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Interviewing Project

Interviewing Project

Emmajean Bustamonte

OGL 482: Pro-Seminar II

Dr. Janice Lawhorn

October 29, 2023

take the time to ask those around us who they see us to be. It is easy to classify yourself in a way

that could at times be more than what those around you may see from an outsider’s perspective.

However, in do so, it is best to ask those who you feel as though understand you as a person both

personally and professionally.

For my interview assessment, I thought long about who the best people would be to

provide me with detailed answers without the aspect of bias being involved. While I have many

great supportive people in my life, I did fear that many would have a harder time offering the

truth when it comes to letting me know what I may need to work on within myself. After careful

consideration I decided on three people who I feel have had an inside look in both my

professional life as well as my personal life. My three closest collogues are all people I have

known and worked closely with for three years. They are all people who I truly believe have a

mature understanding of leadership, work culture and expectations, as well as the high

importance of work-life balance. Each one of them in their own unique way has helped me and

guided me through may different types of situations in both project management as well as

leadership navigation. Throughout their roles within our office, they conduct interviews with

prospective students while also hosting parent meetings on a daily basis. They have never had a

hard time with presenting the truth when asked, whether it may be positive or negative, they are

skilled in presenting their thoughts in a polite and professional manor, while still offering their

true feelings. My three interviews all lasted around 15 minutes each. While time is very limited

during our ‘busy season,’ each one took time out of their lunch to sit with me and give me their

full attention for something they know is important in my professional future. During this time, I

asked the questions presented in my textbook reflecting on the specific questions I felt pertained
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most to me. I chose to record the conversation of my phone during my interviews, I feel that I do

best when I am able to focus directly on the person in front of me, with the option to reflect back

if/when needing to. With these recordings I created an analysis of each of the responses I

received. While it was fun to compare the answers of each person, it was interesting to see how

all of their thoughts coincided with one another.

During my time in developing my interview guide sheet, my goal was to focus on both

positive aspects of my skills, as well as constructive criticism on what I am hoping to develop

throughout my professional leadership journey. While it was still very much an interview with

each of my three collogues, I also wanted to create a space of open conversation, in order for me

to understand the full picture of how my leadership abilities are perceived to others. Due to the

fact that I have worked alongside each one of my interviewees for the past three years, I felt very

comfortable with each of them and comfortable to hear their presented feedback as well. While I

was not initially shocked by any specific answer I was given, this project did confirm a few of

my weaknesses I have always known I have within my leadership abilities, while also

highlighting on skills they feel comes naturally for me in a leadership role. However, through

this time of receiving some constructive criticism as well as advice on how I can better grow, I

do see myself implementing a few of the practices I was advised on. Through my findings in

these interviews, the one topic in which remained the same reflected upon my servant leadership

style the most. All three of my interviewees spoke about and highlighted on my abilities to be

there for others, which I interpreted to come directly from my identity as a servant leader.

Interview Questions:

Question: What do you consider to be my greatest strengths?

welcome in everyone around you without the professional pressure. It is easy to be yourself

around you, which is hard for people to do especially when they feel they need to put on a

specific persona when at their place of work.

Interviewee #2: You are always the first one willing to step in and volunteer your time to lighten

the workload for everyone. There are a lot of people I would not feel comfortable asking for help

because I know the response I will get, but you never shy away from helping others.

Interviewee #3: In leadership I see your greatest strength to be your passion and genuine love for

those around you. It is not always easy to give grace and understanding in difficult situations, but

you always give others the benefit of the doubt while also offering positivity in everything you

do.

Question 2: What do you consider to be my greatest weaknesses:

Interviewee #1: You should tell people “no” way more often than you do. You put your work on

hold to help others get ahead with theirs, but that hinders yourself from your own workflow and

adds more stress to you at times when you have deadlines coming up. Telling people “no” does

not make you a bad team player, it sets healthy boundaries for yourself to be the best that you

can be at your work.

Interviewee #2: I know you get nervous to speak up sometimes especially with (higher ups). I

think you battle with yourself when it comes to sharing certain ideas you have because you are

nervous about people not agreeing, or feeling they aren’t adequate to add to the conversation. All

opinions matter, and you are someone who is in a position of power, but you don’t allow

yourself to believe it. You see the daily functions of the office more than anyone else which

gives you an upper hand in knowing what could be best for certain situations.
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Interviewee #3: You have to learn to be okay with stern boundaries. I know you love the kids

you work with but when they do not show up for their scheduled responsibility or do not stay in

contact with you when you schedule them for a tour, you need to hold them accountable or else

they will continue with that behavior. You are their leader for a reason, they respect and love

who you are, but you have to know they will still feel that way even if you have to call them out

because they are not fulfilling their given leadership role within our office.

Question 3: If you could name three things I could do to increase my sense of fulfillment in my

work or personal life, what would they be?

Interviewee #1: Stop saying yes to every favor that is asked of you and start letting people know

you are busy. Unplug from work life when you get home, don’t look at your email anymore once

you are clocked out for the day. I know it’s hard right now but start working towards goals and

rewards that make you personally happy instead of only having work and school to focus on.

Interviewee #2: Get involved in other things outside of our office. Maybe becoming a club

advisor for a topic you are interested and passion about will help increase your fulfillment

outside of the day-to-day tasks you always take on Monday through Friday. Starting thinking of

your next move once you get your degree. I never want you to leave but you need to start setting

a plan for what your next step is going to look like in order to reach your goals. Don’t be afraid

to take time for yourself when you need it.

Interviewee #3: Set boundaries when they are needed. It’s okay to not be available to be

everyone’s go-to-girl especially when you have other responsivities to take care of. Since I know

this is something you’ve always wanted to do I think it would be really cool if you started

learning how to play piano, it gives you a creative outlet and is not attached to anything work or
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school related. Say no to overtime if it going to negatively affect other areas in your life, we’ll be

fine.

Question 4 What are three words you would use to describe my leadership style?

Interviewee #1: Supportive, encouraging, determined.

Interviewee#2: Strong-willed, reliable, supportive.

Interviewee #3: Trustworthy, great listener, diligent.

Question 5: Although I have certain aspects of my leadership skills that need work, do you think

my goal of working within human resources is something you see me being successful at?

Interviewee #1: You’re going to be successful at anything you are wanting to accomplish in life.

Speaking on human resources specifically I do think it takes a special kind of person to take on

that kind of work. It definitely has a certain negative stigma that surrounds it, but I feel like a lot

of that come from the attitude many of them give off. I think it gets lost in translation that they

are there for us to use as a resource, rather than them wanting to find reasons to get employees in

trouble for not clocking out for lunch. However, your natural demeanor towards others and your

ability to make everyone around you feel safe and heard is exactly the kind of people who belong

in human resources.

Interviewee #2: I think human resources is a great career choice for you. You do very well in the

administrative role and the daily functions of running an office, and you also have a care for

other people that can shine through human resources. If I was able to choose a specific topic that

best suits who you are, I would focus on the onboarding aspect of the career. You are great at

welcoming people in and making them feel they have a sense of belonging. New hires of a

company deserve that kind of energy when first starting a new position.
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Interview #3: I can see human resources being difficult because there is a lot of stressful and

sensitive situations that are delt with in that field, but you can definitely do it and I know you

will be great at it! I think because this field does deal with things such as investigations,

terminations, and employee accountability with important information, developing your skills in

setting boundaries would be a great thing for you. I know you have a hard time being “mean” to

people but being stern does not mean you are being mean, it means you are doing your job.

Throughout my time in these interviews with my collogues, I found it extremely

insightful and even healing in a way where I felt like I was doing a good job. Leadership is not

always easy, but I do my best in the way that feels most genuine and natural. I know I have a lot

of work to do in developing my skills, however it feels good to know the aspects that mean the

most to me in a leader is the aspects that others notice me to have. It was great to spend time with

each of my interviewees and learn what they value and what they see a good leader to be.

Constructive feedback from those who see you at work the most is some of the most beneficial

information one can have in developing into the leader they hope to be.