75 MySQL interview questions that you should ask to hire top engineers

Are you looking to hire a MySQL engineer for your team and trying to find the best talent for your business? The process is difficult, but you can make it easier with the right methods.

Integrating a MySQL skills test into your hiring process is the first strategy to make hiring easier. Ensure you read this entire article to learn when to use a skills test and why it’s such a reliable recruitment method.

The second method that would make finding the best engineer easier is using the right MySQL interview questions, which this article will focus on. 

So, if you’re unsure which MySQL interview questions to ask your applicants, consider our lists below, where you’ll find 75 questions you can incorporate into your hiring process.

12 general MySQL interview questions to assess your candidates’ knowledge

Ask your developer candidates some of these 12 general MySQL interview questions to learn more about their relational database management system (RDBMS) experience.

1. What is MySQL?

2. Name some programming languages in which MySQL is written.

3. Name some of the best features of MySQL.

4. What is the difference between SQL and MySQL?

5. What is a MySQL database?

6. What is the main use of MySQL?

7. What are the advantages of the MySQL database server?

8. Who is the owner of MySQL?

9. Name two technical skills MySQL engineers need.

10. Which MySQL-related skills do you want to improve?

11. Why is MySQL better than Oracle?

12. Are there any disadvantages of using MySQL?

5 general MySQL interview questions and answers

Find the answers to five essential MySQL interview questions in this section. Use the sample answers to review your candidates’ responses and determine if their experience aligns with your organization.

1. What is MySQL?

Interviewees should know that MySQL is a relational database management system similar to Oracle. They should also be able to explain that MySQL is an open-source system that uses structured query language (SQL).

2. What is a MySQL database?

Can your candidates explain that a MySQL database is a database that engineers store electronically in a database management system (in this case, MySQL)? 

Do they know that databases in MySQL contain structured data, and can they explain that engineers can use relational database management systems to control databases and make changes to them? 

Candidates may also explain that the data can even include the text for articles and blog posts.

3. What is the main use of MySQL?

Data management is the main use of MySQL, which is a system that enables engineers to store, manage and retrieve data. Skilled applicants may explain that MySQL is a backend data storage system and that engineers can use it for several other purposes, such as data warehousing, application logging, and e-commerce.

3. Name two technical skills MySQL engineers need.

Seasoned MySQL engineers applying for your vacancy should know that structured query language (SQL) skills and knowledge are fundamental for using the MySQL relational database management system. They should also understand why DevOps is important for using MySQL. 

If you’re a non-technical recruiter, you can assess DevOps skills with our DevOps skills test.

4. What is the difference between SQL and MySQL?

Your applicants may explain that the main difference between SQL and MySQL is that SQL is a programming language engineers use for queries and RDBMS management, while MySQL is an RDBMS that engineers use to handle and change stored data and keep it organized.

34 MySQL interview questions about technical definitions to review your developers’ skills 

Ask your interviewees these 32 MySQL interview questions related to technical definitions to learn more about their specific knowledge of the MySQL RDBMS.

1. Explain the critical differences between databases and tables.

2. Name the five different tables in MySQL.

3. Explain what MySQL Workbench is.

4. Explain what indexing means in MySQL.

5. Explain what auto-increment is.

6. Explain what truncate means in MySQL.

7. Explain what delete means in MySQL.

8. Name the six triggers in MySQL.

9. Explain what a heap table is.

10. Explain what “blob” means.

11. Explain what “text’ means.

12. Explain what a temporary table is

13. Explain what “char” means.

14. Explain what “varchar” means.

15. Name three functions of MySQL_connect.

16. Name three functions of MySQL_pconnect.

17. How are MySQL_connect and MySQL_pconnect different?

18. What is the highest number of columns for standard tables?

19. Explain what now() means.

20. Explain what current_date() means.

21. Explain what MySQL_fetch_array() does.

22. Explain what MySQL_fetch_object() does.

23. Explain what MySQL_fetch_row() does.

24. Explain what MySQL_close() does.

25. Explain what the MySQL data directory is.

26. What does DDL mean?

27. What does DML mean?

28. What does DCL mean?

29. Name four examples of MySQL drivers.

30. Explain what a primary key is.

31. Explain what a candidate key is.

32. Explain what a federated table is.

33. Explain what InnoDB is.

34. Which command enables engineers to view a table’s content in MySQL?

10 MySQL interview questions and answers about technical definitions

Find the answers to 10 of the most important MySQL interview questions about technical definitions in this section to assess your interviewees’ knowledge and technical ability.

