Work sample test and structured interview for {role_name}

After shortlisting, assess candidates' skills with a work sample task, followed by an assessment and thorough evaluation.

How to structure the interview to assess skills and cultural fit for {role_name}

Work sample test (Home assignment)

Recruitment Bullet

Assess the candidate’s practical skills by assigning a real-world task similar to the work they would do if hired.

  • Title: Azure Infrastructure Design and Automation Task
  • Objective: Evaluate the candidate’s ability to design a scalable and secure cloud infrastructure on Azure, implement automation scripts, and ensure best practices in cloud management.
  • Requirements:
    • Design a cloud infrastructure for a sample web application using Azure services like Azure Virtual Machines (VMs), Azure Storage, and Azure Networking.
    • Implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates or Terraform.
    • Write a PowerShell script to automate the deployment process.
    • Provide a report detailing the architecture, the rationale behind design choices, and the steps to deploy the infrastructure.
  • Time Frame: 5 days

Questions based on home assignment : 

Recruitment Bullet

Once done with work sample test evaluate the candidate’s technical proficiency based on the work sample task.

Technical questions

Recruitment Bullet

Duration : 10 minutes/question

  • Question: Describe the architecture you designed for the work sample task. Why did you choose the specific Azure services?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should explain the architecture, including the use of Azure VMs for compute, Azure Storage for data storage, and Azure Networking for connectivity. They should discuss scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness.
    • Sample Answer: "I chose Azure VMs for compute because they offer scalability and flexibility. Azure Storage was selected for data storage due to its durability and cost-effectiveness. I also used Azure Networking to ensure secure communication between services within the VNet, with subnets isolated for added security."
  • Question: How did you implement Infrastructure as Code (IaC) in the task, and what challenges did you face?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should describe the tools used (e.g., ARM templates, Terraform), the IaC structure, and any challenges related to configuration management, dependencies, or resource conflicts.
    • Sample Answer: "I used ARM templates to implement IaC because of their seamless integration with Azure services. A challenge I faced was managing dependencies between resources, which I addressed by defining dependencies explicitly in the ARM templates, ensuring the correct order of deployment."
  • Question: What considerations did you make for security in your Azure architecture?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should discuss security best practices such as using Azure Active Directory (AAD), encrypting data at rest and in transit, setting up Network Security Groups (NSGs), and implementing Virtual Networks (VNets) for network isolation.
    • Sample Answer: "Security was a top priority, so I implemented AAD for identity management and used role-based access control (RBAC) to enforce the principle of least privilege. I also configured NSGs to restrict traffic and encrypted all data stored in Azure Storage and SQL databases. The entire infrastructure is hosted within a VNet, with subnets isolated for different tiers of the application."

Behavioral questions

Recruitment Bullet

Duration : 10 minutes/question

  • Question: Describe a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex issue in a cloud environment. How did you approach the problem?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should describe the situation, the steps they took to identify and resolve the issue, and the outcome.
    • Sample Answer: "In my previous role, we faced a performance issue with our Azure-hosted application during peak traffic. I began by analyzing Azure Monitor logs to identify the bottleneck, which was related to the database throughput. I scaled the Azure SQL Database to a higher service tier and optimized queries, which resolved the issue and improved performance."
  • Question: How do you handle situations where you need to learn a new technology or tool quickly to complete a project?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should explain their approach to learning new tools, including researching, experimenting, and seeking help when needed.
    • Sample Answer: "When I need to learn a new tool, I start by reviewing official documentation and online resources to understand the basics. I then set up a small test environment to experiment with the tool. If I encounter challenges, I reach out to colleagues or online communities for support. This approach helps me quickly get up to speed and apply the new knowledge effectively."
  • Question: Can you give an example of how you have contributed to improving a process or workflow in your previous roles?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should provide a specific example, including the process or workflow, the changes they implemented, and the impact on the team or project.
    • Sample Answer: "In my last position, I noticed that our manual deployment process was time-consuming and prone to errors. I introduced a CI/CD pipeline using Azure DevOps, which automated the build and deployment process. This reduced deployment times by 40% and significantly decreased the number of errors, improving overall efficiency."

How to evaluate and compare candidates after interviews?

After interviews, it's important to evaluate and compare candidates based on a set of predefined criteria.Use scorecard to evaluate each candidate.

Recruitment Bullet

Sample scorecard based on pre-defined criteria. Here’s an example:

Criteria Rating (1-5) Comments
Experience with Azure Services
Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code
Scripting Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Cultural Fit
Work Sample Test

What criteria should be used to make the final hiring decision?

Final decisions should be based on the candidate's overall evaluation score, with a focus on important qualifications. Prioritize technical skills above everything else for a {role_name}, but do not forget about communication and cultural fit.

Recruitment Bullet

How to communicate the decision to candidates

Sample offer letter for {role_name}

[Your Company Letterhead]

‍

[Date]

‍

[Candidate’s Name]

[Candidate’s Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

‍

Dear [Candidate’s Name],

‍

We are pleased to offer you the position of Azure Cloud Engineer at [Company Name]. We believe your skills and experience will be an excellent fit for our team.

‍

Your starting salary will be [Salary Amount] per year, and you will be eligible for the following benefits:

- [List of Benefits]

‍

Your anticipated start date is [Start Date], and you will be reporting to [Manager’s Name].

‍

Please review the attached documents for more details about your compensation and benefits. We are excited to have you join our team and look forward to your positive response.

‍

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Company Name]

‍

Sample rejection letter for {role_name}

[Your Company Letterhead]

‍

[Date]

‍

[Candidate’s Name]

[Candidate’s Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

‍

Dear [Candidate’s Name],

‍

We appreciate your interest in the Azure Cloud Engineer position at [Company Name] and the time you invested in the interview process.

‍

After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we have decided to move forward with another candidate whose qualifications better match our needs at this time.

‍

We were impressed with your skills and experience and encourage you to apply for future openings that match your profile.

‍

Thank you once again for your interest in [Company Name], and we wish you the best in your future endeavors.

‍

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Company Name]

‍

Hiring guide

About {role_name}

Job description

Source and shortlist candidates

Structured interview

Progression and salary