Network administrators monitor network traffic, maintain network infrastructure, and prevent unauthorized access to networks and data. These professionals are vital in most businesses today because every organization has an active network connection and internal network. With solid analytical skills, you can enter the network administration field.
Job interviews give you an opportunity to make a good impression on the hiring manager, which is why it’s important to thoroughly prepare. This guide will cover network administrator interview questions and answers and tips to help you to find job openings. Read below to learn more about what a network administrator is and how you can be successful in this field.
What Is a Network Administrator?
Network administrators are responsible for maintaining an organization’s computer network and central database. They specialize in local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN) and are tasked with the installations of hardware and on-site servers. Additionally, they maintain and update computer systems and solve any technical issue that comes up.
You can become a network administrator by getting a degree or attending a coding bootcamp. You can learn about proxy servers, network monitoring, types of networks, and network topology. These programs also include topics like how to create a virtual private network and how to troubleshoot network issues.
Answers to the Most Common Network Administrator Interview Questions
Most network administrator interviews will include general, behavioral, and technical questions. The interviewer uses these three categories to assess a candidate’s technical skills and determine whether they are a good fit in the company. These network administration interview questions are the best way to prepare for your job interview and feel confident in the room.
Top 5 Technical Network Administrator Interview Questions and Answers
The interviewer will use technical questions to gauge the extent of your network administration skills. These questions allow you to prove that your technical abilities meet the demands of the position. Network admins need to know everything from basic network administration knowledge to more advanced topics like batch commands and party tools.
What Is the Difference Between a Domain and a Workgroup?
Domains are collections of systems that use a centralized authentication server. Workgroups are also collections of systems that have local user logins and rules tied to a particular system. Workgroups only work well in small numbers, and if they surpass a low threshold, it can be difficult to share and manage permissions effectively.
Are There Differences Between Global, Local, and Universal Groups? If So, What Are They?
There are quite a few differences between these groups, and it is important for network administrators to know them. Local domain groups specify which groups can access resources within their domain. Global groups enable access to resources in all domains within the forest. Universal groups can contain members from any domain within the forest.
What Is the Difference Between a Hub and a Switch?
Hubs and switches share many similarities in appearance, and both are used in network creation. You can differentiate between them by looking at the way the handles connect. Hubs broadcast data to all ports, while switches create connections dynamically. The latter is more reliable and secure.
What Are the Best Monitoring Tools and Approaches, and Which Do You Use?
The answer to this question entirely depends on which tools and approaches you favor in network administration. You could talk about how some of the common tools used include Wireshark and Nmap, and then discuss which one is your favorite and why. For example, you might prefer using Nmap during a network attack.
What Kind of Authentication Is Ideal for Network Access?
The answers to this question slightly vary between people. A sample response is, “I recommend two-factor authentication for identity verification because it offers strong security. Two-factor user authentication comes in different forms, including PINs, passwords, tokens, email authentication, and security questions.”
Top 5 Behavioral Network Administrator Interview Questions and Answers
Behavioral interviews allow interviewers to learn about your personality and values. These questions assist in determining how well you work with others and assess your problem-solving abilities and soft skills. They will sometimes ask you about your previous work experience and your knowledge about company culture.
Do You Have Any Training or Certification in Network Administration?
Formal education or training in network administration is highly valued by employers. Your answer to this question should include any educational avenues you’ve pursued and completed that relate to your profession as a network administrator. This is also a good opportunity to explain how your training or education qualifies you for this role.
How Did Your Role in Your Last Job Prepare You for This Position?
Your answer depends on what your previous job was and whether or not it’s related to network administration. If you have prior network administration experience, you can include that in your answer and relate it to the position you’re applying for. If not, you can talk about the things you learned in a previous job and how you can apply it to network administration.
How Do You Stay Updated on Trends Within the Network Administration Industry?
All aspects of the tech industry evolve and advance at an extremely rapid rate. Employers will be eager to know that you’re staying updated on these trends and changes. Your answer should include any of the ways that you stay up to date, which may include conferences, workshops, reading, forums, or networking bootcamp programs.
What Types of Networks Have You Worked With?
This is an important question meant to assess your suitability for the role. You should list the networks you have experience working with and detail the differences to support the extent of your understanding of them. It’s also okay to mention that there are networks you are interested in pursuing further knowledge of.
What Skills Do You Need to Improve?
Interviewers typically use this question to better understand where you may require additional training. Your answer should be honest and communicate your willingness to develop the skills that require improvement. You can talk about a specific challenging network administration experience and what you learned.
Top 5 General Network Administrator Interview Questions and Answers
Interviewers use general questions to learn more about who you are and how you would fit into the company. Although many general questions aren’t necessarily focused on the position you’re applying for, it’s important to keep your answers relevant to the position.
Why Should We Choose You Over Other Candidates?
This question is tricky because you don’t know the qualifications or qualities of the other candidates. The last thing you want to do is use your generic qualifications to justify being chosen for the position, as other candidates may have similar or even higher qualifications.
