Question Overview: This is a simple question that gives you a chance to gauge the applicant's enthusiasm for your organization. They should be able to give you a few reasons why they want to work for you specifically.
Sample Answer: I've been following your company for a while now and have been impressed with the way you've grown. I'm excited to be part of a team that is helping to shape the future of the industry.
Question Overview: The OSI model is a network design model that is used to help network engineers understand how different layers of the network interact with each other. The applicant should be able to explain the model and how it is used in their work.
Sample Answer: The OSI model is a layered network design model that helps network engineers understand how different layers of the network interact with each other. It's used to help with troubleshooting and designing new networks.
Question Overview: The applicant should provide a detailed answer that highlights their most positive work experience. They should also be able to explain why they enjoyed it so much.
Sample Answer: My best job was at a small business where I was the only network engineer. I was able to work closely with the CEO and COO to create a network that met their needs and was cost-effective.
Question Overview: BGP is a routing protocol that is used to exchange routing information between networks. The applicant should be able to explain the basics of BGP and how it works.
Sample Answer: BGP is a routing protocol that allows networks to exchange routing information. It's used in large networks where there are multiple connections between different organizations.
Question Overview: The applicant should be able to provide a list of projects they have worked on and the type of work they did. Look for projects that are relevant to your organization and that highlight their skills.
Sample Answer: I've worked on several network projects, including the implementation of a new network topology, the replacement of a core router and the creation of a disaster recovery plan.
Question Overview: This question is designed to see if the applicant has a basic understanding of how a socket and session are connected. The answer should be detailed and include the specific protocols that are used.
Sample Answer: I will use TCP to establish a connection between the client and server. Once the connection is established, I will use HTTP to send data between the two.
Question Overview: An access list is a security measure that allows or denies network traffic based on the source or destination IP address. The applicant should be able to explain how they would use an access list to protect your network from unauthorized access.
Sample Answer: An access list is a security measure that allows or denies network traffic based on the source or destination IP address. I would use an access list to restrict traffic from a specific IP address or range of IP addresses.
Question Overview: The applicant should be able to differentiate between a hub and a switch and explain why they are different. This question is designed to gauge their technical knowledge and understanding of the network.
Sample Answer: A hub is a device that connects multiple devices together in a network. A switch is a device that connects multiple devices together in a network and can filter the data that is sent between them.
Question Overview: The network engineer should be able to describe the network model in a way that makes sense to you. They should be able to explain their design decisions and why they made them.
Sample Answer: The network model I created for this company is a hybrid cloud solution. It uses a mix of on-premises and cloud-based resources to support their needs. I chose this model because it allows them to scale up or down as needed without having to invest in additional hardware.
Question Overview: This is a classic brainteaser question that you can use to gauge how quickly the applicant thinks on their feet. The applicant should be able to quickly calculate the answer and provide it to you.
Sample Answer: I came up in an elevator with six floors.
Question Overview: Conflicts are a natural part of any team environment. The applicant should be able to provide an answer that shows they have experience resolving conflicts and working with a team.
Sample Answer: I am very good at communicating with my team members. I can identify the root cause of the conflict and find a solution that works for everyone.
Question Overview: The OSI model is a common networking model that describes how data is transmitted over a network. The applicant should be able to identify the correct layer and describe the purpose of ICMP.
Sample Answer: ICMP operates on the network layer of the OSI model. It is responsible for error reporting and network diagnostics.
Question Overview: DNS is a critical component of any network. The applicant should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of DNS and how they would query the server.
Sample Answer: I would use nslookup to query the DNS server. This tool allows me to look up the IP address for a domain name and verify that the name is registered with the server.
Question Overview: The applicant should be able to explain how they would set up a backup circuit to route traffic in the event of a primary circuit failure. This question is designed to assess their knowledge of network redundancy.
Sample Answer: I would set up a backup circuit that uses a different path than the primary circuit. This would ensure that traffic is still able to flow even if the primary circuit fails.
Question Overview: The applicant should be able to provide an example of a time they had to deal with a difficult person at work. They should also be able to explain how they handled the situation and what they learned from it.
Sample Answer: I had to deal with a difficult client who was very demanding. I was able to work with him by listening to his concerns and addressing them in a timely manner. I learned that sometimes you have to give in a little bit in order to get what you want.
Question Overview: The applicant should be able to explain the process of connecting a mobile phone to a cellular network. This is a basic question that will give you a sense of their technical knowledge and ability to communicate.
Sample Answer: The mobile phone connects to the network via radio waves. The phone sends out a signal that is picked up by a nearby cell tower and then relayed to the carrier's network.
Question Overview: Group projects are a great way to gauge the applicant's ability to work with others. You're looking for a well-rounded answer that shows their ability to work with a variety of people.
Sample Answer: I've worked on several group projects in my computer science classes. I've always been the leader of the group and have been responsible for organizing the project, assigning tasks and keeping everyone on track.
Question Overview: The applicant's answer to this question will give you insight into their career path and how they got to where they are today. You're looking for an answer that shows that they have a passion for the field and a desire to learn more about it.
Sample Answer: I was always interested in how things worked and how to make them better. I was drawn to electrical engineering because of the broad range of topics that it covers. I wanted to learn as much as I could about the subject and continue to do so throughout my career.
Question Overview: The applicant should be able to explain what indexing is and how it works. They should also be able to provide an example of when indexing is used.
Sample Answer: Indexing is a way to organize data in a database so that it can be retrieved more quickly. For example, an index can be created on a table that contains customer information. This allows the database to quickly find the customer's information when it is requested.