Use these questions to identify a candidate’s technical knowledge and abilities
Use these questions to determine how a candidate handled situations in the past
Use these questions to assess a candidate’s personal traits and cognitive skills
Why this matters:
DevOps is a highly technical field, requiring extensive knowledge of programming languages, cloud architecture, full-stack engineering, automation, and problem-solving. A computer science background is extremely helpful, though formal education isn’t strictly necessary and having comprehensive development and programming experience is equally valuable.
What to listen for:
- Evidence that the candidate is well-versed in common web and cloud technologies, automation, and other DevOps systems
- A great answer will highlight how they have applied and expanded their skills, as well as any implementation experience
Why this matters:
Since streamlining processes through automation makes DevOps strategies repeatable and more successful down the line, your new hire should be familiar with automation tools and software. However, automation can make you vulnerable to security breaches, so it’s important that the candidate understands the risks as well as the benefits.
What to listen for:
- Mentions of specific tools and why they are useful, along with concrete examples of how the candidate has used them in the past
- An exceptional answer will acknowledge how to prevent security vulnerabilities when using automation
Why this matters:
Top DevOps engineers have a strong sense of not only their individual tasks and responsibilities, but also how these impact the company as a whole. An ability to look at the bigger picture will be useful as they begin to spearhead long-term projects, allowing them to tailor projects closely to business needs.
What to listen for:
- An ability to clearly articulate the value that DevOps brings to an organization
- A great answer may demonstrate how the candidate has used automation to innovate workflows in past roles, showing a broader understanding of their impact
Why this matters:
DevOps engineers need to be highly organized and capable of juggling many tasks at once, without letting the quality of their work suffer. Since the various projects on their plate may be in different phases, your new hire must be able to pinpoint high-priority tasks and manage their workload effectively, ensuring everything is implemented smoothly.
What to listen for:
- Signs that the candidate can differentiate between tasks that demand immediate attention and ones that don’t—and prioritize accordingly
- Mentions of techniques they use to manage their time productively
Why this matters:
DevOps engineers frequently have to liaise with executives and other employees at the company to provide updates on ongoing projects. This requires them to distill technical information in a way that’s accessible to people from a wide range of background, so it’s important to get a sense of their communication style and interpersonal skills.
What to listen for:
- Evidence that the candidate was able to convey information in a way that ensured key concepts were understood
- A great answer will demonstrate strong verbal communication skills, as well as patience when sharing technical information with others
Why this matters:
DevOps engineers aren’t just responsible for programming and automation—they’re also valuable problem-solvers. Before they can brainstorm possible solutions and improvements, however, they need to identify the root cause of a problem, requiring attentive listening skills. These skills can also help them interact with other departments, allowing them to foster relationships built on mutual understanding and respect.
What to listen for:
- Signs that the candidate values the perspectives of other team members and is an attentive listener
- A great answer will provide an example of how the candidate was able to solve a problem by paying close attention to a particular pain point
Why this matters:
DevOps engineers frequently interact with team members across different departments, so maintaining positive working relationships is important. While you’re looking for insights into the candidate’s ability to work well as part of a wider team, this question can also tell you a lot about their level of self-awareness—and how they view themselves.
What to listen for:
- Evidence of good interpersonal skills and an ability to work successfully with people across the organization
- Top answers will demonstrate thoughtfulness, self-reflection, and humility
Why this matters:
The function of DevOps within a company is constantly evolving, and great DevOps engineers are constantly looking at what comes next. If your candidate possesses the insight to recognize opportunities to use automation or other DevOps programming to improve operations down the line, they may be a huge asset to your company.
What to listen for:
- A great answer will demonstrate an innovative mindset and forward-thinking approach to their work
- Signs that the candidate is keen to use their knowledge of technology to positively advance the company’s operations
Why this matters:
When DevOps engineers are deeply passionate about their work, they will often go the extra mile for their companies and take proactive steps to develop their skills. This question can help you identify genuine passion for the field, while also providing deeper insights into the candidate’s background and interests.
What to listen for:
- Evidence of passion, such as an engaged and animated answer and stories about how the candidate found their calling
- Signs that they are deeply invested in growing their skills and advancing in the field
Read our additional hiring guides.
