Top 30 Most Common aws interview questions You Should Prepare For
Landing a job in the cloud computing domain, especially with Amazon Web Services (AWS), requires more than just theoretical knowledge. It demands a deep understanding of AWS services, practical experience, and the ability to articulate your skills clearly. Preparing for aws interview questions is crucial for showcasing your expertise and securing your desired role. This guide compiles the top 30 most common aws interview questions, providing you with the insights and example answers you need to excel. Verve AI’s Interview Copilot is your smartest prep partner—offering mock interviews tailored to AWS roles. Start for free at Verve AI.
What are aws interview questions?
aws interview questions are specifically designed to assess a candidate's knowledge and practical experience with Amazon Web Services. These questions cover a wide range of topics, from basic cloud concepts to intricate service-specific details. The purpose of these aws interview questions is to gauge a candidate’s ability to design, deploy, and manage applications and infrastructure on the AWS platform. They often explore your understanding of AWS best practices, security measures, cost optimization strategies, and troubleshooting techniques. Mastering aws interview questions is an essential step towards demonstrating your competence and readiness for an AWS-related role.
Why do interviewers ask aws interview questions?
Interviewers ask aws interview questions to determine if a candidate possesses the technical skills and problem-solving abilities required to succeed in the role. These aws interview questions help evaluate your practical experience with AWS services, your understanding of cloud architecture principles, and your ability to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios. By asking specific aws interview questions, interviewers aim to assess your proficiency in areas such as cloud security, scalability, cost management, and automation. They are also looking for evidence of your ability to stay current with the latest AWS updates and best practices. Ultimately, the goal is to identify candidates who can effectively contribute to the organization’s cloud initiatives and drive innovation.
List Preview: Top 30 aws interview questions
Here's a quick preview of the 30 aws interview questions we'll cover:
What is Amazon EC2?
What is Amazon S3?
What is Amazon VPC?
What is AWS Lambda?
What are Security Groups in AWS?
What is the difference between Amazon S3 and Amazon Glacier?
What is an Elastic IP?
What is CloudWatch?
Explain AWS SQS and SNS.
What is the AWS Shared Responsibility Model?
What is AWS Snowball?
What is AWS CloudFormation?
Describe the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
What is an AWS Transit Gateway?
What is the difference between Amazon RDS and Aurora?
What is AWS Direct Connect?
How do you secure data at rest in AWS?
What is Amazon DynamoDB?
How does Amazon Route 53 ensure high availability and low latency?
What are Elastic Beanstalk and its benefits?
What is disaster recovery in AWS and what strategies exist?
How do you handle DDoS attacks on AWS?
What is Amazon Kinesis?
How many S3 buckets can you create in an AWS account?
What is Amazon Elastic Transcoder?
What is Platform as a Service (PaaS) in AWS context?
How do you optimize costs for a high-traffic AWS application?
What is AWS GuardDuty?
What are the different Amazon S3 storage classes?
How do you monitor and troubleshoot performance issues in AWS?
## 1. What is Amazon EC2?
Why you might get asked this:
This question is fundamental and helps the interviewer assess your basic understanding of AWS compute services. It reveals whether you know the core building blocks of AWS infrastructure and how to explain them simply. It helps assess your understanding of aws interview questions related to core services.
How to answer:
Provide a concise definition of EC2, emphasizing its role in providing resizable compute capacity in the cloud. Mention that it allows users to launch virtual servers (instances) with varying operating systems and configurations. Highlight its scalability and flexibility.
Example answer:
"Amazon EC2, or Elastic Compute Cloud, is essentially AWS's virtual server offering. It allows you to rent virtual machines in the cloud, offering a wide range of operating systems and instance types. I've used EC2 extensively to host web applications, and its scalability has been crucial for handling fluctuating traffic. EC2 is a cornerstone of AWS, allowing for highly customizable and scalable compute resources."
## 2. What is Amazon S3?
Why you might get asked this:
S3 is a foundational storage service in AWS. This question aims to evaluate your understanding of object storage and its applications. It tests your knowledge of a very common topic in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Define S3 as a scalable object storage service designed for storing and retrieving any amount of data. Mention its key features, such as high durability, availability, and security. Highlight common use cases like storing backups, media files, and static website content.
Example answer:
"Amazon S3, or Simple Storage Service, is AWS’s object storage solution designed for storing and retrieving any amount of data from anywhere. I've used S3 to store everything from application backups to static assets for websites. Its key strengths are its scalability and durability, making it a reliable choice for various storage needs. Understanding S3 is crucial for managing data effectively in AWS."
