PROUDLY PRESENTS

Madia Wilder
Resident of The United States and 3-DNET® VIP member
Email contact : Madia.Wilder@exec.org

      

INTERVIEW WITH 3-DNET®

Listen to sample sound "bites" from the interview:  

Question 1 : Tell me about yourself

I am a well versed and educated professional. My educational experience is mostly in programming. I have gained experience in technical operations, messaging infrastructure such as MQSeries (WebSphere) and MSMQ 1.0-3.0, some SQL, CMM, project management skills, application support and analysis.

Some of my key skills include: programming (mostly linear) with some object oriented experience, process operation improvements such as training in six sigma (currently working on Yellow Belt project), and customer service and support; which includes creating/developing vendor relations and trouble shooting I/T applications with a global user base.

I have also been recognized for being personable. My sense of humor is well known among my peers as well as my directness and honesty. I always take time to listen and pay attention to details. I have also demonstrated that I can well alone or as part of a group.

Question:  "Tell me about yourself....?"  

Question 2 : What can you offer to your next employer ?

The following is what I can offer your company an innate ability to grasp new and challenging concepts quickly, a natural ability to create cohesive environment which enables me to work well with my colleagues and business partners, I am able to focus and deliver on time results under great pressure, I have a laser eye when it comes to quickly finding root cause of a problem/issue/situation and last but not least I will always “tell it like it is” (straightforward).

Question:  "What can you offer....?"  

Question 3 : What are your strengths ?

I have demonstrated technical competence in the areas of programming, messaging infrastructure development and support, application support and learning/developing new technologies to me and the industry.

I also have demonstrated technical competence in the area of computer forensics which includes processing and targeting sensitive data from various clients.

Question:  "What are your strengths?"  

Question 4 : What are your accomplishments ?

I can list four of some of my major accomplishments.

Project Management. Coordinated operational logistic tasks. Identified operation logistic tasks were not being addressed. Collected requests regarding server updates, patches, decommissions, moves – including database patches and updates; prioritized the above tasks according to effort, availability, visibility and bandwidth; explained these tasks to support, business partners and management; scheduled tasks with support/development and business partners; executed operational logistic requests. Results: Increased visibility to Operational Logistics Role while organizing and executing ignored tasks, which increased morale across IT segments.

Installation. Provided shipping infrastructure with disaster recovery capabilities. Discovered shipping was out of compliance being without disaster recovery capabilities; examined server list with application team; created and clarified the time that was needed to architect infrastructure; collaborated with co-worker; adhered to change management procedures; installed messaging infrastructure and applied security. Results: Created infrastructure for shipping which would save $34 billion in the event of a natural/non-natural disaster.

Customer Service & Support. Developed new resolution and root cause codes for Information Technology application. Noticed that resolution and root cause codes were not properly defined; met and collaborated with business partners; formulated new codes; drafted flow charts and definition documentation for new codes; negotiated changes with business partners. Results: Enabled business partners to effectively execute application training, which will reduce support costs and increase team morale.

Programming/Coding. Reduced backlog for research soil scientists. Revealed that soil scientists were back log due to business related travel; wrote and amended queries that pulled soil information from in house database; sorted and organized data into presentable form; provided soil scientists with necessary information. Results: Saved scientists time by reducing six month backlog in one month and allowed more time for field research.

I moved to Arizona to pursue my MBA, the completion of my MBA is my greatest accomplishment to date, because the degree did not come easy I had to stay focused on the goal for many years and through road blocks..

Question:  "What are your accomplishments?"  

Question 5 : What are your limitations ?

There is no such thing as limitations to me. I welcome and conquer any and every challenge in my professional career, there is nothing that I can not do. In the word s of Rev. Jesse Jackson “I f you believe it, you can achieve it”. Every experience is a learning experience and I have an undying thirst for knowledge.

Question:  "What are your limitations ?"  

Question 6 : How much are you worth ?

I am worth a company investing their time and efforts in me. I have been able to successfully support a $34 billion dollar infrastructure without any problems or detrimental consequences, learn and apply new and challenging concepts successfully without any formal training or documentation. I was able to solely support a project tracking application with a user base of about 4000 users, while successfully become a project manager for my operational logistics coordinator role (which had no process or any structure). I created a process and structure for operational logistics coordinator role along with ongoing meetings, forums and update announcements.

I have a very diverse background which ranges from programming (educational), system engineer (messaging infrastructure creation and support), project management ,program analyst (application support), process improvements and data forensics. With the above background I have demonstrated that I have the foundation to learn many new and challenging roles and ideas.

Question:  "How much are you worth ?"  

Question 7 : What are your ambitions for the future ?

