What do you do if you're interviewing a systems management candidate and want to assess their key qualities?

1 Technical knowledge

The first thing you want to check is whether the candidate has the relevant technical knowledge for the systems they will be managing. You can ask them about the tools, protocols, standards, and best practices they use for system administration, monitoring, troubleshooting, and security. You can also test their knowledge with scenario-based questions, such as how they would diagnose a system failure, implement a backup strategy, or automate a common task. Look for answers that demonstrate both depth and breadth of technical knowledge, as well as the ability to explain complex concepts clearly and concisely.

2 Problem-solving skills

The second thing you want to assess is how the candidate approaches and solves problems in a systems management context. You can ask them to describe a challenging problem they faced in their previous or current role, how they analyzed it, what steps they took to resolve it, and what outcomes they achieved. You can also present them with a hypothetical problem and ask them to walk you through their thought process and solution. Look for answers that show logical thinking, creativity, resourcefulness, and attention to detail, as well as the ability to prioritize and escalate issues when needed.

3 Communication skills

The third thing you want to evaluate is how the candidate communicates with different stakeholders in a systems management environment. You can ask them how they document their work, report on system performance, collaborate with other IT teams, and interact with end users or clients. You can also observe their communication style, tone, and language during the interview. Look for answers that demonstrate clarity, professionalism, empathy, and feedback skills, as well as the ability to adapt to different audiences and situations.

4 Learning skills

The fourth thing you want to measure is how the candidate learns and keeps up with new developments in systems management. You can ask them how they acquire new skills, what sources they use for learning, what projects they are working on or interested in, and how they evaluate their own performance. You can also gauge their curiosity and enthusiasm for systems management by asking them what they enjoy or find challenging about it. Look for answers that show initiative, motivation, self-awareness, and growth mindset, as well as the ability to apply and share their learning.

5 Cultural fit

The fifth thing you want to determine is whether the candidate fits your organization's culture and values. You can ask them what they expect from their manager, colleagues, and work environment, what they value or dislike in a workplace, and how they handle stress, conflict, or feedback. You can also share your organization's mission, vision, and goals, and ask them how they align with them. Look for answers that show compatibility, honesty, respect, and commitment, as well as the ability to contribute to and benefit from your organization's culture.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?