The document discusses different types of interview questions and how to prepare for them. A traditional interview involves open-ended questions about a candidate's resume and experience. A behavioral interview asks candidates to describe how they handled past situations to demonstrate skills like problem-solving and leadership. Behavioral questions typically begin with "Tell me about a time when..." and ask the candidate to follow the STAR structure: Situation, Task, Action, Result. The document provides tips for preparing behavioral stories and example behavioral questions.

2. Be able to draw from a variety of experiences that demonstrate your skills and abilities. A good story can also combine work experience with a non-work experience (shows you can use the skill in a variety of settings). Examples may be from your work experience, your personal life or some social or other situation. Of course a unique work situation story (unless otherwise specifically requested) should take priority. Be as open, expressive and succinct as possible about each experience.

3. Let others help you out - use examples of quotes from bosses or customers, i.e., "My boss gave me a good performance review, they liked the way I stepped in to get the job done without being told to." This demonstrates your willingness to accept contribution, your flexibility and teamwork skills.

4. Think 'STAR' - Situation or Task, Action and Result. There are several variations of this acronym in the recruiting industry, but all of them are intended to provide structure and focus to your answers. When asked about a type of situation, the interviewer is looking at how you responded to it by via a specific example. Using the STAR model you would break your answer into the three segments of; description of the task, then the action you took, and the final measurable result.

5. Use recent examples. As you will be probed for detail around the situation, it is better to use events in the last 12-18 months as the detail will be clearer in your mind. Be specific as possible about your contribution and the quantitative results achieved. Specific absolute or relative (%) gains in areas such as cost or time savings will give you the interviewer a clearer picture of your abilities. If specific measurable results don't apply to your example, you might explain how it streamlined processes, empowered others or resolved communication or productivity issues.

6. Practice telling your stories until they are vivid and concise, one to three minutes long. An interview can be likened to a marketing activity, where you are the brand. You will only get an interview because your resume and past roles suggest that you have the appropriate technical skills set (your attributes). Often what separates you from the other candidates at the interview stage is the interviewer's belief in how you will fit into the company's culture and specific IT team (your personal benefits).

7. Remember, you are selling your technical AND personal skills. Being able to communicate your adaptability and relatedness at an interview is essential to becoming the leading candidate. This 'story telling practice' is an important preparation tool to assist you in creating a natural flow to your stories so that the interviewer can focus on your potential benefit to the client.

8. Ask to come back to the question. If you are stuck for an answer to a particular question, it is reasonable to ask the interviewer if you may move on to the next one and you'll come back it.Be ready for these questions tomorrow.<br /> * Can you give me an example of when you came up with a clever way to motivate someone?<br /> * Tell me about an important goal you've set in the past and how you accomplished it. <br /> * Think of a problem person you had to deal with, describe the situation and tell me how you handled it.<br /> * Give me an example of a colleague/ vendor/ customer who was hard to communicate with and tell me how you handled it.<br /> * Describe a situation in which you felt it was necessary to break company policy or alter procedures to get things done.<br /> * Give me a general description of your responsibilities in your current or last job.<br /> * Tell me about something you've done in your job that was creative. Think of a specific example. Tell me exactly how you handled it.<br /> * Tell me about a time you made a quick decision you were proud of.<br /> * Tell me about an important goal you've set in the past and how you accomplished it.<br /> * Do you know the expression 'to roll with the punches'? Tell me about a time when you had to do that.<br /> * When you had to do a job that was particularly uninteresting, how did you deal with it?<br /> * Tell me about a time when an upper level decision of policy change held up your work. How did you handle it?<br /> * Describe a situation in your last job where you could structure your own work schedule. What did you do?<br /> * Tell me about a time when you've stuck to company policy or procedure, when it might have been easier and more effective not to.<br /> * Think about a problem you might have had in being decisive, and tell me how you handled it.<br /> * Describe a time when you had to communicate some unpleasant feelings to a supervisor.<br /> * What's been your experience of dealing with poor performance of subordinates? Provide an example.<br /> * In your current position, what sort of decisions do you make without consulting your boss?<br /> * Can you think of any major obstacles you had to overcome in your last job? How did you deal with them?<br /> * What types of things have made you angry, and how did you react to those situations?<br /> * You've told me a lot of your strengths for this job. But I need to get a balanced picture and get some knowledge of where you might need some improvement. Describe for me a time when you made a mistake that illustrates your need to for improvement.<br />