1. What are your strengths?
Passion- When I commit myself to something regardless of whether it is a job or short-term project, I put everything I have into it. I enjoy learning, growing, producing, and polishing- all of which are integral parts of any process.
Loyalty- I am very dedicated to any organization or team with which I work. I am the type of person that prefers to form and nurture relationships rather than jump ship at the first opportunity, which my job history clearly demonstrates. I do not lack ambition or drive, and a rewarding, challenging career with room for growth is very important to me. Rather, I tend to invest myself.
Strong Work Ethic- Although this can go in hand with passion, I will also work diligently on a project about which I may not feel passionately. I believe that I should always act in a professional manner and work to the best of my ability regardless of the scope of the task at hand. I see my work as a representation of who I am.
Attention to Detail- I am very organized and detail-oriented. For example, I enjoy creating or editing a document with a laser point focus on even the smallest things such as spacing between paragraphs.
2. What are your weaknesses?
Perfectionism- Sometimes I have a difficult time letting a project go, but I have learned to ask for feedback and trust the judgment of others.
Tunnel Vision- Being detail-oriented sometimes has a downside, which is missing the bigger picture. In order to remind myself to look, I reflect often about progress, short and long term goals, etc.
Delegating- Occasionally I have difficulty asking others to complete tasks, or I put too much time and effort into something. Although I have never missed a deadline, I still need to work on being confident about asking others to complete work and prioritizing.
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
In 5 years I would like to be an integral part of an organization where I am actively writing, editing, or teaching. I hope to have completed a master's degree and serve in a bigger leadership role within the next ten years.
4. Why do you want to leave your current company?
The easiest answer is that I have to leave because I want to relocate to a different area. However, I also wish to grow professionally, and unfortunately, my position is stagnant. There is no chance for advancement or movement, nor will there ever be.
5. Why was there a gap in your employment between May 2009 and May 2010?
I took family medical leave and chose not to return to my teaching position.
6. What can you offer us that someone else cannot?
I can offer a wealth of experience. Ten years of teaching provided me with so many transferable skills that are crucial in other professions (time management, leadership, communication, planning, organization, critical thinking, assessment, multi-tasking). I bring all of these to the table in addition to my strong background in writing and editing and all of the knowledge I gained while earning two bachelor's degrees.
7. Are you willing to relocate?
I will be relocating to Raleigh, North Carolina on August 1st.
8. Are you willing to travel?
Yes. I would be willing to travel a few weeks a year.
9. Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.
As a parent, I have been very involved in my children's lives. That included volunteering with specific groups. I am very proud of all the things I accomplished as president of the band booster organization. Unfortunately, there had not been much leadership, and in the years leading up to my tenure, the treasurer stole over $20,000 dollars. I worked hard to save the organization from being disbanded. I was responsible for researching and drafting the bylaws, establishing a needy student fund, writing and designing a chaperone handbook, and creating many different kinds of deliverables.
10. Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
A mistake that I will always remember is when I prejudged someone else, and, as a result misjudged them. It was a group situation, and my mistake led to tension and friction because I could not see clearly or be fair. In the end I learned a very important lesson because I realized that my incorrect judgment had not only affected that person but also the rest of the group and the outcome of our project.
11. Tell me how you handled a difficult situation.
Recently, an individual chose to denigrate me in a public forum, although she did not name me. We had never worked together directly, and in my opinion it was a vicious, unwarranted attack. However, I tried to understand what might have given her cause. Although my initial desire was to respond, defending myself, I chose to ignore it. I realized that her attack was driven by her own insecurity and shortcomings rather than anything I had done. The project was coming to an end; therefore, I felt it was better to let her have her rant than excoriate her.
12. Why should we hire you?
You should hire me because I possess all of the qualities you want in an employee. I am honest, reliable, trustworthy, intelligent, mature, professional, friendly, flexible, eager to learn, and more. If I do not have a certain skill, I will learn it. If I do not know something, I will research and ask questions. I work well alone and as part of a team. Most importantly, I will work very hard.
13. Why are you looking for a new job?
I am ready to shift into a different setting. While I love my current job, especially the people and culture, I know that there will never be any opportunity for growth or advancement. I also need a position that is more challenging and engaging.
14. Would you work holidays/weekends?
Yes, but I would prefer it is the exception rather than the rule.
