PROUDLY PRESENTS

Valeria BASSO
Resident of The USA and 3-DNET® VIP member
Email contact : valeria@exec.org

      

 

INTERVIEW WITH 3-DNET®

Interview in Italian

Listen to sample sound "bites" from the interview:  

Question 1 : Tell me about yourself

My motto is: “Before you quit, try. And if you don’t seem to succeed, try harder.” I am not the type who gives up: if I want something, I go get it, no matter the obstacles. I like challenges, which is why I always choose the road less traveled. This attitude has allowed me to achieve a lot in my life and have diverse experiences I am very proud of. I hold a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in International Marketing from Nottingham Trent University (U.K.) and an MBA in Media Management from Metropolitan College of New York. I have worked in the entertainment, tourism and sports events industries, covering positions as assistant to executive directors, marketing and media relations coordinator and video producer. I have been part of large corporations like Paramount Pictures, as well as small, highly entrepreneurial organizations with no more than 20 employees where each individual was called to “wear many hats” and take initiative in a very unstructured environment. My values of honesty, integrity and work ethic have always given me direction and helped me excel at what I do. I have lived in both Italy and the United States and traveled throughout Europe and Canada.

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

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

I have a background in marketing and media, with four years of hands-on experience in the field. All of my past jobs have required strong multitasking, organizational, planning, scheduling and coordinating skills. I have been in charge of performing administrative duties to run department offices as well as supervising the creative production of marketing, promotional and public relations content (including working with designers and copywriters). I have had to conduct market/competitive research, prepare and deliver presentations, as well as build relationships and maintain contacts. My tenure at Paramount Pictures taught me how to deal with executives at all levels and how to be part of a large media organization. The people who know me best say that I have the rare gift to have both a creative and an analytical mind. This allows me to think outside-the-box and be constantly in search of new ideas, while being structured, grounded and practical when needed. I speak English, Italian and French and have experience of both the American and the European markets. In addition, my numerous travels have made me very sensitive to cultural differences.

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

Question 3 : What are your strengths ?

I am a relentlessly hard worker. My life and professional experiences have endowed me with a great dose of flexibility and versatility, which makes sure I am able to adapt quickly to new scenarios and overcome adversities with a positive attitude. I thrive in fast-paced, dynamic and creative environments where one must be self-directed and capable of performing without constant supervision, as part of a team as well as independently. I know how to motivate and transmit my enthusiasm to other people and I am a selfless teamworker. I have strong presentation skills and an eye for detail, which makes me an excellent proofreader and allows me to manage projects where precision and accuracy are key. I am also a very visual person and this enhances my communication, marketing and video production skills.

Question:  "What are your strengths?"  

Question 4 : What are your accomplishments ?

Professionally, the project I am most proud of is the production of two promotional videos for the organization of the marathon of Venice (Italy). In less than two months, I succeeded in putting together high-quality products which were distributed in 500 copies to prospective sponsors and which both the company and its clients were extremely impressed with. I was the project manager on the task and had to work with great budget restrictions, no specific guidelines and no real support from my superiors, organizing everything from start to finish, including recruiting my team. I am also proud of completing my one-year intensive MBA in Media Management with a 4.0 GPA, thus earning two scholarships.

On a personal level, I cherished everything that I accomplished as a competitive swimmer, an experience that taught me self-discipline, strength of character and endurance. Besides that, I have traveled and moved from city to city several times in the past six years. Every time I have had to start everything from scratch, getting used to the new environment, building new relationships, dealing with roadblocks and disappointments and I am proud to say that I managed to do all of this on my own.

Question:  "What are your accomplishments?"  

Question 5 : What are your limitations ?

I tend to be a perfectionist, which sometimes can hinder my productivity when I get stuck on one thing simply because I am not satisfied with my work and want to improve it. However, recent past experiences have forced me to find a better balance and learn how to “let go” at times and not let my perfectionist tendencies get in the way of the big picture. I am also working to improve my ability to delegate and trust people better, since these are my two weakest links at the moment and I know how important these skills are to be a good manager. .

Question:  "What are your limitations ?"  

Question 6 : How much are you worth ?

In many ways I consider myself an invaluable resource for any employer. I have a solid background of both academic studies and hands-on experience and I always bring to the table everything I’ve got and more. My dedication and desire to excel and make a great contribution to the company I work for give me the edge needed to succeed. Indeed, I look to be compensated in line with the market. The success of the organization I am part of and sharing in such success is the kind of personal reward I seek.

Question:  "How much are you worth ?"  

Question 7 : What are your ambitions for the future ?

My ultimate career goal is to achieve a leadership position in a company in the marketing, communication or media-related fields. I want to contribute to shaping the media landscape of the future and accomplish a healthy balance between my professional and personal life. Eventually, I would like to start my own media venture to fulfill my entrepreneurial dreams.

