Top 77 Interview Questions for IT Professionals

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Get Your Dream IT Job! 77 Questions You Need tobe Ready For

By Gosia Grabowska

April 16, 2008

Are you still looking for the IT job of your dreams? Don’t give up, it’s out there! I’m lucky enough to have

one, and so can you!

Finding an opening for an awesome job is hard enough; once you get the call for an interview, you need to

make sure that you’ll make a good impression. So before you walk in for your interview, here are the top 77questions that you need to be ready for.

Top Interview Questions for IT Pros

First you’ll find interview questions by position type:

Entry Level and Help Desk — for those who are starting out in the IT field

Top 77 Interview Questions for IT Professionals http://www.trainsignaltraining.com/it-job-interview-questions

1 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Network Administrator and System Administrator — for more advanced positions

The last set of questions includes general HR questions, some of which you might be familiar with.

As you’ll notice, there aren’t any answers, but that’s because I want YOU to come up with them. Do someresearch if you have to and maybe you’ll even learn a thing or two. The most important thing is that you will

be fully prepared! You will be ready for anything they’ll throw at you, and you will get the job!

I would also suggest that you practice answering these questions until you feel confident. Make sure your

answers reflect your knowledge, skills and personality — in other words, the real you — not what you thinkthe person interviewing you wants to hear.

Now before we get started, I would like to encourage you to add your own interview questions in thecomments below so that others can benefit from them. Try to stick to IT related questions, but general HR

questions are fine too.

Entry-Level and Help Desk Positions

These questions are mostly for Help Desk positions but I wouldn’t be surprised if an entry-level candidate

was asked any one of these questions. If you don’t know the answer, find it, memorize it and then practiceexplaining it in your own words.

1. What is the difference between a hub and a switch?

2. What is a network?

3. What is Active Directory?

4. What is TCP/IP and what does it stand for?

5. What is a default gateway?

6. What does DHCP stand for?

7. What is an IP Address?

8. What is the significance of the IP address 255.255.255.255?

9. What are the 3 major classes of an IP network?

10. What is a Class D IP address?

11. What is OSPF?

12. A user is complaining of delays when using the network. What would you do?

Network Administrator Positions

Some of these questions may also be included in the previous category for Help Desk Technician positions.

In either case, they’re worth preparing for.


2 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

13. What is the difference between layer 2 and layer 3 in the OSI model?

14. What is the difference between a hub, switch, and router?

15. What is a VLAN?

16. What is the difference between TCP and UDP?

17. How do you distinguish a DNS problem from a network problem?

18. What are a runt, Giant, and collision?

19. What is a broadcast storm?

20. What is the purpose of VRRP?

21. What is a VPN?

22. What is a default route?

23. How do you set a default route on an IOS Cisco router?

24. What is a metric?

25. What is a MAC address?

26. What is ARP/RARP?

27. Describe a TCP connection sequence.

28. What is MTU?

29. What other TCP setting can you modify besides MTU to shorten packets?

System Administration Position

Here are a few more questions that are a little bit more difficult. System Admins should know all these

answers by heart in addition to the Network Administrator questions.

30. What is the difference between layer 2 and layer 3 devices?

31. What is the subnet for a class C network?

32. Have you configured a NIS server/client before? If so, describe what you did.

33. Have your configured a NFS server?

34. What are RAID 1 and RAID 5?

35. What are the required components of Windows Server 2003 for installing Exchange 2003?

36. What must be done to an AD forest before Exchange can be deployed?


3 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

37. What Exchange process is responsible for communication with AD?

38. What connector type would you use to connect to the Internet, and what are the two methods of sending

mail over that connector?

39. How would you optimize Exchange 2003 memory usage on Windows Server 2003 with more than 1Gb

of memory?

40. What are the standard port numbers for SMTP, POP3, IMAP4, RPC, LDAP and Global Catalog?

41. Name the process names for the following: System Attendant, Information Store, SMTP/POP/IMAP/OWA.

42. What is the maximum amount of databases that can be hosted on Exchange 2003 Enterprise?

43. What are the disadvantages of circular logging?

44. >What is Active Directory schema?

