F5 Application Support Engineer Interview Questions
& Process

I applied for the NSE1 role at F5. First, I got a call from HR who asked for personal details and explained the hiring process. After that, there was an online technical screening with about 50 open-ended questions, and I only had 35 minutes to complete it. This test covered OSI layers, TCP/UDP protocols, and Linux commands. I didn't get to all the questions but managed to pass. The next stage was a technical screening over the phone, focusing on OSI layers, switches, TCP/UDP protocols, DNS, DHCP, HTTP, SSL, encryption, Linux commands, and troubleshooting scenarios. I could answer some of it, but I missed a good chunk of the Linux and networking questions because I lack practical experience. They really seem to value Linux skills for this position, while the networking knowledge required is pretty basic.

I have 15+ years in customer support from storage to servers and applied for the NSE 2 position and made it through the grueling technical interview only to be passed up for a 1:1 interview (felt comfortable with how answered questions). I saw a NSE 1 position became available and figured that as I was considered for the NSE 2 that maybe I'd be considered for the NSE 1 and this time I didn't even make the technical interview. I wish there was some consistency in the application process and the technical questions were intense seemed like interviewing to be president

I was impressed with the F5 interview process - the HR person seemed pleasant and friendly. The HR person asked about 10 - 12 very technical questions on the networking side of things and 10 questions on Linux that I did not have much experience with so I could not answer the questions. I took the phone interview because I did not know how deep the Linux knowledge would be required (I know enough to be dangerous.) I also was honest on the supplemental questions when I applied online and said that my knowledge of Linux was very limited. Even though I did not pass the Linux portion, some study material was recommended and I can call back and retake the Linux portion. My advice it to study the TCP/IP and OSI model like you were back in college. Can't comment on the Linux portion as I was only asked one question but if the questions were anything like the TCP/IP networking questions then I would study Linux the same way. There are bonuses for customer service satisfaction at the end of the year and the salary range seemed appropriate for what I researched (high 60's to low 70's plus bonus.) for this type of position.