If you saw this Job Description what would you think??

[bozack]

Ok so I saw this description online and applied for the job, as I feel that I have most of the skills needed to fill this companies requirement...here is the description and after reading this I will tell you what they really wanted......

A fast growing biotechnology company in Waltham, MA is seeking an IT Support Associate to be responsible for the use of all computer hardware and software. The individual will perform daily network maintenance, resolve help desk calls regarding PC, voicemail, and phone. Additionally, the individual will develop and maintain simple databases and train end users.

Help Desk Support (PC/NT server)

Install, configure and maintain workstations

Resolve operator difficulties

Install a facilities management database
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REQUIREMENTS:
Two or more years of relevant experience; appropriate education or certification required. Excellent prioritization and communication skills. Technical customer service skills required. Windows NT MSCO preferred.

This position does not offer relocation for candidates.

Ok so when I get there and they start interviewing me, they ask if I have any experience with HVAC units, Alarm systems, Telephone Patch Panels, and basically any piece of electronics you can find under the sun.....now my question is how do you go from that job description to HVAC and all of those other requirements???

The interviewer also asked me how I felt about not only going a step down from my previous position but also a step sideways, as this is how he saw this position with regards to what I was doing before????

Needless to say I don't think I am getting the job, but was just amazed that they could be so vague in what they were really looking for.

Also WTF is Windows NT MSCO???? do they mean MCSE?

 

[GermyBoy]

Sounds like you found a real winner company there. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE.

 

[StageLeft]

They obviously don't even know what they want. That job description doesn't seem to match your interview.

BTW I have an NT MSCO !!!!!!

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

sounds like a really confused company to me

 

[TreyRandom]

MicroSoft Conditioner Operator. For the HVAC unit.

Dat's too complicated for me. Better buy the Transcender.

 

[abc]

sounds like they want a guy to cover alot of like dead end tasks thrown in one basket. they didn't reveal all these extra things required bec. they wanted to keep it unknown for those who are only passively interested, so it's like they wanna pull u in first.

 

[bozack]

Thanks for all the responses....

I agree with all the posts, but if I do get offered it on some remote chance then I might take it for the time being at least as it seems like a place where I can pick up alot of MacGuyer skills...oh well, just thought it sucked how companies are pulling this crap now and expect you to be happy about it...least here in beantown it seems as if this is the trend.

 

[Garion]

Not quite so fast.. Dealing with the phyiscal environment of computing is very important. If you have anything like a computer room, data center, etc. it's very important to understand the basics of HVAC, just so you know what you're talking about and understand what cooling you need. Not to be able to fix it or anything, just to be able to know what you need. I've done some data center design and management, and HVAC and electrical components are about 70% of the work. And if you do it wrong, you're in a WORLD of hurt.

It's also very common for the "computer guy" to take care of the phone systems. Most small companies just have small phone systems which pretty much take care of themselves, just take a bit of basic programming to add new people, setup voice mail boxes, etc.

- G

 

[tcsenter]

Not quite so fast.. Dealing with the phyiscal environment of computing is very important. If you have anything like a computer room, data center, etc. it's very important to understand the basics of HVAC...It's also very common for the "computer guy" to take care of the phone systems. Most small companies just have small phone systems which pretty much take care of themselves, just take a bit of basic programming to add new people, setup voice mail boxes, etc.

Yep, there is a technical/vocational school in my area who integrates a class about HVAC, humidity control, air purification, and FIRE control into at least one of their IT Professional/Network Admin curriculums.

This is probably a smaller company who doesn't have a 'guy' for every department. These can either be nightmare positions, or they can be dream positions, because the company is hurting badly for someone with the right qualifications/experience and they're willing to pay that person mucho $$.

But, one man's 'nightmare' job is another's 'dream' job. Some people love to wear a few different hats at once. Some people hate it, feeling its asking way too much or that it 'wasn't in the job description'.

 

[bozack]

Garion and Tcsenter, My point was only that to me this job desc was very misleading and they might have been better off if they included all of the job details in the description, instead of being as vague as they were.

Heck if they had put in all of the things they were looking for, I would probabily not even have applied as I would have felt that my skill set wouldn't have matched what they were looking for, either that or I would have had a much better idea of what I was getting into before I went for the interview.

Seemed a little deceptive on their part leaving out what I would consider key Roles and Responsibilities.

With that said, the HVAC was for the entire building, not just the server room and it was Maintence and repair...basically they said that I would be responsible not only for the Help Desk operations (Man of one, myself) but also anything electrical in the building, and also the entire HVAC system....so that to me meant much more than just "understanding" HVAC but also having to know how to maintain it and service it if needed, since that is what the guy who was currently there did.

Like I said, I personally would like this job (I think) as it would provide for a great learning environment, and seemed like a nice place. Plus it was outside of the city and parking was easy....

But I think they are doing both themselves and the people applying a dis-service by not being completely "open" with their requirements. Because not only will they get many resumes which are not even remotely close to what they are looking for, which they will have to weed through, but also the people interviewing will be under the impression that the job requirements are far less than what they actually are, and might get discouraged as I was since I didn't feel my experience was even remotely close to what they wanted, I had to repeat like 9 times that this would be a great learning position for me, but lacked the hands on experience they were looking for...which made me feel like a retard.