An example of a response might be: “I’m sure many qualified and talented candidates have applied for this position. However, I can promise that this is a company I value and would be honored to contribute to. Additionally, I’m committed to giving this role 100 percent and pursuing improvement in any necessary areas.”
Have You Worked as a Network Administrator Before?
It’s very common for interviewers to question candidates on information that is clearly stated on their resumes, and they do this for a variety of reasons. Use this opportunity to further detail the information given in your resume, while focusing on the responsibilities that have equipped you for the position you’re interviewing for.
For example, you can take about your experience creating a backbone network for another company or allowing remote access to a database. You could also mention a time where you managed to prevent virus threats and protect the network. This opens up the opportunity for the interviewer to ask additional questions about your experience.
What Can You Tell Me About Yourself?
This is a very broad question that often leads interviewees to ramble about many unrelated aspects of their life. It’s important to keep your answer relevant to the position that you’re interviewing for. You should include information about your education, work and experience history, future goals, and the reason you’re applying for this role.
Why Did You Become a Network Administrator?
Your answer to this question completely depends on your personal reasons for pursuing network administration. In addition to your reason, you may want to mention how some of the technical and collaborative demands of this career are well paired with your personality or skills. Network admins need to be dedicated to the role and to company culture.
What Is the Main Role of a Network Administrator?
A network administrator’s main responsibilities involve updating the entire network, training users, maintaining network logs, and accessing privileges. The role could also involve the establishment of user accounts, networking software, and storage installation. Another crucial role is troubleshooting network system issues as well as responding to service interruptions.
Tips to Prepare for a Network Administrator Interview
1. Research the Company and Industry
It’s very important to research the hiring company before your interview so you can answer company-related questions. This also allows you to lace information about the company into your answers, which helps to demonstrate your interest in the company and the reasons why you would be a good candidate.
2. Prepare Answers for the Interview
Although you can’t be certain of every question you’ll hear, there are many common questions you can expect. Based on the position you’re interviewing for, you can certainly expect technical, behavioral, and general questions. Practice answering these questions beforehand to help you to identify areas you need to brush up on before the interview.
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3. Prepare Your Questions for the Hiring Manager
Although you are the one applying for a position with the hiring company, you are entitled to ensure the company is a good fit for you. Most interviewers leave time for candidates to ask questions. Use this opportunity to ask questions that will help you assess whether the company can offer what you’re looking for.
What Skills Should I Put on My Network Administrator Resume?
Aside from educational and work-related information, you should include your technical skills and soft skills. While there are many skills associated with network administration, technical, multitasking, and problem-solving skills are among some of the most desired.
Technical Skills
The role of a network administrator revolves around technical tasks. You need to understand computer systems, hardware, software, routing, and information security. You can learn technical skills in an online network administration degree or any other high-level education program.
Multitasking Skills
Network administrators are often required to work on multiple tasks at once. Multitasking can include delegating and prioritizing tasks, but you will still have to direct your attention to several places simultaneously. For example, you may be asked to troubleshoot a piece of hardware and also complete an asset management project in the same week.
Problem-Solving Skills
Network administrators also need problem-solving skills because they will encounter network, software, and hardware problems. These issues will require you to accurately diagnose and resolve the issues, and your problem-solving skills are vital to this role. Make sure you have a good primary method and workflow for solving problems in the workplace.
How to Find Network Administrator Jobs
The most popular ways to find network administrator positions are all online. Some of these online resources include job boards, company websites, social media sites, job forums, and other job search platforms.
Company Websites
Company websites are an excellent way to find network administration jobs, especially if you already know what company you want to work for. Official websites usually have a career section dedicated to listing open positions, along with instructions on how to apply. Additionally, some company sites allow you to subscribe for updates on job openings.
Job Boards
Job boards are becoming the go-to options for job searches. Some popular ones include Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, and ZipRecruiter. These sites allow you to filter searches and choose the most suitable ones for your experience and skill level. They may also offer job alerts for different roles, including network administrator jobs.
Social Networking Sites
LinkedIn is an excellent social network site to find a network administrator job. It was designed for professionals to network and showcase their skills and abilities and for employers to seek ideal candidates. You can also filter your search based on positions near you and upload your resume so you can save time.
Network Administrator Interview Questions FAQ
What Do Network Administrators Do?
Network administrators maintain computer networks for organizations. These experts identify and provide solutions to network-related issues, install and configure computer systems, and assist users with updates.
Can I Become a Network Administrator Without a Degree?
Yes, you can become a network administrator without a degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that network administrators need a bachelor’s degree, but some companies prioritize experience and skill over educational credentials. There are also bootcamps and certifications that you can pursue in place of a bachelor’s degree.
Is Network Administration a Good Career?
Yes, network administration is an excellent career. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for network administrators is $69,182, which is a steady income and can grow even more over time.
What’s the Difference Between a Systems Administrator and a Network Administrator?
Network administrators focus on device scripting, IP addresses, routing, access points, and network proxies. On the other hand, system administrators specialize in data virtualization, system capacities, analytics, and inventory.
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