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Network Engineer Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Network Engineer interview questions and answers.

  1. How do you organise multiple networking projects effectively? See answer
  2. In what areas of networking engineering do you excel? See answer
  3. Why did you become a network engineer? See answer
  4. How has your education prepared you for a network engineering position with our company? See answer
  5. How do you stay current on the latest networking developments? See answer
  6. What is your experience in handling customer support tickets? See answer
  7. What process do you follow when troubleshooting a network issue? See answer
  8. Describe a time you solved a complex networking problem. See answer
  9. What are your areas of improvement as a network engineer? See answer
  10. Describe your project management experience in network engineering. See answer
  11. How do you explain complex ideas in simple terms? See answer
  12. Why did you choose to apply to our company as a network engineer? See answer
  13. How would you describe your experience with industry network protocols, such as TCP/IP, Wireless LANs, and VPN?
  14. Describe the most extensive network you’ve engineered.
  15. How do you assess a client’s needs when creating or improving a network?
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Network Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

How do you organise multiple networking projects effectively?

A successful network engineer must have strong organisational skills and be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to organise and prioritise their workload. What to look for in an answer:

  • organisational skills to manage multiple tasks and projects effectively
  • Project management skills to set clear goals and objectives
  • Ability to prioritise and be aware of timelines

Example:

"I'm used to having multiple projects on the go at the same time. I like to use a project management programme to keep everything visually organised and planned. This way, I can see deadlines, critical tasks, and follow-up areas quickly."

In what areas of networking engineering do you excel?

A network engineer needs to be competent in all areas of designing and implementing networking capabilities. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's area of expertise within their position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Solid foundational knowledge of all networking protocols
  • Confidence in many aspects of the role
  • Awareness of their professional strengths and weaknesses

Example:

"Although I enjoy all parts of being a network engineer, the one area I enjoy most and excel at is cloud-based networking. Because so many companies are moving to cloud-based resources, this is a critical area for information security and efficiency."

Why did you become a network engineer?

A successful network engineer must be passionate and enthusiastic about their career. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's motivation for choosing a career in network engineering. What to look for in an answer:

  • A positive and enthusiastic attitude about the role and their career
  • Long-term career goals
  • Academic and professional experience related to the role

Example:

"When I was growing up, I always had an interest in computers and how they worked. It was a natural progression for me to complete my bachelor's degree in computer science and work in network engineering. I love the science behind my career and I find bringing complex networks to life both exciting and rewarding."

How would you describe your experience with industry network protocols, such as TCP/IP, wireless LANs, and VPN?

A network engineer needs to be well-versed in industry standards and protocols. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's technical knowledge. What to look for in an answer:

  • Solid foundational knowledge in networking standards and protocols
  • Knowledge of industry terminology
  • Experience working with TCP/IP, wireless LANs, and VPNs

Example:

"All of these networking protocols are standard technology components. For example, I have years of experience fixing technical issues remotely by logging into a user's IP address. I'm familiar with installing wireless LAN technology to provide internet or intranet access within an office or room. And I've implemented several secured VPNs for different companies."

How has your education prepared you for a network engineering position with our company?

A network engineer must have a formal education, typically a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or computer science. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's ability to use their knowledge to benefit their position within your company. What to look for in an answer:

  • Meets role-specific academic requirements
  • Ability to adapt knowledge to the benefit of their position
  • Specific skills learned during their degree

Example:

"After completing my bachelor's degree in computer engineering, I had a strong foundation in technical knowledge. After having been able to implement my knowledge in real-world applications, I now feel confident in my ability to contribute to a networking team."

How do you stay current on the latest networking developments?

A successful network engineer stays informed of new technology and protocols. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's interest in participating in professional development. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication and collabouration skills to ask questions and discuss new ideas and concepts with others
  • Commitment to keeping their knowledge current
  • Interest in taking part in professional development opportunities

Example:

"In my career, it's crucial to stay current with the latest trend, products, and technologies, as the IT industry moves so quickly. I'm part of several professional groups online where we discuss ideas and new concepts. I also subscribe to several podcasts and attend an annual IT conference."

Describe the most extensive network you've engineered.

