A client wants to implement a new software system that was recommended by a different division of the same company. How do you evaluate it to ensure it's the right choice?

"I've been in similar situations like this before, and have consulted clients on what needs to be considered before a new software implementation can take place. In a consulting engagement, a proper discovery and background must be conducted on the business. This step is absolutely critical. If you don't understand why the customer is asking you to evaluate new software for their business, you'll miss the most important part of why you are evaluating the software. My experience has shown that if you find the compelling event or pain point that's prompting them to look at a new system, you'll know if it's the right choice for them."

It's not uncommon for many corporations with multiple locations or divisions to have different computer systems and networks that don't necessarily talk to each other. They may share a few common systems that allow them to communicate with other locations or business units to conduct business as usual. Since companies that are decentralized have systems, networks, and/or software that could differ from other locations, hiring managers will ask how you will gather information, who you will talk to, the method you will use to evaluate the new software, and how you will arrive at a decision to recommend or not recommend the software. Giving an example or short checklist of what you will cover in the evaluation process will be important.

"There's a step-by-step process that I follow that yields great results when it comes to evaluating new software for a corporation or division. As mentioned earlier, a proper discovery of the business operations is critical. Let me walk you through the process I use as part of the discovery: 1. Have the client explain the need for the software and the problems they expect it to solve for them. 2. Ask if they have the technical expertise internally to maintain the software, or do they plan to outsource the maintenance for the software to an IT Consultant or firm. 3. Do an assessment of their current technology infrastructure to see if they can support this new software and if they need to purchase additional hardware to run the system. 4. Find out how many people would potentially need to be trained on the new software, starting with key personnel (Administrators/Power Users) managing the system. 5. Provide a comparison of similar software with similar features, benefits, along with a breakdown of pricing for each software solution, and what it will cost in the long run. 6. Ask when they want you to submit a report on your evaluation."

When working a sales position with Miles Technologies, rejection is a part of the job, what are your coping strategies for handling rejection?

"While it always feels great to close a sale, I understand there is a lot of work involved in getting there. One strategy I use to stay motivated is to 'Go for the No'. I set a goal a number of no's for the day, when I hit a rough patch, rejection becomes an achieved goal instead of a problem."

As with most sales and marketing positions, working as an employee at Miles Technologies means you will often need to approach many clients before making a sale. Unfortunately, it is common for potential clients to reject an offer before hearing the sales pitch. To be a strong employee of Miles Technologies you should to be able to cope with rejection well.It is normal for salespeople to hear 'no' far more often than they hear 'yes'. Give some examples of coping skills and how you stay positive and motivated when facing rejection.

"I understand that it takes several rejections to get a sale. Not every customer is going to be a great fit with Miles Technologies nor like it's products or services. It's vital that we have many conversations, some that will lead to rejection, but ultimately will lead to identifying the best potential customers."

Tell me about your experience with SEO and walk me through your standard process for optimizing a website.

"I always take an ethical approach to SEO, it is important to me to use ethical (white-hat) techniques to build a strong online presence. This includes working with blog writers, influencers, and other content creators to generate quality content related to my client. I also research to discover relevant keywords. A good keyword should be commonly searched but not over saturated. I always avoid using unethical (black-hat) techniques to artificially boost search ranking. I work with established online influencers to generate and promote quality content, such as blogs and articles, to make my clients stand out."

The interviewer for Miles Technologies wants to know your step by step approach to SEO. What tools and techniques you use, and if your processes are ethical. There are several 'cheap tricks' inexperienced SEO managers use, which may seem helpful to an untrained eye, but will ultimately be ignored by Google's algorithm.There are several ways to approach SEO. The tools, algorithms, and best practices change quickly and often. A strong SEO candidate will keep up on the latest trends by reading articles, listening to podcasts, and attending conferences/training events. Explain your step by step process or approach to SEO while addressing some or all of these concerns.

"Search engine optimization has changed a lot over the last decade and will change again in the future. Ten years ago, simply adding Keywords in the correct areas of your website would bring you to the top of the search results. While this on-page SEO is still important, ever since Google released their 'Hummingbird' update, search engine optimization requires quite a bit more off page SEO. To reach the top, you need great quality content with EAT, a good deal of online social interaction, and satisfied consumers who will recommend others to visit your site. When working with a new client, I begin by optimizing all possible on page content. I then use tools like Google Analytics to research our off-page SEO. In my last position, I installed a plug-in that asked consumers to share a link to my client's website on social media after completing a purchase. By increasing the number of backlinks to the webpage, I was able to increase our search engine ranking significantly."

Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?