## 3. What is Amazon VPC?
Why you might get asked this:
VPC is central to networking in AWS. This question checks your understanding of how to create isolated networks and manage network configurations. It's a standard question for evaluating preparation for aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that VPC allows you to provision a logically isolated section of the AWS cloud where you can launch AWS resources in a virtual network that you define. Mention key components like subnets, route tables, and gateways.
Example answer:
"Amazon VPC, or Virtual Private Cloud, lets you create a private network within AWS, logically isolated from other networks. I've configured VPCs to control network access and security for applications. It's essential for managing network configurations in AWS and creating secure environments. The ability to set up and manage VPCs is a vital skill for anyone working with AWS."
## 4. What is AWS Lambda?
Why you might get asked this:
Lambda is a key service for serverless computing. This question evaluates your understanding of serverless architecture and its benefits. It assesses understanding of modern aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Describe Lambda as a serverless compute service that lets you run code without provisioning or managing servers. Emphasize the pay-per-use pricing model and automatic scaling capabilities.
Example answer:
"AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that lets you run code without managing servers. I've used Lambda to build event-driven applications and automate tasks. Its pay-per-use model and automatic scaling make it very efficient. Lambda’s serverless nature allows developers to focus solely on code, reducing operational overhead.”
## 5. What are Security Groups in AWS?
Why you might get asked this:
Security Groups are fundamental to security in AWS. This question assesses your understanding of network security and how to control traffic to EC2 instances. This topic features heavily in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that Security Groups act as virtual firewalls for EC2 instances, controlling inbound and outbound traffic. Mention that rules can be defined based on protocols, ports, and IP addresses.
Example answer:
"Security Groups in AWS act as virtual firewalls, controlling traffic to and from EC2 instances. I configure Security Groups to allow only necessary traffic, enhancing security. They are essential for managing network access and securing your applications. Properly configured security groups can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access."
## 6. What is the difference between Amazon S3 and Amazon Glacier?
Why you might get asked this:
This question tests your understanding of different storage options and their appropriate use cases. It assesses your knowledge of cost-effective storage strategies. Understanding the differences between key services is important for many aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Highlight that S3 is for frequently accessed data with low latency, while Glacier is for long-term archival storage with lower costs but longer retrieval times.
Example answer:
"S3 is designed for frequently accessed data with low latency, while Glacier is for long-term archival storage. I've used Glacier for storing data that rarely needs to be accessed. S3 and Glacier serve different storage needs, and knowing when to use each can save significant costs."
## 7. What is an Elastic IP?
Why you might get asked this:
This question checks your understanding of IP addressing in AWS and how to maintain a static IP address for instances. It assesses knowledge around networking topics in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that an Elastic IP address is a static IPv4 address designed for dynamic cloud computing. Mention that it allows you to remap the address to another instance to mask failures.
Example answer:
"An Elastic IP address is a static IPv4 address designed for dynamic cloud computing, allowing you to remap the address to another instance. I use Elastic IPs to maintain a consistent IP address for critical services. They are invaluable for ensuring high availability by quickly remapping to a healthy instance."
## 8. What is CloudWatch?
Why you might get asked this:
CloudWatch is the primary monitoring service in AWS. This question assesses your understanding of monitoring, logging, and alerting in the AWS environment. It assesses an understanding of common aws interview questions related to monitoring.
How to answer:
Describe CloudWatch as a monitoring and observability service providing data and insights to monitor applications, respond to performance changes, and optimize resource utilization.
Example answer:
"Amazon CloudWatch is a monitoring and observability service that provides data and actionable insights. I use CloudWatch to monitor application performance and set up alarms for critical metrics. It's essential for maintaining system health and optimizing resource utilization. CloudWatch provides a comprehensive view of your AWS environment."
## 9. Explain AWS SQS and SNS.
Why you might get asked this:
This question evaluates your understanding of messaging services and their use in building decoupled and scalable applications. It assesses knowledge around messaging services which can feature in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that SQS is a message queuing service used to decouple and scale microservices, while SNS is a pub/sub messaging service for sending messages to large numbers of subscribers.
Example answer:
"SQS, or Simple Queue Service, is a message queuing service used to decouple microservices. SNS, or Simple Notification Service, is a pub/sub messaging service. I've used SQS to manage asynchronous tasks and SNS to send notifications. These services are essential for building scalable and resilient applications."
