Systems Administrator

Function: Technology

About Systems Administrator: Manages and maintains computer systems and servers. This role falls within the Technology function of a firm. Key aspects of this role are covered below to give you an idea about your own resume and help you distill your own experiences for a prospective employer in interviews

Primary Activities

A Systems Administrator in the Technology function is typically expected to perform the following activities as a part of their job. Expect questions delving deeper into these areas depending on your level of experience. This is a representative list and not a complete one; the latter are generally based on the exact nature of the role

Manage & Maintain Computer Systems: Responsible for installing, configuring, and troubleshooting computer hardware, software, and operating systems
Monitor System Performance: Regularly monitor system performance, identify potential issues, and take necessary actions to ensure optimal performance and availability
Implement Security Measures: Implement and maintain security measures to protect computer systems and data from unauthorized access, viruses, and other threats
Backup & Restore Data: Perform regular backups of critical data and develop strategies for data recovery in case of system failures or disasters
Manage User Accounts & Access: Create and manage user accounts, assign appropriate access levels, and ensure compliance with security policies and procedures
Provide Technical Support: Respond to user inquiries, troubleshoot technical issues, and provide timely and effective support to ensure smooth system operation
Upgrade & Maintain Software: Plan and execute software upgrades, patches, and updates to ensure systems are running on the latest stable versions
Document System Configurations: Maintain accurate documentation of system configurations, network diagrams, and procedures to facilitate troubleshooting and knowledge sharing
Collaborate With It Teams: Work closely with other IT teams, such as network administrators and database administrators, to ensure seamless integration and operation of systems
Stay Updated With Technology Trends: Continuously learn and stay updated with emerging technologies, industry best practices, and security threats to enhance system administration skills

Key Performance Indicators

Systems Administrators in the Technology function are often evaluated using the following KPI metrics. Address atleast some of these metrics in your resume line items & within your interview stories to maximize your prospects (if you have prior experiences in this or a related role). This is not a comprehensive list and exact metrics vary depending on the type of business

Server Uptime: Percentage of time that servers are operational and available for use
Response Time: Average time taken to respond to user requests or system alerts
Incident Resolution Time: Average time taken to resolve system incidents or issues
Backup Success Rate: Percentage of successful backups performed on critical systems
Patch Compliance: Percentage of systems that have the latest security patches installed
Capacity Planning: Assessment of system resources to ensure optimal performance and scalability
Change Management: Efficiency and effectiveness of implementing system changes without disruptions
User Satisfaction: Feedback and ratings from users regarding system performance and support
Security Incident Response: Timeliness and effectiveness of responding to security incidents
System Documentation: Completeness and accuracy of system documentation for troubleshooting and maintenance

Selection Process

Successful candidates for a Systems Administrators role in the Technology function can expect a similar selection process as the one outlined below. Actual process may vary depending on seniority, size/type of company etc.

Phone screening
A brief phone call to assess basic qualifications and fit for the role
Technical interview
In-depth technical discussion to evaluate knowledge and skills related to systems administration
Problem-solving exercise
A practical exercise or scenario-based task to assess problem-solving abilities
Behavioral interview
Questions about past experiences and behavioral traits to evaluate cultural fit and teamwork skills
Technical assessment
A test or exam to evaluate technical proficiency in relevant areas
Final interview
Meeting with senior management or key stakeholders to discuss overall fit and potential offer
Reference check
Contacting provided references to gather insights about the candidate's work ethic and performance
Offer
If selected, a formal job offer is extended to the candidate

Interview Questions

Common Interview Questions that a Systems Administrators in the Technology function is likely to face. Prepare stories that tailor to your own experiences that may help you answer these questions effectively. This is not a complete list and more questions will be added over time. Use the topic tags in the search box below to filter by specific topics

Link	Question	Topic(s)
Link	Tell me about your experience with system administration.	Experience
Link	How do you ensure the security of systems and data?	Security
Link	Describe your experience with network administration.	Experience Network Administration
Link	How do you handle system failures or downtime?	Problem Solving
Link	What steps do you take to ensure system backups and disaster recovery?	Disaster Recovery
Link	How do you manage user accounts and access permissions?	User Management
Link	What monitoring tools have you used to track system performance?	Monitoring
Link	Describe your experience with virtualization technologies.	Experience Virtualization
Link	How do you handle software updates and patches?	Software Updates
Link	What steps do you take to ensure system and network documentation is up to date?	Documentation
Link	How do you troubleshoot hardware and software issues?	Troubleshooting
Link	Describe your experience with cloud computing platforms.	Experience Cloud Computing
Link	How do you prioritize and manage multiple tasks or projects?	Time Management
Link	What steps do you take to ensure system performance optimization?	Performance Optimization
Link	Describe your experience with server and storage management.	Experience Server Management Storage Management
Link	How do you handle system capacity planning?	Capacity Planning
Link	What steps do you take to ensure system and network security compliance?	Security Compliance
Link	Describe your experience with Active Directory and LDAP.	Experience Active Directory LDAP
Link	How do you handle system performance issues during peak usage?	Performance Issues
Link	What steps do you take to ensure system and network scalability?	Scalability