25 Computer Systems Analyst Interview Questions & Answers
1. What types of requirements do you gather when you start working on a new project?
How to Answer
This operational question seeks to understand your planning process when starting a new project or implementing a new design. Computer systems analysts should have definite processes they use to plan, initiate, and execute projects. Typically, these are documented and placed in manuals, which can be referred to when new projects arise or to train new personnel. Being able to describe the requirements you use will demonstrate your qualifications for this role.
Answer Example
"When initiating a new project, there are three types of requirements I seek to understand. These include user, technical, and functional requirements. The technical requirements include details such as the required hardware, network equipment, and software applications. The functional requirements address how these systems interface with each other. Finally, the user requirements help me understand how people will interact with the systems and what tasks they are trying to accomplish."
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2. Do you have experience designing a new system with limited resources?
How to Answer
This question is addressing your experience in your previous roles as a computer systems analyst. In today's environment, companies are always looking to do more with less. Being able to describe how you accomplished this effectively and efficiently will help you establish your job qualifications. You should be able to provide a specific example of how you accomplished this.
Answer Example
"In my last job, the IT budget was frozen for 12 months, but the team was still expected to implement new systems while keeping the existing ones performing at high levels. In one specific instance, I was asked to develop a plan that would expand the network's capacity without adding any additional devices or resources. After analyzing the network usage, I came up with a scheme that would create several subnets. These would direct traffic to specific network areas, which had the most resources and reroute traffic around busy hardware. This enabled me to achieve the goal while preventing the company from having to upgrade the network."
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3. What are some of the differences between functional and non-functional requirements?
How to Answer
This technical question is asking you to compare two similar but different terms. When comparing to technical items, you should first define them, discuss their differences, and then provide examples of how they are used. This will ensure that you're answering the question completely and addressing the interviewer's inquiry. As always, be prepared for follow-up questions.
Answer Example
"The functional requirements of a system describe what the system should do. The non-functional requirements address how the system performs or operates. For example, functional requirements can include authentication, transactions, administrative functions, and other system processes. Non-functional requirements may include security, performance levels, scalability of the system, and capacity. Both elements are needed to properly design and provision a computer system."
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4. Please explain the process you use to analyze an existing computer system.
How to Answer
This operational question seeks to explore your experience in analyzing existing systems, as well as your knowledge of the protocols associated with systems analysis. During an interview, it is important that you listen to the interviewer's question in its entirety before formulating your answer. It is common for candidates to begin to think about the answer before the interviewer has completed the question. This may result in you not answering the question completely or thinking you understand the question and providing an answer that is not relevant. Be careful to avoid this pitfall.
Answer Example
"When analyzing an existing computer system, the first thing I do is to audit the system to discover all the resources, components, and elements it is using. The next step is to speak with the users to fully understand their tasks and the information they need the system to produce. Finally, I audit the system software to be aware of all the programs it is running, the revision levels, and the licenses associated with them. I can then formulate an analysis that fully describes the system and comments about its ability to perform the tasks required by the users."
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5. What experience do you have managing computer programming projects?
How to Answer
This is a direct question about your experience with a specific task required by this position. Even though you have presented your resume to the hiring manager, the person interviewing you may not have read it or wants to explore it in more detail. Being familiar with your resume, LinkedIn profile, and other information the interviewer may have access to will help you answer this question to align with the information they may already have.
Answer Example
"As you may have noticed in my resume, I have a great deal of experience managing computer programming projects. In my current role, I have managed projects, including updating the CRM System, creating a program that tracks software usage, and developing a database used in conjunction with the company's ERP system."
6. Can you describe the difference between SSH and SSL?
How to Answer
You should recognize this as a technical question since it asks you to define terms and describe the differences between them. When answering this type of technical question, first define each term. The next step is to describe how they differ from each other. Finally, you may want to provide an example of how each item is used in your profession. This methodology ensures that your answer will be complete and will address the question the interviewer has asked.
Answer Example
"Both SSL and SSH are encryption technologies which help to secure communications between two or more systems. SSH stands for 'secure shell' and uses a specific port to connect the systems. SSL stands for 'secure sockets layer' and commonly uses port 443. SSH is typically used by network administrators when they are logging in remotely. SSL is used to transmit secure information such as financial data, company proprietary information, or confidential user information."
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7. How important is maintaining accurate registration of the software?
How to Answer
This is a follow-up question to one you previously answered. Interviewers will ask follow-up questions to explore a topic in more detail or collect additional information about a subject. You should always be prepared for follow-up questions. Keeping your original answers brief and to the point will encourage the interviewer to ask a follow-up question if they have a specific interest in a topic.