15. How would you deal with an angry or irate customer/client?
I have had to deal with angry customers, clients, parents, and colleagues in a variety of situations. I strongly believe that most conflict is the result of some form of breakdown in communication. It has been my experience that the best way to resolve an issue is to listen carefully and remain calm but consistent. I also believe that one should never ever become personal when tempers are flaring.
16. Give a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project.
The coordinator at the center asked me to update some documents. Rather than simply inputting the new information, I streamlined and redesigned the documents by adding tables and text boxes as well as better graphics. Not only did this improve the visual appeal, but it also made the template easier for others to use in the future.
17. What was your biggest failure?
This is a very difficult question to answer as I always reflect on my mistakes and shortcomings in order to improve myself, but I do not necessarily see these things as failures. I believe that every experience, good or bad, is a learning experience, and the negative things provide a foundation for a stronger character. With that said, I would have to describe my biggest failure as one in which an incredible opportunity for a job presented itself, and I did not fight for it. I could give many reasons as to why, but the reality is that I just lacked the confidence in myself and my abilities. I went through three phone interviews, and it was the last one that I bombed. I think I probably violated every unwritten rule simply because I was setting myself up for failure. Needless to say, I was not offered the job.What I learned is that I need to believe in myself. I have many excellent qualities to offer including a wealth of skills and experience. I also need to show more confidence and give myself credit for my many accomplishments.
18. What motivates you?
Completing a project and doing a job well are the two things that motivate me.
19. How do you handle pressure?
My response depends on the situation and environment, but I always try to start by putting everything into perspective. For example, I remind myself that when I am under pressure I can do some of my most creative work, and I enjoy a challenge. If I feel overly stressed, I turn to positive thoughts and the support of loved ones.
20. What are your career goals?
Right now I just want to grow and learn. I have recently completed studies in technical communication, and I am hoping to find or create a career where I can apply much of what I have learned. I also hope to find something that fits within the context of my education background in some way such as developing or editing training materials.
21. What would your direct reports say about you?
I am fair and consistent when it comes to following the policies. I am kind, honest, and easy going, but sometimes I am a bit intimidating because of the way I speak and carry myself
22. What were your bosses’ strengths/weaknesses?
My supervisor is a great leader. She is intelligent, compassionate, insightful, and honest. Not only can she manage well, but she also develops a good rapport with her employees. Her one weakness would have to be her forgetfulness. She has to rely on her employees to remind her of everything pertaining to them, which can create some discomfort.
23. If I called your boss right now and asked him what is an area that you could improve on, what would he say?
I believe that my boss would say that I could sharpen my management skills. Although I am a fairly even individual, sometimes I allow chaotic situations to excite me. Projecting confidence and a calm demeanor will help everyone to keep working and moving ahead.
24. Are you a leader or a follower?
The answer to this depends on my role and the task at hand. For example, if I am a team member providing support, then I try to allow others the opportunity to lead. However, I have been in situations where team leadership is lacking or has fallen apart, and I stepped in to provide leadership so that the team could function well and complete the project. On the other hand, if my role is to provide leadership then I am comfortable doing so. I like both roles and find benefits in either position.
25. What was the last book you’ve read for fun?
Fifty Shades of Gray- Whenever a new book comes out that is highly popular or controversial, I want to read it to see if there is any validity in the reviews. Unfortunately, in this case I was very disappointed and did not finish the trilogy.
26. What are your co-worker pet peeves?
I don't like it when co-workers assume or refuse to ask for help. For example, I had a colleague assume that she knew the answer to something and did not ask for clarification or help. As a result, she misled a client by providing the wrong information.
27. What are your hobbies?
I enjoy reading, writing, puzzles, gardening, crafts, and learning to use different technologies.
28. What makes you uncomfortable?
I am uncomfortable if a colleague asks me too many personal questions or tells me too much personal information. I am also uncomfortable witnessing conflict between other people and often feel the need to mediate.
29. What are some of your leadership experiences?
I have served as a leader in many capacities. I led a team of writers during a collaborative project. I led a group of volunteers as band booster president. I led a team of teachers in a professional learning community. While each leadership experience I have had is different, they all required the same skills: the ability to influence, engage, and connect. I had to listen to others, show initiative, delegate tasks, and accept responsibility.
30. Would you work 40+ hours a week?
Yes, but I would be remiss if I did not say that I would prefer to work extra hours from home.