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

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

Once my responsibilities and the company’s expectations about my role have been established (hopefully, during the interview process), I would be able to start contributing from day one. As I said, I adapt quickly to new circumstances so I would expect to be able to get on top of my game right away and build my performance from there.

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

Question 9: What is your management style?

I try to empower my collaborators assigning them tasks that can help them grow their potential. I am not domineering or authoritative, rather, I push my team to take both initiative and accountability for their actions. However, I don’t shy away from taking command when I feel it is needed to reset the team’s direction and focus. I concentrate a lot on issues like motivation, enthusiasm and commitment, trying to set an example with my own performance. Finally, I work to establish a good trust relationship with both the clients and the company’s upper management.

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

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

First of all, I have great organizational and multitasking skills, which allow me to work on several different projects at one time. I am reliable and eager to embrace challenges; furthermore, I have a predisposition towards setting goals, planning, strategizing and monitoring performance results. The MBA experience has definitely enhanced these qualities in me, teaching me how to think as an entrepreneur, prepare and follow accurate plans of action and analyze outcomes. My introspective nature makes me sensitive towards people’s problems, fears and desires and I use that to understand what motivates my collaborators and relate to them.

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

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

I would look for potential, enthusiasm, open-mindness, commitment and a strong work ethic, because these are innate qualities that show what a person is made of. Of course qualifications do matter, but a person can always be trained to acquire new skills once the right mindframe and willingness to learn are present. I would also look for individuals who are a great fit with the organization and its philosophy.

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

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

I have never found myself in such position.

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

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

Making sure that your team members are satisfied and motivated at all times and feel like their efforts are being appreciated and utilized to achieve the common goals. I believe that the level of success of an organization is directly dependent on the degree of personal and professional growth that its employees accomplish for themselves.

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

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

It’s a company that values and respects its workforce. A place where people can be themselves and are encouraged to be daring and put forth their ideas; a place that helps individuals grow both professionally and personally by offering new challenges and opportunities on a daily basis. I like entrepreneurial environments where everyone knows and feels their contribution matters.

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

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

My tenure at Venicemarathon Club was definitely a positive one. It was a small enterprise, very different from my previous corporate experiences, which gave me the opportunity to explore a new work reality. It was an open environment where people, though having their specific responsibilities, were left free to branch out into new areas and be the initiators of new activities. It was also a place that brought together opposite personalities with contrasting styles, so it was a great experience to learn how to get along and cooperate with all these different people. The reward was to see the direct fruit of your individual and team efforts taking shape into the makings of an event.

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

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

I always look for ways to increase productivity and streamline work processes. I believe performance can be enhanced first and foremost by achieving superior organization, so whenever I can I try to accomplish that goal as soon as possible. When I was working at Paramount Pictures, one of my main responsibilities was to handle the front office operations and keep track of all the deadlines and documents that my bosses had to take care of. The first thing I did was to reorganize the whole office and filing systems, as well as devise electronic calendars for easy update that my supervisors could use on a daily basis. They immediately noticed an improvement in their ability to follow deadlines, reference documents quickly and cooperate with other departments. The overall reorganization also came in handy when I had to train my replacement before I left the company: since everything was structured very logically, it was very easy for the new person to step in and learn how to manage the administrative duties, thus allowing for a smooth transition.

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 always try to approach every project looking at the big picture to determine the priorities that the job demands. Once I have set such priorities, I make sure that the budget reflects them. I look at every step of the process objectively to see if there are ways to save money, then I make sure I keep on top of things to avoid waste of money to be made. My experience has taught me that creativity is always a terrific tool to deal with strict budget limitations. The greater the restrictions, the more the chances to find creative ways to solve the problem. This is the approach I used to successfully complete the production of the videos for Venicemarathon.

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

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

The most recent occasion in which I had to supervise other people was for the production of two promotional videos for the organization of the marathon of Venice (Italy). I had to manage and coordinate a team of six.

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

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

I love writing and people think it’s one of my strongest suits, so I definitely prefer working with words and look for a job that would allow me to write a lot. One of the reasons why I decided to pursue an MBA was to strengthen my skills in working with figures, budgets and spreadsheets because that was one of my weak spots. I feel it’s really helped me improve in that respect.

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

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

For some of the projects I have worked on, I have been able to receive performance feedbacks from my teammates. The responses have always been pretty unanimous: my colleagues thought I was dependable, hard-working, driven and enthusiastic, capable of setting an example to follow. They said that my organizational skills and sense of initiative made me a natural, non-intrusive leader and that they appreciated my willingness to help and collaborate without forcing myself into the spotlight.

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

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

I have always learned a lot from my bosses. I have had to deal with supervisors with different management styles, but they were all willing to teach me about their job and management in general and share some bits of advice, which I have made treasure of. I always try to build a trust relationship with my boss, so that we can both benefit from the rapport on a deeper level. I have appreciated the fact that my bosses were modest people ready to admit their weaknesses and mistakes and listen to what their subordinates had to say.

