Describe a time when you were able to improve upon a network design that existed before you began working for the organization.

An interviewer will ask this type of operational question for two reasons. The first is to gain an understanding of your skills in designing complex communication networks. The second reason is to get some insight into your interpersonal communication style. This is important because, in addition to your technical skills, you'll need to be able to work with other people and the organization and be compatible with the company's culture. The mistake some people make after taking on a new job is to begin making recommendations for improvements before they have learned the details of the existing operation. Make sure that you clarify that you were on board for some time before you recommended an upgrade to the company's network design.

"In my previous organization I took the time to gain a complete understanding of their network topology, how it was performing, what upgrades they already had planned. Once I fully understood the existing network design, I made some recommendations that would reduce the latency, consolidate some of the hardware, and add some tools which would make it easier to manage the network. Most of my recommendations were approved and implemented and resulted in the improvements I had forecast."