My ambitions are very simple – I want to be happy in life (personally and professionally). I do not want a job, I want a career. My ambition is to be able to work with a company that will provide me the opportunity to meet challenges everyday grow, develop and learn new concepts everyday. Basically I want to be successful but not at the cost of my happiness and very good environment.

Question:  "What are your ambitions for the future ?"  

Question 8 : How long would it take you start contributing to the firm? 

As with any company there is a transition period, but I would be ready to contribute on the first day.

Question:  "How long would it take ... ?"  

Question 9: What is your management style?

At this moment in my career I have not had the opportunity to hold the position as a manager. At the moment when I do a position in management I will always remember that people get your results. It is very important to focus on results but it is even more important to remember that “people” get you those results. I would create a nourishing, encouraging environment that allows people to development, grow and learn.

Question:  "What is your management style .... ?"  

Question 10: Why do you think you have a good potential to be a manager?

Well I believe that I would be a good manager based on my focus on people and their development. From my experience most management just focus on results and do not focus on developing their team and preparing them for better and more challenging experiences within their career. I believe that I would be a good manager now but after a couple more years of experience in a non manager position; I believe I would be a great manager.

Question:  "Why do you think you..... ?"  

Question 11: What would you look for in hiring people?

Once again I have not had the opportunity to hold a position where I was hiring people. When I do hold a position where I can hire people, I would look for someone that is not only technically competent but very ambitious and knows what they want in their career and where they want to go.

Question:  "What would you look for hiring .... ?"  

Question 12: As a manager, have you ever had to fire someone?

Since I have not held a management position, I have not fired anyone.

Question:  "As a manager, have you ever..... ?"  

Question 13: What do you see as the most difficult task of being a manager?

I have not had the opportunity to be a manager but I would guess one of the most difficult tasks to being a manager is handling different personalities and trying to create a productive cohesive environment that encompasses everyone’s strengths.

Question:  "What do you see as...... ?"  

Question 14: Describe what you feel is the best work environment?

The best work environment hmmm … would have to be an environment where a person has an opportunity to grow and develop in several areas. An environment where challenges are created and met everyday. I believe people feel productive when they know that they are contributing to the company and/or company goals.

Some of the best work environments is when everyone is focused on the company’s goals and are willing to work towards those goals as a whole.

Question:  "Describe what you feel..... ?"  

Question 15: Looking back how do you describe your past employer?

Ever changing – meaning if you wanted you had the opportunity to work in different segments of company under different management. You become very diversified not only in the technology but also in dealing with people.

The company I came from is still maturing, it has not yet matured. This allows individuals to partake in actions/projects that will establish the company. Makes you feel like part of a movement.

Question:  "Looking back how do you ..... ?"  

Question 16: What have you done to increase productivity, performance, efficiency, etc..?

I have always taken on projects or positions where there was lack of process, definition and always lack of documentation. I have been the only level2 support for major corporate infrastructure that was worth $34 billion – without any formal training. I have also held logistic manager position regarding infrastructure upgrades to better execute the project and understand our business partners. This was the first time that system engineers and developers actually understood the connection between the infrastructure that we built and the applications that the built and sometimes supported.

I also became project manager on operational logistics tasks regarding HR/Corp I/T server portfolio. During my time in this position I began to define a process for announcing and executing operational logistic tasks such as patches (server and database), end of life servers and applications, infrastructure upgrades, etc … This enabled system engineers and dba’s to have a forum to express upcoming projects and concerns; it also provided a touch-point for projects in progress. I also defined the process of how these projects were being announced and updated to upper management. This was all in an effort to increase efficiency in the operational logistics area and cut-down on the chaos and escalations.

Question:  "What have you done to .... ?"  

Question 17: Whether you are a "computer wizard", how do you respond to the financial side of your responsibilities?

I have not been in a position where I had to explain the financial side of any decision. I have been on the side where I have had to persuade management in buying new hardware and benefits we would reap from performance, scalability and the lowering of issues (better known as trouble tickets).

Question:  "Whether you are a "computer wizard".... ?"  

Question 18: How many people have you supervised in your recent job?

I have not held a managerial position so I have not had the opportunity to supervise a team of employees. Hopefully this will change in the future.

Question:  "How many people have you .... ?"  

Question 19: What do you like more, working with figures or words?

I enjoy working with both numbers and words. I am good at math so I enjoy playing with figures. At the same time I enjoy words because I do believe in documentation and process especially when it comes managing a project. I believe both are equally important to any company and/or firm.

Question:  "What do you like more ..... ?"  

Question 20: How do you think that your subordinates receive you?

I do not have subordinates but my coworkers perceive me as a very technical competent person as well as very straightforward and honest. My co-workers also know when I say I am going to do something in a certain way at a certain time I deliver. Basically I deliver on-time results (even under great amount of pressure). I am also known to release the pressure by adding some comedy in the work place – it always good to have at least one good laugh a day.

