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 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: 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: 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: What will your colleagues say about you when you leave?

    • Question Overview: This question is a great way to find out what your candidates think of their coworkers.

    Sample Answer: My colleagues will say that I'm a hard worker who gets along well with others. I'm always willing to help out and make sure that everyone is on the same page.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A positive answer
    • - A mention of teamwork
    • - A mention of the candidate's ability to work with others

  • 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 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 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: 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: 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 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 think about moving to a more technical position?

    • Question Overview: This question gives insight into candidates' career goals.

    Sample Answer: I'm excited about the prospect of moving to a more technical position. I've learned a lot about the business side of IT, and I'm ready to learn more about the technical side.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A desire to move up
    • - A willingness to learn new skills
    • - A lack of interest in the job

  • Question: How well do you understand domain services and specifically PKI?

    • Question Overview: This question tests candidates' knowledge of the concepts behind domain services.

    Sample Answer: I have a solid understanding of PKI and how it works. I also know that AD DS is the directory service that is used to manage Windows domains. I've used AD DS to create and manage groups, users, and computers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Lingo or jargon
    • - Knowledge of PKI
    • - Knowledge of AD DS
    • - Knowledge of DNS

  • Question: What is the role of a router at OSI layer?

    • Question Overview: This question is a basic test of knowledge of networking.

    Sample Answer: Routers are used to connect networks and route packets between them. They are at layer 3 of the OSI model.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A correct answer
    • - A mention of the OSI model
    • - A mention of the router's purpose
    • - A mention of the router's function

  • Question: Can you change your resume to better match the job description?

    • Question Overview: This question gets to candidates' ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

    Sample Answer: I can change my resume to better match the job description. I've done it before, and I'm happy to do it again.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A willingness to change
    • - Acknowledgment that the resume is a starting point for the interview
    • - Acknowledgment that the resume is not a contract

  • Question: What is Windows Explorer?

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

    Sample Answer: Windows Explorer is a program that lets you browse your computer's files, folders, and drives. It's a part of the operating system, and you can access it by pressing the Windows key.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A correct answer
    • - An explanation of what Windows Explorer is
    • - A mention of the Windows key

  • Question: How are you with hardware VPN?

    • Question Overview: This question gives insight into candidates' technical knowledge and troubleshooting skills.

    Sample Answer: I've set up a hardware VPN before. It's not that difficult. You just need to make sure you have the right hardware and software.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A detailed answer
    • - Knowledge of VPNs
    • - Ability to troubleshoot

  • Question: What can you tell me about the Mainframe?

    • Question Overview: This question gauges candidates' knowledge of your company's infrastructure.

    Sample Answer: The Mainframe is a large computer that runs our company's applications. It is a powerful machine that can handle a lot of data at once. It was first created in the 1960s, and it has undergone several upgrades since then.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A description of the Mainframe's functions
    • - Knowledge of the Mainframe's history
    • - A mention of the Mainframe's hardware

  • Question: What would you do if your system crashed?

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

    Sample Answer: I would first check the system logs to see what happened. I would then try to restart the system, and if that didn't work, I would try to repair it. If that didn't work, I would try to restore it from a backup.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A detailed plan of action
    • - A mention of the first step
    • - A walk through the proces

  • Question: How will you resolve the issue of 401 in IIS?

    • Question Overview: This question tests candidates' ability to troubleshoot.

    Sample Answer: I would check the IIS logs to see if there are any errors. If there aren't, I would check the application pool's settings. If that doesn't work, I would check the Windows event log for any clues.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A real solution
    • - An understanding of the problem
    • - A walk through the process

  • Question: What is your experience with GUI systems?

    • Question Overview: This question gets to candidates' knowledge of operating systems and their interfaces.

    Sample Answer: I've worked with Windows XP, Vista, and 7. I'm familiar with the Start menu, taskbar, and desktop. I've also used the Control Panel to configure my systems.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Use of lingo or jargon
    • - Knowledge of the OS
    • - Knowledge of the GUI