SWEs (Node.js/Python/MongoDB) can transition to SRE; emphasize coding & systems.

Published on 06/04/2025Hiring & Talent Acquisition Insights

Analysis Result:

Someone with a background in software engineering (Node.js, Python, MongoDB) has an upcoming SRE screening interview. This shows that companies value strong software engineering fundamentals for SRE roles and are open to candidates transitioning from software engineering backgrounds, even at the initial screening stage. The emphasis on basics for a one-hour screening suggests that fundamental computer science, system understanding, and problem-solving skills are key.

Resume/Application Direction:

Candidates should clearly highlight their proficiency in software development (e.g., Node.js, Python) and database management (e.g., MongoDB). It's crucial to explain how these development skills can be applied to SRE principles like automation, system stability, and scalability. For a screening interview, a solid grasp of core CS fundamentals and the ability to discuss past projects, even if they were purely SWE-focused, in terms of reliability, maintainability, or performance, is important. Given the candidate's concern about live coding, practicing coding problems, especially those related to system design thinking or data manipulation relevant to SRE tasks, is a good idea. Any experience with monitoring, troubleshooting, or infrastructure-as-code, even if minor, would be beneficial.

Expected Benefits:

Securing an entry point into the Site Reliability Engineering domain. The opportunity to apply strong software engineering skills to solve complex operational challenges at scale. Potential for career growth in a high-demand field, often accompanied by competitive compensation packages, by successfully navigating the interview process and demonstrating a foundational understanding translatable to SRE responsibilities.

Origin Reddit Post

r/devopsjobs

Transitioning from SRE to SWE - what to expect?

Posted by u/lorailia06/04/2025
hey guys! i have a Site Reliability Engineer interview coming up in 7 days, it will be a one hour screening round. my background is in software engineering - Node.js, Python and MongoDB. i’v

Top Comments

u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/lorailia
ur right my bad
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/Serenity_kawaii
Shouldn't it be swe to sre
u/rappidkill
if it's one hour the technical questions aren't likely to get super complex, especially if they already know that your background is in SWE.  just make sure you know your basics inside out
u/lorailia
amazing!!! thank you so much. yeah def need to start out on some projects, i can nail the technical questions but once they ask me to code i might screw up
u/rappidkill
no worries! and I'm totally the same when it comes to live coding. nowadays most companies ask scenario based questions which are way better since this allows you to really show off what you

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