Hi all

[Ryno]

Hi all,

 

I had abit of good news today basically i had worked at a school voluntary as an IT Technician

 

I am only 19 and have just recently applied for a job at a different school.

 

I have today just recieved a letter to say i have been short listed and have an interview.

 

I just need abit of information about what i should and shouldnt be saying really.

 

If anybody could give me a few things to help me out a little that would be great.

 

 

Thanks,

 

Ryan

[LukeC]

be yourself!

[glennda]

Read up on the basics of child protection and safeguarding! You it skills should show themselves!

 

Good luck and We are Always here to help

[Millgate]

Hi Ryan,

 

I'm one of the youngest people in my job so I've been in your shoes.

 

The best bit of advice I can give, generally speaking, is to be confident and friendly. Go in the room, shake everyone's hand and meet them in the eye and introduce yourself with a smile on your face. It makes you likeable and give the impression that, despite your age, you are a mature profession and more than capable of doing the job you are applying for.

 

I'm sure the other guys on here can tell you what kind of questions you'll be asked and what to say but that's my advice.

 

Hope it helps & good luck! Age doesn't matter!

 

Cheers

[glennda]

Oh Yeah age doesn't matter I started in this job 3 years ago @ 17 and now run a network of 900 clients and over 30 servers!

 

Having interviewed a few people on your shoes a few months back also setup some test installs at home and play around with basics like creating directory structures and shares etc

[Millgate]

I didn't think there was that many young people in your position to be honest @glennda. I'm only 22 myself.

 

I suppose glennda is proof the age doesn't matter. Get your head down and work hard and you can get any job!

[FN-GM]

As others have said your ages doesnt matter. I first got a job as a technican at 16 and got promoted to senior at 18.

[EduTech]

Yes, Just be yourself and be honest and present yourself as you continue to going forward. Age does not matter as others have also said I was a Technican at 16 being promoted into management positions by 20 and it is generally down the expirience and recommendations/references that have helped me get to where I am today.. but also those references come with being a good person showing the correct attitude etc.

 

Be Confident and I wish you all the best,

 

James.

[michael2k6]

I've been in a similar position to those above, starting at 16, and working for it.

 

I can echo everything that's been said, the trick is to be confident without being arrogant, the line is very fine but if you can don't come across as confident and personable how can they expect to have confidence in you - bear that in mine.

 

Good luck, let us all know how it goes!

 

Mic

[DSapseid]

I started at 17 as a junior tech and after a year was in charge as a senior tech after the network manager left and a restructure. Since gone to ICT Systems manager after another restructure and fighting to get the recognition, now 24.

[SW-ICT]

I know it’s hard, But don’t show them your nervous.

Prepare yourself for any question that they may throw at you.

(PM me if you want Ideas)

Make yourself stand out… (visual)

[betty02]

Hi Ryan,

 

I left school at the young age of 15 and started a 2 year apprenticeship, when I turned 16 (just before my 17th birthday) I applied for a full time position at a local school, the best advice is what has already been said really, just be yourself, be confident in the things you know, at the end of an interview they will ask if you have any questions, never say now, always think of 2-3 and show interest in these. Think for them whilst on a tour of the school etc.

 

it's a nervous time being so young trust me, they will be older then you too probably but think the fact your shortlisted means they are not bothered by your age and they are already considering you at the post. Be the best you can be, keep calm, keep smiling. I got the job btw and been here working my way up for the past 4 years so it does happen at such a young age.

 

Be well prepared and just try your best to enjoy the experience, if you don't get the job so what at least you know what to expect for future interviews

 

Simon

[Jamman960]

I imagine you'll know the answers to many of the questions just because you've already done work within a school environment.

 

I don't miss interviews one bit, no matter how confident I felt before getting there I'd always be a shaking by the time I got into the waiting room - to be honest if you're not nervous you're either too cocky or you have no real interest in getting the job... some you win some you lose and sometimes even though it dosen't seem that way at the time you'll think "Thank **** I didn't get that job!" months or years down the line. I'd hate to think where I'd be if I'd got the first tech job I applied for, I wouldn't have half the experience and wouldn't have met my wife.

 

Good luck with the interview!

[Ryno]

i just want to say thank you for all your comments.

 

You have all made me feel alot better in going for this interview.

