Top 10 SCCM Interview Questions With Sample Answers

Updated 8 September 2022

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Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is an integrated solution that helps in the deployment, management and security of a company's servers, devices and other applications. SCCM administrators play a crucial role in assisting businesses enhance their IT productivity and efficiency by maximising hardware and software investments. Preparing for an SCCM interview can help you secure the right role in this field and accelerate your career growth. In this article, we discuss SCCM interview questions and review sample answers to assist in your interview preparation.

SCCM Interview Questions With Sample Answers

Here are a few SCCM interview questions that you can expect in an upcoming interview:

1. Can you explain what SCCM is and discuss its features?

While this may seem too obvious, interviewers often begin the session by asking basic questions. They use these questions to make the interviewee comfortable and relaxed before moving on to the more challenging part of the interview. By being prepared with answers to these basic questions, you can create an excellent first impression on the interviewer by showcasing your confidence and in-depth knowledge.

Example: 'System center configuration manager (SCCM) is a Microsoft product that enables users to manage computing systems, applications and servers on Windows and other operating systems. Also known as ConfigMgr, it is a flexible and powerful software management module that enables businesses to control numerous systems. Some of the key features of SCCM include application management, device management, enterprise resource access, device compliance, endpoint protection, operating system deployment, software metering, power management and remote control. SCCM boosts user productivity by offering employees access to relevant application areas while providing administrators with powerful features to safeguard business data.'

2. What do you think are the key roles of an SCCM administrator?

The interviewer might ask this question to check if you know the various responsibilities of an SCCM administrator. Ensure that you review the job description carefully to identify the role's duties and responsibilities and highlight them in your answer.

Example: 'Administrators supervise and manage the SCCM platform. For an administrator to be effective in their role, they require a complete understanding of the Windows operating system. This helps them ensure that all systems are working smoothly and efficiently. The primary duties of an administrator include deploying driver updates, BIOS updates, maintaining configuration baselines and preventing configuration drifts. The administrator also performs timely updates utilising available patches and builds to ensure maximum security, stability and usability of all enterprise systems.'

3. Explain the components of the SCCM architecture.

The SCCM architecture explains how it can run on different operating systems. The hiring manager might ask this question to check your in-depth knowledge about SCCM. In your answer, explain the various major components and their features.

Example: 'SCCM has four major components such as central administration site, primary site, secondary site and distribution point. The central site is at the top of the configuration manager hierarchy and provides a central point of administration to manage devices across a global network. The primary site manages devices directly and all clients connect to a primary site. Secondary sites are child sites beneath primary sites and offer management capabilities to devices in remote locations with unreliable connectivity. A distribution point helps client systems obtain the necessary content files for installation.'

4. Can you explain the acronym BITS in SCCM?

Interviewers might ask this question if the role requires you to use the BITS features. When answering this question, besides explaining the BITS functionality, you can also highlight its advantage to demonstrate your in-depth knowledge of the feature.

Example: 'BITS is the acronym for Background Intelligence Transfer Service. SCCM uses BITS to migrate or transfer data between client machines and the SCCM servers. When the administrator initiates a client push, SCCM uses BITS to download the client data to the machine. BITS utilises idle bandwidth and transfers data in the background, without impacting other applications.'

5. State a few differences between primary and secondary sites.

It is common for the recruiter to include a few questions asking the candidate to state the differences between two things in a technical SCCM interview. This helps the interviewer check if you know the critical differences between the two topics. You can answer such questions by explaining the definitions and then discussing their differences and similarities, if any.

Example: 'We use a primary site to manage devices directly and to monitor and oversee the bandwidth of devices distributed across various locations. A secondary site supports devices at remote locations with slow connections. We can assign clients directly to the primary site, which is impossible with secondary sites. The administrator controls the primary site directly using the configuration manager console, whereas they control the secondary site via the primary site. Another key difference is that primary sites can have a child site, whereas secondary sites cannot have child sites.'

6. Is it possible to convert a secondary site to a primary site?

Interviewers ask this question to evaluate your practical working knowledge of SCCM. Primary and secondary sites are vital features of SCCM and the interviewer is likely to test your understanding of them. You can answer this question by explaining what happens when you convert a secondary site to a primary site.

Example: 'While technically it is possible to convert a secondary site to a primary one, SCCM does not recommend it. This is because moving, changing or upgrading a site requires deleting and reinstalling it. This causes the associated data to be lost.'

7. Have you worked using the SCCM console?

SCCM administrators and engineers perform various device management tasks via the SCCM console. Interviewers often prefer candidates who have prior experience with the SCCM console. You can explain the features of the console and share your experience using it in your response to this question.

Example: 'The SCCM console is an administrative tool that helps us perform various tasks like device management, server administration, network monitoring and application deployment. In my previous role, I used the SCCM console almost daily to monitor and enhance the efficiency of all enterprise devices and applications, so I am quite familiar with its features.'

8. Which would you choose? SCCM or Intune?

Businesses are often confused about whether to use Microsoft Intune or SCCM. The interviewer might ask this question to evaluate your decision-making skills in real-time. To answer this question, explain both tools and specify how you would choose the correct application based on specific business requirements.

Example: 'While some features of SCCM and Intune overlap, there are key differences between these two tools from Microsoft. SCCM helps system administrators oversee software applications and ensure timely software updates. Intune helps businesses secure mobile devices by creating access policies for the cloud and bring your own devices (BYOD). If you are looking for a management solution for on-premise software applications, SCCM is a better fit, whereas Intune is the better choice for mobile device management. If you need both these services, you can consider a hybrid approach.'

9. What were your responsibilities in your previous role?

Recruiters often ask this question to gain a better understanding of your professional experiences and determine whether it aligns with the new role. To prepare for this question, review the job listing to list the essential skills the employer is looking for in an employee. Next, make a list of the daily tasks in your previous role. Compare these two lists and highlight the strengths that match.

Example: 'I had several duties, but my primary responsibilities were testing and troubleshooting the encryption process, supporting end-user issues, implementing and managing Windows workstation deployment and working with other team members to automate the deployment process. I have experience working in SCCM 2007 and 2012, with a strong understanding of OS deployment, patch management, application deployment, server maintenance and troubleshooting.'

10. How do you react to criticism in the workplace?

Employers prefer candidates who do not take criticism personally and work on improving themselves. This question helps them gain an idea of how you handle workplace criticism. You can use the situation-task-action-result (STAR) interview response technique to provide a comprehensive answer highlighting your strengths.

Example: 'During the early stages of my career, my manager gave me feedback on how I explained the deployment process to clients. They told me that my explanation was formal, making it challenging for non-technical clients to understand. I asked for suggestions from my manager and other senior team members to change my communication style. I practiced mock calls with colleagues and asked them for feedback. I also shadowed a few colleagues when they had similar conversations with clients. This helped me improve my client interactions immensely.'

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