IT Coordinator Interview Questions

Interviewer: Good morning/afternoon, tell us about your previous experience working in an IT-related role?

Candidate: Good morning/afternoon, I have had various IT-related roles such as the IT Specialist and IT Support Engineer. These roles exposed me to a plethora of responsibilities such as troubleshooting hardware and software issues, maintaining networks, and technical support to end-users.

Interviewer: Have you ever handled a difficult situation with an end-user? How did you manage it?

Candidate: Yes, I once had a scenario where an end-user had lost their data. I calmly explained the recovery process and the user was pleased to have recovered their data. I also advised steps they could take to avoid such occurrences in the future.

Interviewer: What do you know about structured cabling?

Candidate: Structured cabling is the installation of a standardized cabling infrastructure to support different types of hardware and systems in an organization. The primary objective is to ensure that the network runs optimally, minimize downtime and ensure scalability.

Interviewer: Do you have experience setting up and managing virtual private networks (VPN)?

Candidate: Yes, I have previously set up and managed VPNs to ensure remote access to our servers and ensure the security of data in transit.

Interviewer: Tell us about your experience with cloud-based applications and services?

Candidate: I have experience using cloud-based services such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and I have handled tasks such as user management, data backup, and collaboration management.

Interviewer: How proficient are you in programming languages and scripting?

Candidate: I am proficient in languages such as Python, Java, C++, and scripting languages such as Bash and PowerShell.

Interviewer: Have you ever worked with Active Directory and Group Policy?

Candidate: Yes, I have experience managing Active Directory and Group Policy and I understand how to manage access and permission to network resources.

Interviewer: Can you explain the concept of disaster recovery and business continuity planning?

Candidate: Disaster recovery is the process of ensuring that an organization can continue its operations in the event of a disaster such as a hurricane, fire, or cyber-attack. Business continuity planning is the process of identifying potential risks and developing strategies that minimize risk and ensure that the organization can continue its operations even during a disaster.

Interviewer: Have you ever implemented IT security policies in an organization?

Candidate: Yes, I have implemented IT security policies such as password complexity, multi-factor authentication, and restricted access.

Interviewer: How would you manage conflicts in a team setting?

Candidate: I would first listen to all parties involved, try to understand their perspectives and then find the consensus point. Where conflicts persist, I would escalate the matter to higher management.

Interviewer: How comfortable are you with diagnosing and resolving hardware and software issues?

Candidate: I am very comfortable with diagnosing and resolving hardware and software issues. My experience has equipped me with the skills to troubleshoot and resolve even the most complicated hardware and software problems.

Interviewer: Can you describe your experience with helpdesk software?

Candidate: I have used software such as JIRA and Freshservice to manage end-user requests, assign tasks to the respective teams, and track the progress of the tickets.

Interviewer: Have you worked with firewalls and intrusion detection systems?

Candidate: Yes, I have worked with firewalls such as pfSense and CheckPoint as well as intrusion detection systems such as Snort and Suricata.

Interviewer: Are you comfortable working with Linux-based systems?

Candidate: Yes, I am very comfortable working with Linux-based systems such as CentOS, Ubuntu, and Kali Linux.

Interviewer: Can you give an example of how you have contributed to the improvement of an organization's IT department?

Candidate: At my previous job, I implemented policies that improved the organization's data backup and recovery processes. This drastically improved security, lowered risk, and ensured continuity even in the event of a disaster.

Scenario Questions

1. Scenario: A user reports a slow internet connection. What steps would you take to troubleshoot the issue?

Candidate Answer: Firstly, I would check if the user's device is connected to the Wi-Fi network. Then, I would check the network usage to see if there is any unusually high usage. If that isn't the issue, I would check network speed tests to ensure there isn't an issue with the bandwidth. Finally, I would check the router settings to ensure its configuration is proper.

2. Scenario: The office experiences frequent power outages, and some devices have been damaged in the past due to it. What step would you take to resolve this?

Candidate Answer: I would suggest installing an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with enough battery backup to support the devices until the power comes back. I'd make sure to get UPS with features that allow for the safe shutdown of all devices connected to it.

3. Scenario: A user has accidentally deleted an important file. What method would you use to recover the file?

Candidate Answer: As long as the file hasn't been overwritten on the hard drive, it should be recoverable. I would first check the recycle bin or trash folder. If it's not there, I would use data recovery software; there are plenty of free and paid tools available online for this. However, in some cases, the data won't be recoverable, and the user would need to recreate the file or find it from somewhere else.

4. Scenario: A user's laptop is infested with malware. How would you assist the user in resolving this?

Candidate Answer: I'd ensure that the user doesn't use their device until it's resolved. Then, I would run a full system scan using an antivirus software. If the malware persists, I would look up possible solutions online or contact technical support. I would also advise the user on how to prevent future malware infections by, for example, suggesting that they avoid suspicious links or emails.

5. Scenario: The company email server is down, and employees are unable to send or receive emails. What steps would you take to troubleshoot it?

Candidate Answer: Firstly, I would check if the server is properly connected to the network. Then, I would check if there's a system update currently running or if any maintenance is scheduled on the server. If neither is the case, I would check the server logs to see if it has run into any issues, and troubleshoot accordingly. If needed, I would contact technical support or relevant experts to further investigate the issue.