5 Most Common Cloud Interview Questions And How To Answer Them

Starting a career in the cloud industry is an exciting journey, but mastering the art of interviews is the key to unlocking your dream job.

In this blog, I will reveal the top 5 cloud interview questions, drawn from my 6+ years in the industry. Navigating these questions with confidence will place you among the top 10% of candidates. If you've been facing cloud interviews without landing that job offer, this blog is for you.

Stay with me—these questions become even more important, especially for the last question, where I'll share insights on discussing your projects and experiences, even if you're a newcomer without real-world job experience.

Now, let's dive into the first of these pivotal interview questions.

To answer this question, my first advice is to ‘Craft a Narrative that Resonates’ 

The opening question of any interview can be a stumbling block. Forget the life story; this question is your chance to showcase your history, skills, and passion for the cloud industry. 

Learn to answer strategically by highlighting your journey, emphasizing your evolving skills, and expressing genuine passion for the cloud. I'll guide you through my ideal response, demonstrating how a few sentences can make all the difference.

Here is how I would answer this question:

"A couple of years ago, I began learning the Linux command line, eventually progressing to creating web servers to challenge myself. This led me to discover AWS, where I found deploying servers remotely to be simple and intuitive. I furthered my skills by obtaining the Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect Associate certifications. Currently, I'm expanding my expertise in Terraform, CI/CD, Python, and more. I find great enjoyment in working with cloud technologies and am excited about leveraging my skills to contribute to your organization.”

Here, you want to ensure you tailor your answer for impact.

This question demands a tailored response. Break it down into two key sub-questions, allowing you to align with the company's mission and highlight your relevance to the specific job;

• Why do I want to work for this company?
• Why did you apply for that specific role in that company?

Research the company's mission and goals and tailor your response to the job description. 

For example, if you're interested in joining a company like Tesla and the job requirements include experience in CI/CD and Python, your response could be framed as follows:

“I am applying for this position because I am aware that Tesla's mission is to accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy through electric vehicles—a cause I am passionate about, as I believe that electric vehicles represent the future. Upon reviewing the job description, I recognized that this role was the right fit for me due to my extensive experience in using Python to automate tasks and creating CI/CD pipelines to enhance deployment workflows. Answering in this way not only aligns me with the company's mission and values but also demonstrates the relevance of my skills to the role. This approach will make me appear much stronger than other candidates who provide generic answers.”

In the cloud industry, two strengths stand out: a willingness to learn and the ability to troubleshoot.

Understand the significance of these strengths and learn how to back them up with tangible examples. Ensure your resume shows your commitment to growth and your ability to navigate challenges; this makes you a standout candidate. Make sure you're communicating that you enjoy troubleshooting.

Backup these points with examples, so here's how I'd answer that question:

"My biggest strength is my willingness to learn new things. I love acquiring new skills, as evident from my journey. I began with Linux, then progressed to learning Python and AWS, completing two certifications along the way. This continuous learning is fuelled by my eagerness to explore and embrace new knowledge. Another strength of mine is troubleshooting; I find satisfaction in conducting research, identifying issues, and ultimately resolving them."

The dreaded weakness question is your opportunity to showcase self-awareness and commitment to improvement.

This question is crafted to catch individuals off guard and prompt them to disclose negative aspects of themselves. Many have faced rejection in cloud-related roles due to this question. 

I approach it by discussing the issue's impact on me and outlining the steps I've taken to address and rectify it. I find that addressing how I've dealt with challenges provides the most effective response to the common question, What's your greatest weakness?

Follow a three-part framework—humble brag, negative impact, and improvement strategy—to navigate this tricky question with authenticity. 

So here is an example to bring it all together, so my answer could look something like this:

"My greatest weakness is that I tend to work too hard and take on an excessive workload, leading to burnout and demotivation. However, what I've truly learned is how to prioritize my tasks effectively. By doing so, I can focus on the most important responsibilities first, ultimately achieving a better work-life balance. Therefore, although the challenge lies in how it initially causes demotivation, I've learned to address this by prioritizing my workload. This approach allows me to concentrate on important tasks first, contributing to an improved work-life balance. In essence, I've acknowledged the impact on me and have taken steps to rectify it, making this the most effective way to answer the question about my greatest weakness."

Discussing your projects is a make-or-break moment in an interview.

A common mistake I often observe among beginners is the misuse of "we" instead of "I" when discussing their involvement in cloud projects. This can raise concerns for recruiters.

As a cloud engineer, it is important to highlight your individual contributions and demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively within a team. Using "we" without clearly communicating your active participation can give the impression that you did not play a significant role.

Recruiters are interested in hearing about the projects you have personally worked on and how you have made valuable contributions.

So, remember to emphasize your individual achievements and showcase your teamwork skills to make a strong impression.

Having high-quality projects in your portfolio can set you apart in a competitive field.

These top 5 interview questions are your keys to success in the competitive cloud industry.

If you're serious about securing your dream job, explore personalized mock interviews and gain access to high-quality projects at cloudcareermentor.com.

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Your dream cloud job awaits, and armed with these comprehensive insights, you're on the fast track to making it a reality!