45. What are the domain functional levels in Windows Server 2003?

46. What is the default domain functional level in Windows Server 2003?

47. What are the forest functional levels in Windows Server 2003?

48. What is a global catalog server?

49. How can we raise domain functional and forest functional levels in Windows Server 2003?

50. What is the default protocol used in directory services?

51. What is IPv6?

52. What are the physical & logical components of ADS?

53. In which domain functional level, we can rename a domain name?

54. What is multimaster replication?

55. What is a site?

56. Which is the command used to remove active directory from a domain controller?

57. What is the file that’s responsible for keeping all Active Directory databases?

General HR Questions

These general questions can be the toughest ones to get through. They might sound easy, but they require alot of thought and preparation. I would suggest writing down your answers first, then reading them over a few

times so that you’re comfortable in answering them.


4 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Some of these questions are very tricky and can get you in trouble. So if you run into problems finding agood answer, check out these 64 Interview Questions for some help.

58. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

59. What are your greatest strengths?

60. What are your greatest weaknesses?

61. What do you like about your current job or what did you like about your last job?

62. Give us an example of when you handled a stressful situation.

62. Give us an example of one of the toughest problems you had to face, and how did you deal with it?

63. Why do you think you should get this position?

64. Do you think you are the best person for this job? If so, why?

65. Why did you apply for this position?

66. Why did you apply for a position with our company and what do you know about us?

67. Why should we hire you?

68. Tell us about your short and long term goals?

69. Where do you see yourself five years from now?

70. Please explain, what does customer service mean to you?

71. What does being a team player mean to you?

72. Give us an example of how you handled a conflict with another employee?

73. What are your salary expectations?

74. What would you consider your most important accomplishment?

75. How would you define success?

76. At your last review, what improvements did your manager suggest you make?

77. What would your coworkers say about you?

I hope these are helpful! As I mentioned above, feel free to post your own interview questions in the

comments below.

More Related Posts

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Exchange 2003 Hacks2.


5 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Windows Server 2008 Certifications – Death to the MCSE3.New Training Release: Small Business Server 2003 Training4.

Microsoft TechNet: Exchange Server TechCenter5.

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

About the Author

Gosia Grabowska (CCNA, Network+, MOS) is an experienced Network Support Specialist and an expert in

Windows Server support. She graduated from DePaul University, Chicago with a Bachelor degree in NetworkTechnologies with highest honors. Gosia has over 8 years of technical and support experience and has

worked as Systems Administrator for a high profile law firm, where she managed the Backup and DisasterRecovery plan. Gosia has been a part of the Train Signal team since 2006 as the Product Manager and has

written many articles on a variety of topics, including Exchange Server 2007, Windows Vista, Small BusinessServer, and more.

Discussion

61 comments and trackbacks for “Get Your Dream IT Job! 77 Questions You Need to be Ready For”

Comments

Posted by Johan on April 17, 2008, 11:29 am

Thanks a lot Gosia. Very good article !

This will certainly help a lot of us.

My top tip of the day is:

* Make sure you read through your CV/Resume when you go for an interview. If you can’t talk aboutwhat you have written in your own CV, how do you expect anyone to take you serious !!

Trust me, I have seen so many people make this mistake !!

1.

Posted by Alvin on April 18, 2008, 10:43 am2.


6 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Hi!

I’m very glad I found this site… =)

Well, I’d like to add my own interview questions for Entry-level & Help Desk positions.My question is:

What is the difference between computers within a Domain and computers within a Workgroup?

Thanks!

ALviN™

Posted by deepak garg on April 23, 2008, 8:31 am

thanks ..

i found this site , this is really proved helpful to me.

can u provide answers with them

3.

Posted by Jerry on April 24, 2008, 11:56 am

How about a short summary answer for each question, please

4.

Posted by WUI on April 24, 2008, 12:10 pm

Thank you very much !! Do you also have a guide on how to write a prefect resume?

5.

Posted by Lee Ann on April 24, 2008, 12:45 pm

Very nice write-up…. and a good review for everyone — even if we already have a good job. I had tothink a bit on how I’d explain some of these concepts that we work with everyday!

6.

Posted by Brian on April 24, 2008, 4:39 pm

Very good questions, How about answer for each question, as jerry said

7.


7 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Thank you yery much.

Posted by Ali on April 24, 2008, 11:41 pm

if she answers them then the next request will be; can you please take my place during the interview?