1. Explain what the MySQL data directory is.

Can your applicants explain the MySQL data directory where the data in MySQL is stored? Do they know that there are various subdirectories in the MySQL data directory and that when the MySQL server runs, it requires the information stored there? 

Your interviewees should also know that dictionary and system tables are in such databases.

2. How are MySQL_connect and MySQL_pconnect different?

The critical difference between MySQL_connect and MySQL_pconnect is that MySQL_pconnect will open a persistent connection to a database, while MySQL_connect opens a page any time someone loads it. 

Candidates should also know that MySQL_pconnect is ideal for websites with high traffic because it mitigates the requirement to consistently open and close a connection each time someone loads a page.

3. Which command enables engineers to view a table’s content in MySQL?

Interviewees who understand how to use MySQL will know its commands. Can they explain that engineers use the SELECT command to view the contents of a table in MySQL?

4. Explain what a primary key is.

Can your applicants explain what a primary key is and why it’s important? Seasoned interviewees will know that engineers can use primary keys to identify the individual rows of a table. They may also explain that there is only a single primary key for each table.

5. Explain what a candidate key is.

Skilled applicants who want to become your next MySQL engineer will understand that candidate keys are columns that help engineers identify records in the database. Applicants should also know that with a candidate key, there’s no need to reference other data to identify any record.

6. What does DDL mean?

DDL is one example category of SQL commands. Can your candidates explain that DDL means data definition language? Are they aware that engineers use DDL commands when handling database schemas? Do they know that DDL commands also define the way the data should exist in a database?

7. What does DML mean?

DML is another example of the main categories of SQL commands. Your candidates should know that DML means data manipulative language. Can they explain that data manipulative language helps engineers handle operations or complete data manipulations? Do they know that insert and select are two examples of DML commands?

8. What does DCL mean?

DCL is a third category of SQL commands. Applicants should know that DCL means data control languages. Can they explain that this command category helps engineers handle grant and permissions operations and give access authorization to different parts of the database?

9. Explain what a federated table is.

Can your candidates explain that a federated table points to other tables that are on the database? Do they know that a federated table can also point to tables on other servers? They may also explain that federated tables are made of remote servers, database tables, and associated tables.

10. Explain what InnoDB is.

Knowledgeable applicants who want to join your organization should know that InnoDB is an SQL storage database. They should know that this storage engine works with MySQL and has replaced MyISAM. InnoDB is now the default table for MySQL and was released in 2010.

29 situational MySQL interview questions for hiring top developers

Ask your candidates some of these 29 situational MySQL interview questions to learn more about how they resolve complex RDBMS-related tasks and projects.

1. Which method would you use to install MySQL?

2. What are the advantages of installing MySQL manually?

3. Which method would you use to check your version of MySQL?

4. Which method would you use to add columns to a table in MySQL?

5. Which approach would you use to delete tables in MySQL?

6. Which method would you use to add a foreign key in MySQL?

7. Which approach would you use to connect with the MySQL database?

8. Which method would you use to change the root password in MySQL?

9. Which steps would you follow to create databases in the MySQL Workbench?

10. Which steps would you follow to create tables in the MySQL Workbench?

11. Which method would you use to change a table name in MySQL?

12. Which approach would you use to change a database name in MySQL?

13. Which steps would you follow to import databases in MySQL?

14. Which approach would you use to insert data into a table in MySQL?

15. Which approach would you use to delete rows in MySQL?

16. Which method would you use to join two tables?

17. Which strategy would you use to update tables in MySQL?

18. Explain how you would make a stored procedure.

19. Explain how you would execute stored procedures in MySQL.

20. Explain how you would create a view in MySQL.

21. Explain how you would create a trigger in MySQL.

22. Explain how you would create new users in MySQL.

23. Which approach would you use to check the size of your database?

24. Which approach would you use to set auto increment values?

25. Which query would you use to show a table’s top 20 rows in MySQL?

26. Which query would you use to show the date and time?

27. How would you back up databases in MySQL?

28. Which query would you use to count rows in a MySQL table?

29. Name two soft skills MySQL engineers need.

10 situational MySQL interview questions and answers

Find ten answers to the most critical situational MySQL interview questions in this section to assess your candidates’ responses and see how they handle complex RDBMS-related tasks.

