ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 18, 1996 TAG: 9608160090
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: WORKING IT OUT
SOURCE: CAMILLE WRIGHT MILLER
Q: An upcoming interview will probably include questions about my strengths and weaknesses. I'm not sure I really have any strengths. I do have more weaknesses than I'd want any employer to know about.
A: We often take strengths for granted, assuming if we do something well, everyone else does also. While some strengths may be held by many, it doesn't make them less valuable in the workplace.
Talk with family and friends to identify several strengths.
Consider the company and the position. What strengths would benefit both? If the position is a good fit with your knowledge and skills, there will be overlap in the company's needs and your strengths.
Identify two or three strengths. Then identify work-related experiences that serve as examples of how you've used those strengths. Presenting evidence of strengths helps separate you from other candidates.
We all bring weaknesses into the workplace; however, confessing all of them to a prospective employer won't get you the job.
Identify two weaknesses which you've already taken steps to overcome. This demonstrates your ability to identify problems and act to correct them. The weaknesses should be ones that you've turned to strengths.
Your answers should be carefully thought through in advance of the interview, but don't rehearse your responses so much that they sound like tired recordings.
Interviews serve as excellent prompts for self-evaluation. Use pre-interview time to reflect; enjoy your strengths and continue working to turn weaknesses into strengths.
Q: When a co-worker had a serious personal problem, I shared a similar experience thinking it would help knowing someone who had gone through this and worked the problem out. I told this as a confidence, but now suspect my co-worker has told others.
A: It's possible your co-worker hasn't repeated your story. Your fear may be causing you to misinterpret the actions of others. That is, they don't know your secret; however, believing they do, you read more into actions and comments than intended.
If your secret has been kept, you're making yourself needlessly miserable believing otherwise.
Unfortunately, the reality is very few secrets are kept, especially in the workplace. Assume the worst and work as if the best has happened. Act as you normally would.
If your secret has been shared, most will have forgotten it within a matter of weeks if you act as if nothing is wrong. And, there will always be a newer, bigger story to shift the focus from you to someone else.
If someone does come to you and mentions it, your response should be, ``I'm surprised you know. I told the story to help someone in a difficult time. I was promised it was given in confidence.'' Then change the subject.
While you meant to help, you caused yourself needless worry. In the future, before sharing any confidence, ask how you'll feel if others know. It's likely they will.
Q: I've gone in more and more businesses and found employees engaged in personal or phone conversations. They don't excuse themselves to wait on me. Instead, conversations continue until they reach what appears to be a natural breaking point. It's as if I am the interruption, rather than the source of their pay. This decline in manners is becoming a frequent annoyance.
A: Most businesses have placed strong emphasis on improving customer service. Business owners know that customers are the basis of their success, even survival.
Still, some employees don't easily make the shift to the "customers first" approach.
Have a plan of action in mind for those encounters with a rude employee who delays attending to you.
Understanding that we can misinterpret a conversation we enter midway, pleasantly ask the employee, ``Will you be long?'' This usually closes personal conversations and we're rewarded with the customer service we desire.
If the answer to your question is unsatisfactory, consider taking your business elsewhere. In the meantime, make the effort to improve future service there.
Complain to the supervisor in-person, by phone or by letter. Make clear why you prefer doing business with that company, the specific disappointment you experienced, and the name of the employee who failed to serve you.
Focused complaints allow interested businesses to improve products and services. They're welcome by those businesses wishing to improve.
Tell us your story
Ever been the recipient of an unexpected act of great kindness from a boss, co-worker or customer?
If the event touched your life and made a difference in your job or career, we'd like to hear about it. Selected responses will be featured in an upcoming Working It Out column.
Please give us your name and a daytime telephone number in case we have questions. Send your replies to Camille Wright Miller, Business News Department, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010.
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