For non-technical managers, conducting interviews for IT roles can feel like navigating a different world. The technical jargon and complex concepts often associated with IT positions can make it difficult to assess candidates accurately. Without a deep understanding of the technical skills required for a role, it can be challenging to gauge whether a candidate has the right qualifications and whether they will fit well with your company’s culture.
However, with the right approach, non-technical managers can successfully interview candidates for IT positions by focusing on key areas that highlight both technical competency and cultural compatibility. This guide will help you understand the types of questions to ask, how to structure your inquiries, and common pitfalls to avoid when hiring for IT roles.
Create a role-specific evidence rubric
Hiring for IT roles can often be a daunting task for non-technical managers, primarily due to the highly specialized skills required in the technology field. It’s easy to feel out of your depth when interviewing candidates who may have years of technical experience in areas like network engineering, cloud computing, or cybersecurity. However, understanding how to assess technical competence, even without deep expertise in specific technologies, is an essential skill for any manager.
The good news is that while you don’t need to be a subject matter expert, having a foundational understanding of technology concepts will significantly improve your ability to ask relevant questions and evaluate candidates more effectively. With a solid grasp of the basics, you can better assess whether candidates are not only qualified for the position but also a good fit for your team and organizational culture. This guide will walk you through how non-technical managers can assess technical competence during interviews, ensuring you can make well-informed hiring decisions.
As a non-technical manager, one of the most valuable things you can do is familiarize yourself with some of the common technologies relevant to the role you’re hiring for. You don’t need to be able to configure a router or write complex code, but understanding core concepts such as networking fundamentals, cloud infrastructure, or software development life cycles will go a long way in helping you ask insightful questions.
For instance, if you are hiring a network engineer, it’s crucial to understand terms like routing, switching, IP addresses, and protocols like TCP/IP. Similarly, for a cybersecurity role, it’s helpful to know what security measures like firewalls, encryption, and data breaches entail. This knowledge provides context for technical questions and ensures that you’re not lost in jargon. Additionally, understanding the tools and systems they will be working with helps you determine how they might integrate into your existing infrastructure.
Understanding a candidate’s familiarity with the technologies you use in your organization is essential. While you might not understand all the technical intricacies, asking about their experience with specific tools, software, or hardware can provide valuable insights.
- “Can you explain your experience with [specific technology]?”
- “How have you used [specific tool or software] in your previous roles?”
- “What role did you play in the implementation of [specific technology]?”
By asking about their experience, you can gauge their level of expertise with technologies directly relevant to the job. This also allows the candidate to showcase their hands-on experience and provide concrete examples of how they’ve applied their skills in real-world scenarios.
Listen for diagnostic reasoning
One of the most important aspects of technical competence is how a candidate approaches problem-solving. In IT roles, troubleshooting is a frequent responsibility, whether it’s fixing network issues, diagnosing software bugs, or resolving system downtime. Asking candidates how they approach problem-solving will give you a sense of their critical thinking and troubleshooting abilities.
- “How do you approach problem-solving when using [specific tool or software]?”
- “Tell me about a time when you faced a technical issue and how you resolved it.”
- “What steps do you take when you encounter a new problem you haven’t seen before?”
The candidate’s answer to these questions will provide insights into how they handle challenges, their ability to adapt, and their creativity in finding solutions. You’ll want to look for a structured approach to problem-solving, as this demonstrates a methodical way of tackling complex issues, which is essential in technical roles.
As a non-technical manager, you don’t need to understand every detail of a candidate’s technical responses, but you should look for clear, concise, and confident answers. A candidate who can explain complex topics in simple terms is likely able to communicate effectively with non-technical stakeholders, a valuable skill for any IT professional.
Additionally, evaluate the candidate’s ability to provide concrete examples. Instead of offering vague or generic responses, strong candidates will share detailed stories or experiences that illustrate their technical expertise and problem-solving abilities. If they struggle to provide examples or seem unable to explain their reasoning clearly, this could be a red flag.
If you’re not entirely sure about technical aspects, it’s helpful to collaborate with an in-house expert to refine the questions and ensure you’re covering all necessary areas. They can help identify essential keywords or give you sample questions that will help you better gauge the candidate’s skills. Also, having clear guidelines on certifications required for the position can provide additional insight into a candidate’s qualifications. For instance, certifications from platforms like Cisco, CompTIA, Microsoft, and others can serve as proof of a candidate’s knowledge and expertise.
Scenario-based questions differ from traditional interview questions in that they focus on hypothetical situations or real-life challenges a candidate might encounter. These questions require the candidate to walk you through their thought process, demonstrating how they would address and resolve a particular problem.
