The mind game
When I am asked questions in my position of strength I normally try to answer it in short and somewhat inadvertantly giving the impression that I may not be very confident in this area. This often leads to more questions and then it is fun ride.

In subjects I am not comfortable with, I try to answer as confidently as possible which normally makes them hunt elsewhere for my weakness.

Strength and weakness
Sometimes interviewers ask about your strength and weaknesses. Don't give specific answers unless you are superbly confident. However if you are confident then it is a hilarious ride.

Normally when I was asked about my Java strenth (How do you rate yourself in Java in a scale of 1-10?) I respond with 10. Obviously this causes a look of disbelief. I instantly follow it up smiling with - "prove me wrong :)". Normally nobody takes up the challenge. However don't bet on it. I offer this as a bait because I am extremely confident about my abilities in Java and I know I can defend my outrageous ratings in any interview and with anybody. In one case the interviewer took up on my challenge and finally gave up.

Preparation
I normally don't prepare for any interviews. However I do try to make myself aware of the business and the products of the company I am interviewing with. And if I cannot satisfactorally understand the business model I will definitely find an opportunity to ask it. I am genuinly interested in a company I am applying.

Honesty
I try to be honest in my answers. If I don't know either I respond with plain "I don't know" or if it sounds like a technical challenge then I tell them that I don't know but if I were to design it I would do it in this way. One such case was when I was asked how DNS operated. At that time I had no idea about DNS. So I asked him what it does and then proceeded to describe how I would have implemented it. My design ideas turned out to be exactly what was done to implement the actual DNS system.

Bitching and moaning
Don't. Problem solvers don't bitch or moan. Either solve it if you can or accept it and move on. Life's too short to waste on bitching (yes Dennis B. if you are reading this I am thinking about you :) ). Nobody likes a whiner.

In conclusion
Finally be confident in your abilities and knowledge. If you are confident about a subject then feel free to politely argument your case with the interviewer. Do not give up because you want to please him. If he is a worthy manager he isn't looking for an a**kisser. If he is looking for one then leave and apply for a different job (unless you like a**kissing that is).

Feel free to ask questions or offer your tips below in the comments section.

Best of luck on your next interview.

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