What Are IT Hiring Managers Looking For?

The people doing the hiring in the technology arena these days have a five-point wish list for candidates they hope to see. Though they may seem kind of obvious, they're a good reminder of where your head - and your resume - needs to be as you step into an interview situation. Here's Internet.com's list:

Good Communication Skills

Hiring managers want candidates for IT jobs who can speak knowledgeably with technology experts and can also explain computer issues to non-technical employees.

Problem-Solving Abilities

Computer systems are becoming more complex every day, and IT professionals need to be able to expand a system and make adjustments as needed by the company. Most computer systems are under constant attack from spammers, viruses, and even the system¿s own users. Important IT job skills include the ability to quickly identify a problem and fix it -- a company's productivity and profits often depend on this.

Flexibility

IT managers often are on call and need to be ready to help reboot or troubleshoot the computer system at night or on weekends. (Sad but true.)

Education

Computer network architects and database administrators should have a bachelor's degree in a computer-related field, although some employers prefer applicants with an MBA with a concentration in information systems. IT job candidates with courses in finance, marketing, accounting, and management, as well as database management, electronic business, and systems management and design really shine.

Personality

Companies also are looking for a person whose personality and nature fits in with their company and existing employees...One of the most important interview tips for IT professionals: show a willingness to learn - Companies are more likely to hire a candidate with less experience if he or she demonstrates the ability to learn on the job.

-- Don Willmott

What Are IT Hiring Managers Looking For?

Backlink: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/what_are_it_hiring_managers

Comment on How to Manage Telecommuters: Tips from Project Managers by PM Hut

I like the first point, paraphrasing, this is important to make sure that the employee understands the task he or she is assigned to.

Post originale: http://gigaom.com/collaboration/managing-telecommuters-tips-from-project-managers/#comment-517073

Interview Questions for Network Managers

When it comes to filling a network manager role, recruiters and interviewers want to hire someone with a balance of expert technical skills and strong communication skills. A top-notch candidate has a solid understanding of firewalls, routing protocols, SNMP, load balance and network design. 

"The hardest candidates to find are those with a combination of technical, verbal and written communication skills," says Sandy Lambert, CISSP-ISSMP, managing director of recruiter Lambert and Associates. "It's easier to find somebody who is technical than it is to find somebody who understands technology and can communicate it."

Generally, interviewers want to find out how network managers "deal with people, problems and technology," adds Ilya Talman, president of Roy Talman and Associates Inc., a Chicago-based search firm specializing in IT.

The following are a list of commonly asked interview questions:

Give me an example of the most challenging project you worked on when you were the leader.

To answer this question effectively, you've got to describe a project where you used both technology and managerial skills. Hone in on the number of people managed and the complexity of the project. Interviewers are also looking to see if you have experience managing a network similar in size and complexity to theirs. Which leads to another common question: What are the sizes of the networks you've previously dealt with?

Show me how you would implement a particular network.

This question can be tailored toward a specific position or contract job, says Vasanthan Dasan, CTO and vice president of engineering for the Armada Group, a staffing firm in Silicon Valley. Candidates must articulate, and sometimes show, how they'd plan and create a network. In one instance, Dasan's question for a was, "We need to design a caching network for a client that produces mapping software for customers worldwide. How would you go about implementing this network?"

"From the way they think and understand networks, I get a sense of whether they can do the job or not," Dasan says. "I may also ask them to write that down into a statement of work that includes how long it will take, what they will deliver and how they will implement it."

Here's an example of a network. Where and how would you put security controls into it?

Network managers are increasingly being asked to handle network security issues. When Lambert worked at Citibank, she would present a diagram of its network and ask candidates to draw and explain a security strategy. Similar questions are, "What other tools have you used to increase the security of a network?" and "What were you specifically responsible for to ensure firewalls and protect the network?"

Tell me about a mission-critical, 24/7 network you worked on.

"Many Network manager positions have to deal with a 24/7 environment," observes Craig Kapper, senior regional vice president for Robert Half International. "Ultimately we want candidates who can minimize downtime in a 24/7 environment." A follow-up question could be, "What type of redundancies did you implement for failover if the network goes down?"

What are some of the duties in your current or previous job that were satisfying to you?

Some people love to be involved with all the details of a project from start to finish. Others prefer supervising workers and allocating project details. "If they liked all the details at their previous position, then they may not work as a network manager, because the network manager has to oversee everything," Lambert says. Your answer also reveals your work habits, and gives clues on whether you know know how to motivate 

Explain your hardware experience.

Interviewers are looking to understand not only your hardware experience and strengths, but how you've leveraged hardware in the past.

Explain your experience with VPN, network authenticity management, encryption and integrity issues.

With more people wanting to access company information remotely and from different devices, network managers are often asked questions regarding remote access, Kapper says.

Some other questions you may be asked:

Explain your experience implementing VoIP or wireless.

What is PKI? Describe 802.11. 

How did you map and prepare a two- to three-year strategic roadmap for a network?

How did you negotiate with vendors?

How do you control network traffic?