## 10. What is the AWS Shared Responsibility Model?
Why you might get asked this:
This question assesses your understanding of security responsibilities in the cloud, differentiating between what AWS manages and what the customer manages. It is a core concept for aws interview questions relating to security.
How to answer:
Explain that AWS is responsible for the security of the cloud, while the customer is responsible for security in the cloud, including data, identity and access management, and application security.
Example answer:
"The AWS Shared Responsibility Model means AWS is responsible for the security of the cloud, including hardware and infrastructure. The customer is responsible for security in the cloud, including data, access management, and application security. Understanding this model is crucial for maintaining a secure AWS environment."
## 11. What is AWS Snowball?
Why you might get asked this:
This question checks your knowledge of data transfer solutions, particularly for large datasets where network bandwidth is a limitation. It assesses understanding of data migration and may feature in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Describe AWS Snowball as a service that provides secure physical devices to transfer large amounts of data into and out of AWS, useful for offline data migrations or edge computing.
Example answer:
"AWS Snowball is a service that uses physical devices to transfer large amounts of data into and out of AWS. I've used Snowball for migrating large datasets where network bandwidth was a constraint. It's a practical solution for offline data transfers."
## 12. What is AWS CloudFormation?
Why you might get asked this:
CloudFormation is a key Infrastructure as Code (IaC) service. This question assesses your understanding of IaC and automation in AWS. It assesses understanding of automation as it relates to aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that CloudFormation lets you model, provision, and manage AWS and third-party resources by treating infrastructure as code, simplifying resource provisioning through templates.
Example answer:
"AWS CloudFormation allows you to define your infrastructure as code, using templates to provision and manage AWS resources. I use CloudFormation to automate infrastructure deployments. It simplifies infrastructure management and ensures consistency across environments. It enables Infrastructure as Code for all your AWS resources."
## 13. Describe the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
Why you might get asked this:
This question evaluates your knowledge of AWS best practices for building secure, reliable, and cost-effective applications. It shows your awareness of the design principles that relate to aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Describe the framework’s five pillars: operational excellence, security, reliability, performance efficiency, and cost optimization.
Example answer:
"The AWS Well-Architected Framework provides best practices across five pillars: operational excellence, security, reliability, performance efficiency, and cost optimization. I use this framework to design robust and efficient applications. It ensures that applications are secure, high-performing, and cost-effective."
## 14. What is an AWS Transit Gateway?
Why you might get asked this:
This question assesses your understanding of network architecture and how to simplify connectivity between multiple VPCs and on-premises networks. It assesses knowledge around network architecture in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that AWS Transit Gateway connects VPCs and on-premises networks through a central hub, simplifying network architecture and reducing complex peering relationships.
Example answer:
"AWS Transit Gateway connects VPCs and on-premises networks through a central hub. I've used Transit Gateway to simplify network architecture. It reduces complex peering relationships and makes network management easier."
## 15. What is the difference between Amazon RDS and Aurora?
Why you might get asked this:
This question checks your understanding of different database options in AWS and their performance characteristics. It assesses knowledge around databases and the nuances that may be asked in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that RDS is a managed relational database service supporting several database engines, while Aurora is a high-performance, MySQL- and PostgreSQL-compatible database engine.
Example answer:
"RDS is a managed relational database service supporting multiple database engines, while Aurora is a high-performance, MySQL- and PostgreSQL-compatible database. Aurora offers better scalability and performance compared to RDS. Understanding the difference is crucial for selecting the right database for your needs."
## 16. What is AWS Direct Connect?
Why you might get asked this:
This question assesses your knowledge of hybrid cloud connectivity and how to establish dedicated network connections to AWS. It assesses knowledge around network architecture that may feature in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that AWS Direct Connect allows a dedicated network connection from your premises to AWS, reducing network costs and increasing bandwidth.
Example answer:
"AWS Direct Connect allows you to establish a dedicated network connection from your premises to AWS. I've used Direct Connect to reduce network costs and increase bandwidth. It provides a more consistent network experience compared to internet-based connections."
## 17. How do you secure data at rest in AWS?
Why you might get asked this:
This question evaluates your understanding of data encryption and access control measures to protect data stored in AWS. It's a very important question for assessing understanding of aws interview questions related to security.
How to answer:
Mention encryption mechanisms like AWS Key Management Service (KMS), server-side encryption for S3, and strict IAM policies.
Example answer:
"To secure data at rest in AWS, I use encryption mechanisms such as AWS KMS for managing encryption keys. I also enable server-side encryption for storage services like S3 and apply strict IAM policies for access control. These measures ensure that data is protected against unauthorized access."
