200 BizTalk Technical Questions with Answers

Introduction

General

Not being prepared is preparing to Failure! Ironic but true. Interviewing is just like any other skill that you have acquired; the more that you practice it the better you will get at it. The art of interviewing is as important as other skills that you bring to the table as an IT specialist. The job market is a competitive place and in many cases the only difference between whether you get an offer or not will come down to the way you handle yourself in the interview. What follows is a summary of tips that I have compiled after observing the habits of the most successful people in the business.

You are being interviewed because they selected you out of a large pool of potential candidates. This should act as a boost to your confidence because in a way you have already started on the right foot with the interviewer. Think of the interview as a chance to prove to them that they are right about you!

Take care of the basics in advance and remove the obstacles ahead of time. Often the outcome of an interview is the opposite of what you expected. There have been several situations when a consultant least likely to be hired gets the contract.  Conversely, a person seen as being the “perfect” fit for a job does not get the assignment.  The only variable that consistently explains such outcomes is the amount of time and effort a person puts into preparing for the interview.  Thorough preparation is often what stands between you and your next assignment.

Your goal is to generate an offer in all cases. Remember that you can always say no to an offer that you do get but you can never say yes to one that you do not get. It is not uncommon for people to lose their enthusiasm during an interview if they find out something about the job that seems unappealing to them. If this happens to you it is important to keep in mind that things are not always what they appear to be.

The hiring manager needs to know three things:

1. Are you a team player, good person, will they get along with you?
2. Are you capable of doing the work?
3. Do you want the position? (The best results are when the interviewee conveys 80% enthusiasm and 20% technology knowledge in the interview)

All that you have to do is convince them that the answer to all three questions is YES.

Proving that you are capable

When an interviewer is asking technical questions about your experience in a particular area, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE HUMBLE!  Always answer their questions with an example of where and how you used that skill before. Avoid yes or no answers; develop answers to match the needs of the customer’s project.  To sell your skills effectively, you can follow a simple three step format 

1. Simply outline what you are selling.
2. Qualify or explain what you are selling. 
3. Finally, relate what you are selling to the customer’s need.

Show them that you want it

It is important to come across as “in to it” as possible. All things considered equal the person that appears to want the job the most will get the offer. Try to find out if their level of interest in you by asking them directly. Good questions to ask are:

1. Do you feel that I am suitable for the position?
2. Do you have any reservations about my ability to do this job?

Don’t be afraid to ask these questions, you may be able to overcome any objections that they may have. It may feel a bit uncomfortable but it is better to find out what their concerns are than it is to find out that you did not get the job. Asking for the job can be a crucial factor in the interviewer’s decision-making process.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Preparing for interviews is critical to the success of IT Contract Consultant.  Treat every interview as the most important marketing presentation that your business will make.  You have one opportunity to convince a customer of your abilities. Make every phrase, word and gesture count. This may all seem like common sense to you, but practicing in front of a mirror or with a partner will make you more at ease and add to your successful at interviewing. All professionals practice their sport to stay sharp. Finally, as Yoda says, do not try, just do it!

The Questions

I have collected the following 200 questions through interviews I have conducted and interviews that I was the applicant. I also collected them from the online user groups and other websites. I have prepared the answers and reviewed them as best as I can. If you happen to fall on a question that I did not include here or you want to discuss any of the answers that I have provided please email me at Moustafa@MoustafaRefaat.com.