Interviews are getting more challenging over time. You should be adequately prepared before stepping into an interview room. There are specific questions that have been repeatedly asked that you should look at as part of your preparation.
In this article, we have put together 20 Computer Technical Support Interview questions and answers. These officers are responsible for helping computer users navigate different systems and handle problems that may arise with computers’ software and hardware.
You should therefore expect both technical and behavioral questions. Let’s take a look:
1. Why are You Interested in This Role?
The interviewer will always want to know what sparked your interest in a given role. The best answer will always put you ahead of other interviewees. Therefore, be careful when answering this question.
Tip #1: Ensure that your reason will favor the company. Do not mention things such as money or vacations.
Tip #2: You can use this chance to sell yourself. However, do not delve too deep into your experiences.
Sample Answer
I have always been passionate about computer systems. I have taken several courses and worked in different companies at different levels. I, therefore, believe that my experience makes me the best fit for this role, and I can bring a positive impact on this company.
2. What Does Computer Technical Support Entail?
The interviewer wants to know if you understand the roles of computer technical support specialists. Remember, you can only be perfect for the job if you know what is expected of you.
Tip#1: Avoid mentioning roles that are not related to the job.
Tip #2: You can mention some of the things you used to do at your former workplace.
Sample Answer
Computer technical support is all about identifying software and hardware problems and troubleshooting them. It also entails diagnosing, repairing faults, and monitoring while maintaining an organization’s computer systems and networks.
3. What are the Qualities that Computer Technical Support Require?
Computer technical support, just like any other field, requires a set of qualities for success. You have to understand these to do your job effectively.
Tip #1: The qualities you mention should be necessary for the job.
Tip #2: Mention the most important qualities and save some time for other questions.
Sample Answer
A computer technical support officer should have excellent problem-solving skills, given that this role entails identifying and fixing both hardware and software problems. It also requires good communication skills and an undying passion for technology.
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role and How Did You Manage Them?
You need not overthink this question. The interviewer is assessing your problem-solving skills.
Tip#1: Do not mention a challenge that you were directly responsible for.
Tip #2: The last part of the question is the most important.
Sample Answer
My last job involved working with older people who were quite slow. My primary role was to help them navigate through computers. However, I soon realized that some were impatient, and a number even lost their cool at times. I chose to understand them and channel all my time into helping and creating good relations with them, which proved successful.
5. What is the Daily Routine of People Offering Computer Technical Support?
The interviewer expects you to know everything that happens in the workplace. You will not land this job if you are clueless.
Tip#1: Only mention activities that relate to the job.
Tip #2: The best way to go about this is list some of the things you did at your former workplace.
Sample Answer
My day as a computer technical support specialist begins early. I am always seated at my desk before anybody else. I test and check the company’s computer systems, troubleshoot problems, and make necessary updates before positioning myself at the desk. The rest of the day is spent answering calls of help from different people.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience
Nowadays, not much emphasis is put on your experience as some companies prefer working with employees fresh from college provided that you have met all the other requisites. However, you still have to answer this question correctly.
Tip #1: Do not narrate what is in your CV.
Tip #2: Instead of telling the interviewer where you worked formally, mention some of the skills and experiences you have picked along the way.
Sample Answer
I do not have much experience on the job, given that I just recently graduated. However, I interned at one of the best tech firms in my city, where I learned a lot about information systems and how to troubleshoot different problems. I was also paired with other interns, which taught me how to teamwork.
7. What Kind of Strategies and Mindset is Required For This Role?
Do you know what it takes to succeed in the computer technical support field? Well, you need the right mindset and strategies.
Tip #1: Your strategy should be effective.
Tip #2: You can mention a mindset that has kept you going.
Sample Answer
Offering technical computer support means working with different people and departments, which may be a lot of work. Therefore, one needs to break down every day’s work and attend to one at a time. This is the best strategy that has seen me going. As for the mindset, one needs to be solution-oriented and not a whiner.
8. What is the Biggest Challenge that You Foresee in This Role?
An important hack that you should always adhere to is performing a background check on the interviewing company or organization. This will reveal the company’s challenges, missions, and any other information that you need to know.
Tip #1: Mention a challenge whose solution is easy to come by.
Tip #2: the challenge you mention should not paint you as incompetent.
Sample Answer
I have realized that the computer technical assistant’s office is at the far end, which makes him hard to reach. However, I believe that we can make arrangements to bring the office closer to other employees for easier access during emergencies.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated at Work?
It is common knowledge that work gets boring at times. Therefore, the interviewer should know what motivates you so that he can either make necessary adjustments or kick you out of the list of considerations. Therefore, be careful.
Tip #1: Never mention material things such as raises or leaves.
Tip #2: The best way to approach this question is to sell yourself.