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

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

During my MBA, I put together a live arts charity event with a group of other media professionals. On that occasion, I took on the role of marketing coordinator and had to supervise a team of fourteen people, five of whom were my direct collaborators. One of them didn’t agree with the way I was managing the project because she felt she wasn’t being used at the best of her potential and demanded more responsibilities. However, she never externalized her feelings to me directly; instead, she waited to verbalize them in a group meeting in front of everybody. She and I had communication problems and it took me a lot of efforts to mend the relationship and find a way for us to work well together. It was definitely a valuable experience and I learned a lot about what it takes to be a good leader.

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

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

As far as my strengths, he would probably highlight my ability to multitask, adapt quickly to changes and pull it together when it comes to solve last-minute emergencies, as well as my level of reliability and commitment. As to my weaknesses, I figure he would mention the fact I have to learn to delegate and trust people more.

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

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

Fortunately, I have had a very good training in this respect. All my jobs and academic experiences have required the ability to work at fast pace within tight deadlines. I have always had to handle several different projects at once, in circumstances where stakes were high. Having been an athlete at competitive level, I learned how to keep focused and calm under pressure. I have to say I perform at my very best on such conditions because I like the rush of adrenaline that comes with them. Working for a major movie studio and for an event organization and completing an MBA program in one year were the experiences that best tested my ability to handle pressure and comply with deadlines.

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

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

I have tried both and, no matter the circumstances, I always try to give it 100% and adapt my work style to the requirements of the job. But if I had to choose, I would prefer staff work: I enjoy working with people and being part of a team that strive to achieve common goals. I think that better and greater things can be accomplished when people join forces and talent and this gives me extra motivation to excel.

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

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

When I started working for Venicemarathon Club, I immediately realized that the communications department of the organization was weak and lacked direction. The ideas used to create and convey the communication messages were the same that had been used for the past ten years. I know how hard it is to maintain a fresh perspective when you are in the same job for a long time. Being the “outsider”, I thought it would be easier for me to give new suggestions. Also, the communication efforts were being carried out by several different people all pursuing a different agenda, without coherence nor coordination. I took the initiative to jot down a proposal with a list of new ideas that could be explored to revive the communication campaign. I was very careful not to step into anybody’s grounds: I was very aware that my supervisors had more experience than me in the field and I totally respected such experience. All the while, I tried to give my personal contribution to the marketing mix.

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

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

I would say the job. If it provides me with challenges, opportunities, variety and the chance to keep improving, that’s what matters the most.

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

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

No.

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

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

Absolutely. Creativity is one of my main drivers. When I was younger, I didn’t think I was creative at all, but then, during my college years, I had an “awakening”: I found myself in a very creative environment that forced me to listen to my inner voice and let it speak freely. That is why I became interested in marketing, media and entertainment. I like to keep my “creative muscles” active by engaging in non job-related projects, whether it’s room decorating, painting, multimedia productions, etc.

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

Question 30: How do you describe your personality?

I am a free spirit at heart, passionate and enthusiastic, always looking for new stimuli. I am a person with many interests who knows how to be with herself, but also enjoys the company of others because I like interacting with people with diverse backgrounds. I have many facets: I am introverted and introspective, but also confident and spontaneous in social settings. I thrive in healthy competitive environments and enjoy motivating others and bringing out the best in them.

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

Question 31: What is your outside reading you do?

I use the Internet a lot to get my daily news feed. I read trade publications and subscribe to e-newsletters to keep updated on what is going on in the media and marketing world. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and my preferences vary greatly, from books on travels and different cultures to essays on socio-cultural trends as well as fantasy, comedy and the great classics. Next I plan to start reading books on motivation, leadership and coaching.

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

Question 32: What are some of your outside activities?

I am a very dynamic person who enjoys being outdoor and practicing sports. I swim at least four times a week, play tennis and take long walks. I have started taking yoga and pilates classes to help me maintain my physical and spiritual balance. I love listening to many different kinds of music, depending on my mood, watching movies and stage plays, drawing and working on creative projects, by myself and with friends, especially. I have a writing partner with whom I work to develop ideas for books, plays, scripts and live shows.

Question:  "What are some of.... ?"  

Question 33: Are you continuing your education?

I devoted the past five years to building a strong higher-level education for myself because I felt it was important for me to have solid foundations. Although I recently topped my efforts with the achievement of an MBA in Media Management, I don’t consider my education to be over. I love learning new things and expanding my knowledge, so I am constantly on the lookout for new opportunities like seminars, workshops and professional studies classes. I am particularly interested in strengthening my technology skills further because I feel it is crucial to keep up to speed with technological developments. Overall, I try to take a proactive approach to my education: if I think a certain type of skills and knowledge could help me perform better, I make sure to get the proper training.

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

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