"I feel that employees should be paid, and rewarded, based on their performance. A new employee would be greatly motivated through being rewarded for performance and it encourages a healthy competition with tenured employees."

Do you feel that you should be paid based on tenure, or results? Discuss this with the interviewer and back your answer with an example, if possible.

"I feel both performance and experience should be equally rewarded and weighted."

In the healthcare services industry there are many emotions in a day. Have your emotions ever been in the way of your productivity?

"Everyone is emotional to a certain degree, and I would consider myself kind-hearted and open. A career in healthcare can be emotional at times; however, I choose to focus on the positives. For instance - if we are close to losing a patient, I will focus on the positive memories rather than the illness. This mindset has consistently allowed me to continue with a productive shift no matter the emotions that come my way. "

The interviewer wants to know if you consider yourself to be an emotionally driven person. Talk to the interviewer about your emotions and if they have ever affected your productivity at work. Keep in mind - almost everyone is an emotional creature to some degree, but there are other ways that you can describe yourself that have a more positive connotation. If you are passionate, you could choose to refer to yourself as: - Expressive - Communicative - Open - Unreserved - Warm Hearted

"This is a great question. I think the right answer is, 'of course, but not for long'! We've all had those tough cases. A child dies, a patient yells at you, or you have to give someone a cancer diagnosis. Its professional to take a few minutes after an encounter like that and let those emotions come and go. I cope with these emotions by telling myself that it's not my story, its the patient's story. I think it's okay to be moved by someone else's experience, but I don't need to make it mine."

Listening to our clients is absolutely essential to understanding their business and technology needs. Tell me about a time when you're listening skills helped exceed their expectations in the delivery of the project?

"I've worked with many clients at different levels of an organization, including executive level management personnel. Being a good listener is an absolute requirement, and getting the opportunity to collaborate with clients and help solve their problems is very rewarding for me. It's important for me to show clients that they are getting the highest value possible for their money. When I have conversations with clients, I sometimes find that they don't know what they don't know, and I find that this is a good base level start because you're starting from scratch and identifying problems as you walk through their environment from top to bottom. My basic qualifiers start with technology, and how they use it. Here's a basic outline of questions I posed. 1. What platform do you run your ERP or enterprise software? Windows, UNIX, Linux, etc.? The reason I ask this questions is after I find out what they are using, it's easier for me to suggest a software solution. After explaining the pros and cons of their current set up, I recommend a solution that will help solve their problem. 2. What database are you using to store your data? SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, BD2, etc. The reason I ask this question is to see if they are up to date with current versions, and the capacity of data and where it resides. I also ask whether their data is On-Premise or in the Cloud. Depending on the responses, I would be able to make suggestions on efficient ways to work with that data."

It's easy for a client to overlook small details, that's why they hire IT Consultants so they can stay in the know. IT Consultants typically take a deeper dive into a clients operation from a technology and business perspective. One of the biggest reasons that clients look to IT consultants is to look at their organization from an outsider's point of view. Having a vantage point into client operations, and how they do things tells the client that another pair of eyes sees things they might have missed. It's important to recognize that a client is relying on your expertise to give them a perspective that an internal employee would normally not see. Some of the areas you might want to address with the client is how they run their operations, and even have them rate their current level of expertise with all their technologies. This will reveal a few things. One of the most important is where you need to navigate and lead the interview discussion. Asking questions like what do you like and dislike about your current operations. Offer up that you like the challenge of solving problems, and working in different types of environments, and perfecting your craft.

"My prior work has taught me that asking the right questions at the right time is very important. When I do discovery with a client, there are a number of questions that I ask to arrive at a few core problems they are facing. Let me give you an example of what I ask, and why. 1. Walk me through your current process, and highlight an area where you are experiencing pains and challenges? The reason I ask this is to build trust with the client, and get them to talk extensively about their problems, and how you can propose a solution. 2. Is it your belief that a software application will be able to solve these problems for you? I ask this question to see if they think they need a software solution, or is it just a process fix that can be achieved by process and productivity improvements, along with process re-engineering."

Describe to me your ideal employer.

"My ideal employer is one that brings charisma and passion to their work. I work best with organizations who have a penchant for learning and promote their employees based on performance."

A job search isn't just a one-sided hunt. You must also feel as though this is a good fit for yourself. Tell the interviewer what your ideal employer looks like. Be specific and be sure to keep the conversation positive. Avoid speaking poorly of any previous managers or organizations.

"Here are some other ways you could describe a great employer. A great employer will: - Pause to have fun now and then but also know when to be serious - Treat everyone fairly, and equally - Offer rewards for great work - Offer a continually challenging environment - Offer flexibility and understands that personal situations come up from time to time - Encourage a collaborative workplace"

Miles Technologies believes that results should be measured to determine the success of marketing efforts. What are some key performance metrics you look at to decide whether marketing efforts have fallen short of, met, or exceeded expectations?