Question:  "How do you think .... ?"  

Question 21: What do you think of your previous boss?

My previous boss is still growing as a person and professionally within his career (which we all are). He is very good with strategy and is trying to develop his technical competence in I/T, so that he can couple it with his strategic ability. I have to respect the fact the he is trying to better himself through learning and accepting challenges. I believe that we all should strive to better ourselves – it makes you more of a well rounded person.

Question:  "What do you think .... ?"  

Question 22: Describe a situation in which your work was criticized?

When I was a program analyst supporting a project tracking tool called “Project Office” the way I was supporting the tool and handling issues was criticized. After listening to the criticism, I explained to my business partners and manager that I was handling issues in an effective way but just like the rest of my team I was highly over – allocated and sometimes my focus changes according to the request of management.

When explained, my manager realized that sometimes my other tasks have more priority and was willing to explain this to our business partners. I also began training someone in my team who could pick up the slack when my attention was focused elsewhere. We also began implementing procedures where the non-technical issues would be handled by segment PMO’s rather than I/T.

Basically when we sat down and talked about the issues we were able to come up with processes and procedures to help with the workload and to explicitly describe what is priority and what can be worked on at a later time.

Question:  "Describe a situation .... ?"  

Question 23: If I spoke with your boss what he would say about your greatest strength and weaknesses?

My greatest strength besides my technical competence is my ability to very honest and straightforward. I have a tendency to answer questions honestly and give my honest opinion when asked. My past bosses would probably say that I can become very easily bored– which means I always have to be challenged. I have learned to handle this in a more efficient manner.

During those “down times” I find something to do. That is when I begin working on defining processes or making a process more efficient and easier to follow. These are things that are often left on the back burner but are very important in the long run.

Question:  "If I spoke with your boss.... ?"  

Question 24: How can you handle life under pressure and with tough deadlines?

Through life, college and work I have always been under pressure. I have been known to deliver on time results under pressure, that is the world that I have always lived in. As a matter of fact I am at my best under pressure – it does not bother me (never has never will).

Question:  "How can you handle .... ?"  

Question 25: What do you think you do better: staff work or line work?

I prefer staff work, I enjoy working with and around people. I believe clear and concise communication is a key factor in a successful company and working around people allows you to develop and define your communication skills.

Question:  "What do you think.... ?"  

Question 26: In your current position, what problem have you identified that was previously overlooked?

One of our issues is how we run and manage our projects. What is now being realized is the importance of project management. I have mentioned certain areas where we need to define and develop our communication across departments within the company. This is now beginning to be a work in progress but we still have a long way to go, but at least this issue has some attention now.

Question:  "In your current position .... ?"  

Question 27: If you had a choice of job and a company what would you choose?

Ideally I would choose a job probably in maintaining and creating infrastructure with a start up and/or growing company whose main focus would be in I/T (computers, services, networking). I am not picky about the type of company, what matters to me is the environment, opportunity, development, challenges and the opportunity to learn (yes it is that simple).

Question:  "If you had a choice of job.... ?"  

Question 28:Do you have any objection to take a psychological test?

No objection at all.

Question:  "Do you have any objection.... ?"

Question 29: Do you consider yourself as a creative person?

Yes I consider myself creative in a technical manner. I love answering challenges in a creative way, it makes being at work that much more fun. I always appreciate the roundabout answer to a question; that takes creativity.

Question:  "Do you consider yourself.... ?"

Question 30: How do you describe your personality?

I am assertive, confident, sure of myself and outgoing. I am also very personable; I tend to get along with most people from all around the world and from different backgrounds.

Question:  "How do you describe.... ?"  

Question 31: What is your outside reading you do?

I am attracted to biographies, autobiographies and thrillers (mysteries) when it comes to choosing a book to read. I really enjoy reading books about culture and my heritage. Lately I have been reading a technical magazine “Wired” – very interesting.

Question:  "What is your outside.... ?"  

Question 32: What are some of your outside activities?

My outside activities include running and kickboxing. I come from a very active background; I played basketball, volleyball and ran track growing up as a kid and teenager. Now I do not have as much time as I did when I was younger but I still like to keep in shape. I am hoping to add tennis and snowboarding to my list soon.

I am also an avid movie watcher – that is my time to relax. Who doesn’t enjoy a good movie

Question:  "What are some of.... ?"  

Question 33: Are you continuing your education?

I am always continuing my education everyday – everyday I learn something new. To answer this question in a more concrete way, yes I am in the middle of starting to study for the GMAT (as soon as I get the books that I ordered). My plan is to take the GMAT and continue on to receive my MBA.

Question:  "Are you continuing your.... ?"

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