 

[IGBT]

Yep..and when you get the air conditioner working my car needs an oil change then you can mow the lawn after break and you may as well take care of this shopping list and...

 

[Cyberian]

Like I said, I personally would like this job (I think) as it would provide for a great learning environment, and seemed like a nice place. Plus it was outside of the city and parking was easy....

I'm not saying I had/have the knowledge, but that sounds like the kind of job that I would have loved when I was younger.

You are correct, though, in the description not matching the actual job.

 

[tcsenter]

Garion and Tcsenter, My point was only that to me this job desc was very misleading and they might have been better off if they included all of the job details in the description, instead of being as vague as they were.

Yeah, you have a good point. The description was vague given what you were told. It was misleading by omission.

I remember reading the job description for a position listed at an online job bank a while ago, it was a 'maintenance person' for the Speedway chain of gas station/food mart/convenience stores in the Greater Detroit area. I had done a keyword search for 'PC, electronics, technician'.

They wanted a person who was 'familiar with carpentry, plumbing, Class-[something] electrical wiring, HVAC, beverage coolers, basic electronics knowledge, appliance and mechanical repair. Valid driver's license with good driving record required. Desire person who is knowlegable about computers, certified PC technician preferred but not required..." lol!

I was like...WTF?? It paid well, though. $26/hr starting + company car and all the other goodies.

That job was posted for 6 months. haha

 

[bozack]

tcsenter, that does sounds like some nice pay and the company car is a great benefit, but they must have been kidding themselves with all of those requirements....not surprised that it was posted for 6 months, but sounds like a good and stable job

I wish this place had followed that lead and put up all of their requirements...as it might have saved both myself and their firm alot of time.

However if given the chance I still would love the job I think.

I am just more used to a large company where they have individual departements for each of those jobs, but I would be more than happy to learn, only thing is I don't think they want somone to learn, just to do.

Oh well hopefully either this or the project coordinator position comes through, if not I know NASA will take me back

 

[bozack]

Agreed IGBT, it does seem like they want someone to do all of the odds and ends which their main tech cannot handle by himself, which they validated by their own admission.

This has the potential of being either a great job, or a really bad job

 

[911paramedic]

LOL, looks like they know who is out of work and are going after them.

 

[sciencetoy]

Actually, I would not have been surprised by that interview. The words "support", "associate", "help", "biotech" and "install facilities management database" all point in that direction.

It is becoming common to install the automation for the phones, HVAC controls, alarms, intercoms, and all sorts of stuff as part of the computer network. The fact that you were surprised by it shows that you are SLIGHTLY out of the loop in networking technology. When it works it's great. When it doesn't, it requires tweaking by network technicians.

The biggest red flag I see in your interview is that security was not mentioned. Both facilities and network security, and your own security clearance.

If memory serves, MSCO is a certificate in Object-Oriented Programming of some sort? I see that on resumes from time to time.

Good luck!

 

[Vadatajs]

If I saw a job description like that, I would turn around and run in the opposite direction. I'd rather flip burgers at wendy's, or white castle than get an IT job.

 

[Shockwave]

Well, I surely aint qualified, cause I cant find ANYTHING about HVAC in there?!

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: sciencetoy
Actually, I would not have been surprised by that interview. The words "support", "associate", "help", "biotech" and "install facilities management database" all point in that direction.

It is becoming common to install the automation for the phones, HVAC controls, alarms, intercoms, and all sorts of stuff as part of the computer network. The fact that you were surprised by it shows that you are SLIGHTLY out of the loop in networking technology. When it works it's great. When it doesn't, it requires tweaking by network technicians.

The biggest red flag I see in your interview is that security was not mentioned. Both facilities and network security, and your own security clearance.

If memory serves, MSCO is a certificate in Object-Oriented Programming of some sort? I see that on resumes from time to time.

Good luck!

Sciencetoy

I seriously fail to see how the key words you mentioned all "point" in that direction?? and if that is the case then why couldn't they just list all of their real requirements/needs in their Job description??

Really when I read their description I get the picture of someone who mainly does PC support with some light Server Maintenece, telecom, and Database experience in there....in no way would I ever even imagine they are looking for someone with HVAC, Security system, VITS, and repairing toaster ovens or whatever else they could come up with....

As far as my being out of the loop, well you might be right when talking about startup companies or small business, but all of the larger firms I have worked for and with have seperate departments for each of these areas (Computer support, Telecom, HVAC, and Security)...in fact the only place that I have seen anything like this position is where my GF works, which is a phameceutical company and they only have two "IT" people on staff who are basically the MacGuyvers of everything in the building, but then again they are only supporting about 100 people, and I am sure they would post an accurate job description, rather than one which IMHO is very misleading....but then again I coe from companies which supported 1,500 + users...and the job before that it was like 25,000, so I am not used to these small time firms just yet I guess.