Network and Computer Systems Administrators-Jobs Interview Questions and Answers in Qatar, Doha

Network and Computer Systems Administrators Jobs Interview Questions

7 Systems Administrator Interview Questions and Answers

Q:1 According to an HTTP monitor, a website is down. You’re able to telnet to the port, so how do you resolve the issue?

Technical skills matter a lot in systems administrator jobs. Thus, many of your interview questions should deal with assessing candidates’ hard skills, and this question covers several areas of required knowledge. Look for:

Identifying the problem instead of just telling hardware techs something is wrong
Ability to troubleshoot
Curiosity to figure out the “why”

“Assuming the web page is up, I would investigate what could be wrong with the monitor. It could be a system overload or flapping, among other issues. Identifying the problem helps me prevent it in the future.”

Q:2 Suppose you try to fix a problem such as passwords not working for a group of users, but your attempt fails. What would you do?

It is important for systems administrators to be unafraid of failure and experimentation. In fact, it can be rare for a first attempt at fixing a problem to succeed, and your candidates should have logical strategies for coming up with solutions. Look for:

A real strategy instead of trying things randomly
Recognition that multiple attempts are often necessary
A walk through the process

“I’ve learned from experience that a first attempt doesn’t always work. I always make sure to have at least two other backup plans. Here’s something that happened at my previous job …”

Q:3 What are three attributes that make you a great systems administrator?

This question lends insight into candidates’ self-awareness skills as well as whether their values match those of your business. Look for:

Answers that match areas of emphasis in your job description
At least one soft skill
Attributes that fit your company culture

“I’m analytical and curious. I always dig to find out why a problem occurred. Otherwise, it is liable to happen again and hurt the business. I am also a great communicator, able to share my insight with anyone in jargon-free language.”

Q:4 Why is it a bad idea to restore a DC last backed up seven months ago?

This question gets to candidates’ technical knowledge. DC means domain controller, and your candidates should know what it is. Look for:

Use of lingo or jargon
A mention of lingering objects
Knowledge of 180 days

“If you back up a DC seven months old, you could encounter lingering objects that lead to inconsistent data. Backup files, as a general rule, shouldn’t be over 180 days old.”

Q:5 What is your technical background?

Systems administrators can have a tremendous range of experiences and certifications, so it’s important to hire one who can do the specific job your business needs. Even if candidates’ resumes and/or cover letters gave an overview of their technical background, this question lets them explain some aspects in more depth. Look for:

Qualifications that match what you’re looking for
An explanation of how the candidate compensates for any gaps (work experience in lieu of schooling, for example)
Specific certifications

“I earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science four years ago. Since then, I’ve obtained my CompTIA certification and worked primarily in installing PCs and servers. I’ve developed a reputation for identifying problematic machines early on, and I enjoy customer service and software programs such as Adobe Acrobat.”

Q:6 What are you especially proud of in your experience with support for users and endpoint systems?

Many systems administrator jobs require interaction with users and knowledge of remote techniques and ticketing systems. This question ensures that the candidate will be able to do the customer service you require. Look for:

Ability to help and please clients
Specific examples) of accomplishments
Recognition of the value of a good client experience

“I’m particularly proud of the fact that I can effectively identify a problem and the best tools to resolve it. My clients often refer me to others and talk about how I quickly restore their functionality. In fact, here’s something that happened while I was at HTWW company …”

Q:7 We’re looking for someone who works well independently since the position involves field work and telecommuting. Give an example of how you’re a self-starter.

This question is position-specific and gets to the heart of whether the candidate’s personality fits the requirements. Someone who needs a lot of team support might not fare well here. Look for:

An actual example from previous work
A tie-in to telecommuting or field work for even more insight
How the example benefited the worker, client or another party

“I was fortunate enough to have a mentor at my first systems administrator job. He taught me the importance of initiative and preventing problems. So, I make it a point to touch base with clients regularly. In one of these instances last year, a check-in led to a conversation where I was able to identify the early stages of a badly written application. If not for that check-in, the problem could’ve gotten worse and proven extremely costly for the client.”