Hey everyone, I've got a senior system administrator interview coming up next Tuesday with a local government agency. It's been over two years since I've worked with traditional Microsoft tools, Endpoint Management, or PowerShell, as I've been focusing on my role as a Salesforce admin. I'm feeling pretty nervous about getting back into system administration since this would be my first senior position in that field. What tips do you all have for making a great impression? How can I practice my system administration skills before the interview? Also, what kind of questions should I expect to be asked for a senior admin role?
3 Answers
Just a heads-up, they're probably going to throw some curveball questions at you, possibly relating to different roles. Definitely review the job ad and brush up on those skill sets. I changed jobs recently, and the expectations are wild—it feels like they want one person to do the work of several! Don't be surprised if you're asked questions that go beyond the job description, just stay sharp and ready.
I work for a local government agency, and from my experience, interviews tend to be pretty structured. You'll likely face standard questions that focus more on your situational responses, like "Tell us about a time when you..." It's less about technical skills and more about how you fit with the role and agency culture. Prepare some insightful questions to ask the interviewers too; it shows you're engaged. Nervousness is totally normal, so just be yourself and focus on delivering thoughtful answers. If you don’t have experience with something, be honest and maybe mention relevant alternatives you've worked with and express your eagerness to learn.
Exactly! Being approachable and confident can really turn things in your favor.
From what I’ve seen, it’s also about knowing where to find answers, not just having them. Make sure you're up to date with the current technologies and tools, as interviewers appreciate candidates who can locate solutions even if they don’t know everything off the top of their heads.
Good point! It's a good skill to show that you can research effectively.
That’s solid advice! It's really about showing your potential and how you think on your feet.