-- Chandler Harris

 

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/interview_questions_for_network_managers

Interview Questions for Project Managers

Interview questions for project managers inevitably focus on past project experience. The ability to form detailed and articulate responses is one of the top factors recruiters look for, since the nature of the position entails so much communication. You should also be able to demonstrate excellent organizational skills when you describe previous projects, according to Vasanthan Dasan, CTO and VP of Engineering for the Armada Group, a cloud computing firm in Silicon Valley. Demonstrating time-management skills, and the ability to identify project roadblocks in advance, are also key.

Here's a sample of the questions you'll be asked.

Give me an example of a project you managed as it relates to this position.

Most project manager interview questions are related to previous projects. The project manager should be able to articulate project details such as planning, methodology, team management, risk management, collaboration, technical tools, obstacles, communication and results.

The best answer is to give an example of a project that is similar to your prospective employer's projects. If not, you should at least attempt to orient the answer as it relates to the position.

Here's a sample project. How would you go about planning, managing and completing it?

A variation on the first question, this one's designed to test your quick-thinking ability and depth of knowledge.

Talk about a project you worked on that had problems and what you did to fix them.

A similar question that may be asked: "Explain when an IT project wasn't in line with what the organization wanted. How did you get around that?"

"Project Managers are frequently asked about challenges and to reveal a situation where there was conflict that needed to be resolved," says Susanne Currivan, senior account manager for Project One, a New York-based IT staffing firm.

During a project, how do you inform all stakeholders of progress on a regular basis?

Effective communication is key to a successful project, so you'll need to demonstrate numerous ways and tools used to communicate with team members and stakeholders in the organization.

"Methodology and communication end up being a big part of the hiring decision," says Craig Kapper, senior regional vice president for Robert Half Technology. "Do they have the right methodology and does the project manager consistently relay progress reports to stakeholders?"

What tools do you typically use to monitor and control a project?

Obviously, there are numerous tools that can be used during a project, yet some are more robust and scalable than others. The idea here is to find out if you're using some of the more effective tools available, Kapper says.

How did you apply your training or certification to a previous position?

This question will commonly be addressed to probe your experience or certification, such as PMI. Interviewers may follow up with a request to give specific examples.

Explain how you established a relationship with your project team and how you collaborated to get things done.

This is a "culture fit" question designed to discover how you work with other people. A similar question is: "Give an example when you received coaching and how you reacted."

Others to look out for:

What project management methodologies are you most familiar with?

Give an example of a time where you had a conflict with, or disagreed with a boss or coworker.

-- Chandler Harris

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/interview_questions_project_managers_should

Interview Questions Project Managers Should Be Ready For

Interview questions for project managers inevitably focus on past project experience. The ability to form detailed and articulate responses is one of the top factors recruiters look for, since the nature of the position entails so much communication. You should also be able to demonstrate excellent organizational skills when you describe previous projects, according to Vasanthan Dasan, CTO and VP of Engineering for the Armada Group, a cloud computing firm in Silicon Valley. Demonstrating time-management skills, and the ability to identify project roadblocks in advance, are also key.

Here's a sample of the questions you'll be asked.

Give me an example of a project you managed as it relates to this position.

Most project manager interview questions are related to previous projects. The project manager should be able to articulate project details such as planning, methodology, team management, risk management, collaboration, technical tools, obstacles, communication and results.

The best answer is to give an example of a project that is similar to your prospective employer's projects. If not, you should at least attempt to orient the answer as it relates to the position.

Here's a sample project. How would you go about planning, managing and completing it?

A variation on the first question, this one's designed to test your quick-thinking ability and depth of knowledge.

Talk about a project you worked on that had problems and what you did to fix them.

A similar question that may be asked: "Explain when an IT project wasn't in line with what the organization wanted. How did you get around that?"

"Project Managers are frequently asked about challenges and to reveal a situation where there was conflict that needed to be resolved," says Susanne Currivan, senior account manager for Project One, a New York-based IT staffing firm.

During a project, how do you inform all stakeholders of progress on a regular basis?

Effective communication is key to a successful project, so you'll need to demonstrate numerous ways and tools used to communicate with team members and stakeholders in the organization.

"Methodology and communication end up being a big part of the hiring decision," says Craig Kapper, senior regional vice president for Robert Half Technology. "Do they have the right methodology and does the project manager consistently relay progress reports to stakeholders?"

What tools do you typically use to monitor and control a project?

Obviously, there are numerous tools that can be used during a project, yet some are more robust and scalable than others. The idea here is to find out if you're using some of the more effective tools available, Kapper says.

How did you apply your training or certification to a previous position?

This question will commonly be addressed to probe your experience or certification, such as PMI. Interviewers may follow up with a request to give specific examples.

Explain how you established a relationship with your project team and how you collaborated to get things done.

This is a "culture fit" question designed to discover how you work with other people. A similar question is: "Give an example when you received coaching and how you reacted."

Others to look out for:

What project management methodologies are you most familiar with?

Give an example of a time where you had a conflict with, or disagreed with a boss or coworker.

-- Chandler Harris

Post originale: http://career-resources.dice.com/articles/content/entry/interview_questions_project_managers_should