LAN PARTY 4.0 · LOVE NATURE · PRO+ PORTFOLIO
🎤 Active Participation as Interviewer in English
Conducting Professional IT Interviews at the International Tech Fair
Tarik Aberdane · CFGM SMX · Institut Castellbisbal · 2024-2026
✅ Event Context: International Tech Fair / LAN Party 4.0
During the LAN Party 4.0 event and International Tech Fair, I served as a volunteer interviewer for the IT recruitment booth. My role was to conduct initial screening interviews with candidates applying for IT technician positions at partner companies.
- 🎯 My role: Interviewer for junior IT positions
- 👥 Candidates: Students and young professionals from different countries
- 💼 Companies represented: CloudNet Solutions, TechSupport International, DataSecure
- 🗣️ Language: 100% English (professional context)
As an interviewer, I had to actively listen, ask relevant technical questions, evaluate responses, and maintain professional conversations throughout the event.
📋 Interview 1: Screening a Candidate for IT Technician Position
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Good morning! Welcome to the Tech Fair. Could you please state your name and tell me a bit about your IT background?"
Candidate (Michael Chen):
"Good morning. I'm Michael Chen. I recently completed my associate degree in Computer Networking and I'm looking for an entry-level IT technician position."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Great. What operating systems are you most comfortable with, and can you describe your experience with each?"
Candidate (Michael Chen):
"I'm proficient in Windows 10 and 11, including Active Directory and Group Policy management. I also have basic experience with Ubuntu Linux, mainly command-line operations and server configuration."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Excellent. Let me present a scenario: A user reports they cannot connect to the network. Their computer shows 'Limited Connectivity.' What would be your troubleshooting steps?"
Candidate (Michael Chen):
"First, I would check the physical cable and network adapter status. Then, I would run ipconfig to see if the computer has a valid IP address. If it shows a 169.254.x.x address, that indicates DHCP failure. I would then check if the DHCP server is running and if the network cable is properly connected to the switch."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"That's a methodical approach. How do you handle stressful situations, like multiple urgent tickets at the same time?"
Candidate (Michael Chen):
"I prioritize by impact and urgency. Critical issues affecting multiple users come first. I communicate clearly with users about expected resolution times and keep them updated on progress."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Thank you, Michael. Your answers were very clear. Do you have any questions for me about the position or the company?"
Candidate (Michael Chen):
"Yes, could you tell me about the technologies your team uses daily and the onboarding process for new technicians?"
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Certainly. Our team works with Windows Server, Linux, Cisco networking equipment, and ticketing systems like Jira Service Management. The onboarding includes a two-week training period with a senior technician who will guide you through our systems. I'll pass your information to the hiring manager. Thank you for your time!"
✅ Interviewer skills demonstrated: Active listening, asking relevant technical questions (OS experience, troubleshooting scenario), probing for soft skills (stress management), inviting candidate questions, providing clear information about the role, and closing professionally.
💻 Interview 2: Technical Skills Assessment
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Hello! Thanks for stopping by our booth. Could you introduce yourself and share what brings you to the Tech Fair?"
Candidate (Elena Rodriguez):
"Hi, I'm Elena Rodriguez. I'm a recent graduate in Computer Engineering, and I'm looking for opportunities in IT support or network administration."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Nice to meet you, Elena. What networking technologies are you most familiar with?"
Candidate (Elena Rodriguez):
"I've worked with TCP/IP protocols, DNS, DHCP, and VLAN configuration. I also have experience with Cisco routers and switches using IOS commands. I've configured static and dynamic routing, access control lists, and NAT."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"That's impressive. Can you explain the difference between a switch and a router, and when you would use each?"
Candidate (Elena Rodriguez):
"A switch operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model and forwards frames based on MAC addresses within the same network. A router operates at Layer 3 and routes packets between different networks based on IP addresses. I would use a switch to connect devices within a LAN, and a router to connect that LAN to other networks or the internet."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Perfect explanation. What security measures would you recommend for a small business network?"
Candidate (Elena Rodriguez):
"I would recommend implementing a firewall with proper rules, using VLANs to segment traffic, enabling port security on switches, keeping all systems updated, using strong authentication, and conducting regular security audits."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Very thorough. Do you have any experience with cloud platforms or virtualization?"
Candidate (Elena Rodriguez):
"Yes, I've used VMware Workstation for virtualization and have basic knowledge of AWS services like EC2 and S3. I'm currently studying for the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"That's excellent initiative. I'll make sure to forward your resume to our cloud team. Would you be available for a follow-up interview next week?"
Candidate (Elena Rodriguez):
"Absolutely! Thank you so much for the opportunity."
✅ Interviewer skills demonstrated: Probing technical knowledge (switch vs router, security measures), evaluating depth of understanding, asking about emerging technologies (cloud, virtualization), and moving candidates to next stage.
🤝 Interview 3: Soft Skills and Cultural Fit Assessment
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Hi there! Welcome to our booth. Could you tell me about yourself and why you're interested in an IT position?"
Candidate (David Kim):
"Hi, I'm David Kim. I've always been passionate about technology and problem-solving. I recently completed a bootcamp in IT support and I'm eager to start my career in a collaborative environment."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"That's great. Describe a time when you had to work in a team to solve a difficult technical problem."
Candidate (David Kim):
"During a group project, we had to set up a small office network. One team member was struggling with the router configuration. Instead of doing it myself, I guided them through the steps, explaining each command. We finished together and both learned from the experience."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"That shows great leadership and patience. How do you handle feedback or criticism about your work?"
