Management Information Systems Jobs: How to Nail the Interview by ECPI University

Management Information Systems Jobs: How to Nail the Interview

Computer Science was ranked #2 as Forbes’ Top Degrees for Getting Hired in 2015, so in this competitive and interesting field, the candidates most likely to make it beyond resume screenings and advance to job interviews are the professionals who have demonstrated a willingness to go beyond the basics to develop their skills.

Advanced education signals that kind of seriousness and dedication to prospective employers. If you have earned your Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS), you should have an edge over candidates with undergraduate degrees. There are several paths from which to choose with a MSIS degree (What Can I Do with a Master’s in Information Systems?), including:

  • Web/Mobile Applications Developer
  • vArchitect
  • Cloud Administrator
  • Security Administrator

Getting Hired in Information Systems

In addition to your advanced degree, you’ll need a solid resume. But no matter how good you look on paper, you should still be able to speak to your skills with confidence, knowledge, and honesty. Many of the questions you may be asked will be technical, and that’s where you shine, right? But for the kind of management or leadership position that requires a master’s degree, some of the interview questions may be behavioral (For example, “Describe a stressful work situation and how you handled it,” or “How do you deal with conflict on the job?”). Here are some tips to help you ace your IS interview:

  • Being a workaholic may seem like a virtue, but well-rounded people with activities outside the workplace are usually happier employees who bring a more balanced perspective to the job. Be prepared to talk about hobbies and other interests.
  • Do your homework. Study the company before the interview, and be knowledgeable about the position for which you’re interviewing. Your interviewer will ask if you have any questions and you should have one or two prepared; this reinforces the appearance of interest in the company and in the position for which you are interviewing.
  • Interview question: “Describe a disappointing team experience.” – Perhaps the question will be, “Describe a positive team experience,” but the way in which you share your information is what’s important. This will reveal a great deal about how well you work with others and how you handle challenges. Give your interviewer an honest appraisal of the situation you are citing and focus on your positive, results-oriented actions within the team. Emphasize the leadership strategies you employed to motivate the team members.
  • Never discount or dismiss your previous experience as being unimportant or “no big deal,” especially in an IS management interview! Your experience and knowledge in hardware, software engineering, operating systems, database management, and any project development or supervision is important; your enthusiasm for Information Technology at every level of operation could be a deciding factor in getting the IS management job you want!
  • Be ready to cite what you have learned – in the classroom and/or the workplace – that has led to your business and organizational competency.

Tech Companies with the Worst Interview Questions

“By the time a candidate reaches the interview stage,” noted ComputerWorld, “managers say that they’re more concerned with learning about the individual’s attitude, social skills and compatibility with the company’s culture,” ... because the screening process has already reaffirmed the candidate’s tech skills.

ComputerWorld rated the top ten tech companies’ interview questions, and if you interview with these companies, go into it with a positive attitude, a sense of spontaneity, and maybe even a “what-have-I-got-to-lose?” attitude, because questions may include, “Why is a manhole cover round?” or, “What songs best describe your work ethic?” Still, many of the job-seekers rated their interviews as a relatively positive experience, despite the unexpected questions.

  1. Google
  2. Citrix Systems
  3. Amazon
  4. Adobe
  5. Microsoft
  6. Facebook
  7. Salesforce.com
  8. VMware
  9. NetApp
  10. Oracle

For those who are balancing a professional and personal life while working toward an advanced degree, “convenience without compromise” is what you’ll get with ECPI online degree programs, including the MSIS degree program. ECPI University’s Master of Science in Information Systems program is for goal-oriented professionals who are ready to take their skills to a leadership level. With a convenient, year-round schedule, you could earn your degree in as few as 15 months. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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