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DevOps Engineer interview questionsAutomation & Scripting Challenge round
A 60 min interview plan with a time-boxed script, what each question is for, and the signals to score against. Key skills: Automation, Scripting, Pipeline Creation, Tool Integration, Error Handling.
Opening
· 5 minWho is interviewing, how the round will run, and a question to settle the candidate in. The standard openingAutomation & Scripting Challenge
What this part is for
Purpose
Evaluate technical knowledge and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios.
Challenge: Create a script to automate the deployment of a simple web application. Requirements: - Use a scripting language of your choice (e.g., Bash, Python). - Automate the deployment process, including setting up the environment, installing dependencies, and starting the application. - Ensure error handling is in place for each step. Follow-Up Questions: - How would you handle errors during the deployment process? - What tools would you integrate with this script to enhance its functionality? - How would you test the script to ensure reliability?
What this question is for, and what to listen for
Purpose
Assess automation, scripting, pipeline creation, tool integration, and error handling skills.
Signals to score
- Clear understanding of the task
- Logical and structured approach
- Efficient and clean script
- Proper error handling implemented
- Integration with relevant tools
- Testing strategy explained
- Open to feedback and adjusts accordingly
Follow-up questions
- Can you explain your thought process on how to approach the task?
- How do you plan to handle errors in your script?
- Can you walk me through your script and explain each step?
- How would you test your script?
If you had more time, what would you change in your solution?
What this question is for, and what to listen for
Purpose
Assess the candidate's ability to reflect on their work, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Signals to score
- Recognizes limits in their original answer.
- Points out clear areas to improve.
- Suggests specific changes.
- Talks about how changes could help performance.
- Shares ideas clearly and logically.
- Shows a desire to learn and improve.
Follow-up questions
- What would you do differently if you had more time?
- How could you optimize your script further?
- Are there any additional features you would add?
Great job on the automation and scripting challenge!
What this line is for
Purpose
Provides positive reinforcement to the candidate, helping to build confidence and create a supportive atmosphere before moving into the final part of the interview.
Closing
· 5 minTheir questions for you, and what happens next. The standard closingDevOps Engineer interviews — common questions
- Who is this DevOps Engineer interview plan for?
- It is written for the interviewer, not the candidate: the hiring manager, engineer or panel member running the Automation & Scripting Challenge round for a DevOps Engineer role. It gives you a 60 min script to follow in the conversation — 2 questions with what each one is for and the signals to score against — so you are not writing the round from scratch the night before.
- What does the Automation & Scripting Challenge round assess?
- This round is focused on: Automation, Scripting, Pipeline Creation, Tool Integration, Error Handling. It works through Automation & Scripting Challenge, scoring against 13 observable signals, with follow-up prompts on both questions for going deeper where an answer is thin.
- How is the 60 min split up?
- 5 min opening, 50 min on 2 questions and 5 min closing. The questions take in Automation & Scripting Challenge (50 min). The timings are there so the round stays on schedule and every candidate gets the same shape of interview — which is what makes two candidates comparable afterwards.
- What other rounds should I run for a DevOps Engineer?
A single round does not cover a whole role. The other rounds in this library for a DevOps Engineer:
Hiring for this role?
Open this plan in Hirezen and make it a position in one click.
- Every interviewer runs the same script and marks the same signals.
- AI drafts the write-ups, and the debrief puts every read side by side.
- No ATS to set up first, and no bot in the call.
Free for your first open role.