Hey everyone! I'm gearing up for an upcoming Linux internals interview for an SRE SE position at Google India. I'm hoping to get some advice on what topics to focus on, any tips or tricks you might have, and how difficult it could be for someone like me who doesn't have much experience in Linux administration or its internals. Any insights would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
5 Answers
Expect to answer questions like what the fork() syscall does or how PAM works. Honestly, they like to check your foundational knowledge first. You can memorize a lot of stuff, but real scenario-based questions might stump you without hands-on experience. Just try to take note of the questions they ask so you can learn more for next time!
Definitely prepare for questions about Linux kernels and data structures like B-trees too. These might not come up with every interviewer, but knowing them could help you stand out above the rest. It's all about how well-rounded your understanding is.
Honestly, it's going to be tough if you don't have experience in Linux admin. A lot of folks think they can just wing it, but interviews can be pretty rigorous. You might want to brush up on core concepts because some interviewers might expect you to know a bit more than just the basics.
For sure! But remember, motivation goes a long way. Just take it as an opportunity to learn something new; worst-case, you can always reapply later!
If they’re interviewing you without prior experience, maybe you’ve got an inside connection? Often, referrals help bypass initial screenings. Just make sure you know some foundational knowledge, as they’ll likely start with basic syscall questions or foundational Linux concepts.
Exactly! It would be helpful to have some familiarity, even if you've got a referral.
I interviewed at Google a while ago and trust me, they might ask super niche questions that most people wouldn’t think about daily. Prepare for some trick questions and possibly topics that aren’t even part of your usual work. It can be a mixed bag of useful knowledge and real stumpers!
Yeah, I agree! It's also important to know troubleshooting processes. They'll throw some curveballs, too!