## 18. What is Amazon DynamoDB?
Why you might get asked this:
This question checks your knowledge of NoSQL databases and their use cases in AWS. It assesses knowledge around databases which may be asked in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Describe DynamoDB as a fully managed NoSQL database service that supports key-value and document data structures with automatic scaling and high availability.
Example answer:
"DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database service that supports key-value and document data structures. I've used DynamoDB for applications requiring high availability and low latency. It’s a great fit for applications that need to scale quickly."
## 19. How does Amazon Route 53 ensure high availability and low latency?
Why you might get asked this:
This question assesses your understanding of DNS routing policies and how to optimize application performance and availability. It assesses knowledge around network architecture which may feature in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that Route 53 uses DNS routing policies like latency-based routing, geo DNS, and health checks to route users to the best performing endpoints.
Example answer:
"Route 53 ensures high availability and low latency by using DNS routing policies like latency-based routing and health checks. These policies route users to the best-performing endpoints. It’s crucial for delivering a seamless user experience."
## 20. What are Elastic Beanstalk and its benefits?
Why you might get asked this:
This question checks your understanding of Platform as a Service (PaaS) and its benefits for simplifying application deployment and management. It assesses knowledge around PaaS and may feature in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that Elastic Beanstalk is an easy-to-use service for deploying and scaling web applications, handling capacity provisioning, load balancing, and auto-scaling.
Example answer:
"Elastic Beanstalk is a service for deploying and scaling web applications. It handles capacity provisioning, load balancing, and auto-scaling. I use Elastic Beanstalk to quickly deploy and manage applications. It allows developers to focus on code, not infrastructure."
## 21. What is disaster recovery in AWS and what strategies exist?
Why you might get asked this:
This question evaluates your understanding of business continuity and how to design resilient applications that can recover from failures. It assesses knowledge around DR and is important for aws interview questions relating to reliability.
How to answer:
Mention strategies including backup and restore, pilot light, warm standby, and multi-site active-active, depending on RPO and RTO requirements.
Example answer:
"Disaster recovery in AWS involves strategies like backup and restore, pilot light, warm standby, and multi-site active-active. The choice depends on the Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO). A robust DR plan is crucial for business continuity."
## 22. How do you handle DDoS attacks on AWS?
Why you might get asked this:
This question assesses your knowledge of security measures and services available in AWS to mitigate distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. It's a very important question for assessing understanding of aws interview questions related to security.
How to answer:
Use AWS Shield for DDoS protection, AWS WAF for web application firewall rules, and design for scalability with services like CloudFront and Elastic Load Balancing.
Example answer:
"To handle DDoS attacks, I use AWS Shield for protection, AWS WAF for web application firewall rules, and design for scalability with services like CloudFront and Elastic Load Balancing. These services help absorb traffic spikes and protect against malicious attacks. Proactive measures are key to mitigating the impact of DDoS attacks."
## 23. What is Amazon Kinesis?
Why you might get asked this:
This question checks your knowledge of real-time data streaming and processing services in AWS. It assesses understanding of data streaming and might feature in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Describe Amazon Kinesis as a platform for real-time streaming data processing, allowing collection, processing, and analysis of various data streams.
Example answer:
"Amazon Kinesis is a platform for real-time streaming data processing. I use Kinesis to collect and analyze data streams from various sources. It's essential for building real-time analytics and data processing pipelines."
## 24. How many S3 buckets can you create in an AWS account?
Why you might get asked this:
This question tests your understanding of AWS service limits and basic operational knowledge. This is a good question to gauge knowledge and may feature in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
State that by default, you can create up to 100 S3 buckets per AWS account.
Example answer:
"By default, you can create up to 100 S3 buckets per AWS account. This limit can be increased if needed. Being aware of service limits is important for planning and managing resources effectively."
## 25. What is Amazon Elastic Transcoder?
Why you might get asked this:
This question assesses your knowledge of media transcoding services in AWS. It assesses knowledge around AWS media services and may feature in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that it’s a media transcoding service that converts media files from their source format into versions that will play back on various devices.
Example answer:
"Amazon Elastic Transcoder is a media transcoding service. It converts media files into formats that can be played on various devices. It's useful for preparing media content for different platforms and devices. I've used Elastic Transcoder to ensure compatibility across different devices."
## 26. What is Platform as a Service (PaaS) in AWS context?
Why you might get asked this:
This question evaluates your understanding of cloud service models and how AWS supports application development and deployment. It assesses knowledge around cloud computing and might feature in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Explain that PaaS supports application development and deployment by providing a cloud environment with development tools, infrastructure, and management.