Answer Example
"It is critical to maintain accurate registration information about the software and organization utilizes for several reasons. These include ensuring that the software is legitimate and is accompanied by an authorized license, knowing the revision level of the software, understanding who is authorized to use the product, and to be able to retrieve the information to submit a warranty claim or purchase an upgrade or additional licenses."
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On my team once every 6 months we sat down and analyze that all the software we use for our operations is current, relevant and we create calendar entries to alert us 90 days prior to the software's renewal."
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8. How do you approach record-keeping for the software you manage?
How to Answer
Accurate documentation and record-keeping is a critical skill every computer systems analyst should possess. This contributes to maintaining a safe and secure It environment, being able to train new hires quickly and efficiently, restore systems if there is an outage or when data is deleted, and track software licensing and hardware revision levels. Since this is an operational question, make sure to keep your answer short and to the point.
Answer Example
"When developing a system to maintain records about the software I manage, I use a simple spreadsheet maintained on a collaboration tool such as Google Documents. The information I record includes the software's name, vendor information, when it was originally acquired, the systems that it is installed on, the current version level, and any serial numbers or other identification for the product."
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9. What are some of the software usage policies you have implemented in your previous jobs?
How to Answer
This operational question is inquiring into the type of tools, policies, and procedures you used in prior positions. The interviewer seeks to understand if you have direct experience with the type of procedures and policies they employ or can contribute new ideas to their operations. This is a case where your pre-interview research can help you be prepared to answer the question. Additionally, you should not share anything proprietary to a previous employer.
Answer Example
"I have developed and implemented several different software usage policies in my previous positions. These include not allowing users to add personal software to the organization's systems, preventing users from attaching external storage devices to the network, making sure that users do not use the company's systems to post information to social media sites, and not sharing company confidential information over unencrypted networks."
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10. What is a spoofed packet, and how can it impact an organization's network?
How to Answer
This is a technical question asking you to define a specific term and describe how it is used in your role as a computer systems analyst. During the interview, the majority of your questions will be technical or operational. Both types of questions help the interviewer understand your qualifications and your experience doing this job. Make sure you keep your answers short and to the point. This will encourage the interviewer to ask a follow-up question if they want to explore the topic in more detail.
Answer Example
"A spoofed packet is an IP packet that originates from a counterfeit IP address. Although it behaves like a legitimate and authentic packet, it is malicious. Hackers use spoofed packets to defeat a network's security and launch threats such as denial of service attacks. Computer systems analyst and network operators can detect these using various tools available in the open market."
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11. Can you define sub-netting and discuss how it is used to manage an IT infrastructure?
How to Answer
When asked to define the term or concept, you should recognize the question as being technical. Technical questions should be addressed briefly and directly, without any embellishment. You should also anticipate follow-up questions after you responded to the interviewer. A series of follow-up questions indicates that this topic is important to the organization and permits you to expand your answers.
Answer Example
"Sub-netting is the practice of partitioning or segmenting a portion of the TCP/ IP network into distinct and separate segments. The purpose of this is to improve the network's performance and make the network easier to manage."
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12. What are the key elements of software auditing?
How to Answer
Auditing software is another function performed by the Computer Systems analyst. Being familiar with this practice and being able to describe the critical elements is key to establishing your qualifications for this role. This is another example of a technical question, so you should make sure that your answer is directed to the point. You should also anticipate follow-up questions meant to explore this topic in more detail.
Answer Example
"Throughout my career, I've learned several best practices involving software auditing. Some of the elements I investigate when performing this task include: ensuring that all the software is at the current or appropriate revision level, that each user has a license to utilize the software, ensuring that there are no malicious or unauthorized pieces of software on the system, and making sure that each user is authorized to access a particular application."
13. Can you describe your experience creating and enforcing software usage policies and discuss why are they are important?
How to Answer
This operational question is meant to explore your experience with this specific activity. Interviewers will ask operational questions about the type of work you will be doing for the organization if they decide to hire you. Your pre-interview research should indicate their expectations and the duties you will be expected to perform in this job. This will help you prepare for questions like this. You should be able to discuss the operations you perform and give examples of how you did this for your previous employers.
Answer Example
"I have a great deal of experience creating and enforcing software usage policies. These are important because they protect the organization and the users. Some of the policies I've created include only using software authorized and purchased by the organization, making sure that each user has a license to use the software, not sharing logins or passwords, and not installing personal software on the organization systems."
14. Give me an example of when you took a risk to achieve a goal. What was the outcome?
How to Answer
This is a behavioral question that an interviewer will ask to determine whether you act conservatively or are a risk-taker. As a computer systems analyst, it is best to maintain a balance between both extremes. While you need to be innovative and adapt to new technologies to resolve the challenges you encounter, you also need to maintain the stability and security of the computer systems you manage. Your answer to this question should reflect your ability to do this.