8.

Posted by Mohit Juneja on April 25, 2008, 12:49 am

Hy,thanks for these exclusive interview questions, basically i am sr. technical trainer,

these questions will help my students a lot.

Mohit Juneja

Sr. Technical TrainerNICE College (Microsoft IT Academy), Bareilly

9.

Posted by Ramnath2k on April 25, 2008, 2:02 am

I think you guys rock..! Not only with your Quality Training products these types of small small tipsreally help me to improve my skills are preparation for the interview.

Keep up the good work keep mailing these types of reviews and interview tips. It would be great if youprovide some personality development skills.

Thanks you train signal

Ramnath Rajagopalan

10.

Posted by Olajide on April 25, 2008, 2:05 am

Wow!This is great. this is just what i need

Jide

11.

Posted by syed on April 27, 2008, 12:19 am12.


8 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

sir,

this are very good and important question.

but i like if you give us answer too.

hope you do the same next time

thankyou,

Posted by Mohammed on April 28, 2008, 12:54 am

Hats off to you.

Excellent tips to fight the interview.Answers to those questions will be appreciated.

Keep it up.

13.

Posted by Dwayne on April 28, 2008, 9:45 am

I am a Systems Administrator. I love my job. And if you don’t research and find the answers to these

excellent questions on your own, then you don’t deserve a job. Don’t be afraid to say I don’t know tosome questions. Sometimes an employer will ask questions specific to their company’s network. And

there is no way you could know the answer. But, they want to see if you will admit it and ask for helpor make up some crap. They want to see if your a team player and not a “I know it all” type of person.

14.

Posted by Isaac Kumah on April 29, 2008, 6:03 am

This is great,this is what ihaving looking for.please can you provide ansers to the quastions. thank u

15.

Posted by Isaac Kumah on April 29, 2008, 6:11 am

You poeple are fantastic

16.

Posted by armyadera on May 22, 2008, 5:10 am17.


9 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

wow

Excellent tips to fight the interview.

Answers to those questions will be appreciatedthank u

Posted by David Agbenyega on July 9, 2008, 7:40 am

wow,this is very a productive tips appreciated, please kip it up

thank u

18.

Posted by Oyetunji Olayinka on July 21, 2008, 6:41 am

keep this up, it is fantastic, thank you.

19.

Posted by Vijay on July 23, 2008, 2:36 am

w’ll according to the above response…..i wanna to go diff’nt way.. u have to add some server HW,TS server,Raid configuration,

Myself Vijay working as a system admin.

keep it up guys

20.

Posted by Kato Lubega on July 27, 2008, 5:52 am

This is fantastic-thumbs up for Train Signal Training. Am trying to open my door to IT industry,and ibelieve my reading will be based on your questions at some crucial point in time!!! Any one’s support

and mentorship is highly considered and welcome! Thanx.

Kato Lubega

21.

Posted by Nana007 on July 31, 2008, 3:48 pm22.


10 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Great Stuff! I agree that one has to do the research in order to grasp the answers to these questions,however, can you suggest a web-site or a good IT publication as a guide.

Thanks a bunch!

BTW I have bought a few training videos from you and they are worth the bucks!

Train Signal Team Member

Posted by Kasia Grabowska on July 16, 2008, 3:54 pm

In response to:

WUI Says:April 24th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

“Thank you very much !! Do you also have a guide on how to write a prefect resume?”

Now we do!

Check out Zach’s 10 Tips to Writing an IT Resume that Sells

/resume-tips/2008-06-16/

23.

Posted by bandu on August 2, 2008, 5:01 am

This is great,this is what I having looking for.please can you provide ansers to thequastions. thank you

24.

Posted by umesh on August 12, 2008, 4:10 pm

thanks ..

i found this site , this is really proved helpful to me.

can u provide answers with them

25.

Posted by Avi R on August 20, 2008, 8:23 am

Thank you!

Great list..

26.


11 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Ill add my own

http://www.kreslavsky.com/2008/08/active-directory-interview-questions.html

Posted by Kurt T on November 6, 2008, 1:38 pm

People, people, people… First off, she says right at the beginning, if you don’t know the answer, findit. When you are at school, does the teacher give you the answers??? No.

