Database Administrator (DBA) Interview Questions & Answers

Database administrators (DBAs) use specialized software to store and organize data.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Attention to detail
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Analytical skills

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for database administrator positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Analytical skills

Why interviewers are interested in your analytical skills:

DBAs must monitor a database system’s performance to determine when action is needed. They must evaluate complex information that comes from a variety of sources.

Communication skills

Why interviewers are interested in your communication skills:

Most database administrators work on teams and need to communicate effectively with developers, managers, and other workers.

Learn more about communication interview questions and how to answer them!

Attention to detail

Why interviewers are interested in your attention to detail:

Working with databases requires an understanding of complex systems, in which a minor error can cause major problems. For example, mixing up customers’ credit card information can cause someone to be charged for a purchase they didn’t make.

Problem-solving skills

Why interviewers are interested in your problem-solving skills:

When database problems arise, administrators must troubleshoot and correct the problems.

Learn more about problem-solving interview questions and how to answer them!

(source: bls.gov)

Database Administrator Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Database Administrator Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Database Administrator Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. Walk me through your experience working with database servers.
2. Tell me about a time you disagreed with a colleague. What happened, and how did you solve it?
3. Describe a time you experienced a data loss. How did you handle the situation?
4. Walk me through your troubleshooting process as a database administrator.
5. What are the common problems you run into as a database administrator?
6. How do you make sure you stay up to date with the latest market developments and new applications?
7. Give me an example of a time you made a mistake. What happened, and how did you solve it? What did you learn from that situation?
8. Walk me through your workflow as a database administrator.
9. What steps do you take when a user complains about the performance of a specific database?
10. What do you consider your top technical skills? Can you give an example of how you have used them to your advantage?
11. Why did you choose database administration as a specialization?
12. What do you consider the most common tasks performed by a database administrator?
13. How do you prevent data loss from happening when you migrate data to the cloud?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.