Is your startup or company experiencing rapid growth? Have you recently hired developers and now find yourself in need of a DevOps engineer? Identifying a skilled DevOps professional can be challenging, as they differ from typical developers. This guide will help you understand what to look for in DevOps engineer CVs and during interviews.
The first quality to seek in a DevOps engineer's CV is development experience. Any competent DevOps engineer should have programming experience in at least one language. While the specific language isn't crucial (Python, Go, or Rust are all suitable), professional development experience is a significant advantage.
Why is this important? A DevOps engineer with development experience:
- Understands developers' workflows and challenges
- Knows how to ship software efficiently
- Is familiar with Agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban
- Can read and understand code
- Has experience working with project managers and developers
- Is proficient in version control systems like Git
- Can handle merge conflicts and rapid hotfix deployments
Without this experience, a DevOps engineer may struggle to grasp the full scope of development processes, limiting their ability to support the team effectively.
After development experience, proficiency in Linux and networking is crucial. Most applications run on Linux servers, making this knowledge essential. The best DevOps engineers also possess:
- Strong debugging skills
- Understanding of interconnected components in complex systems
A typical modern tech stack might include:
- Application servers
- Caching systems (e.g., Redis)
- Message brokers (e.g., RabbitMQ, Kafka)
- Web servers (e.g., Nginx)
- VPNs
- Databases (e.g., RDS)
- Cloud APIs (AWS, Google Cloud, Azure)
- Object storage (e.g., S3)
- Kubernetes
- Monitoring tools (e.g., Prometheus, Zabbix)
DevOps engineers need to understand how these components interact and troubleshoot issues when they arise.
In the ever-changing tech landscape, problems are inevitable. A proficient DevOps engineer should possess exceptional debugging skills to:
- Identify the root cause of issues
- Navigate complex, interconnected systems
- Resolve problems efficiently
When interviewing candidates, ask them to describe their approach to debugging various scenarios. Their responses will provide insight into their problem-solving abilities and technical expertise.
Familiarity with popular DevOps tools is essential. Look for experience with:
- Configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible)
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform)
- Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines
- Containerization technologies (e.g., Docker)
- Orchestration platforms (e.g., Kubernetes)
These tools enable DevOps engineers to automate processes, manage infrastructure, and streamline deployments effectively.
Beyond technical expertise, strong communication skills are vital for DevOps engineers. They must effectively interact with various team members, including:
- Project managers
- Developers
- Designers
- Contractors
During the interview process, assess the candidate's ability to explain complex concepts clearly and their approach to collaboration. Ask about past experiences working in cross-functional teams and how they've resolved conflicts or communicated technical issues to non-technical stakeholders.
When evaluating DevOps engineer candidates, prioritize these five key qualities:
1. Development experience
2. Linux and networking expertise
3. Debugging skills
4. DevOps tool proficiency
5. Communication and people skills
By focusing on these areas, you'll be well-equipped to identify a DevOps engineer who can drive your team's efficiency, improve collaboration, and contribute to your company's success in today's fast-paced tech environment.
Remember, the ideal DevOps engineer combines technical prowess with strong interpersonal skills, bridging the gap between development and operations to create a more streamlined, efficient, and productive tech ecosystem for your organization.