It can be stressful to get ready for a job interview because you want to make a good first impression but don’t know what questions they might ask or what skills they’re looking for in the role you’re interviewing for.
This is the first part of our series of interview questions. In this part, we’ll talk about questions about personal background, people skills, and communication skills.
Below is a list of common interview questions along with some sample answers that should help you think of a new way to answer them.
Some of these questions will appear quite simple on the surface, such as ‘Tell me about yourself. ’ However the more open-ended the question, the more concise you have to be in your answer.
Interviewing at Sirius Computer Solutions? As one of the largest national IT solutions providers, landing a job here can be highly competitive. However, going in prepared and knowing what to expect can help set you apart from other applicants. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most frequently asked Sirius interview questions and provide tips on how to give winning responses.
About the Company
Founded in 1980 Sirius Computer Solutions provides complete IT solutions and services to organizations across the country. They offer infrastructure and security solutions, cloud data center and workplace technology, and managed services. With over 2,500 employees and $2 billion in revenue, they are one of the biggest IT solutions companies in the industry. Their focus is on forging strong, long-lasting partnerships with their clients to become extensions of their IT teams.
Common Interview Questions at Sirius
Here are some of the most common questions asked in Sirius interviews across various roles along with suggestions for responding:
Why do you want to work for Sirius Computer Solutions?
This question aims to gauge your interest in the company and role, Be sure to highlight
- Knowledge of Sirius’ solutions, services and company culture
- Alignment of your skills and values with Sirius
- Desire to gain experience working for a leader in IT solutions
- Interest in contributing to innovative projects and client success stories
What can you bring to Sirius Computer Solutions?
With this question interviewers want to understand the unique value you’d add. Focus on
- Specific skills, achievements and qualifications relevant to the role
- Transferable skills from past experiences
- Knowledge of emerging technologies and industry trends
- Ability to learn quickly and handle ambiguity
- Core strengths like problem-solving, communication, teamwork, etc.
Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer or client.
Sirius prioritizes delivering exceptional service, so expect scenarios probing your dedication to customer satisfaction. Structure your story using the STAR method:
- Situation – The background and context
- Task – The challenge, problem or objective
- Action – The steps you took
- Result – The outcome and impact
Emphasize how you identified the customer’s needs, delivered an unexpected solution, and strengthened the relationship. Quantify results when possible.
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and IT trends?
Demonstrate curiosity and commitment to continuous learning by mentioning:
- Online resources like technology publications, blogs, communities, etc.
- In-person events like conferences, meetups, training sessions
- Experimenting with new tools and solutions
- Certifications and coursework
- Engaging with peers to exchange knowledge
Tell me about a time you successfully led a technology implementation or migration. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
Pick an example that highlights technical expertise along with project management and problem-solving skills. Explain the situation, obstacles faced, systematic approach to addressing issues, and positive end results. Emphasize accomplishments like meeting deadlines, reducing costs and smoothing the transition.
How do you stay motivated when faced with challenges on long or difficult projects?
Share methods you use to regroup and renew motivation when challenged, like:
- Remembering the importance of the project goals
- Celebrating small wins along the way
- Collaborating with teammates for new perspectives
- Taking breaks to recharge when needed
- Visualizing the end result and benefits to users
Convey your perseverance, commitment to quality, and ability to maintain positivity under pressure.
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a team member. How did you handle it?
Even strong teams sometimes experience interpersonal issues. Demonstrate self-awareness and maturity in how you navigated the situation by covering:
- The source of disagreement or conflict
- How you approached the team member to understand their perspective
- Working together to find a compromise or solution
- Checking in after to ensure the relationship was repaired
Stay positive about the team member and highlight the desire to resolve conflicts constructively.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This question tests if you’re interested in growing with Sirius. Tailor your response based on the role and level you’re applying for. Focus on acquiring broader knowledge and experience so you can take on more responsibility over time. Express interest in leadership roles if applicable.
Why are you leaving your current job?
If transitioning from another job, frame it positively, like seeking new challenges or opportunities to expand your skills. Avoid bad-mouthing past employers. Instead, pivot to why you’re excited to join Sirius.
Do you have any questions for me?
Ask thoughtful questions about the role, team, leadership opportunities, etc. to show genuine interest and enthusiasm. Close by reiterating your fit and desire to join the company.
How to Ace Your Sirius Interview
With preparation and practice, you can feel confident and ready to succeed in your Sirius interview:
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Research the company – Thoroughly explore Sirius’ website, press releases, client case studies, reviews, etc.
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Tailor your resume – Update your resume to highlight projects, skills and experience most relevant to the role.
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Practice responding to questions – Use the common questions above to practice crafting winning responses.
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Prepare smart questions to ask – Having thoughtful questions shows engagement and interest.
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Review technical skills and concepts – Brush up on technical topics and terminology related to the role.
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Get a good night’s rest – Arrive well-rested, refreshed and ready to make a great impression.
With some preparation, research and practice, you can confidently excel in the Sirius interview process. Show them you have the skills, experience and motivation to thrive in the role and help drive success for their clients. Good luck!
Tough interview questions — and how to answer them
Tell me about yourself.
