How to Hire Network Engineers: Steps and Tips

As more organizations shift their operations online, they need reliable engineers who can manage and maintain their networks. This increase in demand is one reason why Zippia expects network engineering jobs to grow by 5% between 2018 and 2028. If your organization needs a network engineer, it’s important to select the best possible candidate, as these professionals play a significant role. This article looks at network engineer recruitment tips and best practices for hiring network engineers.

Why Hire a Network Engineer?

Network engineers manage and maintain network infrastructure, keeping systems and equipment in optimal condition to avoid disruptions. They’re critical in disaster recovery and business continuity planning, minimizing downtime during unexpected events. Network engineers can also help organizations integrate new technologies, such as cloud computing, 5G and software-defined networking. By hiring a network engineer, organizations can ensure reliable and uninterrupted network operations.

Cost of Hiring a Network Engineer

There are a few costs associated with hiring a network engineer. To start, there is the network engineer’s salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a network and computer systems administrator was $95,360 per year in 2023. However, this amount can vary significantly depending on the job location, experience level of the engineer and industry.

Besides the base salary, most organizations provide network engineers with benefits such as health care and retirement savings. Finally, there are the costs associated with the hiring process, such as the time it takes to find the right candidate and the resources required to train them. Hiring managers must consider all these costs when hiring a network engineer to ensure they remain within the organization’s budget.

How to Find a Network Engineer

Hiring managers interested in finding a network engineer can implement a few strategies. One of the most common is to post on job boards and other professional networking sites. Another option is to leverage employee referrals by asking current staff to recommend anyone who might be a good fit. According to Pinpoint, referrals are one of the best methods in hiring, as companies are seven times more likely to hire referred candidates compared to those applying via job boards.

How to Hire a Network Engineer

To hire a network engineer, there are three essential steps:

1. Create a Job Description

Start by creating a job description for the position. A good job description contains these elements:

• Job title
• Company overview
• Job summary
• Key responsibilities
• Required qualifications
• Preferred qualifications
• Soft skills
• Benefits and perks
• Application instructions

Use the process of creating a job description to think about what you need in a network engineer. List the necessary skills or qualifications based on your needs for the role. For example, an organization that needs a network engineer to design and implement network infrastructure will likely have more demanding requirements than an organization that needs an engineer to monitor and maintain a simpler network.

The purpose of the job description is not only to let potential candidates know what you’re looking for but also to entice them to work for you if they have the right qualifications. Use this opportunity to talk about the benefits of working for your organization, including any exciting projects the network engineer might work on.

2. Create a Hiring Funnel

Once you have a job description, it’s time to start hiring. Set up a multistep hiring funnel. The key steps of a network engineer hiring funnel include:

1. Attract candidates: Broadcast your job opening by posting your job description online, asking for employee referrals, contacting your professional network, etc.
2. Perform an initial screening: Quickly assess the applications as they roll in, eliminating those that don’t meet the basic requirements for the job. If you receive a large number of applications, there are software tools that can screen applicants for you.
3. Conduct a technical assessment: Narrow your options further by conducting a technical assessment. A technical assessment may include asking candidates to design a network in a given scenario or how they would troubleshoot a simulated network issue.
4. Conduct in-depth interviews: Schedule interviews for candidates who pass the technical assessment. Use these interviews to learn more about the candidates, including their technical expertise and soft skills.
5. Make a decision: After interviewing network engineer candidates, conduct background checks and contact previous employers for references. Then, based on everything you learned, decide who to hire.

Before you start the hiring process, make sure you have the resources in place to complete the entire hiring funnel.

3. Interview Network Engineer Candidates

As part of your hiring funnel, you’ll conduct interviews with network engineer candidates. During the interviews, assess both a candidate’s technical and soft skills. Create a structured interview process that contains a technical assessment, some behavior questions and some problem-solving scenarios.

Three sample technical interview questions  you could ask include:

• “How would you approach diagnosing and resolving a network outage affecting multiple sites? “
• “Can you explain the differences between TCP and UDP and provide examples of when each protocol is more appropriate? “
• “What experience do you have with network automation or SDN, and how would you apply these technologies to improve network performance? “

As for behavioral questions, some options could include:

• “Tell me about a time when you faced a challenging bug or issue in your code. How did you resolve it? “
• “Describe a situation where you disagreed with a teammate or manager about a technical approach. How did you handle it and what was the outcome? “
• “Give an example of a project where you had to quickly learn a new technology or programming language. How did you approach the learning process? “

Deciding and Making an Offer

At the end of the hiring process, decide which candidate to hire and make an offer. Determine a salary that’s in line with similar roles in other companies and your organization’s budget. Consider adding signing bonuses, flexible work arrangements or relocation assistance if necessary. Get started on the steps above by finding network engineer candidates today, and then you can begin selecting the right one for your organization. 

Key Takeaways

• Importance of Network Engineers: Network engineers are essential for preventing disruptions and ensuring reliable operations
• Cost Considerations: Hiring a network engineer entails costs beyond salary, including benefits, hiring process expenses, and training resources.
• Effective Recruitment Strategies: Organizations can attract network engineer candidates through job boards, professional networks, and employee referrals, the latter often yielding higher-quality hires.