"Typical KPIs that should be measured to show whether a campaign has been successful or not are the value of spend, lead counts and source quality, the value of sales before, after and during the campaign, profit, and return on investment."

The interviewer wants to know about your knowledge of common key performance indicators across the marketing industry and how they should be understood regarding a successful or unsuccessful marketing campaign.You should answer by listing the key performance metrics that are usually tracked during marketing campaigns.Do not provide specific metric numbers from your current or last position. Be general by naming the metric rather than providing numbers which may be confidential, or more information than what the interviewer needs.

"KPIs can vary based on campaigns. If your main focus is to grow an audience, for example, it's important to look at growth in numbers of followers, engagements on social media and blog posts, referrals, and new email list subscribers."

Miles Technologies uses several tools for search engine optimization. Explain your experience with SEO tools, which are your favorites to work with and why?

"As the landscape of SEO changes rapidly, so do the tools I use. Currently, my favorite tool is Screaming Frog; it gives the most detailed analysis and best suggestions of any tool I have used in the past. I am always actively learning more about how to best use the data that Screaming Frog compiles. Two examples of other tools I utilize are Google Page Speed Insights and QuickSprout."

Search Engine Optimization is an ever-changing, fast-paced business. New tools are released on a regular basis. Most popular SEO tools come from SEMRush, Moz, Ahrefs, and more. Most of these companies are even in weight and offer relatively the same tools. Explain to the interviewer which company you prefer without sounding too bias and the tools you use on a regular basis.

"Google offers a powerful set of tools that work together to provide valuable search engine insights. Because my primary goal is to rank high on Google, it makes sense to utilize Google's suite of tools. I often begin diving into a project by analyzing my client's website using Google Page Speed Insights, Google Trends, Google Ad words, and other Google tools. Typically, I can get a large boost in page rank from these. I then move on to a few other tools in order to polish up the site and get ranking as high as possible."

If hired, you may be asked to rebrand a company that is not performing well, explain how you would proceed with rebranding the company.

"I was brought on to rebrand a failing company in my previous position. The company was founded in the late '90s and had little to no online presence. I started with creating a new, modern logo design. I then launched a social media campaign across multiple platforms. As a result, sales increased, and the company had their best quarter in 6 years."

Miles Technologies occasionally rebuilds a brand from the ground up. Let Miles Technologies know that you see rebranding as an exciting challenge, rather than a chore. They want to know if you will take the brand in a new direction, and have innovative new ideas.Explain how you will take on the challenge of rebranding. If you have past experience, give examples of how you went about the project.

"Even the most popular brand names need a refresher every so often to stay modern. I welcome the opportunity to relaunch a brand, especially if it would help that companies performance with their advertising campaign. When redesigning brands, my first instinct is to research the company's history and try to find something unique about the company. Second, I'll study the latest trending colors and designs."

Our clients have high expectations of our work, tell me about a time you worked with challenging time constraints, but were still able to exceed client expectations.

"Almost every project will have time sensitivity challenges and deadlines that need to be met. I am very mindful of these things, and take the appropriate steps to ensure projects are planned properly with the appropriate amount of resources, technology, and approvals throughout the process. The way that I start and execute on a project is always with a project plan that serves as a roadmap for success. If I am to avoid time constraints and other challenges, I clearly identify the deliverables, and follow through on the most efficient way to produce them. In order to avoid distractions, I take a close look at design and test times, project risk, team focus, and management involvement so that we minimize delays from the executive level."

If I only had more time. I hear this all the time. It's a fact of life in the business world. Being prepared for situational questions that ask about project planning, resource planning, expectations, delivery, and how you anticipate distractions will show the hiring manager that you have meticulously planned and know each step in the process. Your answer should reflect the steps you take to resolve a problem, or minimize risk so problems don't occur. Walk the interviewer through one of the steps in the process, and detail how you address time constraints specifically, and how you are able to still meet client expectations. Detail this response with how you set up a project plan, the step-by-step approach, and why everyone needs to follow the process in order to avoid delays, and to deliver on time.

"When I start a project, there are a number of tasks and milestones that I consider very carefully. The most important one is identifying risks up front to avoid surprises. I take a systematic approach to each step and phase of the project. It has been my experience that setting quality expectations in advance sets the tone for a much more favorable outcome for the project. Keeping a focus and not deviating from the original plan is important for meeting milestones and expectations. I understand that changes happen, and change management needs to be addressed if this happens. If or when change happens, we refocus the project using rapid application development RAD to stay on schedule so the delivery date of the project doesn't change."

