| Whether you are preparing to interview, preparing to | | | | How would you describe your work ethic? |
| be interviewed, or just interested in conducting a quick | | | | REFLECTIONS |
| self-analysis, the following topics tips will help you | | | | Every individual is a unique blend of talent, skills and |
| develop a perspective. | | | | experiences. Character traits can be acquired or |
| PREPARATION | | | | learned over the course of our childhood, education |
| If you are preparing to conduct an interview, begin with | | | | and careers. These character traits can contribute to |
| a clear definition of the roles and responsibilities for the | | | | success, reduce risk and be used to enhance the |
| position. Create a list of requirements, objectives and | | | | environment around us. |
| priorities associated with the position and use this as a | | | | In some cases conflicts may arise as a result of |
| guide to create specific questions for the TOPICS | | | | different character traits. For example, one person |
| below. | | | | may have experience shaped by previous |
| If you are preparing to be interviewed, research the | | | | achievements or errors that have not been |
| job description and the company profile thoroughly. | | | | experienced by another, creating significantly different |
| This information can frequently be found on the | | | | perspectives. In some cases the disparity may be |
| company web site. Develop a list of potential | | | | related to work habits or personality traits that were |
| responses and also create your own questions to ask | | | | learned as child and not easily changed or influenced in |
| about the position role and responsibilities as | | | | the work environment. These conflicts can be |
| associated with the TOPICS listed below. | | | | mitigated with a better understanding of the |
| Even if you are not prepared to conduct an interview, | | | | experience that shapes another's perspective. During |
| or to be interviewed, you can review your current | | | | the interview process it is the obligation of the |
| career roles and responsibilities to reflect on the | | | | interviewer and the individual being interviewed to |
| following TOPICS. | | | | determine how well the personal experience, |
| TOPICS | | | | knowledge and character match between the person |
| What have you learned from your previous success? | | | | and the position. This increases the potential for future |
| Can you identify significant achievements that highlight | | | | success. |
| your talents, skills and capabilities? | | | | If you reviewed the questions as a personal |
| How can this knowledge and experience be leveraged | | | | assessment, it can be a meaningful review to reflect |
| to develop future success? | | | | on your contributions, motivation and impact on your |
| What have you learned from your mistakes? | | | | environment. As a unique blend of talent, skills and |
| Can you identify decisions or circumstances that you | | | | experience, you have the opportunity to share |
| might change if given another opportunity? | | | | something of yourself with those around you. In return, |
| How can this knowledge be applied to mitigate future | | | | you have an amazing opportunity to continually |
| risks? | | | | develop your personal knowledge by learning from the |
| What have you learned from your experiences and | | | | unique experiences of those around you. What you do |
| industry knowledge? | | | | with these opportunities will shape your character and |
| Can you identify personal experience and | | | | your potential for the future. |
| perspectives that make you unique? | | | | __________________ |
| How can unique experience or industry position be | | | | Words of Wisdom |
| used as a strategic advantage? | | | | "All of us learn to write in the second grade. Most of |
| What have you learned from other people? | | | | us go on to greater things." |
| Can you identify skills or knowledge that you have | | | | - Bobby Knight |
| acquired from other experts, peers or mentors? | | | | "I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't |
| How willing and able are you to learn from the | | | | learn something from him." |
| expertise of others? | | | | - Galileo |
| What have you taught other people? | | | | "It is of interest to note that while some dolphins are |
| Can you identify specific skills, motivation or direction | | | | reported to have learned English -- up to fifty words |
| that you have shared for a positive influence to | | | | used in correct context -- no human being has been |
| others? | | | | reported to have learned dolphinese." |
| How do you contribute to the community and improve | | | | - Carl Sagan |
| your environment? How willing are you to share your | | | | __________________ |
| knowledge? | | | | You may distribute this article freely, print it, sell it, or |
| What behavior did you learn as a child? | | | | include it as part of a package as long as it is intact, |
| Can you identify specific characteristics that would | | | | unchanged and delivered in the original format with |
| best describe your behavior? | | | | acknowledgement to Executive Blueprints Inc. |