Workforce Readiness
About me -- this is described as a "one minute commercial" about yourself. It should be a brief summary of your skills and experience as relevant to the job for which you are applying. I compiled all of this while taking a college course in prison called "Workforce Readiness".
I broke mine into statements for easy memorization. Mine reads as follows:
1) I have more than eight years of experience working in the IT field. I have earned college credits from Rio Salado College, Mesa Community College, and Central ARizona College, focusing on Software Engineering and Business Management. I am Microsoft Windows Scripting certified through Apollo Corporate University. 2) I am adept in both procedural and object-oriented programming (PHP, Java, and Visual Basic). 3) I am familiar with Model-View-Control architecture and have worked in the Struts development framework. 4) Working in software development teams, I gained experience using collaberation software such as Subversion and Eclipse. 5) I have worked in Windows, UNIX-based, and Macintosh environments. 6) I have developed and implemented complex relational databases in business environments using MySQL and Microsoft Access. 7) I have experienced first-hand the project life-cycle, participating in each step from design, into development and through to implementation, while conforming to timeline and deadline requirements.
They ask, "What are your strengths?" Each of the segments below can be shortened to just one statement--if extrapolation is needed, I can recite the descriptive sentence following.
1) I am a logical, analytical thinker. I am able to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and implement solutions. 2) I am very attentive to detail. I can understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. 3) I am an excellent troubleshooter. I am able to determine causes of operating errors and choose effective solutions. 4) I am very innovative. I can use operational analysis to determine user/customer needs and product requirements to create a program design, and I can use systems analysis to determine how a system should work and how changes (in conditions, operations, and the environment) will affect outcomes. 5) I have good judgement and decision-making skills, to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential choices. 6) I have developed strong interpersonal communication skills, both to confer with associates and to consult with customers, and I have experience and confidence in presenting to groups, both large and small. 7) I am dependable. You can rely on me to be consistently responsible and to fulfill my obligations on time.
They ask, "What are your weaknesses?" The secret to this is to present something that you may have had an issue with before, and present how you have worked around or solved the problem. The goal here is to show your ability to problem-solve, and the real application of it in a business environment.
My answer: I used to have issues multitasking. I strive for excellence in my life and in my work, and when I get focused I tend to shut everything out. If I'm absorbed in a project and something else comes up, it can take awhile for me to refocus. I was able to overcome this challenge by managing my time carefully. I make prioritized goal lists and set milestones, so that when I return from a break I can easily reference what I have accomplished and see what needs to be done next.
They ask, "Why would you like to work here specifically?" This is an opportunity to show what you know about the company. You should already have an excellent working knowledge of what they do and what they stand for before applying. It shows that you are not just blindly applying; you are genuinely interested. The answer I write below is generic; preferably should be modified for each job.
My answer: I believe this company will fulfill my need for secure full-time employment and value my skills and abilities. I think this will be a favorably challenging environment that will help and encourage my proclivity as a life-long learner. In the industry of IT, there is always potential for opportunity and growth. I believe that here I will be able to realize my full potential.
They ask, "It says here you have felony convictions. What happened?"
Answer: I am a recovered addict. I have had the help I need now, but in 2008 I was convicted of drug-related, non-violent, non-repetitive felony offenses. I acknowledge this was a serious error in my judgement and I want to assure you that I have changed. I have completed an outpatient substance abuse treatment program with a licensed professional, and have continued to reach out to the community by teaching classes on the pharmacology of drugs of abuse.
You may want to be prepared for other questions as well that are entirely specific to you, such as, "When have you had to resolve a personal issue with another employee?", but again, they're just looking to see your problem solving and interpersonal communication skills at work.
I broke mine into statements for easy memorization. Mine reads as follows:
1) I have more than eight years of experience working in the IT field. I have earned college credits from Rio Salado College, Mesa Community College, and Central ARizona College, focusing on Software Engineering and Business Management. I am Microsoft Windows Scripting certified through Apollo Corporate University. 2) I am adept in both procedural and object-oriented programming (PHP, Java, and Visual Basic). 3) I am familiar with Model-View-Control architecture and have worked in the Struts development framework. 4) Working in software development teams, I gained experience using collaberation software such as Subversion and Eclipse. 5) I have worked in Windows, UNIX-based, and Macintosh environments. 6) I have developed and implemented complex relational databases in business environments using MySQL and Microsoft Access. 7) I have experienced first-hand the project life-cycle, participating in each step from design, into development and through to implementation, while conforming to timeline and deadline requirements.
They ask, "What are your strengths?" Each of the segments below can be shortened to just one statement--if extrapolation is needed, I can recite the descriptive sentence following.
1) I am a logical, analytical thinker. I am able to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and implement solutions. 2) I am very attentive to detail. I can understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. 3) I am an excellent troubleshooter. I am able to determine causes of operating errors and choose effective solutions. 4) I am very innovative. I can use operational analysis to determine user/customer needs and product requirements to create a program design, and I can use systems analysis to determine how a system should work and how changes (in conditions, operations, and the environment) will affect outcomes. 5) I have good judgement and decision-making skills, to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential choices. 6) I have developed strong interpersonal communication skills, both to confer with associates and to consult with customers, and I have experience and confidence in presenting to groups, both large and small. 7) I am dependable. You can rely on me to be consistently responsible and to fulfill my obligations on time.
They ask, "What are your weaknesses?" The secret to this is to present something that you may have had an issue with before, and present how you have worked around or solved the problem. The goal here is to show your ability to problem-solve, and the real application of it in a business environment.
My answer: I used to have issues multitasking. I strive for excellence in my life and in my work, and when I get focused I tend to shut everything out. If I'm absorbed in a project and something else comes up, it can take awhile for me to refocus. I was able to overcome this challenge by managing my time carefully. I make prioritized goal lists and set milestones, so that when I return from a break I can easily reference what I have accomplished and see what needs to be done next.
They ask, "Why would you like to work here specifically?" This is an opportunity to show what you know about the company. You should already have an excellent working knowledge of what they do and what they stand for before applying. It shows that you are not just blindly applying; you are genuinely interested. The answer I write below is generic; preferably should be modified for each job.
My answer: I believe this company will fulfill my need for secure full-time employment and value my skills and abilities. I think this will be a favorably challenging environment that will help and encourage my proclivity as a life-long learner. In the industry of IT, there is always potential for opportunity and growth. I believe that here I will be able to realize my full potential.
They ask, "It says here you have felony convictions. What happened?"
Answer: I am a recovered addict. I have had the help I need now, but in 2008 I was convicted of drug-related, non-violent, non-repetitive felony offenses. I acknowledge this was a serious error in my judgement and I want to assure you that I have changed. I have completed an outpatient substance abuse treatment program with a licensed professional, and have continued to reach out to the community by teaching classes on the pharmacology of drugs of abuse.
You may want to be prepared for other questions as well that are entirely specific to you, such as, "When have you had to resolve a personal issue with another employee?", but again, they're just looking to see your problem solving and interpersonal communication skills at work.