How To Hire a Server Engineer
Complete with job descriptions, skill profiles, and interview templates. Use this Server Engineer hiring guide to help you make the right decisions, fast.
Server Engineer Recruitment Guide
What does a Server Engineer do?
A Server Engineer is responsible for creating, maintaining and removing physical hardware and digital software in an organization’s IT infrastructure across multiple locations. With this responsibility it means they must make sure that the different servers and operating environments are able to be accessed at all times.
Day to day tasks of a Server Engineer
- Write shell scripts
- Manage VMs in an organization's
- Interaction with Active Directory
- Provide technical support to stakeholders
- Manage NFS’ and SMB’s
- Use Ansible to automate tasks
Server Engineer definition
A server engineer looks after an organization's hardware and software in their IT network. This means they’re partaking in the whole life cycle of designing solutions, maintaining solutions and the removal of potentially confidential data. The role is essential as they look after the business critical applications and servers which run various processes that organizations rely on.
HIRING PROCESS
Server Engineer Hiring Process
Build the ideal candidate profile
Skills needed for a Server Engineer
In order to be an effective Server Engineer, they must have a very good understanding of how the major operating systems work such as Linux + Windows, Active Directory. Furthermore, they must have good communication skills and the willingness to problem-solve.
- Communication
- RedHat
- Linux
Pro Tip
For mid roles, you’ll need to clearly define the role so the candidate will know what is required of them due to how broad the job title is. Clearly defining if the potential employee needs to work with certain technology such as Linux vs Windows will greatly assist both parties find what they’re looking for.
WRITE A JOB DESCRIPTION BASED ON SKILLS
How to write a Server Engineer job description
Once you’ve determined the skills required for the role, you can write the job description to advertise for your position. Here’s what to include in your Server Engineer job description:
Job Title: What position are you hiring for?
Summary: What makes your company unique? What would it be like to work for you?
Responsibilities: An overview of the role’s day-to-day activities, and how the position contributes to the organization
Requirements: Skills a candidate must have to perform the job successfully
Benefits: Details of compensation, benefits, and any perks on offer
Pro Tip
In building your candidate profile, remember you’ve already identified what skills are needed to succeed in the role. Here’s where to list your “must-have” skills and maybe a couple of “nice-to-have” skills. For example, a Server Engineer must understand the fundamentals of Active Directory and most importantly its connection with Linux.
SELECTING THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Sample skill tests for a Server Engineer
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Question 1
Linux
Question Type: Text
An application is being developed on Linux OS. In this application for the input data, the application needs to contact another application whose IP address is 10.174.85.99. But there is an issue where the other application is not responding while a request is sent for the input data. Which of the following options will help to check the status of the other application?
Question 2
RedHat
Question Type: Audio
What will be the octal representation of the following file permission? rwxr-xr-x
Question 3
Communication
Question Type: Text
Describe a time where you have presented an idea, challenge, or problem to a non-technical employee. How did you explain it to ensure they understood?
INTERVIEW TOP PERFORMERS
How to interview a Server Engineer
Once your Vervoe skills assessment has surfaced the most qualified people for your open role, you can focus on interviewing these candidates. The interview should focus on any skills that require development that were highlighted from the skills assessment.
Now you know that candidates can do the job, the interview becomes more of a relationship building exercise where you can get to know the candidate on a more personal level, understand their motivations, and how they would fit in with the team.
Making An Offer
How much does it cost to hire a Server Engineer?
The US average for Server Engineers is $107,250 according to Talent.com whilst Indeed.com has the average salary at $90,502. Ninety percent of Server Engineers can expect to earn up to $108,000 and the lowest ten percent are paid up to $56,000 according to Payscale.com.
Server Engineer Salary United States
The United States has a median salary of $72,629 USD for Server Engineers. This figure will change based on many different elements when a salary is made for employees, for instance, the location of the organization, experience and education.
Server Engineer Salary United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom a Server Engineer can be expected to receive a yearly salary of approximately £43,000. This figure will be impacted by a number of factors such as, the industry and location of the organization.
Server Engineer Salary Australia
Server Engineers in Australia have a reported yearly wage of $94,000 AUD. There are a handful of factors which need to be taken into consideration when this number is offered to candidates, for example, the location of the organization and the seniority of the position.
