20 Equinix Interview Questions and Answers

Equinix is the world’s largest data center & colocation provider, powering the digital economy by connecting companies to their customers and employees.

Equinix operates in 44 markets across five continents and provides interconnection services to more than 9,000 customers. If you’re hoping to join Equinix, you can expect the interview process to be competitive.

In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of sample Equinix interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Equinix Interview Process

The interview process at Equinix is lengthy, but thorough. It typically consists of a phone screen with HR, followed by several interviews with managers and team members. The difficulty level of the interviews varies, but overall they are reasonably challenging. However, the interviewers are generally friendly and open to teaching candidates what they need to know.

1. Why do you want to work at Equinix?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at Equinix. Your answer should include information about what you know about the company and why you want to work there.

Example: “I have been following Equinix since I started my career, and I am very impressed with the company’s reputation as one of the top data centers in the world. I would love to be part of such an innovative team that is always looking for new ways to improve their services. I also think it would be exciting to work in a place where I can see how businesses are using technology to change the world.”

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s likely that you’ll be asked about your strengths and weaknesses at some point during the interview process. When answering this question, try to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person, which helps me stay focused on my work. I also have excellent time management skills, so I can usually meet deadlines without issue. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed with too much information at once. To combat this, I make sure to prioritize tasks and take breaks when needed.”

3. How would you describe the culture of Equinix?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are a good fit for the company culture. They want to know that you understand and appreciate the values of the organization, which can help you succeed in your role. To answer this question, think about what you’ve learned about Equinix’s culture so far. Describe it as accurately as possible while also showing how you would fit into the company.

Example: “Equinix has an open and collaborative culture. I have noticed that employees are friendly and willing to help each other out when needed. The company also seems very transparent, with many opportunities for feedback and improvement. I am excited to be part of such a supportive environment.”

4. Do you have experience working in a fast-paced environment?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are a good fit for the company culture. They may also want to know how you handle stress and pressure in your work environment. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that show you have what it takes to succeed in a fast-paced environment.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once. This required me to stay on top of deadlines and manage many tasks at once. I am used to working under pressure and always meeting deadlines. In fact, I find this type of work environment more enjoyable than one where there is little pressure.”

5. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with an angry customer, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and stress. It’s important that you can remain calm in these situations, so it’s best to have an answer prepared that shows your ability to stay composed under pressure.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they were experiencing downtime on their server. I listened to what the issue was and asked questions to better understand the problem. After hearing more about the situation, I realized that the downtime wasn’t due to our services but rather something else entirely. I explained this to the customer and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the downtime.”

6. Describe your experience working with data centers.

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to a new role. When answering this question, consider what skills you have that are relevant to working with data centers.

Example: “I’ve worked in IT for five years now, and I started out as a server administrator at a small company. There, I was responsible for maintaining all aspects of the servers, including installing updates and monitoring performance. After two years there, I moved to a larger company where I managed a team of administrators. We were responsible for managing the entire network infrastructure, which included setting up new servers and troubleshooting issues.”

7. Are you comfortable traveling for work?

If you’re interviewing for a position that requires travel, the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your willingness to travel. If you are not comfortable with traveling, consider how you can convince the interviewer that you would be willing to do so if necessary.

Example: “I am very comfortable traveling for work. In my last role as an IT specialist, I traveled to client sites once or twice per month. I enjoy getting to know new people and places, and I find it easy to adjust to different locations. I also like being able to help clients in person when they have questions.”

8. What is one thing that you think needs to be changed about Equinix?

This question is a way for the interviewer to see how you handle constructive criticism. It also helps them understand your thought process and whether or not you have any ideas on how to improve their company. When answering this question, it’s important to be respectful of the organization and its employees.

Example: “I think one thing that could be improved about Equinix is the onboarding process. I’ve heard from several people that they felt like there was too much information to remember when starting here. If I were in charge of improving this process, I would create an online training program where new hires can go back and review all of the information at their own pace.”

9. If hired, what would be your plan to improve our company’s customer satisfaction?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the ability to make positive changes in an organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you would do if you were already working for Equinix and how those actions could help improve customer satisfaction.

Example: “I believe that one of the best ways to improve customer satisfaction is by making sure our customers are always able to access their data when they need it. To accomplish this goal, I would work with my team members to create a plan that ensures we’re providing the most reliable service possible. We would also implement new technology solutions that allow us to provide faster speeds and more bandwidth.”

10. What would you say to a new client who was concerned about their privacy?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company’s privacy policies. It also shows that you are willing to help clients who may be unsure about how Equinix handles their data. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ease their concerns and reassure them that they can trust Equinix with their information.

