What Can I Expect in a SysAdmin Technical Interview at a Robotics Company?

You should anticipate a combination of practical troubleshooting scenarios and foundational knowledge questions. They might present real-world problems like "a server isn't responding, can you walk me through your diagnostic process?" or ask how you'd manage a rapidly filling disk. Brush up on your Linux command-line skills since they may inquire about log analysis, process management, network issues, and system monitoring. Given the robotics context, questions may also touch on automation and configuration management. Remember, it’s less about memorizing commands and more about showcasing your problem-solving process and how you think on your feet. They value your approach, so talk through your logic, ask clarifying questions, and stay calm if you hit a question that stumps you.

Don’t stress too much about having all the answers right off the bat. Sometimes "I don’t know" is just fine, as long as you show how you’d seek a solution. Early in my career, I got hired after admitting I'd consult my team or do some research if there was an issue I couldn't tackle on my own. The interviewers appreciated my collaborative mindset, so keep that in mind too!

For a junior-level role, they might give you a tech test that includes questions about Windows/Linux commands, MySQL, Oracle, and even scripting in Python or Perl. One interesting thing I've learned is that they often prefer to challenge your thought process rather than just your technical knowledge. For instance, they might ask how loading a webpage works step by step or how you would troubleshoot if the company's website goes down. They value logical reasoning highly!

Be prepared for anything on your resume to be questioned. I used to kick off interviews by asking candidates to explain parts of their experience that relate to the job. If they couldn't discuss it confidently, that often spelled trouble. Expect job-specific questions too, with potential troubleshooting scenarios to evaluate your problem-solving skills. It’s okay to admit you’re unfamiliar with something but express confidence in your ability to learn. Knowing your fundamentals is crucial, and don't hesitate to say, "I don't know," but follow it up with how you might approach finding the answer.