How to hire computer and information systems managers
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Assign and review the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers. • Develop computer information resources, providing for data security and control, strategic computing, and disaster recovery. • Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines. • Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems. • Provide users with technical support for computer problems. • Recruit, hire, train and supervise staff, or participate in staffing decisions. • Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity. • Stay abreast of advances in technology. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: Bachelor's degree] • Strong critical thinking, active listening, reading comprehension, monitoring, speaking and writing skills • Working knowledge of computers and electronics, customer and personal service, administration and management and engineering and technology • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $84.20 an hour ($175,140 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for computer and information systems managers
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to assign and review the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to develop computer information resources, providing for data security and control, strategic computing, and disaster recovery. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Describe a decision at work where the obvious answer was wrong. How did you work out the better choice?
- Tell me about a time you had to understand a request or problem that was explained poorly. How did you make sure you got it right?
- Tell me about written instructions, a policy or a manual you had to follow closely. How did you make sure you followed it correctly?
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What computer and information systems managers do
- Assign and review the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers.
- Develop computer information resources, providing for data security and control, strategic computing, and disaster recovery.
- Direct daily operations of department, analyzing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines.
- Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
- Provide users with technical support for computer problems.
- Recruit, hire, train and supervise staff, or participate in staffing decisions.
- Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
- Stay abreast of advances in technology.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for computer and information systems managers
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +15.8% over ten years, much faster than average · about 53,500 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay computer and information systems managers
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| California | $218,290 |
| Massachusetts | $214,960 |
| New York | $214,300 |
| Washington | $209,370 |
| New Jersey | $203,460 |
| Louisiana | $127,500 |
| Arkansas | $127,220 |
| Mississippi | $124,280 |
See computer and information systems managers pay in every state
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Post this job on JAI Bot. Free to start: JAI Bot reads every applicant against your must-haves, shows the resume evidence behind each one, and helps you reply to everyone. People make every decision.
Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.