Top DevOps Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

DevOps engineers remain in high demand. The reason is simple: DevOps has become an integral part of the software development process. This discipline within the IT world helps deliver higher-quality software faster, facilitating the creation and deployment of applications.

While this is great news for DevOps professionals globally, it does come with a downside: increased competition for jobs. 

The interview stage is crucial, often making the difference between getting the job or not. That’s why thorough preparation is key. Want to know which DevOps interview questions you should master and how to answer them successfully? Keep reading!

Recruiters vs. DevOps or Recruiters + DevOps?

As the DevOps field continues to grow and plays an increasingly important role in modern businesses, there’s a lot at stake on both sides of the interview table. For interviewers, it’s critical to find candidates who not only have the technical skills but also align with the organization's culture, values, and mindset.

As with any interview, preparation is crucial. Identifying the qualities you should highlight, regardless of the questions asked, is a skill you must develop when competing for your dream job. Many questions may seem vague or even tricky, and understanding the real intention behind them will help you craft clear, precise, and impactful responses.

How to Prepare for a DevOps Interview?

Because the scope of a DevOps engineer’s responsibilities is so broad, it’s common for interviewers to ask theoretical and open-ended questions, especially at the beginning. You might even be asked about basic concepts like the meaning of DevOps or DevOps tools, which may seem simple but are far from it.

Tip: Prepare structured answers to common questions. Interviewers will likely ask about your experience on previous projects, what you learned, what challenges you faced, and what mistakes you made and grew from. It's important to review your weaknesses, especially if they are relevant to the company’s needs.

1. Question About Professional Relationships

This is a common question but with deeper implications than simply knowing if a candidate is a team player. It often relates to whether the person has a growth mindset or a fixed mindset. Those with a growth mindset believe they can develop their qualities through effort and collaboration. Those with a fixed mindset believe their traits are immutable and must constantly prove themselves.

To assess these mindsets, interviewers often ask for examples of times you received coaching, coached someone else, made mistakes, and what you learned from them, or how you interact with peers and superiors.

2. Question About Building a System from Scratch

DevOps professionals must be excellent problem solvers, and this question highlights those abilities. It reveals a candidate’s capability to logically analyze a project, identify prerequisites, and plan accordingly — all of which are crucial disciplines for a successful DevOps engineer.

When answering, showcase both your depth and breadth of experience, along with strong problem-solving skills. Demonstrating your ability to identify, learn, design, and develop a technological ecosystem is a key quality interviewers seek.

3. The Famous Personal Question

This classic question can shape the outcome of the entire interview. Key to answering correctly: think about how to highlight your soft skills, especially your enthusiasm for learning. Your response will help interviewers determine how well you would fit into the team and the organization’s culture.

An ideal DevOps candidate should be hungry for growth, enthusiastic, and eager to learn new things — qualities that are essential in this constantly evolving field.

4. What is DevOps?

Anyone interviewing for a DevOps position should be able to explain what DevOps is — but be careful. It’s trickier than it seems, as there are multiple definitions and some confusion around related terms.

If you’re applying for a DevOps role, treat this question as if your career depended on it. Since there are different perspectives on what DevOps entails, prepare a unique, thoughtful answer that reflects your understanding. A personalized, well-articulated response will help you stand out from the competition.

5. What Would You Do If…?

If the company is looking for a DevOps professional who can hit the ground running, it’s logical they will present specific situations or challenges and ask how you would handle them. Your responses will not only showcase your technical skills but also reveal how you might fit within the company culture.

What Do Interviewers Expect from Candidates?

There are several core competencies interviewers look for when hiring DevOps engineers.

Every software development company looks for DevOps engineers with both technical and collaborative strengths, making these core skills fundamental to securing a role in the field:

1. Technical Skills

Candidates should have a solid understanding of software development and testing processes. This includes mastering basic DevOps tools like Git and Jenkins.

2. Communication Skills

DevOps engineers play a crucial role in team collaboration, overseeing and managing operations. Clear and efficient communication ensures that work is completed effectively.

3. Problem-Solving Skills

DevOps engineers must quickly identify and resolve technical problems. Many candidates are rejected due to weaknesses in this area, so sharpening your problem-solving abilities is vital.

4. Continuous Learning

DevOps is constantly evolving. Staying updated with the latest tools and technologies is essential for success in the role.

5. Experience with Agile Methodologies

DevOps drives major advancements in agile projects. Recruiters prefer candidates who are proficient with agile methodologies, which will significantly boost your chances of being hired.

Confidence and Preparation: The Winning Formula

To ace a DevOps interview, you need to combine technical expertise with a collaborative mindset. If we distinguish between beginners and experts, beginners should focus on mastering the basics and gaining practical experience. Experts should emphasize advanced topics like Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code.

But in both cases: show confidence, communicate, ask thoughtful questions, and — above all — keep learning as DevOps continues to evolve. If you don’t get selected, remember it’s not your only opportunity. Many doors will open, but you must be prepared to give your best.

And don’t forget: at Avalith, we’re always excited to welcome new developers to our talent pool and help them find their dream jobs. Through our staffing solutions, we connect global talent with companies to develop the projects they need most. Contact us and become part of Avalith!