Interview Questions

How do you plan on self-promoting yourself?

I plan on continuing to use Facebook and Twitter to promote myself and my writing. Most of my work is now online, so I can link it from social networks to build up a following. As long as keep producing quality writing pieces and putting them out there, I can build up a reputation and make my presence known.

Name three goals you have between now and graduation.

I want to continue doing freelance work for The Record and a couple of websites I currently write for. I aslo would like to apply for another internship in the spring semester and gain some more experience.

What employment goals do you have after graduation? Name three of them.

I want to keep writing for HockeyBuzz.com as a freelance writer, earning money by each page view. I plane on working on my own until finding something I really would like to do. Doing freelance work isn't bad, and I'm not sure what kind of job I'm looking to get after graduation.

Name three best-case scenario jobs you would like to have and why.

To have a position and reputation similar to Jim Kelley, who was a columnist for the sports section of the Buffalo News for numerous years. A position of this standard would also allow me to join the Sabres as they travel while writing for them.

Do you prefer to work professionally with a group or on your own and why?

I prefer to work independently, although does not mind working in groups. He feels as if writing on his own comes natural rather then having the interaction among other team members. When it comes to writing, it's easier for me to write an article on my own. I can still work in a group, but I usually like to work alone.

What contributions can you make to a group dynamic? Name three things.

I firmly believe that my role in a group is leading by example. I believe that a positive attitude and good work can reflect among other members in the group. I can come up with good ideas and I will share my thoughts with the other members, but I won't be the first to initiate the conversation. The finished product will be well done. I'll make sure that the final project turns out to be high-quality and I won't let other members bring down the rest of the group.

What contributions can you make working independently? Name three things.

I can come up with my own ideas and write something. I can get something done very quickly and at the last minute if I need to. I can have everything planned out and figure out how to do it on my own.

What are your pet peeves?

My biggest pet peeve is when an individual is watching me as I work. I believe that unfinished work should not be judged. The final product is what matters the most, a person over my shoulder does not help me when I'm working. It makes me nervous and since it's not done, it looks bad. I'd rather wait until something is completely finished before showing it.

Name three things you feel passionate about professionally - this could be school related, current job related, group or organizationally related - and outline why you feel passionate towards them.

In the past, I worked as the sports editor at Buffalo State College’s “The Record”. I was very passionate about making sure my section of the paper looked nice. It worked well while being in control of the layout of the section and shaping of the other writers.

I feel passionate about my writing in general. If I get frustrated and need something to calm down, I turn to writing. I can just sit down and write, whether it's just letting anger out or writing an article or story. Getting words down on paper (or on the screen) really eases my anger and calms me down. Perhaps it is the feeling of finishing an article that I look forward to. When I complete a piece of writing, I am proud of myself for it, so there is incentive for me to write, especially when I know it will be published.

How do you handle stress and pressure?

I'm very good at working under pressure. If something needs to be done quickly, I can complete the task at a rapid pace. As for stress, I don't handle it as well. I'm not the best planner and not the most organized, so I tend to push things off until they get real close. Then it becomes a whole list of things I need to do, putting myself under a bunch of stress. I have to just sit down and start working and keep going until I'm finished.

Name the last three jobs you had, and the best success and the worst failure you experienced at each of these jobs.

I currently work at Dash's bakery, which doesn't help my future writing career at all. I guess the worst failure I had there was when I first started, I called in sick a few times even though I wasn't. Since then, I was ranked as the bakery's top employee a few times.

I worked as sports editor of the record and the worst failure was seeing a typo in my section, which happened a couple of times. The best success was just improving the section overall, and having the executive editor notice.

How do you handle criticism?

Not well. Every comment I receive, whether it be verbal or written, I take to heart. I know that they can be constructive and improve my future writing, but they mean a lot to me. When I post an article online, I will read every single comment. They are not all good, and sometimes it's difficult to do that. You can't make every one happy. As long as I provide accurate stories with my opinion, I'll be fine.

Name two things that you can criticize about the interviewer and constructively criticize.

If Lynda could do anything better for the interview, it would be not jumping around so much with the questions. They could have flowed together more smoothly. Also, just physical things like playing with her hair could also be eliminated.

Outline three strengths you have in school.

I'm very good at getting assignments in on time and rarely forget or miss one of them. I'm very nice and have the ability to work in pairs or groups and can get along with just about anyone. I'm also on time for my classes, so tardiness is not a problem.

Outline three strengths you have in your workplace.

I can work with anyone. I don't like to create problems or drama in the workplace and can work with whoever I have to. I'm very good with customer service, and can keep them happy and help them effectively. By the end of the night, my job will have been done the right way.

Name three things - graphically -that you want to have on your website.

I want to include a couple of photos of me just so that people can put a name with a face. I want to include some photos of my work. I want a few journalism photos as well at the top as well.