From the time of your birth onward, you can talk about anything you want. This seems like a simple interview question. Right?.
Really, all the hiring manager wants is a two-minute summary of who you are and why you’re the best person for the job.
When you answer this question, talk about what you’ve done to make yourself the best candidate for the job. Use an example or two to back it up, and ask if they would like more details. Always point back to an example when you have the opportunity.
When asked this question, don’t tell the hiring manager everything. Just say what makes you the best person for the job.
What influenced you to choose this career?
My past experiences have shown me that I enjoy facing and overcoming the challenge of making a sale. I am sure that I can talk to people I don’t know and persuade them that they need my product once I have practiced my presentation and thought about what they might say against it. Lastly, I like sales because the only thing that limits my chances of success is how much I work toward my goal. If any profession is founded on self-determinism, it surely must be sales.
At what point did you choose this career?
I knew that I wanted to pursue information systems technology during my second year of University. That’s when I realized that my computer hobby was taking up most of my time. My favorite classes were IT classes, and I also realized that I loved the computer-based work-study I was doing so much that I would have done it for free.
If I were to ask your manager/professor to describe you, what would they say?
Ah, the impending reference check question. Do not wait for the interview to know the answer. Ask any prior managers or professors in advance. If they are willing to give you a good reference, write down their phone number and the best time to call them. You may also ask for a letter of recommendation.
You can then answer the question honestly. For instance:
I think she would say I am one of the most energetic, results-driven, and hardworking people she has ever worked with. Actually, I know she would say that, as those are her very words. May I show you her letter of recommendation?.
If you have to live your life over again, what’s one thing you would change?
Focus on a key turning point in your life or a missed opportunity. Be sure to tie it forward to what you’re doing to still seek to make that change.
For instance:
Even though I’m happy with my life and think you shouldn’t live with regrets because you wouldn’t have learned anything from them, the one thing I wish I had done differently was start working on my career sooner. I had a great internship this past year and look forward to more experiences in the field. I just wish I had found my passion for this field sooner! For example, during my recent internship, I learned that
Stay focused on positive direction in your life and back it up with examples.
Why should I hire you?
Saying “I’m the best person for the job” is the easiest way to answer this question. Don’t be shy about it; back it up with reasons why you’re the best candidate.
For instance:
I know there are other people who can do the job, but I hold myself to a high standard when it comes to my work, so you should hire me! I learn things quickly, I take the lead, and I’m dedicated to getting the best results for the business. For example….
Are you more energised by working with data or by collaborating with other individuals?
I like the validity of information and also like the energy that comes with working with people. When you work with other people, you can combine the great ideas from different points of view and make something really great. This doesn’t happen when you work alone. At the same time, information can generate vitality in the project that you’re working on. No matter how many heads you’ve got together, without information, you can’t get very far. The ideal situation would involve working with both people and information, and I’m sure I can do well in both these areas.
Are you a team player?
Almost everyone says ‘Yes’ to this question. But it’s not a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ question. You need to provide behavioral examples to back up your answer.
As an example:
Yes, I’m very much a team player. There have been many chances for me to improve my teamwork skills at work, school, and in sports. For example, on a recent project….
Talk about important qualities a team player needs to have, like communication, collaboration, support, and motivation, to show that you know what a team player is and how to be one.
Talk about the strength of the team above your individual self.
This could be a lead-in question to ask how you deal with disagreements on a team, just to get ready for more questions.
Provide examples that show that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations and environments.
I’ve shown my ability to adapt by successfully working in several very different jobs. For example, I lived with and au pair for a family in France for a year, dealt with people in drug court, and catered to wealthy country club members. I did it all well and had no trouble adapting.
Tell me about a time when you used persuasion to get someone to agree with you.
Recently, my company asked for bids on a phone system for our newest office building. Two businesses came in very close with their bids, and most of my department wanted to go with a company we’ve worked with before.
After I had looked over the proposals, it was clear that this was the wrong decision. So, I talked to each member of our staff separately and was able to change their minds. I was able to get the best product for our organization that would save us money and give us the best phone system.
Describe a time when you had to use your written communication skills to get an important point across.
Some of the clients I had as an insurance salesperson would ask me to email them the policy options we had talked about on the phone so they could read the small print.
I organized it from their favorite policy to the runner-ups, listed the main differences between each policy, and confirmed the call-back time we had agreed upon so that I could answer any final questions they may have before making the sale. This way, they would be able to easily remember the most important parts of our conversation and find their way around the different policies.
Even though most of my work was done over the phone, I was consistently one of the top three billers in the company because I could explain our policies in a way that made sense and confirm the timeline with the client to close the deal.
Describe the most significant or creative presentation that you had to complete.
The most significant presentation I have ever had to present was at a national research symposium. I had to show research I had done on digital analysis of mammograms to a group of over 100 experts in the field. I focused on the research, which could sell itself and just let the information flow. It went over really well, and I got a lot more requests to talk about the research, even on national TV.
Part 1 of our interview series is now over. We’ll be back soon with Part 2: Judgement. Stay tuned!.
In the meantime, if you’re interested in a job that’s been posted, click below to get in touch with one of our consultants.
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Level 6, 3 Horwood Place, Parramatta NSW 2150
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