Example answer:
"Platform as a Service (PaaS) supports application development and deployment by providing a cloud environment with development tools and infrastructure. Elastic Beanstalk is an example of PaaS in AWS. It simplifies the process of deploying and managing applications."
## 27. How do you optimize costs for a high-traffic AWS application?
Why you might get asked this:
This question assesses your understanding of cost optimization strategies and how to reduce expenses while maintaining performance and availability. It's a very important question for assessing understanding of aws interview questions related to cost.
How to answer:
Mention using reserved and spot instances, auto-scaling, right-sizing resources, and leveraging cheaper storage classes.
Example answer:
"To optimize costs, I use reserved and spot instances, auto-scaling to match demand, right-sizing resources, and leverage cheaper storage classes like S3 Intelligent-Tiering. Monitoring usage with CloudWatch helps detect inefficiencies. These strategies help minimize costs without compromising performance."
## 28. What is AWS GuardDuty?
Why you might get asked this:
This question checks your knowledge of threat detection services in AWS and how to protect accounts and workloads from malicious activity. It's a very important question for assessing understanding of aws interview questions related to security.
How to answer:
Explain that GuardDuty is a threat detection service that continuously monitors for malicious or unauthorized behavior to protect AWS accounts and workloads.
Example answer:
"GuardDuty is a threat detection service that continuously monitors for malicious or unauthorized behavior. It helps protect AWS accounts and workloads. It's a valuable tool for enhancing security and detecting potential threats.”
## 29. What are the different Amazon S3 storage classes?
Why you might get asked this:
This question assesses your understanding of storage options in S3 and how to choose the right class based on access frequency and cost requirements. It assesses understanding of storage solutions which may feature in aws interview questions.
How to answer:
Mention S3 storage classes like Standard, Standard-IA, One Zone-IA, Intelligent-Tiering, Glacier, and Glacier Deep Archive, with varying cost and retrieval times.
Example answer:
"S3 offers storage classes like Standard, Standard-IA, One Zone-IA, Intelligent-Tiering, Glacier, and Glacier Deep Archive. Each class offers different cost and retrieval time trade-offs. Understanding these classes is key to optimizing storage costs."
## 30. How do you monitor and troubleshoot performance issues in AWS?
Why you might get asked this:
This question evaluates your ability to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks in AWS environments. It assesses understanding of monitoring and is important for aws interview questions relating to reliability.
How to answer:
Use Amazon CloudWatch to collect and track metrics, set alarms, and visualize logs; AWS X-Ray to trace requests and troubleshoot issues in distributed applications.
Example answer:
"I use Amazon CloudWatch to collect metrics, set alarms, and visualize logs. AWS X-Ray helps trace requests and troubleshoot issues in distributed applications. These tools are essential for identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks effectively. Monitoring is crucial for maintaining system performance."
Other tips to prepare for a aws interview questions
Preparing for aws interview questions requires a strategic approach. Start by thoroughly understanding the core AWS services and their applications. Practice answering common aws interview questions out loud to improve your articulation and confidence. Consider using mock interviews to simulate the actual interview experience and identify areas for improvement. Create a study plan that covers all relevant AWS topics and allocate sufficient time for each. Don't forget to stay updated with the latest AWS updates and best practices by following AWS blogs and attending webinars. Leverage AI tools like Verve AI for personalized practice and feedback. Consistent preparation and a clear understanding of your strengths will significantly increase your chances of success. Remember as Harvey Specter says, "When I am backed against the wall, I break out the sledgehammer".
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the most important AWS services to focus on for interview preparation?
A: Focus on EC2, S3, VPC, Lambda, IAM, CloudWatch, and RDS as these are fundamental and frequently discussed in aws interview questions.
Q: How can I demonstrate practical experience with AWS if I don't have a job in the field?
A: Create personal projects, contribute to open-source projects, or obtain AWS certifications to showcase your hands-on skills.
Q: What should I do if I don't know the answer to a particular aws interview questions?
A: Be honest about your lack of knowledge, but express your willingness to learn and explain how you would approach finding the answer.
Q: Are AWS certifications helpful for job interviews?
A: Yes, AWS certifications demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to the platform, making you a more attractive candidate.
Q: How often does AWS update its services and best practices, and how can I stay updated?
A: AWS updates its services frequently. Stay updated by following the AWS Blog, attending AWS re:Invent, and participating in AWS community forums.
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