Interviewing for the SRE "Site Reliability Engineer" role in 2021 (some things to expect)

[@MFTGShane]

I have been a software developer for 5 years before i switched to SRE for the past 2 years. Professionally I have coded in Java and Ruby/Rails. Now in SRE predominately Python. I still try to dive into code when in firefight mode. Spot on with the languages.

[@zealtypedcode3119]

SELF TAUGHT here do I need to learn full stack web development I mean like learning frameworks like nodejs django before learning devops/sre tools cloud etc or only learning an architectural and implementing overview of web apps in general thanks in advance??

[@MFTGShane]

@@zealtypedcode3119 this all depends on your goals. I gravitate to jobs that expect SRE to be a graduation of SWE. If the engineering aspect is your strong suite then I would say yes. If you feel weak on learning software engineering or it takes you a long time, then I would consider looking if learning tooling is path of least resistance. I want to promote letting your employer paying you to learn.

[@zealtypedcode3119]

@@MFTGShane thanks a lot for your reply I think I can go with longer path learning full stack web development first I have already learned js/ts and python to advanced concepts like data structure and algorithms design patterns multi processing multi threading and concurrency and doing basic projects Can I ask one last question I'm torn between 2 back end frame work which to learn Nest.js (node.js) or django I'm planning to learn only one for now and then concentrate on learning sre/devops tools can't decide which to learn first to land a job before learning the other what's your suggestion from your work experience perspective??

[@mpchenette]

Great content man! Really cool to hear a viewpoint from the small and medium shop world. Can't wait to explore your channel!

[@barryholmes507]

I am getting ready to interview now for 2 open SRE roles. I watched this video as I am trying to see how I can optimize a junior role into what should be not be one. Here are my suggestions for what to highlight (I know the role is varied in nearly every organization). However, most rely heavily on metrics which are usually derived using prometheus query language. DevOps + CICD understanding/Experience is huge Kubernetes experience also important (could use labs and courses to replace experience for junior role) Bash or Python (both a plus) Some past operational experience preferred. Can substitute with demonstation of strong rapid problem solving potential. Communications and written skills are also important (focus on soft skills) Working with development teams can be a soft dance ;)

[@randomthoughtstech]

nice :) communication is huge, I find myself working with all sorts of different teams throughout the week. We are in the process of implementing some SLO's and communication will take an even larger role here.

[@mycricketpassion]

Over the last 6 months I had 7 interviews as Devops engineer but still no luck getting My contract was ended due to the Covid situation budget cut. My question is how to deal with interviews when hiring managers asking you do everything from Cloud Administration, Coding, System Administration, Kubernetes SME .. Unfortunately in toronto market is little slow or may be I am out of luck or not being able to convince the managers

[@randomthoughtstech]

Hi Azhar, try and take advantage of the remote roles that companies are posting. I agree with you where SRE/Ops roles are quite demanding and the required knowledge is sometimes questionable. I encourage you to apply to roles that you might feel you are not qualified for because I promise you that all of the requirements listed are often not realistic. Feel free to connect with me on linkedin and we can hop on call for some mock interviews.

[@christianherrera9524]

Same boat, I've been through a few 2nd/3rd rounds of interviews with no luck so far. Working another at the moment, hopefully things work out. Best of luck out there!

[@rayr268]

If you do try out for remote like I am right now. Be ready to do the marathon. I've been an exact match a few times and still passed over. Another engineer mentioned he applied to 85 places to get 25 interviews and 1 offer letter so it can crazy for everyone right now.

[@mycricketpassion]

@@randomthoughtstech Thanks and sorry I missed your reply, last month I was short list for Azure Cloud DevOps position but again that contract put it on hold or something else until now never got any update even spoken to recruiter today

[@mycricketpassion]

@@christianherrera9524 I think I found my problem is I am not applying to every random job posting on linkedin and I was totally relied on my agency who is preferred vendor with IBM since I have been contracted by IBM number of times I thought they will bring me back.

[@YeetYeetYe]

I have nothing to add other than that is a really beautiful beard bro.

[@S_Kane]

8:33 as an infrastructure engineer, it’s frustrating to view many job descriptions that require knowledge of a programming language.

