17 It Assistant Interview Questions and

Answers
Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from an IT assistant, what
questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering them.

Interview Insights
Published Jul 15, 2022

The role of an It assistant is to provide support to the It department of a company. This

may include tasks such as managing email accounts, organizing files, setting up and
maintaining computer systems, and providing customer service to employees who need
help with their technology.

If you’re looking for an It assistant job, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. In
order to get hired, you’ll need to be able to answer questions about your experience and
skills. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of common It assistant job interview
questions and answers.

COMMON IT ASSISTANT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

• Are you comfortable working with a variety of different software and hardware
systems?
• What are some of the most important skills for an IT assistant to have?
• How would you describe the role of an IT assistant in relation to the other IT
professionals in an organization?
• What is your experience with working with servers and databases?
• Provide an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with a
computer network.
• If hired, what would be your primary areas of focus during your first few weeks on
the job?
• What would you do if you noticed suspicious activity on a company server?
• How well do you perform under pressure?
• Do you have experience working with remote servers?
• When was the last time you updated your knowledge of emerging technology
trends?
• We want to improve our cybersecurity. What recommendations would you have
for us?
• Describe your experience with installing and uninstalling software.
• What makes you the best candidate for this IT assistant position?
• Which computer operating systems do you have the most experience with?
 • What do you think is the most challenging part of being an IT assistant?
• How often do you perform maintenance on your personal computer or device?
• There is a bug in the software you’ve been using to perform a task. How do you
handle it?

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Are you comfortable working with a variety of different software and hardware systems?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with a
variety of systems and how comfortable you are doing so. Use your answer to highlight
your comfort level with different software and hardware systems, as well as your ability
to learn new systems quickly.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with a variety of different software and

hardware systems. In my last role, I worked alongside several other IT assistants who
were responsible for maintaining specific systems within our company. While they
focused on their own systems, I was able to work with all of them to troubleshoot issues
or install updates when needed. This helped us ensure that we could meet the needs of
our clients no matter what system they used.”

What are some of the most important skills for an IT assistant to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to
succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your
strongest skills and how they relate to the job.

Example: “Some important skills for an IT assistant include problem-solving,

communication and organization skills. As an IT assistant, I would need to solve
problems that arise with technology, communicate effectively with other team members
and organize my work so I could complete tasks efficiently.”

How would you describe the role of an IT assistant in relation to the other IT professionals
in an organization?

This question helps the interviewer understand your understanding of what an IT

assistant does and how it fits into the organization. Your answer should show that you
know how to work as part of a team in an office environment.

Example: “The role of an IT assistant is to support the other members of the IT

department, especially the IT manager or director. I believe my job is to make their jobs
easier by handling some of the more basic tasks so they can focus on larger projects.
For example, when I worked for my previous employer, I would help the IT manager
with things like setting up new computers and printers, installing software and
troubleshooting minor issues.”
What is your experience with working with servers and databases?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with working in an
office environment and how you might fit into their company. It also helps them
determine if you have any experience that would be helpful for this role. If you don’t
have experience, consider talking about a time when you worked with servers or
databases to complete another task.

Example: “In my last position as an IT specialist, I helped maintain our servers by

updating software and troubleshooting issues. I also created new databases for different
departments within the organization to keep track of important information.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with a computer
network.

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to
troubleshoot. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you
took to solve the issue and how you were able to fix it.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for maintaining the company’s network of
computers. One day, one of the servers crashed and all of the employees couldn’t
access their computers. I immediately went into troubleshooting mode and started by
checking the server itself. After that, I checked each computer on the network to see if
they had any issues. Once I determined that the server was fine but there was an issue
with one of the computers, I rebooted it and everything worked again.”

If hired, what would be your primary areas of focus during your first few weeks on the job?

This question helps employers understand how you plan to get started in your new role.
It also gives them insight into what they can expect from you during the onboarding
process. When preparing for this interview, think about what skills and knowledge you
need to develop or learn before you start working on a project. Consider which projects
you would like to work on first and why.

Example: “I know that I have some learning to do when it comes to our company’s
software system. In my first week, I would spend time getting familiar with the system
and its capabilities. I would also want to meet with my manager to discuss their
expectations of me and what projects I could help with right away. I am excited to dive
into any projects that will help me contribute to the team.”

What would you do if you noticed suspicious activity on a company server?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you would handle a situation that
could affect the company’s security. In your answer, explain what steps you would take
to report any suspicious activity and ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Example: “If I noticed suspicious activity on a company server, I would first make sure I
had proof of the activity before reporting it. Then, I would immediately tell my supervisor
about the issue so they could address it with IT or management. If there was no
response from management within 24 hours, I would contact the CIO or CEO directly to
inform them of the issue and ask for their instructions.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see how you react in a high-pressure situation. They
want to know that you can perform well when the stakes are higher than usual. In your
answer, explain what steps you take to manage pressure and stay focused on the task
at hand.