This is your career we are talking about. If you stumble upon something in your job that you don’tknow, most of the time it will be up to you to find the answer and fix it. And by researching and finding

the answer on your own, it will most likely stay with you longer, and you will probably have learnedother things along the way…

Great article Gosia!!!

27.

Posted by Rohan Shinde on November 7, 2008, 8:06 am

Thanks Kurt T, I liked ur opinion..

N heartly thanks to my babe Gosia..

Gr8 Work..

Cheers!!!

like to hear more..

28.

Posted by karimbarna on November 13, 2008, 11:53 am

first thanks

its really hellpful

thanks alot but how about answer if possiblethanks

29.

Posted by Ed B on November 16, 2008, 7:53 pm

Come on people!

30.


12 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Do you want her to go do the interview for you too? Maybe she can work for you too. You can stayhome and just have the paycheck sent to you, so you don’t have to do anything at all.

I can’t believe how lazy people have gotten.

Post Author

Posted by Gosia Grabowska on November 17, 2008, 10:34 am

Thank You guys!

Well, I know most of you really want me to post the answers but trust me, the answers are out there.

All you need to do is a quick search on google and you will find them all. Promise.

So, get to work and good luck!

31.

Posted by Charles Wilson on November 18, 2008, 10:50 am

This stuff does gives you that punch to get in to your dream IT job thanks very much

32.

Posted by Ahmad Zozo on November 24, 2008, 2:27 am

very Great article so thanks a lot

but please please please can u provide answers with them !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!specialy the questions for System Administrator .

33.

Posted by Tumi on December 3, 2008, 4:39 am

very helpful to IT industry. soon i wil get asked one of these questions but where wil i get answers. plizhelp……………………..

34.

Posted by Tommy G on December 4, 2008, 1:26 pm

Excellent article. Those people who asked for the answers are probably the same people who go toBraindump sites to get the answers to the Certification Exams. Not wanting to do a little research says

35.


13 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

a lot about your character. Taking the easy route isn’t always the right choice.

Posted by Tarun on December 11, 2008, 11:47 pm

Answers to these question will be helpful.If u can plz send it to my mail,i will be thankful to u.Wiating

for ur answer.

36.

Posted by Pete on December 18, 2008, 1:59 pm

Appreciate this so much…

37.

Posted by Maat on December 30, 2008, 4:44 am

My goal is to answer all of those questions like the IT Professional I want to be!! I just watched a goodamount of the videos. At first I thought, how about some answers. Then I thought that was very weak

of me, seeing how I froze up and my mind became a clean slate in my first IT interview!! I read thequestions and froze up again!…looked around…oh, I’m home!!

All the answers are in the videos. Take notes if needed. I got certified in 2001 and 2004. I’m so rustyand dusty it’s not funny. After viewing the videos, I’m like….Oh yeah, I remember. I can laugh at

myself…on my first interview I said BIOS was Basic Information OperatingSystem….OOOOWWCH!!! I know that wasn’t the answer!

Having most my materials from school destroyed, this site is more than a blessing! On my nextinterview I’ll know what to expect and show how I scored over 900 on my infrastructure test, instead

of saying..but I scored real high! Man O Man!!

I LOVE THIS SITE AND THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH IT!!!

I’ll post again after my next interview!Thanks again for the oil and the dust buster.

38.

Posted by jatsho on January 9, 2009, 3:37 am

i have a interview after few days, plz provide answers.

39.

Posted by Manu on January 11, 2009, 10:44 pm40.


14 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

I am working at a small firm as a system administrator. I am going to appear for an interview for thesame post in a big firm. So I have to manipulate the infrastructure of my current firm. How to explain

them the current job?

Posted by adams on January 17, 2009, 8:59 am

i was indeed bless with that article. i think i have just gotten some few questions i have to ask my

cordinator during the classes

41.

Posted by Jason on January 22, 2009, 12:30 pm

To all you clowns looking for the answers…A good IT professional can look up ALL of these and

provide answers very easily. The fact that you are asking for the answers only proves you are not yetready for an IT job. Also, please visit http://www.justfuckinggoogleit.com it should help you find the

answers…

42.

Posted by Rebe on February 5, 2009, 11:49 am

thank very! this is great.

43.