Example: “I would first make sure I understood exactly why they were concerned. Then, I would assure them that Equinix has some of the most secure facilities in the world. We have multiple layers of security, including biometric scanners and 24/7 monitoring by our security team. I would also let them know that we only hire employees who pass rigorous background checks.”

11. Have you ever worked on a team project that didn’t go well? How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and work with others. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “In my last role as a network engineer, I was tasked with creating a new server for our company’s website. My team and I worked on this project for two weeks before we realized that the server wasn’t compatible with the software we were using. We had to start over from scratch, which took another week. In hindsight, I should have checked compatibility earlier in the process so we didn’t waste time and resources.”

12. How do you stay up to date with industry trends?

Employers want to know that you are committed to your career and continuously learning. They may ask this question to see if you have a plan for staying up to date with the latest trends in technology. In your answer, share how you stay current on industry news and what resources you use.

Example: “I subscribe to several tech blogs and newsletters so I can read about new developments in the field. I also attend conferences and seminars where experts speak about their work. Attending these events helps me learn more about emerging technologies and how they could be applied to my role at Equinix.”

13. What kind of impact would you like to make at Equinix?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your goals and ambitions. It’s important to show that you’re motivated by making an impact on the company, but it’s also beneficial to mention how you plan to do so.

Example: “I would like to make a positive impact on my team members. I believe that one of the most important things in business is creating a culture where employees feel valued and appreciated. I want to create a work environment where people are happy and excited to come into work every day. I think this can be achieved through regular communication and feedback.”

14. We need employees who can quickly learn new things, give us an example of when you have done this.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are willing to learn and adapt. It’s important to be honest in this answer, as it can help the interviewer see how you’ve grown over time.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous company, we used an older version of our software. We were all required to take a training course on the new system before using it. At first, I was confused by the new system and had trouble remembering what each button did. However, after taking the class multiple times, I learned the new system quickly and became one of the top users.”

15. Give an example of a time where you were able to persuade someone.

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can persuade others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to convince someone of something.

Example: “In my previous role as an IT specialist, I had to persuade our CEO that we needed more servers in order to accommodate for our growing company. I first met with him one-on-one to discuss why we needed more servers and what would happen if we didn’t get them. He agreed that we did need more servers but wanted to wait until the next quarter to purchase them. I then presented him with data showing that by waiting another month, we could lose $50,000 in revenue.”

16. How do you prioritize tasks at work?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and manage deadlines. Use examples from previous experience to show that you have a system for prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.

Example: “I use my calendar as a way to keep track of all my upcoming meetings, appointments and deadlines. I find this is an effective way to stay organized and ensure I’m not missing any important dates or events. In my last role, I had multiple projects going on at once, so I used color-coded stickers to mark which project each task was related to. This helped me quickly identify what needed to be done next and ensured I didn’t forget about any assignments.”

17. What is your favorite part about engineering?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague. It can also help you determine if the person would be a good fit for the company culture. When answering this question, it’s important to show enthusiasm and excitement for engineering. You should focus on what motivates you in your career.

Example: “My favorite part of being an engineer is seeing my designs come to life. I love when I’m able to create something that makes people’s lives easier or improves their work experience. I find it rewarding to know that my work has made a positive impact on someone else’s life.”

18. Describe a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific actions you took that helped solve the customer’s problem or issue.

Example: “When I was working as an IT specialist for a small business, one of my clients called me in a panic because their computer wasn’t turning on. I told them not to worry and that I would be there within 30 minutes. When I arrived at the office, I found out that they had spilled coffee all over their keyboard. I immediately began cleaning up the mess while explaining what I was doing. After about 20 minutes, I had cleaned up the spill and replaced the keyboard. The client was so thankful and said they would never use anyone else.”

19. When working on a team project, how often do you like to check in with your teammates?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with your team and whether you prefer to be more independent or collaborative. Your answer should show that you value teamwork and collaboration, but also have an appreciation for independence when it’s necessary.

Example: “I like to check in with my teammates at least once a day, usually through email or Slack. I find this helps me stay on top of any changes or updates they may make to their part of the project. However, if I’m working independently on a task, I’ll only reach out to my supervisor or other team members as needed.”

20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague. It can also help you determine if they are a good fit for the company culture. When answering this question, it’s important to choose an accomplishment that relates to the job description and highlights your skills.

Example: “My greatest professional accomplishment was when I helped my previous employer increase their revenue by 20% in one year. We did this by implementing a new marketing strategy that increased our customer base. This led to us hiring five new employees within six months of the campaign launch.”