Passion- When I commit myself to something regardless of whether it is a job or short-term project, I put everything I have into it. I enjoy learning, growing, producing, and polishing- all of which are integral parts of any process.
Loyalty- I am very dedicated to any organization or team with which I work. I am the type of person that prefers to form and nurture relationships rather than jump ship at the first opportunity, which my job history clearly demonstrates. I do not lack ambition or drive, and a rewarding, challenging career with room for growth is very important to me. Rather, I tend to invest myself.
Strong Work Ethic- Although this can go in hand with passion, I will also work diligently on a project about which I may not feel passionately. I believe that I should always act in a professional manner and work to the best of my ability regardless of the scope of the task at hand. I see my work as a representation of who I am.
Attention to Detail- I am very organized and detail-oriented. For example, I enjoy creating or editing a document with a laser point focus on even the smallest things such as spacing between paragraphs.
2. What are your weaknesses?
Perfectionism- Sometimes I have a difficult time letting a project go, but I have learned to ask for feedback and trust the judgment of others.
Tunnel Vision- Being detail-oriented sometimes has a downside, which is missing the bigger picture. In order to remind myself to look, I reflect often about progress, short and long term goals, etc.
Delegating- Occasionally I have difficulty asking others to complete tasks, or I put too much time and effort into something. Although I have never missed a deadline, I still need to work on being confident about asking others to complete work and prioritizing.
3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
In 5 years I would like to be an integral part of an organization where I am actively writing, editing, or teaching. I hope to have completed a master's degree and serve in a bigger leadership role within the next ten years.
4. Why do you want to leave your current company?
The easiest answer is that I have to leave because I want to relocate to a different area. However, I also wish to grow professionally, and unfortunately, my position is stagnant. There is no chance for advancement or movement, nor will there ever be.
5. Why was there a gap in your employment between May 2009 and May 2010?
I took family medical leave and chose not to return to my teaching position.
6. What can you offer us that someone else cannot?
I can offer a wealth of experience. Ten years of teaching provided me with so many transferable skills that are crucial in other professions (time management, leadership, communication, planning, organization, critical thinking, assessment, multi-tasking). I bring all of these to the table in addition to my strong background in writing and editing and all of the knowledge I gained while earning two bachelor's degrees.
7. Are you willing to relocate?
I will be relocating to Raleigh, North Carolina on August 1st.
8. Are you willing to travel?
Yes. I would be willing to travel a few weeks a year.
9. Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.
As a parent, I have been very involved in my children's lives. That included volunteering with specific groups. I am very proud of all the things I accomplished as president of the band booster organization. Unfortunately, there had not been much leadership, and in the years leading up to my tenure, the treasurer stole over $20,000 dollars. I worked hard to save the organization from being disbanded. I was responsible for researching and drafting the bylaws, establishing a needy student fund, writing and designing a chaperone handbook, and creating many different kinds of deliverables.
10. Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
A mistake that I will always remember is when I prejudged someone else, and, as a result misjudged them. It was a group situation, and my mistake led to tension and friction because I could not see clearly or be fair. In the end I learned a very important lesson because I realized that my incorrect judgment had not only affected that person but also the rest of the group and the outcome of our project.
11. Tell me how you handled a difficult situation.
Recently, an individual chose to denigrate me in a public forum, although she did not name me. We had never worked together directly, and in my opinion it was a vicious, unwarranted attack. However, I tried to understand what might have given her cause. Although my initial desire was to respond, defending myself, I chose to ignore it. I realized that her attack was driven by her own insecurity and shortcomings rather than anything I had done. The project was coming to an end; therefore, I felt it was better to let her have her rant than excoriate her.
12. Why should we hire you?
You should hire me because I possess all of the qualities you want in an employee. I am honest, reliable, trustworthy, intelligent, mature, professional, friendly, flexible, eager to learn, and more. If I do not have a certain skill, I will learn it. If I do not know something, I will research and ask questions. I work well alone and as part of a team. Most importantly, I will work very hard.
13. Why are you looking for a new job?
I am ready to shift into a different setting. While I love my current job, especially the people and culture, I know that there will never be any opportunity for growth or advancement. I also need a position that is more challenging and engaging.
14. Would you work holidays/weekends?
Yes, but I would prefer it is the exception rather than the rule.