Sample Answer
I always ensure that all my focus is directed to a given job until its completion. I perform lots of attention-boosting exercises, and therefore, I always find it easy. Also, I believe in meeting deadlines, and therefore, work tirelessly till they are met.
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10. Describe a Time When You Failed in This Role and The Lesson Learnt
Admitting failure does not make you less of a professional. We all face shortcomings that make us vulnerable to failure. The interviewer wants to know how you handle failure and whether you are willing to learn from such occurrences.
Tip#1: Show that you handle failure positively. However, please do not make the interviewer believe that you are comfortable with it.
Tip #2: Highlight the lesson learned.
Sample Answer
During my internship, I once forgot to back up some information I was given to feed as part of the extra work interns do. The computer crashed a few days later and went with everything. Luckily, I still had the drive with the information and fed it into a different computer before backing it up. I learned to be careful with data since it is possible to lose everything you have worked on in months in just a heartbeat.
11. What is BIOS?
This is a technical question. The interviewer must ascertain that you are at par with some of the products and technologies in the given market.
Tip #1: This is a chance to show your prowess.
Tip #2: Answer this confidently, convincing the interviewer that you know what you are talking about.
Sample Answer
BIOS is the primary output system found in all computers. It ensures that all the computer components function together. It is also known as special software and stored in the flash memory chip on the motherboard.
12. What Are the Common Hardware Components of a Desktop Computer?
Just like the previous one, this is a technical question. The interviewer is testing your basic knowledge of computers.
Tip #1: Show the interviewer that you understand computers.
Tip# Do not confuse hardware with software.
Sample Answer
The hardware components in a desktop are the motherboard, RAM, monitor, mouse, hard disk drive, power supply, and floppy disk. (You can also add others such as the processor and the soundcard. Just ensure that you get it right).
13. What Will You Do if a Customer’s Computer is Slow?
The interviewer is testing your expertise. Therefore, be careful when handling such a question.
Tip #1: Your answer should be chronological.
Tip #2: Convince the interviewer that you can deliver.
Sample Answer
I’ll first check whether the computer is taking too long to start before ascertaining whether it only happens in a given application or the entire system. I will then scan for viruses, spyware, and malware before checking the hard drive’s available space.
14. What Do You Know About Our Organization?
The interviewer wants to ascertain whether you did a background check on the organization.
Tip #1: Your answer should convince the interviewer that you have taken time to find out about the organization.
Tip #2: you can mention the services, reputation, image, and management style.
Sample Answer
This organization offers web-based services to several companies worldwide. It has managed to clinch the best performing IT company three years in a row.
15. What Is The Difference Between RAM and ROM?
This is a simple question. However, a wrong answer can disqualify you.
Tip #1: Be articulate.
Tip #2: Answer it correctly.
Sample Answer
RAM is used to store data temporarily, whereas ROM is a permanent type of memory storage that captures essential data.
16. What Would You Do If a Client’s Audio System Is Not Working?
Your troubleshooting skills are being to test.
Tip #1: Convince the interviewer that you are up to the task.
Tip #2: Show prowess
Sample Answer
I will first check the primary cable connection, including those leading from the speaker to the power source. I will then check out the device drive and the volume control function.
17. Why Does One Need Device Drivers?
This is a basic question that the interviewer expects you to know.
Tip #1: Show that you are knowledgeable.
Tip #2: Show that you are up to the task.
Sample Answer
The device driver is needed to run the hardware component of the computer system. (You can elaborate further. However, this is sufficient).
18. What are the Latest Computer Processors?
This question seeks to uncover whether you have been keeping up with trends.
Tip #1: Show that you are conscious of trends.
Tip #2: Try as much as possible to be lively.
Sample Answer
The latest computer processors are the I7, the I9, and Intel Pentium Quad Core. The AMD Ryzen 9 is also pretty recent.
19. Do You Know the Blue Screen of Death?
This is a technical question that seeks to determine whether you understand your craft.
Tip #1: Do not stutter while answering such questions.
Tip #2: Do not overexplain. You risk making a mistake
Sample Answer
The BSOD indicates a critical system, and in some instances, the computer freezes completely. It can be solved by booting or restarting the computer in safe mode.
20. How Long Do You Think You Can Take to Solve an Average Call?
You should be ready to solve matters promptly as a Computer Technical Support specialist. This falls under problem-solving, one of the most assessed areas in such interviews.
Tip #1: Convince the interviewer of your problem-solving skills.
Tip #2: Show that you are interested in customer satisfaction.
Sample Answer
The time taken to handle a call depends on the issue. However, judging from the calls I have been receiving, I can confidently say that it will take 2-5 minutes.
Conclusion
Computer Technical Support Specialists play an important role in organizations. We advise that you go through all these questions to prepare for your interview adequately. You can also come up with better responses. All the best in your interview!