There are many different definitions of a 'Cloud' in the IT industry. In order to make sure we are on the same page can you provide your definition of a cloud hosting environment and describe its components?

"A cloud is an amalgamation of computer hardware, software, network, storage, and services. It can be managed by the organization or by a third-party service provider, such as Amazon or Microsoft. It is also known as 'computing as a service'. End users are unaware of where the components are located and where their applications and data reside. They access the cloud via an interface. This creates an environment in which they do their work."

The purpose of this question is to make sure you define a cloud hosting environment in the same way the employer does and that you have familiarity with what elements constitute an IT cloud.

"A cloud environment is a collection of IT assets and services that are accessed by the users through a portal or dedicated interface. The cloud can reside or be hosted on the same physical premise as the users, offsite or by a third-party service provider. The components of the cloud are the same as a standard data center. They include hardware, software, storage, network, applications, and services. Many cloud environments are designed for specific businesses, including customer service, financial services, application development, and healthcare, to name just a few. These are typically hosted by third party service providers who specialize in the individual market segments."

Great communication skills are critical when working as an IT Consultant. Walk me through a time when you were successful in communicating with a person that was difficult to work with, and under difficult circumstances?

"I've worked with all types of personalities, and have found that a diplomatic approach has worked best for me. The first thing I address with the other person is the blame game. Learning why you are blamed gets you once step closer to resolving the problem. In this case the client was having issues meeting deadlines which caused other departments to also miss their deadlines. I immediately focused on a problem, how to solve it, and started by showing my willingness to get along and help get the project back on track."

Throughout corporate America, you'll find your garden variety of different personalities from strategic thinkers, passive aggressive profiles, and of course your ego maniacs. Dealing with difficult people is an art. There's a few ways you can learn to adapt to an environment, culture and difficult circumstances without compromising the success of the project. First, start with the common issues that a difficult person will present to you. He/she will likely try to take credit for the work you completed, or blame you for missing their deadlines. An easy way to handle this is to explain that even though they blamed you, you have no ill will towards them, and actually offered to help with their project so they could get caught up. Another approach is to summarize the issue, then explain that you communicated with the other person and spent time with them to solve the problem.

"It's extremely important to me to avoid getting upset or venting about the person who was difficult to work with. I had an instance where a client was rude, and verbally abusive, and didn't give me access to servers, and software that I needed to complete my work. I kept my cool and was polite the whole time. I demonstrated how they would see immediate results and a turn-around of their project if we could all work together and I could have access to certain files and folder to get my work done, and they agreed."

Have you worked on application development projects, if so what technologies have you used, and what was your specific role on those projects?

"I've worked on several client-side coding projects in my current role, and in past roles as well. My preference and strength is client-side coding, but it doesn't discount the fact that I'm equally as strong on server-side coding. Most recently, I'm leading a team of web developers on a few projects. On one of our projects, we're using HTML, JavaScript, Ajax, and jQuery frameworks development tools to develop an e-commerce web portal to sell our company products globally. I Incorporated Magento as the shopping cart solution to make it easy to order using a credit card or other online payment options."

Application development is a broad set of technologies, and it can apply to building applications using tools from several software brands. There are typically two categories of technologies within application development. The first is client-side scripting/coding using technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, jQuery, etc. The second is Server side scripting/coding using technologies such as PHP, ASP (Microsoft), Cold Fusion, Python, etc. The reason a hiring manager at Miles Technologies would ask this question is to see which category you fall under. They want to know if you're qualified to do both. Most consultants who have spent considerable time consulting on application development projects should have a solid working knowledge of both. The hiring manager might also ask about the application development lifecycle which is now more geared toward web application development. Almost all applications nowadays will be developed for the web. When you answer these questions, make sure you understand what they are asking before giving a full explanation.

"Although I can work on both client-side and server-side, I'm mindful that web servers need to be addressed a little differently so both server-side and client-side can co-exist in harmony. As part of any development project, there are certain guidelines and standards that need to be followed to ensure the project is a success. My role is to be hands-on when it comes to identifying which web application frameworks to use for specific projects and to make sure the team is adhering to coding guidelines and standards like folder structure, file names, coding logic, file organization, classes and functions, and naming conventions. As with any development project, I do follow the web applications lifecycle model which covers; defining the application requirements, analysis, architecture design, team development, programming testing and bug fixing, and implementation."

Tell me about a time where you made a great recommendation that you think would have greatly benefited your client, but they just didn't like it. What approach did you take to convince them?

