

If it's in the job description, I don't apply for the job.

That too. But if it was listed in the description you'd be an idiot not to have read up on it before the interview.

 

[ViviTheMage]

When this was asked at my interview, I just said I did not know it. There was no point in lying about it. I just said, I could pick up on it pretty quick, which I did...haha.

 

[oogabooga]

I would be honest : Take the approach of what kind of software it is and mention if you've used something similar.

I think when I applied for a helpdesk job in college they asked me about some program I had never heard of. I thought about and decided to go with "I haven't actually ever heard of that". I think they later told me (After I got the job) it's some program they made up or some super obscure thing only like one faculty member uses that they use to evaluate if people are lying about their computer skills.. Glad I was honest

 

[eleison]

If everyone was bs'ing to get a job, and you didn't bs, would you kick yourself if you later found out that the bs'ers were the one's getting hired.

In the it field, its too common for the person hiring to know very little about the it field. The recruiters are too easily seduced by good bs'ers.

I try to go by the gut. Sometimes its good to bs ... sometimes its not. I bs when the recruiter has a laundry of things that is impossible for any one developer to have. I don't when the recruiter knows exactly what he wants and knows how to "hire the right person"...

 

[Koing]

the job I currently have took 5months to fulfill due to idiots lying on their cv and them not being able to back it up well enough to two managers. So it was refreshing for them to have me in and not lie.

Just follows AT advice!

Koing

 

[duragezic]

At one interview, the guy was talking about their software development process (it was for a software position). I didn't have a whole lot of software engineering knowledge. The guy went on to say they use an agile dev process called scrum, and asked me if I knew what it was. I didn't so I said no I have not heard of it. He briefly explained it, and while doing so, I wrote down on the pad of paper I had, "scrum". He noticed that and said yeah, read up on it if you want. So I did read a little about it. I was invited to the next round of interviews and at that point I knew a little about it so I asked questions on it. So I think just doing that simple thing can work well, as well as mentioned to verbally say at the time that you have learned similar topics easily.