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  1. #1
    Field Supervisor 500+ Posts
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    new tech questions

    i've been doing this for over a decade now, i know, not as seasoned as some of you...lol

    but if you were to go looking for a new tech, no past experience, what would you ask them, what would you look for in the interview?

    i was basically asked if i knew how to turn a screwdriver and could read. that company tried to hire several techs after me and none of them stuck it thru.

    so how do you sort out the good from bad?

  2. #2
    Aging Tech 10,000+ Posts
    new tech questions

    copier addict's Avatar
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    Re: new tech questions

    Quote Originally Posted by LNorris View Post
    i've been doing this for over a decade now, i know, not as seasoned as some of you...lol

    but if you were to go looking for a new tech, no past experience, what would you ask them, what would you look for in the interview?

    i was basically asked if i knew how to turn a screwdriver and could read. that company tried to hire several techs after me and none of them stuck it thru.

    so how do you sort out the good from bad?
    I think the way is to create a test to check their general troubleshooting skills. Some kind of cause and effect type of test.
    Anybody can be a parts replacer, what you need is someone who can look at a situation and figure it out.

  3. #3
    Service Manager 10,000+ Posts
    new tech questions

    Phil B.'s Avatar
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    Re: new tech questions

    There were some things I always looked for in a new recruit:

    Does he work on his own car ( mechanical mind )

    Does he set methods of operation in daily tasks ( organized )

    Is he polite ( Customer Relations )

    How are his communication skills

    Give him some troubleshooting issues.... does he handle them well or is he lost ( google and lifelines can be your friend )

    Yes most times you can train a monkey to do this job. But you don't want someone that is arrogant or a know it all.

  4. #4
    Master Of The Obvious 10,000+ Posts
    new tech questions

    blackcat4866's Avatar
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    Re: new tech questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Phil B. View Post
    There were some things I always looked for in a new recruit:

    Does he work on his own car ( mechanical mind )

    Does he set methods of operation in daily tasks ( organized )

    Is he polite ( Customer Relations )

    How are his communication skills

    Give him some troubleshooting issues.... does he handle them well or is he lost ( google and lifelines can be your friend )

    Yes most times you can train a monkey to do this job. But you don't want someone that is arrogant or a know it all.
    This seems like a good criterion to me. I might add the Bennett Mechanical Test. I'm sure that I posted it somewhere ...
    Pre-hiring testing

    =^..^=
    If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
    1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
    2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
    3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
    4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
    5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

    blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

  5. #5
    IT Manager 10,000+ Posts bsm2's Avatar
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    Re: new tech questions

    Look for tech background, some pc knowledge helpful,
    Yes you can train anyone .


    Supervised 8 tech's at one time. All where good , some better
    some workout , some don't
    troubleshooting comes with time
    been a trainer
    a tech
    service manager
    IT manager
    If your good tech you can teach

  6. #6
    Copier Combobulator 500+ Posts
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    Re: new tech questions

    Can they tell the difference between coarse thread screws and fine thread screws? I guess one of my predecessors could not and would frequently put fine thread screws into plastic screw holes and ruin them.

    Do they understand that not every screw in a copier needs to be torqued down like the machine is going to run away if they don't? This is another good way to destroy plastic.

  7. #7
    Service Manager 10,000+ Posts
    new tech questions

    Phil B.'s Avatar
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    Re: new tech questions

    Quote Originally Posted by sturmtrooper View Post
    Can they tell the difference between coarse thread screws and fine thread screws? I guess one of my predecessors could not and would frequently put fine thread screws into plastic screw holes and ruin them.

    Do they understand that not every screw in a copier needs to be torqued down like the machine is going to run away if they don't? This is another good way to destroy plastic.
    a lot of "newbies" would just try to screw a PlastiTite just like a metal and strip the cover/plastic hole out.

  8. #8
    Service Manager 1,000+ Posts
    new tech questions

    Lagonda's Avatar
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    Re: new tech questions

    Quote Originally Posted by sturmtrooper View Post

    Do they understand that not every screw in a copier needs to be torqued down like the machine is going to run away if they don't? This is another good way to destroy plastic.
    Techs that insist on using 2ft 6in / 50 cm long screwdrivers worry me as you can over torque small screws to buggery with them. If you need to stand that far back to see the screw head its time to get your eyes checked!!
    At least 50% of IT is a solution looking for a problem.

  9. #9
    Service Manager 10,000+ Posts
    new tech questions

    Phil B.'s Avatar
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    Re: new tech questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Lagonda View Post
    Techs that insist on using 2ft 6in / 50 cm long screwdrivers worry me as you can over torque small screws to buggery with them. If you need to stand that far back to see the screw head its time to get your eyes checked!!
    sometimes ( due to engineers ) you do need a long screw driver. but 'overtightening ' is a rookie mistake, just like the Plastitie deal

  10. #10
    Service Manager 1,000+ Posts
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    Re: new tech questions

    With todays advanced network features, the role of copy repairman is quickly moving to network specialist 1st, parts replacer 2nd. I would try to find someone that has A+, Net+ but hates sitting in a cube. If they can point to the service end of a #2 phillips, then all they need is a couple of manufacturer schools and they should be good to go. Also be willing to pay a higher salary for the certs they may hold. I would also like to point out that letting a prospective customer know that all of your reps have the basic A+ net+ certs can be a make break for some. In many cases, the IT folks are handling the new copier installation, and it goes a long way when your tech can communicate on the same level with them. Emujo

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