Linux Administrator Interview Questions and Answers

A Linux administrator is a system administrator. The name does not necessarily mean that the administrator specializes in Linux. It probably means that whoever advertised the position wants a system administrator who is proficient with Linux.

This article provides sample interview questions and suggests answers for Linux administrators.

Job Interview Questions and Answers
for a Linux Administrator

Question: What is the primary requirement for an efficient Linux administrator?
Answer: The primary requirement for a Linux administrator is to be proficient in Linux and be able to provide any services regarding Linux that a company might require.

Question: What services are you able to provide as the Linux administrator of a company?
Answer: A corporate Linux administrator provides maintenance and support for the computer system and Linux applications. Another possible job is to provide technical support to customers via phone or online communication.

Question: What qualifications do you have as a Linux administrator?
Answer: The qualifications are those of a system administrator: expert technical knowledge of computer systems, software and hardware, relevant education, reasonable communication skills, and team work. A Linux administrator has all these, but he/she also narrowly specializes in providing Linux-related services.

Question: What characteristics should a Linux administrator possess in order to be successful at the job?
Answer: Any system administrator is computer savvy, while maintaining a warm, outgoing personality. Administrators can communicate well and will readily work in a team to solve a problem.

Question: Do analytical thinking and problem solving skills play a role?
Answer: A Linux administrator needs to analyze the entire system of computers – hardware and software (Linux). This requires keen analytical ability to detect current problems and causes for problems, as well as to detect future problems and prevent them.