Posted by Dustin MObley on April 19, 2009, 6:51 pm

Great Article. Anyone have some advice on how I would handle the following situation.I was recently laid of due to “Reduction In Workforce” due to the economy, i then jumped into a job

pretty quickly after being laid-off. It has been 4 weeks now since I have been in that job and I justknow its not going to work, and I need to move.

So now I have some interviews setup with some other companies. I fear that I may look bad in front ofthem due to the fact that I was only at the job for 4 weeks and I’m already looking, I fear they may

think that I will do the same to them, I don’t want to loose the job because of this.

I was going to concentrate on the fact that I have only had 2 jobs since 2002. Is there any other things

that I could do or say? I had thought about just saying that I’m currently unemployed, but I always feelhonesty is the best route. Any Suggestions?

Also, the resume I’m currently sending out I have not put this job on there yet, since its only been 4weeks, is that okay?

44.


15 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Post Author

Posted by Gosia Grabowska on April 20, 2009, 11:04 am

Hey Dustin,

Thanks for the great question. Here is what I would do if I were in your situation:

1. I would not put this job on my resume unless I learned few skills that are important and I would

want everyone to know about them. In your situation it doesn’t sound like you learned anything new, sodon’t add it.

2. I would tell them that I am employed but that this is only a temporary job until I find my nextfull-time position. In your case, it sounds like you just took that job because you were laid off. And

that’s fine. Your new employer should understand that it is better to have some kind of job than nothingat all (especially now). Make sure to let them know you are looking for a job where you can grow with

the company.

The good thing you have going for you is that you have been in your previous job since 2002 – that’s

almost 7 years! That is definitely something you should hang on to.

Good luck and I hope everything will go well. Keep us posted, ok?

Gosia

45.

Posted by Dustin on April 24, 2009, 9:23 am

Thank you. Advice went well.

One more question. Do you think its okay to follow up an interview or in my case a phone interviewwith an email Thanking the interviewer for ther time and letting them know I’m very excited, and

letting them know that if they have any more questions or need any information, please don’t hesitate?

46.

Posted by RoyRaj on May 15, 2009, 11:33 pm

Please provide answer for listed questions…

Its will be very helpful for SA…

Thanks

47.


16 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Posted by Md.Aminul Hoque on May 26, 2009, 1:38 am

Can i get 77 questions answer.Would be appreciated if someone let me know.

48.

Posted by ashaf.ae on May 26, 2009, 10:18 am

It is too important questions for new opportunity IT support services in the world

Thanks for the great questions

49.

Posted by Dmitry K. on June 18, 2009, 2:45 pm

Hmmmmmmm……………I do feel, like I know pretty much a lot of already, but 5 month as

unemployed.It is seems like there is either very high level or student level for most of IT position.

Of cause, if I drop “mine price tag” to 55K, will probably hired tomorrow.Question is how to get above 65K in this type of economy- seems to be almost impossible.

I did come across several above 100k, but those is probably will take me 5 years from now, to achieverequared level.

And I’m talking about NJ/NY location, not really sure – what other states situation is.

50.

Posted by ala_a on November 29, 2009, 1:14 pm

thanks a lot for your clear demonstration

51.

Posted by Efrem Solomon on February 2, 2010, 6:23 am

I am so glad I found your website and it is fantastic.

I am sure lots of people will benefit from it!!

Thanks again

52.


17 of 22 29-Jun-11 8:20 AM

Posted by shaheem on March 5, 2010, 4:33 am

Really its amazing ………..

53.

Posted by anuj on August 3, 2010, 11:49 am

thanks fro such nice Post found more interview questiond & Answers

Anujhttp://www.winservers.co.in/category/interview-question/

54.

Train Signal Team Member

Posted by Kasia Grabowska on August 6, 2010, 10:01 am

Thanks for sharing Anuj!

55.

Posted by rahul on October 17, 2010, 2:11 pm

thanks for interview qusetions :O

i found more interview questions here

http://www.systechblog.com/tag/interview/

56.

Posted by JAI on February 23, 2011, 3:06 am

Thanks Gosia

these quesion are realy great to have interview i need an advice

if you can

57.

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What should I know about AD and DNS? - TechExams.net IT Certification Forums2.Interview Questions (.. For me to ask a candidate) - TechExams.net IT Certification Forums3.

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Top 77 Interview Questions for IT Professionals

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