"When someone doesn't like my ideas or recommendations, I don't take it personal. I show empathy towards people who may disagree with my ideas or recommended solutions. I understand that some people may not be clear about how the technology or solution works, and how it may benefit them. When it comes to change, it is sometimes difficult to implement change since people like the way they work, and get used to a certain routine at work. One of the approaches that I used to convince them that my recommended solution would benefit the company was to highlight the areas that directly benefited them, and how it would make their daily tasks easier to manage."

It's a challenge when you have to deal with a company that has different opinions and management styles. Depending on whom you are working with, and their role and responsibility, you will likely have to craft a compelling value proposition to clearly show that your recommendations will yield a return on their investment in a relatively short time. Consultants know this all too well. Push back from the client comes from managers who either don't understand the idea, concept or solution, and how it will help the organization. This type of interview question is asked to see how you handle rejection from the client, and if you recommend another solution that might work better. In addition to a compelling value proposition, provide a similar example that you recommended to a client that worked very well and had a good return on their investment.

"Another way I was able to convince this client that they need my recommended solution was that I gave them ownership and involvement in the project very early on so they could see first-hand where they would be able to realize the benefits that directly apply to their department. I made them feel they were an important part of the process. As an outsider (consultant) telling them how I could improve their operations, I know I had to be respectful to their concerns. I avoided confrontation, and took a non-intrusive approach to learn how they worked so I could document and show them exactly where they benefited from my recommendations."

What decisions did you routinely make in your last position?

"In my previous position I was quite often required to make decisions on staff scheduling as well as hiring and terminating. I feel that role prepared me quite well for a position like this one. I have well-honed decision-making skills and my intuition, when it comes to hiring, has been elevated."

The interviewer would like to know more about the types of decisions you are accustomed to making in the workplace. The way you answer this questions will give them a good idea of your level of experience, seniority, and ability to handle the decision-making requirements in this possible position. If the job you are interviewing for requires you to be decisive and quick on your feet, you will need to be able to provide examples of how you have done these things in the past. If you worked in tech support, you faced problems that you needed to find solutions for on a regular basis. If you worked as a sales rep, you might have required to know how to negotiate and make decisions on prices and benefits you can give your customers. You may have faced decisions that became so routine you didn't think twice! Refer to these types of decisions and be sure to highlight how these types of decisions have prepared you for a role like this one.

"I was responsible for planning the content calendar: emails, blog post topics, and timing, social media posts, in addition to actually executing the plans. That means everything from creating web copy, to choosing images, and the like. Also, I collaborate with management to decide what promotions and sales we will be running, and when."

What part of this career brings you the most stress?

"The part of my career that brings me the most stress is when the schedule is running behind due to lack of hustle on my teams part. I like to be on time with my schedule to ensure that my clients are assisted properly."

Stress can often be a regular part of the day to day work experience. Talk to the interviewer about which areas of your career are the most stressful. Ensure that your answer does not include a factor that would make you appear unfit for the position. (IE: a bus driver should not find driving to be the most stressful part of the job).

"I probably bring myself the most stress because of my drive and desire to be/do the best I can be. I manage this by focusing my energy on productive activities that are good for my career."

If brought on for a sales position with Miles Technologies, you may need to adapt quickly in order to appeal to the needs of consumers. What are some key factors you considered when crafting an ad or sales pitch to appeal potential customers?

"When speaking with potential clients, I ask key questions and take time to hear any unique challenges they may be facing. I then suggest the best product or service to solve their problem, explaining in detail how our product or service will improve their day to day life."

Miles Technologies works with a diverse set of clients who have different interests, lifestyles, and needs. You will need great listening skills and the ability to perceive what your client needs are. This way, you can best craft your sales pitch or advertising to appeal to that client.The interviewer wants to know how you adapt to address your client's key pain points, needs, and desires. Talk about how you crafted your ad or sales pitch to address a need, solve a pain point, or appeal to your client or clients.

"In my last position, my client produced waterproof flashlights. A large number of our customers were campers. In my advertising, I used natural imagery, and a rugged outdoors look. I used keywords, such as 'Mountains', 'Great Outdoors' and 'Hiking' to appeal to campers. I explained in my ads how a waterproof flashlight was more durable and would work outside, in the rain, wind, and snow, where other flashlights would fail."

What are your salary expectations?

"Currently, I earn a base salary of $45,000 per year plus a potential 20% annual bonus. Last year my earnings were $52,000, and I would like to stay in the same range or slightly higher."

The best way to discuss your salary expectations is to use your current earnings as an example. Be open, and honest. Transparency is the best choice when salary based questions arise.