15. How would you deal with an angry or irate customer/client?
I have had to deal with angry customers, clients, parents, and colleagues in a variety of situations. I strongly believe that most conflict is the result of some form of breakdown in communication. It has been my experience that the best way to resolve an issue is to listen carefully and remain calm but consistent. I also believe that one should never ever become personal when tempers are flaring.
16. Give a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project.
The coordinator at the center asked me to update some documents. Rather than simply inputting the new information, I streamlined and redesigned the documents by adding tables and text boxes as well as better graphics. Not only did this improve the visual appeal, but it also made the template easier for others to use in the future.
17. What was your biggest failure?
This is a very difficult question to answer as I always reflect on my mistakes and shortcomings in order to improve myself, but I do not necessarily see these things as failures. I believe that every experience, good or bad, is a learning experience, and the negative things provide a foundation for a stronger character. With that said, I would have to describe my biggest failure as one in which an incredible opportunity for a job presented itself, and I did not fight for it. I could give many reasons as to why, but the reality is that I just lacked the confidence in myself and my abilities. I went through three phone interviews, and it was the last one that I bombed. I think I probably violated every unwritten rule simply because I was setting myself up for failure. Needless to say, I was not offered the job.What I learned is that I need to believe in myself. I have many excellent qualities to offer including a wealth of skills and experience. I also need to show more confidence and give myself credit for my many accomplishments.
18. What motivates you?
Completing a project and doing a job well are the two things that motivate me.
19. How do you handle pressure?
My response depends on the situation and environment, but I always try to start by putting everything into perspective. For example, I remind myself that when I am under pressure I can do some of my most creative work, and I enjoy a challenge. If I feel overly stressed, I turn to positive thoughts and the support of loved ones.
20. What are your career goals?
Right now I just want to grow and learn. I have recently completed studies in technical communication, and I am hoping to find or create a career where I can apply much of what I have learned. I also hope to find something that fits within the context of my education background in some way such as developing or editing training materials.
21. What would your direct reports say about you?
I am fair and consistent when it comes to following the policies. I am kind, honest, and easy going, but sometimes I am a bit intimidating because of the way I speak and carry myself
22. What were your bosses’ strengths/weaknesses?
My supervisor is a great leader. She is intelligent, compassionate, insightful, and honest. Not only can she manage well, but she also develops a good rapport with her employees. Her one weakness would have to be her forgetfulness. She has to rely on her employees to remind her of everything pertaining to them, which can create some discomfort.
23. If I called your boss right now and asked him what is an area that you could improve on, what would he say?
I believe that my boss would say that I could sharpen my management skills. Although I am a fairly even individual, sometimes I allow chaotic situations to excite me. Projecting confidence and a calm demeanor will help everyone to keep working and moving ahead.
24. Are you a leader or a follower?
The answer to this depends on my role and the task at hand. For example, if I am a team member providing support, then I try to allow others the opportunity to lead. However, I have been in situations where team leadership is lacking or has fallen apart, and I stepped in to provide leadership so that the team could function well and complete the project. On the other hand, if my role is to provide leadership then I am comfortable doing so. I like both roles and find benefits in either position.
25. What was the last book you’ve read for fun?
Fifty Shades of Gray- Whenever a new book comes out that is highly popular or controversial, I want to read it to see if there is any validity in the reviews. Unfortunately, in this case I was very disappointed and did not finish the trilogy.
26. What are your co-worker pet peeves?
I don't like it when co-workers assume or refuse to ask for help. For example, I had a colleague assume that she knew the answer to something and did not ask for clarification or help. As a result, she misled a client by providing the wrong information.
27. What are your hobbies?
I enjoy reading, writing, puzzles, gardening, crafts, and learning to use different technologies.
28. What makes you uncomfortable?
I am uncomfortable if a colleague asks me too many personal questions or tells me too much personal information. I am also uncomfortable witnessing conflict between other people and often feel the need to mediate.
29. What are some of your leadership experiences?
I have served as a leader in many capacities. I led a team of writers during a collaborative project. I led a group of volunteers as band booster president. I led a team of teachers in a professional learning community. While each leadership experience I have had is different, they all required the same skills: the ability to influence, engage, and connect. I had to listen to others, show initiative, delegate tasks, and accept responsibility.
30. Would you work 40+ hours a week?
Yes, but I would be remiss if I did not say that I would prefer to work extra hours from home.