1. How would you back up databases in MySQL?

Applicants should know that there’s a simple method for backing up databases in MySQL. They may explain that using phpMyAdmin is one of the easiest ways. Candidates may also explain that they’d do the following:

• Choose the database they want to back up by selecting the database name

• Highlight all the tables required and select the export option 

• Select the required export option and save the output accordingly

2. Name two soft skills MySQL engineers need.

Critical thinking and problem-solving are two soft skills linked to proficient MySQL use; these skills are important for using MySQL to manage tables and use the right queries.

Other key soft skills include communication and attention to detail, which are crucial for collaborating with a team and coding efficiently in SQL. 

3. Which method would you use to join two tables?

Do your candidates know that they can use the JOIN clause to join two or more tables in MySQL? Do they understand that several JOIN clauses exist and help engineers return records that align with the correct property and value across all tables? 

Some of the JOIN clauses your candidates should know are:

• Cross join

• Inner join

• Right join

• Left join

4. Which steps would you follow to import databases in MySQL?

In addition to understanding why importing databases can be crucial in certain projects, applicants should know how to complete this process. 

They may first explain that importing databases is ideal for backing up critical data or moving it to another place. They may explain that engineers can use the command-line tool or the MySQL Workbench to complete the import. 

When using the command-line tool, engineers must log in to the server, execute the mysql command, enter the password, and wait for the import to happen. When using the MySQL Workbench, engineers must open the Workbench, click the plus option, complete all the fields that request connection data, navigate to “data import/restore,” select “import,” and choose the file.

5. Which approach would you use to delete tables in MySQL?

Engineers can delete tables in MySQL by using a statement known as Drop Table. The statement will remove all table data and eliminate its structure and definition. 

Applicants responding to this MySQL interview question may also mention that deleting tables in MySQL is a permanent action. Recovering a deleted table is impossible, so engineers must proceed with caution in this regard. Applicants may mention that the syntax required is: 

• DROP TABLE name_of_table;

6. Explain how you would create new users in MySQL.

Can your interviewees explain that to create new users, they must use the Create User statement in MySQL? They may explain that the statement includes authentication and provides properties for password management. Applicants should know that a basic syntax like the following can help engineers create a new user:

• CREATE USER [IF NOT EXISTS] name_of_account IDENTIFIED BY ‘your password’;

7. Which strategy would you use to update tables in MySQL?

Skilled engineers who have applied for your role should know that the UPDATE statement (and its SET and WHERE clauses) are essential for updating tables in MySQL. Can they explain what each of these clauses is for? For example, the SET clause will enable engineers to change a column’s values, while the WHERE clause lets engineers specify the condition.

Applicants may also explain that engineers can use this statement for single or multiple rows.

8. Which approach would you use to delete rows in MySQL?

If an engineer wants to delete a row in MySQL, they must use the DELETE statement, which can get rid of one or more rows. Applicants may mention that the DELETE statement required to remove rows is:

• DELETE FROM name_of_table WHERE condition_specified;

Applicants may also know that if an engineer doesn’t use the WHERE clause, the result is that the statement will delete all records.

9. Which method would you use to check which version of MySQL you’re using?

Whether they are using Mac, Linux, Ubuntu, or Windows, engineers can find the version of MySQL they’re using by entering the following command:

• Mysql –V

Applicants may also explain that they can learn more about the server information by using the SHOW VARIABLES LIKE statement, which will show the InnoDB version information, the protocol version, and version information related to any other installed software in MySQL.

10. What are the advantages of installing MySQL manually?

Candidates should know that manual installation is the best option for installing MySQL for various reasons. Engineers can move a database to different locations (in literally a few seconds), and they can easily control the server with a manual installation. They can also learn more about the system when installing it manually.