"I am currently making $100,000 per year with two bonus opportunities. I am looking for compensation that is aligned with the role and provides an opportunity for growth."

We're a company of innovative thinkers; we rely upon our innovative thinking to solve client problems. Tell me about a time when you came up with a breakthrough idea that was not obvious to others. Describe your idea and how you developed it?

"I've always considered myself an Outside the Box thinker. Settling for the norm has never been my working style. I always work with the expectation that my idea will serve many purposes, and bring value to our customers. One example is when I came up with an idea to train the trainer at multiple locations via remote video conferencing. This idea was well received, and was implemented at over 50 locations worldwide. I came up with the idea because I was responsible for training multiple divisions and didn't have the budget to fly everyone in from multiple locations for the training sessions."

Innovation is the cornerstone of any successful company. If you show me a highly successful company, I will show you people within that company that were innovative thinkers. Great examples are Steve Jobs from Apple, Bill gates from Microsoft, and Jeff Bezos of Amazon just to name a few. The hiring manager is posing this as a two-part question to see if your response is clear, concise, and related to the question. Stay on point with your response, because that's what they're looking for. Think about this question for a minute to dissect what they are asking. They are a company of innovators.....which means, will you fit into their culture and be able to come up with ideas that will be innovative. They will be listening attentively to how you articulate your message about your breakthrough idea. Walk them through how you came up with the idea, what your thought process was, how you got approval to move forward, and how you executed on the idea.

"I was working on implementing a friendlier looking graphical user interface solution for a financial services client. The inspiration came from the feedback I received from people at the client site complaining about processing transactions on a mainframe computer that wasn't much fun to work with or look at. They were used to the dreaded Green Screen on a mainframe, but my solution had a Windows look and feel which they liked quite a lot."

When have you shown a willingness to learn a new method or new approach to solving a problem?

"When our facility came under new management last year many new methods and policies came into place. I was able to learn some exciting new approaches to our challenges in patient care and customer management. I quite enjoyed the process."

Being flexible, and able to handle change is a skill that all employers desire to see. Discuss with the interviewer your ability to approach a problem using new methods. Give a recent example but make sure to spend more time highlighting the resolution rather than the problem.

"It's funny; they say people in medicine are 'lifelong learners'. But on top of that, we're in this digital revolution, and everyone has to learn new software all the time. I'm finally getting old enough to realize that its difficult to be constantly adapting. I think my 75-year-old aunt telling me how to use my iPhone helped me appreciate that it's all about humility. Not WHO is teaching you, but if you are willing to learn. In the medical context, I just took an updated CPR course, and it went from the 2:15 compressions to continuous compressions and I had to adapt to avoid my past way of thinking."

Can you describe a time a client required a customized marketing solution, your role in the process of creating and deploying it, and any collaborative efforts involved?

"Yes, I was an Account Manager to a client that wanted to measure and compare key metrics from different sources. We reviewed the features on all of the tools we had at the time, but none allowed us to see all the data in one place. I explained the problem to our analysts on staff who found a way to pull raw files that contained the data from our system. They automated a process where it would regularly transfer and sort into Excel. They also created an easy interface where I, or any basic Excel user could access and manipulate the data. After they created the tool, I tested it with them for two weeks to make sure it was working correctly. I then shared it with our client and we were able to use it throughout their campaign."

The interviewer asks this question to understand your level of experience with selecting or creating the right marketing technology for a client's needs. From your answer, they'll try to determine if you already have skills that will allow you to immediately be an asset to them in this area of their process.To answer this question, you should first confirm that you have experienced working with a client that required a custom solution in the past. In summarized detail, you should explain what your role in the client's project was, their technology need, and how you determined that it would require a custom solution. You should concisely explain who else was involved to build the solution - analysts, developers, or 3 party vendors, e.g. Finally, explain how you were able to test the solution and successfully roll it out for use with the client.Do not talk about projects where you had minimal involvement or focus on team efforts saying 'we' when referring to action taken. Say 'I' and talk about your direct involvement in a project. The interviewer wants to hear about your contribution and expertise.

"Yes, my current employer has clients that need to track audience engagement on their website and social pages. As a Marketing Coordinator, I am tasked with admin duties like maintaining the systems they've selected to track results. When clients want to add or subtract features to suit their needs, I read through program FAQs or contact the software program helpdesks to walk me through the configuration of the features. I'm continually responsible for reporting and ensuring the reports allow us to see results in the way the clients prefer based on their feedback."

Social media marketing continues to change and evolve over time as new trends develop. What skills do you have to offer that would help Miles Technologies stay current with the tools it offers?