Answer Example
"In one of my previous roles, I encountered a situation in which there was a potential security threat to one of our systems. The threat was new and something we had not seen before. To resolve the issue, I needed to employ a new and untested technology solution. I decided to utilize the technology since the risk involved was less than what was posed by the security threat. My team and I implemented the solution after having backed up the system. This resulted in the system being secured and the organization adopting the new technology as a standard fix for this type of issue."
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15. Why is it important to maintain accurate documentation of the systems you manage?
How to Answer
This is an example of an operational question. Operational questions help the interviewer understand how you go about doing your job in this role. Just like technical questions, operational questions should be answered directly and briefly. You should always anticipate follow-up questions when you provide an answer to the interviewer. Follow-up questions indicate that the interviewer wants to explore the topic in more detail or has a specific interest in this area.
Answer Example
"It is critically important to maintain accurate documentation of the systems, network infrastructure, and software I manage. This helps our team to quickly resolve issues and makes it easier when the systems need to be replaced or upgraded. It also creates a history of the systems, which is helpful when new people are brought into the organization. The types of documentation I maintain include user requirements, data flow diagrams, and network topography designs."
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16. Can you describe what a DHCP server is and why they are useful for administering computer networks?
How to Answer
This is an example of a technical question. During your interview as a computer systems analyst, you should anticipate that most of the questions will be technical or operational. These help the interviewer understand your qualifications and your ability to perform in this role. Technical questions are best answered directly and briefly. The interviewer will ask a follow-up question if they need additional information.
Answer Example
"A DHCP server is a device that manages the configuration details for all the computers and devices within the network infrastructure. DHCP stands for a dynamic host configuration protocol. An example of how this is used is when there are many systems across the network that perform the same specific task, they will normally be grouped and placed within a network infrastructure subnet. The DHCP server manages this."
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17. Tell us how you keep your job knowledge current with the ongoing changes in the industry.
How to Answer
Hiring managers will always select candidates who are qualified for the position. They also look for individuals who continue to increase their knowledge and stay current on the topics required for them to do their job. You should have a formal plan for maintaining your competency in your profession and be able to describe it when requested.
Answer Example
"The technology industry is constantly changing. Staying up to date with current developments is a key requirement for my profession. I dedicate time every day to this task. Methods I use to accomplish this include reading industry journals, meeting with manufacturers and product developers, and networking with my peers to discuss new developments they have become aware of. I try to incorporate what I learn into the work I do."
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18. Describe a project or idea that was implemented primarily because of your efforts. What was your role? What was the outcome?
How to Answer
This behavioral question asks you to provide details of an accomplishment you achieved in one of your previous jobs. When answering behavioral questions, you should use the STAR framework. This helps you organize your answer and tell a story that the interviewer can relate to. The example you describe should align with the type of work you will be doing for the organization if you are hired.
Answer Example
"During a recent downturn in our industry, the IT department's budget was frozen, and we were asked to do more with the same resources. After a quick analysis, I realized that there was additional capacity on most of our systems. I put together a task force to determine what additional functionality we could add to the systems without impacting current processes. We developed a set of recommendations that would enable the company to add both people and processes to the organization without expanding the IT infrastructure. This resulted in cost savings exceeded 20%, which was added to the department's next fiscal year's budget."
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19. What assignment was too difficult for you, and how did you resolve the issue?
How to Answer
No one likes to discuss times they were challenged or even failed at a task. However, interviewers know that everybody encounters these situations. The key to answering this question is demonstrating how you successfully overcame a difficult situation or a significant challenge. This is the response the interviewer is looking for. Many people operate under the belief that there are no failures, only opportunities to learn and improve.
Answer Example
"I was once asked to provide a cost-benefit analysis of a new technology the company was considering implementing. Unfortunately, I was unfamiliar with the technology and didn't have any direct experience with it. Therefore, it was difficult for me to analyze the benefits and quantify them. My solution was to contact the vendor and to see if they had already performed a similar analysis. They had and were willing to step me through it, so I could better understand the benefits of their technology. They even had a tool that allowed me to customize the analysis with our organization's specific details. This enabled me to complete a cost-benefit analysis accurately and on time."
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20. Tell me about a time that you had to work on a team that did not get along. What happened?
How to Answer
The ability to collaborate with a team is critical to just about any job, especially for computer system analysts. Team dynamics can often be challenging, and inevitably there will be conflicts. Your ability to manage these and accomplish the task at hand is critical. You should be able to describe a situation where you had a conflict with a difficult team member and resolved it professionally and productively.