In IT roles, where technical issues can arise unexpectedly and systems need to be up and running quickly, the ability to remain calm and think critically under pressure is vital. Scenario-based questions offer a deeper understanding of a candidate’s ability to manage stress, prioritize tasks, and make sound decisions. These questions allow you to evaluate the candidate’s technical knowledge, decision-making skills, and their ability to handle challenges that are specific to the IT field.
Evaluate operational best practices
Technical roles often require candidates to be familiar with industry best practices, from coding standards to network security protocols. Asking candidates about the best practices they follow not only reveals their technical competence but also gives insight into their work habits and ability to maintain high-quality standards.
- “What best practices do you follow in your IT work?”
- “How do you ensure that your solutions are scalable and maintainable?”
- “Can you describe your approach to writing secure code?”
A candidate who is familiar with industry best practices will demonstrate attention to detail, a commitment to quality, and an understanding of long-term project sustainability. They will also likely be up-to-date with the latest advancements in the field, as best practices evolve over time.
Security is a critical aspect of nearly every IT role. Whether you’re hiring for a network engineer, software developer, or IT support specialist, ensuring that candidates understand security best practices is essential. Asking about how they maintain security within their work or troubleshoot security issues can reveal a great deal about their competence.
- “How do you ensure compliance with security standards?”
- “What steps do you take to secure sensitive data?”
- “Have you worked with encryption technologies? Can you explain how you use them?”
A strong candidate should be familiar with various security protocols and understand the importance of safeguarding data and systems. They should also be able to articulate how they stay current with emerging security threats and compliance requirements.
Technology evolves rapidly, and IT professionals need to continuously learn and adapt to stay effective in their roles. Asking how candidates keep up with new technologies can give you an understanding of their commitment to professional growth and whether they’re proactive about staying up-to-date.
- “How do you stay updated on emerging technologies and trends?”
- “Can you give an example of a time when you had to quickly learn a new technology or tool?”
- “How do you approach continuous learning in your field?”
Candidates who are committed to ongoing education and self-improvement are likely to be a good fit in an environment that values innovation and staying current with industry standards. This can include certifications, workshops, or self-paced learning through platforms like Exam-Labs, which provide training resources for various IT certifications and technologies.
Test network and incident scenarios
One of the most common challenges network engineers face is diagnosing and resolving network outages. A candidate’s ability to troubleshoot network issues quickly is critical to minimizing downtime and maintaining business continuity. Asking the candidate how they would approach this situation gives you insight into their troubleshooting skills.
- “How would you diagnose and resolve a network outage?”
- “What tools would you use to identify the root cause of the issue?”
- “How do you ensure that you communicate effectively with non-technical teams while troubleshooting a network issue?”
The answers to these questions will reveal the candidate’s process for identifying issues, their technical expertise, and their ability to work under pressure.
A network engineer is often the first line of defense when critical systems fail. This might include database failures, server crashes, or other disruptions to the IT infrastructure. It’s essential for the candidate to have a clear, calm approach to handling such high-stakes situations.
- “What steps would you take in the event of a critical system failure?”
- “How would you prioritize the various systems affected by the failure?”
- “How do you ensure that data integrity is maintained during a system failure?”
The answers to these questions will give you an understanding of how the candidate handles pressure and makes decisions when faced with a significant failure. You’ll want to look for a clear, methodical approach to minimizing damage and restoring services.
A data breach is one of the most significant security incidents an organization can face. It is crucial to assess how a security specialist would respond to such an event. The ability to contain the breach, prevent further damage, and investigate the source of the breach is critical in this scenario.
- “How would you handle a suspected data breach?”
- “What immediate actions would you take to contain the breach?”
- “How would you communicate with internal stakeholders about the situation?”
The candidate’s response should demonstrate their understanding of the steps involved in managing a data breach, including securing systems, gathering evidence, and notifying stakeholders. You’ll also want to assess how well the candidate can remain calm and composed during such a high-stakes situation.
Security specialists must constantly monitor their networks for signs of unusual activity. Detecting and responding to suspicious behavior is essential to preventing potential security breaches.
- “What would be your first actions if you detected suspicious activity on the network?”
- “How would you differentiate between legitimate activity and potential security threats?”
- “What tools and techniques would you use to investigate suspicious activity?”
The candidate’s answers should show their familiarity with common security monitoring tools, as well as their ability to distinguish between false alarms and actual threats. You’ll also want to understand their decision-making process in determining the severity of suspicious activity.
Probe project prioritization
IT roles require individuals to wear many hats. Whether it’s working on system upgrades, troubleshooting issues, or developing new software, the complexity and volume of tasks can be overwhelming. A skilled IT professional must be able to manage these tasks efficiently while ensuring that the work is completed on time and with high quality.