Example: “I thrive under pressure because I know it’s an opportunity for me to prove
myself. When I’m working with a tight deadline, I make sure to prioritize my tasks so I
can get them done as quickly as possible. This helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed by
the amount of work I have to do. I also try to keep calm if something goes wrong or
there is a problem. I believe that remaining calm and collected will help me solve
problems more effectively.”

Do you have experience working with remote servers?

This question is a great way to see how well you can adapt to working in an office
environment. It’s common for IT professionals to work with remote servers, so the
interviewer wants to know if you have experience doing this and whether or not you
enjoy it. If you do have experience working with remote servers, explain what your
process was. If you don’t have experience working with remote servers, explain that
you’re willing to learn.

Example: “I’ve worked with remote servers before, but I prefer working on local servers
because I feel like there are fewer opportunities for mistakes. However, I’m always open
to learning new things, so I would be happy to try working with remote servers again.”

When was the last time you updated your knowledge of emerging technology trends?

This question can help the interviewer determine your commitment to continuous
learning. It also shows how often you update your skills and knowledge, which is
important for an IT assistant role. Your answer should include a specific example of
when you learned about new technology trends and applied them in your work.

Example: “I recently attended a web development conference where I learned about

several new coding languages that are more efficient than older ones. I immediately
implemented these new coding languages into my projects at my last job, which helped
me complete tasks faster and with fewer errors.”

We want to improve our cybersecurity. What recommendations would you have for us?
Cybersecurity is a growing concern for many businesses. As an IT assistant, you may
not be the one making decisions about cybersecurity, but your input can help inform
those who are. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you
understand how important cybersecurity is and what steps you would take to improve it
in your current or future workplace.

Example: “I think the first thing we should do is make sure all employees know how to
protect themselves online. We should also have more frequent security updates so
we’re always aware of new threats. I’d recommend installing firewalls on all devices and
using antivirus software to keep our systems safe.”

Describe your experience with installing and uninstalling software.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a specific task
that is often part of an IT assistant’s job. Your answer should include details about what
software you’ve installed and uninstalled, how many times you’ve done it and any
challenges you faced while doing so.

Example: “I have helped install and uninstall software on both PCs and Macs for
several years now. I typically use the manufacturer’s installation instructions to do this,
but if they’re not available, I’ll search online for alternative instructions or videos.
Sometimes I find that these are more helpful than the official instructions because they
show me exactly what to do.”

What makes you the best candidate for this IT assistant position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can
contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and
experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your
most relevant skills and explaining why they are beneficial to this position.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a great fit for this
IT assistant position. I understand the importance of organization in the workplace and
have experience with various organizational software programs. My attention to detail
also helps me notice small errors or inconsistencies before they become major
problems. These skills will help me support my team members as they work to complete
projects.”

Which computer operating systems do you have the most experience with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with operating
systems commonly used in an office setting. You may have more experience with one
system than another, so it’s important to be honest about what you know and how
comfortable you are using each system.
Example: “I’ve worked primarily with Windows 7 and 10 for my entire career as a
computer technician. I also have some experience with Mac OSX, but not as much as
the other two systems. I’m always open to learning new things, though, so if there is
something specific you need me to learn, I am happy to do so.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an IT assistant?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of what you think about your job
and how you feel about it. It can also show them if you are aware of any challenges that
may be present in their company’s IT department. When answering this question, try to
focus on positive aspects of being an assistant and discuss ways you would overcome
any challenges you identify.

Example: “The most challenging part of being an IT assistant is when I have to tell
someone they need to wait for assistance. As an IT professional myself, I know how
frustrating it can be to not be able to solve a problem right away. However, I always
make sure to explain why I am unable to assist them at that moment so they understand
my reasoning. Then, I offer to help them as soon as possible.”

How often do you perform maintenance on your personal computer or device?

This question can help the interviewer determine your computer skills and how often
you update software. It can also show them if you have any experience with specific
programs that they may use in their office. When answering this question, it can be
helpful to mention a time when you had to perform maintenance on your device or
personal computer.

Example: “I usually perform maintenance on my devices once every two weeks. I do

this by updating all of my software and running virus scans. I’ve found that doing this
regularly helps me avoid issues like viruses and malware. In my last job, I was
responsible for maintaining our entire department’s computers. This included making
sure everyone updated their software and ran regular virus scans.”

There is a bug in the software you’ve been using to perform a task. How do you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle problems in the workplace. It’s
important that your answer shows you can be proactive and solve issues as they arise.

Example: “I would first try to fix the bug myself, but if I couldn’t figure it out, I would ask
my supervisor for help. If they didn’t know how to fix it either, we would contact the
software company to get some advice on what to do next. In this case, I would also
document the issue so that when the company fixed the problem, I could use the
documentation to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again.”