Posted by pegasus on August 2, 2004, at 16:33:17
In reply to An interview question - Daisy, posted by Dinah on August 1, 2004, at 9:26:13
Hi Dinah,
This is a really good question, and I like what everyone else has said so far. It's a tough position, when you feel that you have to be dishonest (at least by leaving some relevant details out) in order to even get a job.
It sounds to me as though what you need in a job is something where it isn't necessary to be part of a team. Because if working in coordination with others isn't an issue, then the people skills and flexibility that you say you lack shouldn't be as relevant. Unfortunately, working well with others is important for most positions in most companies, and in those cases, interviewers will certainly be looking for your potential in those areas.
I've interviewed a fair number of people for a variety of positions over the years (in a tech company), and if someone said to me what you write in your post (in those words), I would definitely not hire them for a position in my company.
But if someone said, "I'm really good at what I do. I'm smart, quick and accurate. I like to be on top of things, and so I strive to find an efficient way to complete my work and stay with an approach that works. Because of this, I am a solid reliable worker that you can count on for the long term. I also work independently quite well, and was explicitly trusted in my last job to work at home. I found that arrangement particularly efficient, and it suited me well." Well . . . that would be a different story.
It's not just about skill at spinning. It's also about your attitude about your work. If your attitude about yourself isn't positive, then why should a potential employer's attitude be? But, as you point out, those more negative qualities are not necessarily alway liabilities. They are things you've learned to manage, and that won't get in your way, and may even be strengths in some situations.
I hope this is helpful, and not too harsh sounding. I'm intending to be helpful, but maybe I could work on my "spin" a little?
pegasus
poster:pegasus
thread:372839
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040802/msgs/373262.html