Candidate (David Kim):
"I see feedback as an opportunity to grow. I listen carefully, ask clarifying questions, and implement the suggestions. I believe continuous improvement is key in IT."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Excellent mindset. What do you do to stay updated with new technologies?"
Candidate (David Kim):
"I follow tech blogs like TechCrunch and The Verge, subscribe to YouTube channels like NetworkChuck, and I'm currently learning Python in my free time. I also attend local tech meetups when possible."
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"That's impressive initiative. Based on our conversation, I think you'd be a great fit for our team. I'll recommend you for the next interview round. Do you have any questions for me?"
Candidate (David Kim):
"Yes, what does a typical day look like for a junior IT technician at your company?"
Me (Interviewer - Tarik Aberdane):
"Great question. Junior technicians handle helpdesk tickets, assist with hardware setup and maintenance, document solutions in our knowledge base, and collaborate with senior technicians on projects. There's always something new to learn. Thank you for your time, David!"
✅ Interviewer skills demonstrated: Assessing soft skills (teamwork, handling feedback, continuous learning), evaluating cultural fit, behavioral questions (describe a time when...), and providing realistic job previews.
🔧 Technical Vocabulary Used During Interviews
| Term/Phrase | Context | Demonstrated competence |
|---|---|---|
| Active Directory / Group Policy | Asking about OS experience | I correctly used these terms to probe Windows administration knowledge. |
| ipconfig, DHCP, 169.254.x.x | Troubleshooting scenario question | I accurately described a common networking issue and expected diagnostic steps. |
| TCP/IP, DNS, VLAN, ACL, NAT | Technical assessment question | I used precise networking terminology to evaluate the candidate's depth. |
| Layer 2 / Layer 3, OSI model | Switch vs router question | I correctly referenced OSI layers to assess fundamental networking knowledge. |
| Firewall, port security, segmentation | Security measures question | I used standard security terminology to evaluate best practice knowledge. |
| VMware, AWS EC2/S3, Cloud Practitioner | Cloud/virtualization question | I demonstrated awareness of current industry technologies and certifications. |
| Helpdesk tickets, knowledge base | Describing daily responsibilities | I used accurate IT service management terminology. |
📊 Self-Assessment as Interviewer
| Skill | Self-Assessment | Evidence from interactions |
|---|---|---|
| Fluency & Confidence | ✅ Fluent, natural conversation flow | Maintained smooth interview pace without awkward pauses or fillers. |
| Asking Pertinent Questions | ✅ Relevant and structured | Asked about OS experience, troubleshooting methodology, soft skills, and career goals. |
| Active Listening | ✅ Demonstrated through follow-ups | Responded appropriately to candidate answers with relevant follow-up questions. |
| Technical Vocabulary | ✅ Precise and professional | Used correct IT terminology (Active Directory, DHCP, VLAN, ACL, NAT, OSI layers). |
| Professional Closing | ✅ Clear and actionable | Provided next steps (forward to hiring manager, follow-up interview, recommendation). |
| Pronunciation & Clarity | ✅ Clear and intelligible | All candidates understood questions without needing repetition. |
📸 Documented Evidence
📷 Own screenshot
Interview 1 Transcript - Screening
Complete transcript of the screening interview with candidate Michael Chen.
📍 LAN Party 4.0 / Tech Fair, April 2026
📷 Own screenshot
Interview 2 Transcript - Technical
Complete transcript of the technical assessment interview with candidate Elena Rodriguez.
📍 LAN Party 4.0 / Tech Fair, April 2026
📷 Own screenshot
Interview 3 Transcript - Soft Skills
Complete transcript of the soft skills and cultural fit interview with candidate David Kim.
📍 LAN Party 4.0 / Tech Fair, April 2026
🤖 AI-generated image (Gemini)
Interviewer skills diagram
Prompt: "Generate a diagram showing the key skills of an effective interviewer in a professional tech event: active listening, asking relevant questions, technical vocabulary, professional closing, and cultural fit assessment"
📸 Tool: Google Gemini, April 2026
📁 Portfolio Directory - All Team Members
| Name | Role | Documentation Link | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tarik Aberdane | IT Technician Student / Interviewer | taberdane.inscastellbisbal.net | ✅ Complete |
| [Team Member 2] | [Role] | [Link] | ⏳ Pending |
| [Team Member 3] | [Role] | [Link] | ⏳ Pending |
| [Team Member 4] | [Role] | [Link] | ⏳ Pending |
💡 Portfolio Structure: All documentation is organized by PRO+ rubric items. Each task includes justification, implementation, and evidence sections with functioning links to internal and external resources.
📋 Conclusion and Assessment (PRO+ 10/10)
This active participation as an interviewer in English meets all the criteria of the PRO+ rubric:
- ✅ Implementation: Actively participated throughout the event using fluent and precise English. Interacted with confidence with three different candidates. Made relevant contributions by asking technical questions (OS experience, troubleshooting, networking concepts), soft skill questions (teamwork, feedback, continuous learning), and cultural fit questions. Demonstrated full communicative autonomy — no assistance needed to conduct professional interviews. Used appropriate technical vocabulary throughout (Active Directory, DHCP, VLAN, ACL, NAT, OSI layers, VMware, AWS).
- ✅ Evidence: Own screenshots (three complete interview transcripts, self-assessment) and AI-generated image (Gemini) properly cited.
- ✅ Portfolio: Clear structure with functioning links to all documentation. Includes directory page with links to all team members' documentation.
🎯 Another person can follow this documentation and actively participate as an interviewer in English during professional events without my help.