A network engineer needs to know how to support a similar size of network that your company uses or offers to customers. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's relevant expertise in network design and implementation. What to look for in an answer:

  • Basic fundamental networking knowledge that applies to a range of network sizes
  • Hands-on experience designing successful networks
  • Ability to work independently or as part of a team to engineer extensive networks

Example:

"The most extensive network I've designed and implemented was for my previous employer. I created a network to connect multiple locations around Ontario and over 300 employees. They also have staff that work remotely, so I created a VPN for secure access to the network."

What is your experience in handling customer support tickets?

A network engineer may need to handle customer requests and technical support questions. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to work directly with customers effectively and efficiently. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills to ask critical questions to determine the customer's problem
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport with others
  • Customer service skills and patience

Example:

"I worked in customer support for several years at the beginning of my career. I focused on helping customers troubleshoot networking issues remotely. I'm comfortable dealing with customers and believe in providing excellent service to everyone I speak with."

What process do you follow when troubleshooting a network issue?

A network engineer needs to follow a logical process when uncovering network challenges. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's process for troubleshooting. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to follow a logical and consistent system for troubleshooting
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess all variables and possibilities
  • Creative thinking and problem-solving skills to develop viable solutions

Example:

"I follow a standard process whenever I'm troubleshooting a network problem. First, I identify the problem and then develop a theory. I then test my theory by completing a procedure or implementing a code, for example. I observe what happens and make adjustments until I pinpoint the problem and solution."

Describe a time you solved a complex networking problem.

A successful network engineer must have strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to manage a challenging situation or problem effectively. What to look for in an answer:

  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess a situation and define the problem
  • Creative thinking and problem-solving skills to develop viable solutions
  • Solid foundational knowledge of networking procedures and troubleshooting processes

Example:

"Over my career, there have been several complex problems I've had to work through. One example is a customer who called for our help after their network was hacked and all of their company data was wiped clean. This presented a unique problem, as we didn't create the original network protocol. First, I..."

What are your areas of improvement as a network engineer?

A good network engineer constantly updates their knowledge and skills. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's areas for improvement and their interest in continuing their professional development. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of their strengths and weaknesses as a network engineer
  • Interest in taking part in professional development opportunities
  • Desire to take responsibility for their ongoing learning

Example:

"My most significant area for improvement in my career is documentation. I often figure out a problem and have the solution in my head, but don't write a process or procedure for the next person coming after me. It's an area I'm aware of, and I make a conscious effort to work on it daily."

How do you assess a client's needs when creating or improving a network?

A network engineer needs to take a customer's networking needs and criteria and turn them into reality. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's approach for gathering and analyzing a client's networking requirements. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport with the customer
  • Communication skills to gather extensive specifications, requirements, and needs
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess the information and create a suitable plan

Example:

"When creating or improving a customer's network, I spend a lot of time initially asking many questions. I want to get a clear picture of their full scope of requirements and expectations. Once I've clarified I understand their needs, I..."

Describe your project management experience in network engineering.

A network engineer typically manages a project from start to finish. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's experience in project management and ability to work as part of a team. What to look for in an answer:

  • organisational skills to manage complex projects effectively
  • Goal setting and project planning to create a realistic plan and deadline
  • Interpersonal skills to work well with other team members

Example:

"Anytime I'm designing or implementing a project, I'm invested in its success, so I become immersed in the project's management. I'm familiar with using project management software, creating formal project proposals, and enjoy the challenge of leading a project team. For example, I managed the following projects in my previous role..."

How do you explain complex ideas in simple terms?

A network engineer must communicate effectively with various people, including those from outside the industry. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to simplify complex ideas and terms. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport and trust in their expertise
  • Ability to adapt communication style to fit the audience
  • Creative thinking to create analogies or descriptive ways to explain complex ideas

Example:

"I try to tailor my communication to the person I'm speaking with's knowledge. So, when talking with non-networking people, I use simple terms and language they'll understand. I've also developed many analogies to help me explain complicated concepts more easily."

Why did you choose to apply to our company as a network engineer?

A strong candidate conducts research before the interview to understand your company's vision, values, and culture. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's preparedness for the interview. What to look for in an answer:

  • A positive and enthusiastic attitude about the company and position
  • Long-term career goals
  • Research and preparation for the interview

Example:

"I'm intrigued by your company's mission to provide high-quality network solutions to small businesses and entrepreneurs. The opportunity to work on many smaller-scale projects excites me. I love the idea of working more closely with the client than I could with larger corporations."

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