What interview questions would you and your team ask candidates for a Database Administrator position?
Naturally, the answer to this question will vary based on the individual. There are always those same solid conversation-starting, breaking-the-ice questions that we assume you already know to ask.
But what specific Database Administrator interview questions are tried-and-true in the industry?
Related: Cloud Computing Engineer Interview Questions
You should always carefully consider the individual and their work/extracurricular history before formulating a full list of questions to ask. But your prep time is limited, and you’re not responsible for administering any tests. What should you ask?
We’ve reached out to our IT, CIO, and other contacts to conglomerate a list of Database Administrator interview questions and hope you will find some of them useful in your search for the perfect candidate.
Basic Database Administrator interview questions
What will you do to protect our database from external threats?
- This is the crux of hiring someone for this position. They need to have a thorough answer to safeguarding your database. Keep an ear out for candidates who incorporate something specifically having to do with your company in their responses.
How often do you undertake data privacy tests?
- Does this individual see the value of regular testing, and do they have a few ideas surrounding random tests?
What is your experience level with on-premises databases and cloud databases?
- They don’t necessarily need to have both, but depending on what your organization currently uses, you need to search out a flexible, informed candidate.
How many databases have you worked with at a time?
- If you’re a larger company, obviously you’ll want this number to be higher. Likewise, experience with a large data center shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for SMBs.
More in-depth experience questions
What do you think are the most useful SQL Queries? Can you explain their value?
Tell us about a time when you improved data storage — what was that solution like, and how did it relate to your workplace?
If you experienced data loss during a migration, what would you do to handle it?
Walk us through your process for troubleshooting database issues.
What programming languages do you think are most useful to the position and why?
A few more good ones to ask
- Would you ever run a test on a live database?
- Explain the difference between T-SQL and PL/SQL
- Where do you go to learn about new applications?
- Explain patches and hotfixes.
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