Top Systems Administrator Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Systems Administrator interview by going through these most asked Systems Administrator interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Systems Administrator Questions
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  • Question: What is a hash table?

    • Question Overview: This question tests candidates' knowledge of basic computer science concepts.

    Sample Answer: A hash table is a data structure that stores information in a way that allows for fast retrieval. It's used in databases and other applications that need to store and retrieve large amounts of data.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A correct definition
    • - A mention of hash collisions
    • - A mention of the use of hash tables in databases

  • Question: Would you be open to relocation for this position?

    • Question Overview: This question gives you insight into candidates' willingness to relocate.

    Sample Answer: I would be open to relocation. I have a lot of experience with computers and would be able to learn the new systems quickly.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A yes or no answer
    • - A willingness to relocate
    • - A willingness to travel occasionally
    • - A willingness to travel regularly

  • Question: What is your experience with troubleshooting hardware and software in a domain environment?

    • Question Overview: This question gets to candidates' hard skills.

    Sample Answer: I've worked with Active Directory since it was first released. I've used the tools Microsoft provides, such as ADSI Edit, to troubleshoot problems. I've also used third-party tools such as the Quest AD Management Shell. I always document what I've done and why.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A mention of specific tools
    • - A walk through the process
    • - A mention of the importance of documentation

  • Question: What do you know about our company?

    • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how much research candidates have done on your company.

    Sample Answer: I know that you're the leading provider of cloud-based storage solutions. I also know that you have offices in New York and Chicago. I've read about your CEO, John Smith, and I'm excited to meet him.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A mention of a specific product or service
    • - A mention of a specific department or location
    • - A mention of a specific person

  • Question: How do you deal with difficult customers?

    • Question Overview: This question gets to candidates' soft skills. It's important for systems administrators to be able to deal with customers in a professional manner.

    Sample Answer: I always make sure to listen to customers and understand their needs. I also make sure to be polite and professional. I've learned that it's important to keep a calm demeanor and not let my emotions get the best of me.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Acknowledgement of the importance of customer service
    • - Acknowledgement of the importance of being polite
    • - Acknowledgement of the importance of listening

  • Question: What is group policy and what are they used for?

    • Question Overview: This question tests candidates' knowledge of Windows.

    Sample Answer: Group policies are a way to configure multiple computers at once. For example, you can set a policy that automatically installs the latest updates on all computers in the company.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A correct definition
    • - An explanation of how group policies are used
    • - A mention of security

  • Question: How would you define group policy user rights?

    • Question Overview: Technical skills are important in systems administrator jobs, and this question tests candidates' knowledge of a specific technology.

    Sample Answer: Group policy user rights are the permissions that determine what users can do with their computers. The most important ones are "Back up files and directories," "Restore files and directories," and "Take ownership of files or other objects."

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A definition that matches the one in your documentation
    • - A mention of the user rights that are most important to your business
    • - A list of the user rights that are most important to your business

  • Question: Example: How do you grow logical volumes in a Linux LVM environment?

    • Question Overview: This question tests candidates' knowledge of Linux and their ability to think on their feet.

    Sample Answer: I would use the lvresize command to grow logical volumes. The syntax is lvresize -L +size VG/LV.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A correct answer
    • - A mention of the command's syntax
    • - A walk through the process

  • Question: What will you contribute to the team?

    • Question Overview: This question lets you assess candidates' soft skills.

    Sample Answer: I'm a team player who's always willing to help others. I'm also a good communicator, able to explain technical issues in layman's terms.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A mix of technical and soft skills
    • - A mention of teamwork
    • - A mention of customer service

  • Question: If you were given a job offer from IBM, would you leave the company and join another?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to gauge candidates' loyalty.

    Sample Answer: I've been with my current company for three years, and I'm very happy here. I would be very sad to leave. However, if IBM offered me a job that was a better fit for my skills and experience, I would seriously consider it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A firm "no
    • - " An explanation of why the job is a great opportunity
    • - A willingness to negotiate salary and benefits

  • Question: How would you describe your current role and responsibilities?

    • Question Overview: This question is a good way to find out whether candidates are aware of what your business does and what your company culture is like.

    Sample Answer: I'm a systems administrator for a small company that provides web hosting services. I'm responsible for maintaining our servers and making sure that our clients' websites are always up. I also help with troubleshooting and customer service.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A description that matches your business
    • - A mention of the company's culture
    • - A mention of the candidate's role in the culture

  • Question: How will you untar a file verbosely?

    • Question Overview: This question tests candidates' technical knowledge.

    Sample Answer: I would use the following command: tar -v -xvf file.tar

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Correct use of tar
    • - The -v flag
    • - The -t flag
    • - The -p flag

  • Question: Tell me about your previous projects.

    • Question Overview: This question gives you insight into candidates' work habits and how they approach projects.

    Sample Answer: I once had to create a new database for a company. I started by researching the company's needs and then created a design. I worked with the company's employees to create a list of fields and then created the database. I also created a backup plan in case anything went wrong.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A project that shows initiative
    • - A project that shows the candidate's ability to work with others
    • - A project that shows the candidate's ability to work independently

  • Question: What programming languages do you have experience in?

    • Question Overview: Systems administrators should know at least one programming language, and this question helps you determine whether your candidates have the necessary skills.

    Sample Answer: I've worked with C++, Visual Basic, and a little bit of Java. I've also heard of Perl and Python.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A programming language that you use
    • - A programming language you've heard of
    • - A programming language that you don't know

  • Question: What is the difference between Windows and Linux?

    • Question Overview: This question tests candidates' knowledge of operating systems.

    Sample Answer: Windows is a proprietary operating system that uses a graphical user interface. It's easy to use, but it's not as flexible as Linux. Linux is an open source operating system that uses a command line interface. It's more flexible, but it's harder to use.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A detailed answer
    • - A mention of the benefits of each
    • - A mention of the drawbacks of each

  • Question: How would you troubleshoot a shared Outlook inbox where email keeps getting deleted.

    • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how candidates approach problems. It's also a good way to see if they have the technical skills to do the job.

    Sample Answer: I would start by checking the email server's logs to see if there were any errors. I would then check the user's mailbox to see if there were any errors. If there were no errors, I would check the user's Outlook settings. If all else failed, I would check the user's email client settings.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A walk through of the problem
    • - A mention of using Outlook
    • - A mention of using Exchange
    • - A mention of using a tool such as ProcMon

  • Question: What drives you?

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to reveal candidates' motivations.

    Sample Answer: I'm driven by the satisfaction of helping people. I love to learn new things and to share my knowledge with others. I want to make a difference in the world, and I want to be challenged.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A desire to help others
    • - A desire to learn
    • - A desire to make a difference
    • - A desire to be challenged

  • Question: Are you willing to work on other projects outside your comfort zone?

    • Question Overview: This question reveals whether candidates are willing to take on new challenges and how they react to them.

    Sample Answer: I'm always willing to learn new things. I've learned a lot about networking by working with a variety of different operating systems. I'm also willing to work outside my comfort zone. I've learned a lot about software programs such as Adobe Acrobat by working with other people.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A willingness to take on new challenges
    • - A willingness to learn new things
    • - A desire to improve

  • Question: What do you know about PSI?

    • Question Overview: This question is a way to see if candidates have done their homework.

    Sample Answer: I know that PSI is a leader in the field of data recovery. I also know that you offer a wide range of services, including data recovery, hard drive repair, and data backup. I know that you compete with companies like DriveSavers and Kroll Ontrack.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A basic understanding of the company and its products
    • - A mention of a product or service that PSI offers
    • - A mention of a competitor