 

Also all the young people that have commented is great

 

Thank you so much

[SC92]

I'm also 19 and before I got employed I did an apprenticeship at the school I'm currently working at. I was paid pittence but worked hard and it did pay off for me as i'm now full-time and currently responsible for our network of macs! By far the best advice I can give is to be prepared for anything they will ask you. I know this may seem hard but to put it into context, I came straight out of finishing college and the day I finished I had this interview, not knowing really much about networks at all. Upon finishing my apprenticeship here to prove I was competent enough at this job to be taken on, I was given a test on things that I'd been doing for the past year - so i'd advise just to brush up on things you may be a bit unsure of. Other than that, just be yourself. The fact that you've been working there voluntary looks quite good in itself! Best of luck.

[2097]

i was a network engineer for the council (22-24) after leaving Uni ( 1 week break after leaving to getting a job ! )

 

i am now a network manager at a secondary school .

 

Its great how far you can get with the correct opportunitys and a bit of luck ! .

 

good luck with the interview , go prepared and dont forget to ask lots and lots of questions for them at the end .

[mwbutler]

I got my 1st IT job just before my 18th birthday over 4 years ago now, and after 9 months I was promoted from junior to senior tech. I had no experience but showed them in the interview and subsequently when performing tasks in the job I was offered, I knew the basics well and was more than willing to learn.

 

It's good you have an interview as it means they are already considerring emplying you - you just need to sell yourself now. If something goes wrong on the day, stay positive throughout the entire interview process and if you don't know something just step back and say so. The worst thing you can do is lie or try top bluff your way through questions as it'll be obvious you don't know what you're on about.

 

Good luck

[oalcock]

Left school at 16 and started to work as an apprentice at the same school I worked at, then moved onto two other schools to widen my experience. Gained CCNA qualifications along with a couple of NVQs, an ITQ and an Advanced Diploma in IT. Now got great job for local government on good money (great place to work) at age of 21. These days experience counts for as much or sometimes more than qualifications.

[smudge1977]

As others have said be yourself.

 

I myself started out in it at age 24 coming from telecomms back ground. i had little experience and have worked for numerous companies now settled with an academy and other than being classed as an engineer get left to run the site myself most days.

as others have said be yourself and dont be afraid to admit if you are learning and not sure about some roles within the job.

I stood out from the crowd by not flannelling them and got the job for honesty.

 

worth also pushing on your strenghts even if seems silly to you.

 

Cheers

 

James

[DAZZD88]

I started as an apprentice at 16, straight out of school. I've been here ever since and I'm only just moving on now at the ripe old age of....23. Like others have said, be yourself and don't just accept the job straight away unless you get a really good vibe from the place. Depending on what type of school they are, they may ask you different questions. For example I currently work in a Catholic school and so a few of the questions related to my beliefs and how it may affect the Catholic ethos (at the time I'd no idea what ethos meant). As far as technical questions go, you'll probably just get asked about how you'd do something rather than actually being asked to do it.

[WoodyandBuzz]

They are bound to ask you what are your skills, list one of them as Patience, dealing with non IT literate teachers and students can be very frustrating, tell them you are calm and can speak to these users in a non technical way to get your point over and resolve their problems.

 

Good Luck.

[DAZZD88]

And when you get asked why they should give you the job, definitely resist the temptation to say it's because you're the dog's danglers...surprising but they may not like it (even if it's true).

[IanT]

I left school at 16, went into college and managed to get a part-time job as a ict technie at a school around the corner to me, then went full time once i left\finished college, went onto senior techie, network manager and a ict manager - all experience!

[Dagaz]

hmmm interesting one.

 

As people say confidence.

Think up some relevant questions to ask.

If you get a tour with students make sure you interact with them.

 

one of my favourite questions to students is whats you favourite thing about the it here and the worst. You get some real good answers and when they are quizzed later you will stick in their mind.

 

do your background research on the place.

 

hope it helps

 

Robs

[Ryno]

Hi all,

 

First of all sorry for not replying straight back its been very busy.

 

i went for the interview but i was not sucessful. Now i was browsing the internet a couple of weeks ago and noticed the job was back up. It looks like the person who got the job did not actually turn up. So i got in touch and asked can i apply again they were very nice and said yes. So i went ahead and reapplied and i found out 2 days ago i was sucessful i am really happy

 

Thank you all so much for all the help