Finding the perfect fit for your team can be tough – especially when it comes to IT, a field that requires a very specialized skillset. We wanted to get some expert opinions on what questions to ask a potential new IT hire, so we opened up the discussion on our Ultimate List of IT Checklists and asked for input from some Canadian IT professionals.

Below is a list of important questions to ask in an interview, according to these experts.

1. Tell me a little bit about how you got into IT.

It may be an obvious question, but finding out about a potential hire’s IT journey is an important part of the hiring process. This is also your chance to get a feel for a potential hire’s personality. Mat Panchalingam, Senior Manager of IT & Operations at IT World Canada suggests asking applicants to tell a (work appropriate) joke. “This is important to me because you have to have thick skin and a good sense of humor working in IT. Having a good sense of humor is key in cooling down hot situations and helping you help end users.”

2. How have you helped solve an IT-related problem?

Panchalingam then asks aplicants to describe their biggest screw-up, how they got through it, and what they learned from it. “I don’t consider any candidate who doesn’t have an answer to this because everyone has had a workplace mishap. Being honest and accepting that you aren’t perfect but can learn are vital [characteristics].”

3. How do you keep cool when a co-worker is facing an IT emergency?

In addition to solving problems on one’s own, an important skill for any IT employee to have is the ability to jump in and help a co-worker through a tough situation. Data Centre Administrator at Upper Canada District School Board, Todd Lamothe wants to hear about each potential hire’s involvement in the process of solving problems through teamwork.

4. What kind of computer do you have at home? Can you tell me about your network topology?

“I always ask new hires what kind of computer they have at home, or if it's for a networking role, I ask them about their network topology,” says Ben Lucier, IT Strategic Planner at Tucows. IT workers who are passionate about their career often have a very interesting setup at home, and this experience can lend value to their role at your organization.

5. Can you give me examples of things that you’ve modded in the past?

Pat Kitchen, IT Manager at High Road Communications, agrees with Lucier and expands, “Another good one is ‘Give me examples of things you've 'modded' in the past.’”. Kitchen says a question like this is a good soft opener in an interview.

We want to continue to build this list and gather your thoughts, so we welcome your comments on hiring for your IT team below. And if you would like to start another IT checklist, please visit our Ultimate List of IT Checklists here.

Terry Wells, Vice President, IT Infrastructure Operations, TELUS