Project coordination is another vital skill in IT roles. IT professionals often work with cross-functional teams, including developers, security specialists, business analysts, and others. Coordinating between these teams, ensuring that everyone is on the same page, and keeping the project on track requires strong organizational and communication skills.
In this context, time management becomes even more critical. The ability to balance long-term projects with urgent, short-term tasks and deadlines ensures that all aspects of an IT project are managed efficiently, preventing bottlenecks and delays. Whether a candidate is a software developer, network engineer, or security specialist, understanding how they manage their time and coordinate projects will give you a clear picture of their ability to succeed in the role.
In IT roles, it’s common for employees to juggle multiple projects at once. A candidate’s ability to manage time efficiently and stay organized in such circumstances is a key factor in determining their suitability for the role. The candidate should be able to explain their approach to handling multiple projects and how they prioritize tasks when the workload becomes overwhelming.
- “How do you manage multiple IT projects simultaneously?”
- “What tools or techniques do you use to stay organized when dealing with competing priorities?”
- “How do you ensure that no project is delayed due to another?”
The answers to these questions will give you insights into the candidate’s approach to time management, project tracking, and the tools they use to stay on top of their tasks. The ideal candidate should be able to explain how they plan ahead, monitor progress, and adjust as needed to ensure successful project completion.
In any IT role, it’s common to face situations where resources are limited—whether it’s time, personnel, or budget. Being able to prioritize tasks effectively in such circumstances is a valuable skill. When interviewing candidates, you can gain insights into their ability to assess the situation, prioritize tasks, and make decisions that lead to the best possible outcomes.
- “Can you tell me about a time when you had to prioritize tasks with limited resources?”
- “How did you determine which tasks were most critical and which could be deferred?”
- “How did you communicate your priorities to stakeholders, especially when expectations were high?”
A well-rounded candidate will describe a specific situation where they had to make tough decisions. Their ability to communicate effectively, both with team members and stakeholders, will be key in understanding how they handled the challenges of limited resources and tight deadlines.
Observe coordination and escalation
In an IT environment, there are times when issues must be escalated to senior management or other experts. It’s important for a network engineer to know when to handle an issue independently and when to involve others. Asking the candidate when they would escalate an issue gives you insight into their decision-making and communication skills.
- “At what point would you escalate an issue to senior management?”
- “How do you decide when an issue is beyond your ability to resolve?”
- “What steps do you take to ensure smooth communication when escalating an issue?”
The responses to these questions will help you assess whether the candidate knows how to properly escalate issues and communicate effectively within the team, especially when dealing with high-priority problems.
Project coordination often involves working with multiple teams across different functions, and this can be especially challenging when people have varying priorities, workflows, and timelines. An effective IT professional must be able to keep teams aligned and ensure everyone is working towards the same goal. This requires not only time management skills but also strong communication and leadership abilities.
- “Describe a project where you had to coordinate with several teams. How did you keep everyone aligned?”
- “How did you handle situations when there was disagreement or miscommunication between teams?”
- “What tools or techniques did you use to ensure everyone stayed on the same page?”
By asking these questions, you can gauge how the candidate manages relationships with cross-functional teams. You should look for a candidate who has strong organizational skills, is able to track project milestones, and uses effective communication methods to keep everyone on track.
In IT, professionals often have to balance ongoing projects with urgent, short-term tasks that demand immediate attention. Being able to prioritize between these competing demands is a critical skill. A good candidate will be able to demonstrate how they assess the urgency and importance of different tasks, and how they adjust their work to meet deadlines without compromising quality.
- “How do you balance long-term projects with urgent, short-term tasks?”
- “What criteria do you use to decide which task to prioritize?”
- “Can you provide an example of a situation where you had to adjust your priorities due to unexpected urgent tasks?”
A candidate who can explain how they weigh long-term strategic goals against immediate short-term needs will show that they are capable of maintaining focus while remaining adaptable in dynamic work environments.
Separate substance from presentation
One of the most important things to look for when evaluating a candidate’s response is how clearly and simply they explain complex topics. IT roles often involve technical terms and concepts that may be difficult for non-technical managers to understand. However, a strong candidate should be able to break down complex issues into simple terms that are easy to comprehend. This skill is critical, as IT professionals often need to communicate with non-technical teams and clients.
A candidate who can explain a technical issue or process without using excessive jargon demonstrates effective communication skills and an ability to work with diverse teams. If the candidate struggles to simplify their explanation or seems irritated when asked to clarify, this could indicate a lack of communication skills or an inability to engage with non-technical colleagues. Strong communication skills are just as essential as technical expertise in many IT roles.
For instance, if you ask a candidate about how they managed a network issue, listen for how they explain their process. Do they provide clear, step-by-step explanations? Are they patient and willing to help you understand the key concepts? A candidate who provides these clear and simple answers is more likely to succeed in a role that requires frequent collaboration with non-technical teams.