Answer Example
"I frequently collaborate with high-performance teams of computer professionals. Occasionally, conflicts arise due to differences in opinions or approaches to resolving an issue. When this happens, I first seek to understand the other person's perspective. I then clearly state my position and see if we can reach an agreement on our own. If we are unable to do this, I recommend that we escalate the issue to our manager, who is typically able to resolve it to both of our satisfaction."
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21. Some people consider themselves to be 'big picture people,' and others are 'detail-oriented.' Which are you? Give an example of a time when you displayed this.
How to Answer
Any time an interviewer asks you to give them an example, you should identify the question as being behavioral. This indicates that your answer should be formatted using the STAR framework. You state the situation, discuss the task you need to accomplish, describe the actions you took, and highlight the results. Your answer should align with the job requirements when being asked to choose between having a big picture perspective or being attentive to details.
Answer Example
"As a computer systems analyst, it is helpful to both understand the big picture while being very attentive to the small details. This enables you to resolve issues quickly while ensuring that your solutions do not have any unintended consequences. I believe I possess both of these qualities. An example of this was when I was asked to examine a new process and determine what other systems may conflict with it. I needed to understand how the process fit into the organization's overall operations while also being aware of how it may impact existing processes and procedures. My analysis determined that the process would not only improve the organization's operational efficiency, but it would also allow us to eliminate several other redundant tasks. This saved the organization 10% of its operational budget for the year."
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22. Have you ever been in a position where you had to lead a group of peers? How did you handle it?
How to Answer
This is a behavioral question that seeks to understand your collaboration and leadership skills. Behavioral questions ask you about previous situations and how you reacted to them. The best way to answer a behavioral question is by using the STAR framework. This involves four steps; First, you state the Situation, then discuss the Task you needed to achieve. The next step is to describe the Actions you took, followed by a brief description of the Results you achieved.
Answer Example
"I am often asked to lead a group of my peers due to the leadership skills I learned in my previous jobs. An example of this was when I was designated to lead a team of other computer systems analysts on a project involving an OS upgrade. We had to determine which applications would be affected by the upgrade and how to mitigate any undesired impacts. I delegated a subset of the applications to each of the team members to analyze. After the analysis was complete, we compared the results and noted any common issues. We then created an implementation plan which addressed these. The result was that the OS upgrade went smoothly, and none of the identified applications were impacted."
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23. What new or unusual ideas have you developed on your job? How did you develop them? What was the result?
How to Answer
Organizations like to hire individuals who are innovative and willing to learn new things. This question seeks to determine if you have these qualifications. When discussing a new idea that you developed and implemented, it should align with the responsibilities of the role for which you are interviewing. This will demonstrate that you will be able to solve challenging problems using innovative solutions when hired for this position.
Answer Example
"A new idea that I developed while working for a previous organization was to create a new workflow for a repetitive task my team had to perform. This involved software updates and ensuring that the organization was only paying for licenses it was using. The idea was to build an application that collected this information and allowed the team to update it using mobile apps. This enabled them to keep the information current from wherever they were working. I based this idea on a collaboration tool I learned about at a local computer users group meeting."
24. What goal have you set for yourself that you have successfully achieved?
How to Answer
The ability to set and achieve goals is a key qualification for an employee. Employers prefer candidates who can give examples of having done this. When preparing for an interview, you should carefully read the job description and understand the goals and objectives of the role. You should then prepare brief stories about when you were able to achieve similar objectives in your previous jobs.
Answer Example
"A goal that I set for myself early in my career was to attain six crucial certifications that I believed a qualified computer systems analyst should have. I gave myself one year to accomplish this. I worked hard at this objective, taking both in-person and online courses in the evenings and on weekends. I was able to achieve the six certifications I had identified within nine months. This led to me being promoted and taking on additional responsibilities at my current organization."
25. What do you consider to be your professional strengths? Give me a specific example using this attribute in the workplace.
How to Answer
In just about any interview, you will be asked about your strengths and your weaknesses. You can prepare for this question by listing both on the sheet of paper and practicing presenting them to the interviewer. When answering a question about your strengths, the examples you provide should align with the requirements noted in the job description for which you are interviewing. When discussing your weaknesses, they should either not be related to the job or items you are working to correct or have already done.
Answer Example
"My professional strengths include attention to detail, focus on outcomes, the ability to collaborate across the organization, and strong leadership skills. An example of these is when I identified a bug in a piece of code my team and I were implementing. My attention to detail allowed me to do this effectively."
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An example of this is last week, I was proposing an SSO solution that aims to consolidate all different logins faculty and students use into one set of credentials with a single main portal. To express the concept to the dean, who is a fan of Norse mythology, I explained that the SSO platform was like Heimdall the gatekeeper who allows or denies access to those looking to enter into Asgar (our systems) . The solution was approved before I left his office ."
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