[@randomthoughtstech]

yep, I felt the same way about software quality roles years ago and saw the industry shifting, so I took action. I ended up putting a lot of time into Ruby to find the project changing to Python based on the rest of the team which was frustrating lol

[@S_Kane]

@@randomthoughtstech 😂 those changes happen often. I took action by learning more devops techniques to mask my inability and lack of interest in programming

[@poppadoesitpropa]

There is no getting away from it. You need to learn to code, for Automation Orchestration and configuration management. This use to be mostly achieved manual methods. Todays code like terraform allow you spin up Infrastructure in blink of an eye, convinced? Oh just side bar. I've been Infrastructure Engineer for 15 years and cloud SRE/Ops for 5 years, so feel your pain, I'm constantly applying knowledge day to day, so feel the pain for the gain Regards

[@zealtypedcode3119]

SELF TAUGHT here do I need to learn full stack web development I mean like learning frameworks like nodejs django before learning devops/sre tools cloud etc??

[@randomthoughtstech]

You don't need to learn those in-depth. Full disclosure, I had a full understanding of the SDLC and each component of how my organization's software stack was put together. This helped me understand what to troubleshoot during an incident. Learn the SRE-related tooling in-depth first e.g. observability, automation scripting, infrastructure as code, process, etc. This also depends on the organization that you're applying to. In larger organizations, SRE also means that you're on-call rotation and write production code when you don't have the pager "Own what you deploy" kind of approach. I'll likely do a video on this as well.

[@zealtypedcode3119]

@@randomthoughtstech thanks a lot for your replay I have last question and I will be grateful for your answer I already learned python and java script / TS to advanced level like data structures algorithms concurrency multiprocessing multi threading but haven't learned any library or framework yet before SRE got my attention and gain my interest from your own job experience perspective if I have to choose one framework/library between (Django/Node.js) what would I go for learning during mastering SRE tools and thanks in advance ??

[@randomthoughtstech]

@@zealtypedcode3119 No problem, if it's just for a job, I would personally look at the job market to make that decision e.g. searching linkedin and basing the decision on that data. The other option is deciding based on your passion, do you enjoy working with JS or Python more?

[@lufyfroo6243]

perfect! sigue subiendo videos y orientandonos a los SRE JUNIORS ..gracias saludos desde spain

[@davidleal714]

man, i feel the interviews are all over the place, some ask very tool specific, some ask more generic, etc

[@randomthoughtstech]

I agree with you. It's all about how that organization defines SRE and what they use which can be incredibly confusing. I'll have to create a video on researching the organization that folks are applying to.

[@poppadoesitpropa]

@@randomthoughtstech hi brother I'm looking at SRE from 2 standpoints, internal services and any customer facing external. For me there must be use cases out there that give at start point and idea on finding suitable use cases? Looking to be as cool as you when I enter youtube realm bro!

[@poppadoesitpropa]

@@randomthoughtstech PS backing tracks top draw material

[@randomthoughtstech]

@@poppadoesitpropa haha, for sure, sometimes light music helps. I agree, the SRE principles can be applied to lots of things, especially SLO's. I am currently focused on external user happiness but I want to create metrics from internal tools as well.

[@masumtube1]

Thanks a lot for the video. I am trying to pursue my career as a SRE, i have an experience in Development and Operations in Production Support. Has been in many interviews for SRE position but as you said every interview was different. Still trying👍

[@randomthoughtstech]

Keep trying, there's also different paths that can lead to SRE which is something that I will likely do a video on e.g. worked as a dev, sysadmin, devops, etc.

[@masumtube1]

@@randomthoughtstech Thanks for your quick response. Are you available on twitter or LinkedIn, will really be helpful If i can follow you and know the path to pursue SRE.

[@randomthoughtstech]

@@masumtube1 no problem, my information is available as links within the about section in youtube,

[@nielsenaaa]

Thank you for that !

[@christianherrera9524]

Appreciate the perspective

[@shershahdrimighdelih]

Great

[@motolaoshin]

Nice video, the audio cold be louder.

[@vl9160]

Make ASMR videos, your voice is relaxing!!! Good content 👌

[@DucatiDiaries]

LMAO

[@purplediesel]

Speak up no one can hear you

[@randomthoughtstech]

The mic is turned up in my other videos and music is turned down. Good luck on your interview.