"As social media platforms continue to change the capabilities and functionalities they offer, companies such as Miles Technologies will need to react quickly to provide tools that allow marketers to take full advantage of them. With multiple social media platforms available and changes both major and minor occuring on a continual basis, it is a challenge to remain current. There are many players in the industry providing social media marketing tools, making it all the more difficult to remain informed of technology trends. Despite these changing trends, the programming skills I have are still used in the development of most of the tools being offered. In addition, my product development planning skills will also help Miles Technologies reach its product goals. Miles Technologies will need to continually stay ahead of the changing trends so it can become a leader in the industry instead of a follower."

Begin by expressing your understanding of the continued evolution of social media and the tools available to marketers using these platforms. In addition, briefly explain how important and difficult it is to continually remain current with product offerings related to social media marketing.In your response, take time to outline both your skills and knowledge that may help Miles Technologies continue to offer relevant products/services. Include any recommendations on how Miles Technologies could ensure that it's keeping up with social media marketing technology trends.

Why is this job with Miles Technologies right for you, at this time in your career?

"I have been passively seeking a new position for quite some time and haven't jumped on anything yet because I want to make sure it's the right fit. I feel that this job is right for me, at this point in my career, because it offers an opportunity for me to utilize my recent education in IT while giving me an opportunity to advance in my management skills."

Discuss with the interviewer why you are looking to make a change, and how this particular role fits well with the changes that you are seeking. Be sure to give a more in-depth answer than the typical 'I am looking for growth' answer that so many interviewers hear. Be thoughtful and draw upon the research you have done on the company.

"This job is right for me at this time in my career because I am prepared and ready to take on a management position. I feel that your company would nurture my desire for growth and prepare me with the appropriate training."

Describe a time you helped implement a new technology for your client. Did you encounter any challenges, and how did you address them?

"I find that ultimately it's up to the client to make a final decision on whether or not they choose new software. It's up to me to provide all the necessary information needed for them to make an informed decision. There are many factors involved when evaluating new software. I'd like to provide some details about what goes into an evaluation and deployment of new software, and how challenges might be overcome. 1. Strategy and Technology Alignment - what are the goals of the organization, and how is the new software able to meet their business needs? 2. Is there Buy-in from senior leadership or stakeholders - Did management request to look at new software technology, or did it come from an external source? 3. Possible challenges that might come up - Is there anyone in the company that is against implementing new software, and why? 4. Will the new software integrate with existing technology infrastructure - Perform a system analysis to see if additional hardware is needed to support the new software? 5. Team training - How many people within all the departments will need training. My recommendation would be the train-the-trainer method. 6. Who will be maintaining the system once it goes live - Is there internal resources within the company with the proper expertise to maintain the system?"

Anytime you are introducing new technology to a client, you'll have your fair share of people who agree with you, and an equal amount of naysayers in that group too. This is an opportunity to talk about how you were involved in the process from start to finish, and where you encountered challenges, either with the software or personnel and what you did in a problem solver role to resolve those problems. If you look at it, the real purpose of introducing software to an organization is to improve the performance of a business. Give a couple examples of how you were able to get a consensus from department managers and their subordinates to move forward with the implementation. As you're going through these examples, be sure to mention how exactly they will be able to achieve their goals using the new software, and that you'll be able to bring value to the project immediately.

"It is my belief that when a company is exploring the possibility of implementing new software, there needs to be alignment from executive leadership and everyone else that could be impacted by new implementation. This includes the strategic, operational, and tactical perspective of the company. Let me give you an example of how I was able to propose a new software and the approach that I took to address challenges. 1. I showed examples of what the Risk vs Reward would look like after the software was implemented. 2. I inventoried all existing software to see if there were any other software packages that could address current issues without having to buy new software. 3. I gave management a timeline of how long it would take to implement, and how much it would cost. 4. I provided a post-implementation plan that included support and maintenance so that they knew what to expect going forward, and that there weren't going to be any surprises."

