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Network Administrator interview questionsNetworking Skills Test round

A 60 min interview plan with a time-boxed script, what each question is for, and the signals to score against. Key skills: Networking Skills, Configuration, Network Troubleshooting, Command Line Tools, Subnetting.

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Introduction

5 min
•

Hi, I’m [YOUR_NAME], and I’m a [YOUR_TITLE] at [COMPANY_NAME]. I’m excited to learn more about your experience today.

•

Could you briefly introduce yourself and share what attracted you to apply for this position?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess communication skills, alignment with the role, and initial confidence.

Signals to score

  • Clear introduction provided
  • Relevant experience mentioned
  • Motivations for applying explained
  • Alignment with team values
  • Specific skills highlighted
  • Response is concise and organized
  • Understanding of role requirements

Follow-up questions

  • What excites you most about this position?
  • How does your background align with our team’s work?
•

Great, thank you for sharing! In the next 50 minutes, we’ll dive into a networking challenge to assess your skills. After that, you can ask any questions you have about the role or the company.

Networking Challenge

50 min
•

Scenario: You are tasked with configuring a small office network. The network consists of 10 computers, a printer, and a router. All devices need to be on the same subnet. How would you configure the network, including IP addressing and subnetting? Follow-Up Questions: - What command line tools would you use to verify the network configuration? - How would you troubleshoot if one of the computers cannot connect to the network?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess networking skills, configuration abilities, and troubleshooting techniques.

Signals to score

  • Clear understanding of subnetting
  • Correct IP addressing plan
  • Knowledge of command line tools
  • Logical troubleshooting approach
  • Considers potential issues
  • Explains thought process clearly
  • Demonstrates practical knowledge

Follow-up questions

  • Can you explain how you would assign IP addresses?
  • What subnet mask would you use for this network?
  • How would you verify connectivity?
  • What steps would you take if a device cannot connect?
•

If you had more time, what additional features or configurations would you implement in this network setup?

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 security measures would you add?
  • How would you improve network performance?
  • Are there any additional tools you would use?
•

Great job on the networking challenge!

Closing

5 min
•

Do you have any questions for me about the team or the company?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Gauge the candidate’s curiosity and interest in the role.

Signals to score

  • Thoughtful questions asked
  • Interest in company culture
  • Curiosity about growth expressed
  • Questions about role raised
  • Inquiries about team challenges
  • Engagement with responses shown
  • Desire to learn next steps
  • Focus on company values expressed

Follow-up questions

  • What interests you most about this team?
  • Are there any areas of the role you’d like to explore further?
•

Thank you for your time today. We’ll be in touch soon regarding the next steps.

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Interview Template
Position
Network Administrator
Round
Networking Skills Test for 60 min
Key skills
Networking Skills, Configuration, Network Troubleshooting, Command Line Tools, Subnetting

Network Administrator interviews — common questions

Who is this Network Administrator interview plan for?
It is written for the interviewer, not the candidate: the hiring manager, engineer or panel member running the Networking Skills Test round for a Network Administrator role. It gives you a 60 min script to follow in the conversation — 4 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 Networking Skills Test round assess?
This round is focused on: Networking Skills, Configuration, Network Troubleshooting, Command Line Tools, Subnetting. It works through Introduction, Networking Challenge and Closing, scoring against 28 observable signals, with follow-up prompts on all 4 questions for going deeper where an answer is thin.
How is the 60 min split up?
Introduction (5 min), Networking Challenge (50 min), Closing (5 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 Network Administrator?

A single round does not cover a whole role. The other rounds in this library for a Network Administrator: