Frequently asked Questions during the Interview Process

Tell me about yourself.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a concentration in Organizational Behavior and Development and a Master of Business Administration specializing in Strategic Management. I have worked in administration and management positions in various private and corporate industries and higher education. I am available for immediate hire.

Name your three greatest strengths?

Communication: I communicate well through speaking, writing, and oral presentations. I am able to act as a liaison between different personality types and am comfortable and effective communicating with management, staff, and clients.
Leadership: I am able to motivate teams and individual staff. I have a background in strategic management which provides me with a wide range of interpersonal skills to encourage and instruct others.
Responsibility: I am accustomed to being in positions of responsibility. I am self-motivated and willing to set goals and work to achieve them. I use time and resources effectively and consider efficiency, planning, initiative, and accountability important.

What is your greatest weakness?

I am the type of person that thrives on instant gratification which sometimes makes me inpatient. I am a results oriented person and will work relentlessly to complete a high-quality project on time and within budget.

Why did you decide to earn your MBA?

I have over twenty years of management experience, however I did not have the credentials. I found myself doing the work but not receiving neither the recognition nor the salary that went with the amount and quality of work produced. I desired more and made the decision to go back to school and earn both a Bachelor of Science in Business Management Degree and a Master of Business Administration.

What is your Administrative and Management Style?

The core of my administrative style is Organization. I am a firm believer that “organization saves time and energy”. If you are organized in your work and thought processes, everything else has a tendency to fall into place and you are better able to meet challenges as they arise.

My management style is a balance between Macro and Micro management. I am also a firm believer that when you empower your staff to take ownership of their job duties, they put forth a better effort. I also feel that as a manager, accessibility is important and that staff from top to bottom should have no problem with intercommunication.

This is easiest but most difficult question to answer. I would give anything to just be able to spend another day with my sister Judith.

Judy died from complications related to Multiple Sclerosis at the young age of 24. She was the most beautiful, talented, smart, and truly good person I have ever had the privilege to know and was taken away from this world far too early.

Why do you have gaps in your employment history?

I worked for a major airline for almost 17 years and was offered the choice of moving out of state in order to keep my job or taking a buy-out, enabling me to stay with my husband who worked for the same company but did not qualify for transfer. I chose the buy-out and a year later our son was born. I did not go back to work until my son was in school full time.

Because of my airline experience, I was able to be certified by the State of Michigan as a Vocational Education Instructor. I taught a marketing course in travel and tourism for a Community School district until the district discontinued the program.

Two years later I was asked if I would be interested in a position that was open at William Tyndale College. I accepted and remained there until the department was absorbed into the traditional administration of the college. Six months later I was hired by another university in an administrative position as assistant to the VP/Director (Dean). I worked in that position for almost three years until the VP/Director resigned and my services were no longer required. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay there long enough to earn my Bachelor’s degree.

Nine months later I began teaching at a Charter School Academy as a substitute teacher until I accepted a full time administrative position at Gale Group. I worked there until my position was eliminated due to downsizing as a result of the economic downturn after the tragedy of September 11, 2001.

I used the time off  to complete my studies toward a Master of Business Administration and in October 2003 I negotiated a contract to work as an independent consultant as a community liaison for MI Developments Inc.

The initial contract for four months was extended for a total of nineteen months. Although the project is on hold, an offer of employment was made when and if the project becomes operational. I have since been seeking a new career.

Questions I would like to ask potential employers during the Interview Process

What are the key job functions?

What are the top priorities for this position?

What are your 90 day, six-month, and one year expectations?

Is this a newly created position? If filling a vacated position, why did the position become open?