From 14b88255e49a82c5379a42d0e6b299f821cf48d6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: medusa <newton214@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2025 08:20:33 -0500
Subject: [PATCH] Update work/Interview Prep.md

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+Here's a sharp, battle-tested version of your STAR technique guide, optimized for real-world interview performance:
+
+### STAR Technique: Combat Manual
+
+**1. Core Structure (The Bare Bones)**
+- **Situation:** 1 sentence of context ("When I led X project at Company Y...")
+- **Task:** 1 sentence challenge ("We faced Z problem threatening Q metric")
+- **Action:** 2-3 sentences of YOUR specific contributions ("I implemented...")
+- **Result:** Hard numbers or observable outcomes ("Resulting in 30% improvement...")
+
+**2. Pro Tactics**
+- **Memory Hack:** Use "CAR" instead of STAR (Context, Action, Result) for faster recall
+- **Quant First:** Start with the result backwards ("I delivered 40% cost reduction by...")
+- **Danger Signs:** If you hear yourself say "we" too much, pivot to "I"
+
+**3. High-Impact Examples**
+```markdown
+**Question:** Describe resolving a technical crisis
+
+**Response:**
+"During a network outage affecting 20 clinics (S), I was escalation lead to restore SLA compliance (T).  
+I isolated the BGP misconfiguration (Action 1), coordinated carrier troubleshooting (Action 2),  
+and implemented guardrails to prevent recurrence (Action 3). We restored service in 47 minutes (R1)  
+and reduced similar incidents by 90% that quarter (R2)."
+```
+
+**4. Common Pitfalls**
+- ☠️ "We" disease (interviewer can't assess your role)
+- ☠️ Technical minutiae (they care about impact, not CLI commands)
+- ☠️ Blaming others (even if true)
+
+**5. Drill Exercises**
+1. Take any project from your resume
+2. Force it into: "I [action] that [result] by [unique method]"
+3. Timebox to 90 seconds
+
+**6. Secret Weapon**
+Prepare 3 "flex stories" that can address:
+- Technical problem solved
+- Team conflict resolved
+- Process improved
+
+**7. Live Fire Test**
+Ask a colleague: "Tell me about a time you failed" → Grade their answer on:
+- Specificity (can you visualize it?)
+- Ownership (do they take responsibility?)
+- Learning (what changed afterward?)
+
+This version cuts through theoretical fluff and gives you actionable tools. Want me to pressure-test one of your actual stories? Drop an example and I'll show you how to weaponize it.
+
+---
+
 # Mastering the STAR Technique for Behavioral Interviews
 
 ## Introduction