While you may not have the technical expertise to evaluate every detail of a candidate’s answers, you can still spot certain behaviors or patterns that might signal potential issues. These red flags can help you identify candidates who may not be a good fit for your team or who may be overestimating their abilities.
- Overuse of Jargon or Acronyms: It’s not uncommon for IT professionals to use technical jargon or industry-specific acronyms. However, if a candidate frequently uses jargon without explaining it or assumes you should know what it means, this could be a sign that they are not able to communicate effectively with non-technical colleagues. Ideally, the candidate should be able to explain technical concepts in a way that anyone, regardless of their technical background, can understand.
- Vague Responses: When asked to explain past experiences or walk through a specific project, a good candidate should provide concrete examples. If their answers are vague or lacking in detail, it might indicate that they either don’t have the experience they claim to have or they are not comfortable discussing their past work. Look for answers that include specific challenges, actions taken, and measurable results.
- Evasive Behavior: If a candidate is consistently avoiding direct answers or seems uncomfortable with certain questions, it could indicate that they lack confidence or experience in the areas you’re inquiring about. A skilled IT professional should be able to discuss their role and experience clearly and without hesitation. However, some nervousness is natural during interviews, so be sure to assess how they handle pressure, as opposed to dismissing them outright for a momentary lapse.
- Repetition of Buzzwords: Candidates who repeatedly use buzzwords without providing specific examples of how they’ve applied these concepts in real-world situations might be trying to cover up a lack of experience. Pay attention to how the candidate applies these terms in context. Do they show a deeper understanding, or are they simply listing jargon to sound knowledgeable?
By keeping an eye out for these red flags, you can avoid hiring candidates who may not have the depth of experience they claim or who may struggle to integrate effectively into your team.
A follow-up question is a great way to delve deeper into a candidate’s thought process. By asking follow-up questions, you can explore not only their technical knowledge but also their reasoning behind specific decisions. For example, after a candidate explains how they solved a technical issue, you might ask:
- “Can you walk me through the decision-making process behind your approach?”
- “Why did you choose that particular solution over others?”
- “What was the most challenging aspect of implementing that solution?”
Follow-up questions allow you to evaluate the depth of a candidate’s knowledge and how well they understand the intricacies of the tasks they handle. If you’re not entirely sure of the technical details, take note of their answers and follow up with an IT team member for clarification.
Combine expert review and fair hiring
To ensure a more accurate evaluation of a candidate’s technical abilities, it’s a good idea to involve your internal IT experts in the interview process. While you may handle the initial screening, having an IT professional present during technical interviews can help ensure that the candidate’s skills meet your organization’s needs. Your IT team members can assist in framing the technical questions and interpreting the responses in a more nuanced way, making it easier to assess the candidate’s technical competence.
The presence of an IT expert can also help you address any gaps in your own knowledge. For instance, if a candidate is discussing a technical concept that you don’t fully understand, the IT expert can help you interpret the response and provide additional context. This collaborative approach ensures that you are making an informed decision based on a comprehensive understanding of the candidate’s capabilities.
Additionally, IT experts can ask more specialized questions related to the role, ensuring that the candidate is thoroughly evaluated on their technical knowledge and ability to perform key tasks.
While technical expertise is crucial for many IT roles, it’s equally important to assess whether the candidate will fit into your company’s culture. Cultural fit can be just as important as technical skills when it comes to long-term success. Employees who align with your organization’s values and work environment are more likely to be satisfied, engaged, and productive in their roles.
When evaluating cultural fit, ask questions that give insight into the candidate’s values, work style, and approach to collaboration. Consider how they will mesh with existing team members, as well as their ability to adapt to your company’s workflow.
- “How do you ensure effective communication with non-technical teams?”
This question helps you gauge whether the candidate is comfortable working with individuals who may not have the same technical expertise. In many IT roles, professionals are required to explain complex technical issues to non-technical stakeholders, so communication is key. - “What are the most important qualities you look for in a company culture?”
This question helps you determine if the candidate’s values align with your organization’s values. For example, if your company emphasizes collaboration, look for responses that show an appreciation for teamwork and cooperation. - “How do you manage your work-life balance while meeting deadlines?”
Many IT roles come with high-pressure deadlines, so it’s important to assess how the candidate manages stress and maintains a healthy work-life balance. Candidates who prioritize balance while still delivering results will likely thrive in a sustainable, long-term work environment.
As you interpret the responses to these questions, look for signs of a shared alignment between the candidate’s values and those of your organization. Candidates who emphasize the importance of collaboration, work-life balance, and transparent communication will likely integrate well into your company culture.
