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

Work sample test (Home assignment)

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

• Title: Infrastructure Optimization and Scalability Plan
• Objective: Evaluate the candidate’s ability to design an optimized and scalable infrastructure solution based on specific requirements.
• Requirements:
  • Scenario: Your company is experiencing significant growth, and you need to design an infrastructure plan that ensures scalability and optimal performance for its cloud-based applications.
  • Deliverables:
    • Infrastructure Design: Provide a detailed plan including server architecture, network setup, and cloud resource allocation.
    • Optimization Strategies: Recommend strategies for performance optimization and cost management.
    • Security Measures: Outline security practices to protect the infrastructure.
• Time Frame: 3 hours

Questions based on home assignment : 

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

Technical questions

Duration : 10 minutes/question

• Question: Explain how you would design an infrastructure to handle a sudden increase in web traffic. What strategies would you employ?
  • Expected Answer: The candidate should discuss load balancing, auto-scaling, and cloud services like AWS Auto Scaling or Azure Scale Sets.
  • Sample Answer: “To handle a sudden increase in web traffic, I would implement a load balancer to distribute traffic evenly across multiple servers. I’d also set up auto-scaling to automatically adjust the number of servers based on traffic demands. Using cloud services like AWS Auto Scaling would ensure that our infrastructure can handle spikes in traffic without performance degradation.”
• Question: What are the key factors to consider when selecting a cloud service provider for a large-scale deployment?
  • Expected Answer: The candidate should mention factors like cost, performance, compliance, security features, and support.
  • Sample Answer: “When selecting a cloud service provider, key factors include cost-effectiveness, performance metrics, compliance with industry regulations, security features, and the level of customer support. It’s important to evaluate the provider’s ability to meet specific business requirements and ensure that they offer reliable uptime and scalability.”
• Question: Describe a situation where you had to troubleshoot a network issue. What steps did you take to resolve it?
  • Expected Answer: Look for a structured approach to troubleshooting, including identifying the problem, analyzing potential causes, and implementing solutions.
  • Sample Answer: “I once faced a network outage affecting multiple departments. First, I checked the network status and logs to identify any anomalies. I then isolated the issue to a faulty router. After replacing the router and verifying the network connections, I conducted a series of tests to ensure that the network was stable and restored normal operations.”

Behavioral questions

Duration : 10 minutes/question

• Question: Describe a time when you had to work with a team to implement a major infrastructure change. How did you handle coordination and communication?
  • Expected Answer: Look for examples of effective teamwork, communication skills, and problem-solving.
  • Sample Answer: “During a major infrastructure upgrade, I coordinated with various teams by setting up regular meetings and using project management tools to track progress. I ensured clear communication by sharing updates and addressing any issues promptly. This approach helped us complete the project on time with minimal disruptions.”
• Question: Tell me about a challenging project you worked on. What was the challenge, and how did you overcome it?
  • Expected Answer: The candidate should demonstrate their problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenges.
  • Sample Answer: “In a previous role, we faced a challenge with a legacy system that wasn’t compatible with new infrastructure. I led a team to develop a phased migration plan, which involved updating system components in stages while ensuring minimal impact on ongoing operations. This approach allowed us to successfully integrate the new system without significant downtime.”
• Question: How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects with tight deadlines?
  • Expected Answer: Look for strategies related to time management, prioritization, and task delegation.
  • Sample Answer: “I prioritize tasks by assessing their impact and deadlines. I use project management tools to keep track of progress and ensure that critical tasks are completed first. I also communicate with stakeholders to manage expectations and adjust priorities as needed.”

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.

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

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.