Miles Technologies Interview Questions

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1. A client wants to implement a new software system that was recommended by a different division of the same company. How do you evaluate it to ensure it's the right choice?
2. When working a sales position with Miles Technologies, rejection is a part of the job, what are your coping strategies for handling rejection?
3. Tell me about your experience with SEO and walk me through your standard process for optimizing a website.
4. Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?
5. In the healthcare services industry there are many emotions in a day. Have your emotions ever been in the way of your productivity?
6. Listening to our clients is absolutely essential to understanding their business and technology needs. Tell me about a time when you're listening skills helped exceed their expectations in the delivery of the project?
7. Describe to me your ideal employer.
8. Miles Technologies believes that results should be measured to determine the success of marketing efforts. What are some key performance metrics you look at to decide whether marketing efforts have fallen short of, met, or exceeded expectations?
9. Miles Technologies uses several tools for search engine optimization. Explain your experience with SEO tools, which are your favorites to work with and why?
10. If hired, you may be asked to rebrand a company that is not performing well, explain how you would proceed with rebranding the company.
11. Our clients have high expectations of our work, tell me about a time you worked with challenging time constraints, but were still able to exceed client expectations.
12. There are many different definitions of a 'Cloud' in the IT industry. In order to make sure we are on the same page can you provide your definition of a cloud hosting environment and describe its components?
13. Great communication skills are critical when working as an IT Consultant. Walk me through a time when you were successful in communicating with a person that was difficult to work with, and under difficult circumstances?
14. Have you worked on application development projects, if so what technologies have you used, and what was your specific role on those projects?
15. Tell me about a time where you made a great recommendation that you think would have greatly benefited your client, but they just didn't like it. What approach did you take to convince them?
16. What decisions did you routinely make in your last position?
17. What part of this career brings you the most stress?
18. If brought on for a sales position with Miles Technologies, you may need to adapt quickly in order to appeal to the needs of consumers. What are some key factors you considered when crafting an ad or sales pitch to appeal potential customers?
19. What are your salary expectations?
20. We're a company of innovative thinkers; we rely upon our innovative thinking to solve client problems. Tell me about a time when you came up with a breakthrough idea that was not obvious to others. Describe your idea and how you developed it?
21. When have you shown a willingness to learn a new method or new approach to solving a problem?
22. Can you describe a time a client required a customized marketing solution, your role in the process of creating and deploying it, and any collaborative efforts involved?
23. Social media marketing continues to change and evolve over time as new trends develop. What skills do you have to offer that would help Miles Technologies stay current with the tools it offers?
24. Why is this job with Miles Technologies right for you, at this time in your career?
25. Describe a time you helped implement a new technology for your client. Did you encounter any challenges, and how did you address them?

Miles Technologies Interview Questions

1. A client wants to implement a new software system that was recommended by a different division of the same company. How do you evaluate it to ensure it's the right choice?

2. When working a sales position with Miles Technologies, rejection is a part of the job, what are your coping strategies for handling rejection?

3. Tell me about your experience with SEO and walk me through your standard process for optimizing a website.

4. Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?

5. In the healthcare services industry there are many emotions in a day. Have your emotions ever been in the way of your productivity?

6. Listening to our clients is absolutely essential to understanding their business and technology needs. Tell me about a time when you're listening skills helped exceed their expectations in the delivery of the project?

7. Describe to me your ideal employer.

8. Miles Technologies believes that results should be measured to determine the success of marketing efforts. What are some key performance metrics you look at to decide whether marketing efforts have fallen short of, met, or exceeded expectations?

9. Miles Technologies uses several tools for search engine optimization. Explain your experience with SEO tools, which are your favorites to work with and why?

10. If hired, you may be asked to rebrand a company that is not performing well, explain how you would proceed with rebranding the company.

11. Our clients have high expectations of our work, tell me about a time you worked with challenging time constraints, but were still able to exceed client expectations.

12. There are many different definitions of a 'Cloud' in the IT industry. In order to make sure we are on the same page can you provide your definition of a cloud hosting environment and describe its components?

13. Great communication skills are critical when working as an IT Consultant. Walk me through a time when you were successful in communicating with a person that was difficult to work with, and under difficult circumstances?

14. Have you worked on application development projects, if so what technologies have you used, and what was your specific role on those projects?

15. Tell me about a time where you made a great recommendation that you think would have greatly benefited your client, but they just didn't like it. What approach did you take to convince them?

16. What decisions did you routinely make in your last position?

17. What part of this career brings you the most stress?

18. If brought on for a sales position with Miles Technologies, you may need to adapt quickly in order to appeal to the needs of consumers. What are some key factors you considered when crafting an ad or sales pitch to appeal potential customers?

19. What are your salary expectations?

20. We're a company of innovative thinkers; we rely upon our innovative thinking to solve client problems. Tell me about a time when you came up with a breakthrough idea that was not obvious to others. Describe your idea and how you developed it?

21. When have you shown a willingness to learn a new method or new approach to solving a problem?

22. Can you describe a time a client required a customized marketing solution, your role in the process of creating and deploying it, and any collaborative efforts involved?

23. Social media marketing continues to change and evolve over time as new trends develop. What skills do you have to offer that would help Miles Technologies stay current with the tools it offers?

24. Why is this job with Miles Technologies right for you, at this time in your career?

25. Describe a time you helped implement a new technology for your client. Did you encounter any challenges, and how did you address them?