Personality Plus

Personality Plusby Carole Martin

"How would you describe your personality?"

On the surface this appears to be a straightforward question, but if you answer too hastily, you may end up sounding like every other candidate. You must think about what makes you unique and how you can make yourself stand out and be remembered.

Interviewers ask this question for a couple of reasons: to hear where you place the emphasis in your description and to see how quickly and creatively you can think on the spot. Don't give the interviewer the same old answers everybody else gives. Think about new ways to get your message across and sell yourself.

Spice Up Your Answers

Take a look at these typical answers and how you can make them more unique.

Typical: "I am a high energy person." This answer needs more detail and energy. Unique: "I am energized by challenges and problems."

Typical: "I'm a hard worker." This is the most common phrase used. It shows no imagination.
Unique: "I do whatever it takes to get the job done, sometimes working 10-hour days."

Typical: "I am a quick learner." This is an overused phrase that has lost its effectiveness.
Unique: "I can hit the ground running and come up to speed faster than anyone I know."

Typical: "I'm analytical." This is a lackluster answer that doesn't reveal much information.
Unique: "I'm a wiz at analyzing data and transforming it into useful information."

Typical: "I'm very organized." This answer is understated.
Unique: "I am a person who can bring order to chaos."

Typical: "I'm reliable." This answer needs more information to get the point across.
Unique: "I pride myself on my record of never missing deadlines."

Typical: "I'm good with customers." The answer needs clarification. How are you good?
Unique: "I build great relationships with customers; they always ask for me."

Scripting Exercise

Describing your personality is like writing ads for a product. What makes you unique? Are you the type of person who would fit into this organization? Your job is to convince your interviewer that you have the perfect personality for the position.

Make a list of personality traits that describe you. Determine the qualities you would like the interviewer to remember after the interview. Incorporate some of the same words used in the job posting.

For example, if the job listing reads: "Must have five or more years' experience managing a diverse population of employees," you might say to the interviewer:

"I am a person who values other people's qualities and contributions. My employees would tell you that I am a fair manager who listens when they have something to say."

The more specific you are with your answer, the better your chances of leaving a lasting impression. Interviewers talk to several candidates in a single day. What will make you memorable?

36 CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future.  If you worry about what may

 happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain.  Even if

 it does happen, you have to worry twice."

 1. Pray

 2. Go to bed on time.

 3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

 4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will

 compromise your mental health.

 5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

 6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

 7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too

 many.)

 8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

 9. Pace yourself.  Spread out big changes and difficult projects over

 time; don't lump the hard things all together.

 10. Take one day at a time.

 11. Separate worries from concerns.  If a situation is a concern, find out

 what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety.  If you can't do

 anything about a situation, forget it.

 12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary

 purchases.

 13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key

 buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

 14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut).  This single piece of advice can prevent an

 enormous amount of trouble.

 15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

 16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

 17. Get enough rest.

 18. Eat right.

 19. Get organized so everything has its place.

 20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of

 life.

 21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

 22. Every day, find time to be alone.

 23. Having problems?  Talk to God on the spot.  Try to nip small problems

 in the bud.  Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

 24. Make friends with Godly people.

 25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

 26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a

 good "Thank you Jesus."

 27. Laugh.

 28. Laugh some more!

 29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

 30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they

 can).

 31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most.

 32. Sit on your ego.

 33. Talk less; listen more.

 34. Slow down.

 35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

 36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that

 you've never been grateful for before.  GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS

 AROUND FOR YOU.  "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)