7 tips for using MySQL interview questions to hire top engineers

Below, you’ll find our top seven tips for hiring expert engineers and integrating MySQL interview questions into your hiring process. Check these tips out to streamline your recruitment process.

1. Administer a MySQL skill test as soon as engineers apply for your role

As soon as you receive an application for your open role, you can administer a skills test. Using our MySQL skill test will help you review the following skills:

• Table creation and management

• Database updating and management

• Using complex queries

• Joining tables 

There’s a reason we recommend using a MySQL skill test as soon as you receive an application: You’ll know whether your applicants can use MySQL efficiently simply by checking their results. This means you can simply get rid of resume screening and simplify your hiring process with one single step.

2. Combine the MySQL skill test with other tests for a comprehensive assessment

When you use TestGorilla’s MySQL skill test, you can combine it with other related tests to build a comprehensive assessment. What does this mean for hiring? It means you can learn more about your candidates before the interview stage – and only spend time interviewing the best talent.

Some of the related tests you may consider including in your assessment include our SQLite Querying test, Time Management test, or Clean Code test. You can combine soft skills tests and technical skill tests for a full overview of your applicants’ strengths.

3. Follow a structured interview process when using MySQL interview questions

Are you wondering whether you should use an unstructured or a structured interview process? 

We strongly recommend structured interviewing when hiring your next MySQL developer. Structured interviews are ideal for reviewing and comparing your candidates’ answers, especially if you use score sheets. Reviewing responses is much harder with unstructured interviews.

Legally speaking, you’re in a better situation to defend your hiring process if you use structured interviews. They’re fairer and less biased, which will help you make the correct hiring decision for your organization.

4. Ask applicants about their experience and side projects

The MySQL relational database management system is useful for many projects, from record keeping to inventory control. Are your applicants perfecting their skills by working on side projects? It’s important to ask about side gigs they might be working on to learn more about the breadth of their skills and knowledge – and also see how motivated they are. 

Ideally, you should check your applicants’ portfolio of work before the interview. Consider whether their projects have real-world applications and check how they have presented their work. Does their passion shine through in their portfolio?

5. Take note of any skills that align with your MySQL role (and the skills they need to work on)

During the interview, write down the particular MySQL skills that align with your requirements. As you take notes, consider whether there are any gaps in your applicants’ skills. 

To make sound hiring decisions, always consider your applicants’ best skills. Consider whether their best skill aligns with the main responsibilities they will complete. For example, if joining tables is crucial for the project they’ll be working on, consider whether your applicants’ top skill is working with tables and joining them in MySQL.

6. Ask candidates a combination of technical and situational questions

You can learn a lot about your MySQL engineers if you use a wide variety of interview questions. It’s well worth asking technical and situational interview questions after you’ve learned about your applicants’ overall experience by asking a few general questions. 

7. Complete the onboarding and training process with help from the assessments

Have you chosen a candidate? All that’s left is onboarding and training. Refer to your new hire’s MySQL assessment results and check their score. If they lack specific skills you need them to have, it’s time to create a tailored training session to help them get up to speed quickly.

Why include a MySQL test in your hiring process?

There are many advantages to skills testing. A MySQL skills test offers you hard data you can rely on when evaluating your applicants’ skills, making your recruitment process data-driven, fast, efficient, and, perhaps most importantly, bias-free. 

Skills testing is accurate and reliable, which makes hiring more objective. Skills-based recruitment will also help you build a more diverse and inclusive team, because it’ll help you eliminate unconscious hiring biases and enable you to make the right decisions, regardless of applicants’ background, skin color, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or any other factors. 

And if you combine it with the right interview questions, you have a winning strategy.

Hire a MySQL engineer for your organization with the right MySQL interview questions

We know: Hiring a MySQL engineer for your organization isn’t easy. But with the tips and suggestions in this article, you can tackle this challenge easily.

You’ve now got plenty of MySQL interview questions to get to know your applicants, and know how to use skills tests to accurately assess their skills at the top of your hiring funnel and decide who to invite to an interview.

Take a look at our MySQL test and implement it in your hiring process to evaluate applicants’ skills quickly and easily.

Then, use our MySQL interview question to get a deeper understanding of their strengths and technical expertise. 

Use TestGorilla to hire exceptional MySQL engineers for your organization fast and without stress.