Ever wish you could know more about your applicants?
Resumes, applications, and interviews can be misleading, often leaving recruiters yearning for a deeper understanding of the candidate's personality and work approach. In this blog, we explore six thought-provoking questions from an application, offering in-depth responses that shed light on how I work and why I am passionate about my profession.
Describe when (and why) you learned something for work on your own?
In every business, there lies an opportunity to work "on" the business rather than merely "in" it. Similarly, I believe in continuously expanding my capabilities, understanding that skills acquired for one task can be applied across various domains. As a photographer and a copywriter, I embrace the idea of self-learning to master new skills, such as SEO and Marketing Automation.
Beyond honing my technical abilities, I view self-learning as a journey towards personal growth. Learning SEO and Marketing Automation not only sharpens my expertise but also fosters patience, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills. The process of researching and writing search optimized content has taught me valuable lessons beyond my primary domains, amplifying my knowledge and enriching my work.
“I believe in the compounding benefits of developing practical expertise in a spectrum of tasks.”
Most recently, I found myself immersed in a challenging project – researching and creating a social media proposal for one of our clients. This endeavor wasn't part of our client's initial contract, as it involved developing campaigns beyond their regular weekly social posts. Additionally, I am not a social media manager, so this task went beyond my usual responsibilities.
In my view, this is a perfect example of working "on" the business instead of just "in" it. As a creative agency, it's essential always to seek opportunities to deepen relationships with existing clients. With the social media proposal, my goal was to elevate the impact of the copy I write for our client's social posts, taking their social media presence to new heights. I aimed to expand our message's reach beyond our client's followers, creating a viral effect that amplified the message several times over.
Naturally, this endeavor came with its fair share of challenges. Many remain skeptical about the true effectiveness of social media as a marketing tool. However, armed with compelling research and historical data gathered from our client's social media profiles, I was able to build a strong case to support my proposal. The campaign was a resounding success, earning praise from both our creative director and our clients. And the best part? It sparked genuine excitement on our client's social media profiles.
To continuously enhance my skills, I seize any downtime at work to devour YouTube tutorials and read articles, further multiplying and deepening my capabilities.
Describing a Challenging Professional Experience
Once, I faced the daunting task of managing the design and development of a client's website. The challenge arose from conflicting visions between the client, our account executive (AE), and our graphic design and SEO teams. For months, the client and AE had been advocating for specific website features that clashed with the expertise and recommendations of our design and SEO specialists.
Before my involvement, the design and SEO teams had been grappling with these contradictory demands, leading to a frustrating stalemate. Many of the client's requests seemed impossible or counterproductive, and tensions were high as they resisted each other's input.
Upon stepping into the project, I quickly recognized the warning signs. The client held outdated assumptions about website success, requesting black-hat features like intrusive pop-ups and sneaky forms to gather personal information. They also sought to flood their website with an excessive number of keywords, hoping to boost their search rankings, akin to a Craigslist ad.
Our SEO team attempted to reason with the client, providing research and articles that showcased the drawbacks of such practices. However, these efforts only deepened the divide, leaving us with seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Almost every aspect of the project seemed problematic. For instance, the absence of a sitemap hindered progress, with the AE dismissing its importance as an unnecessary expense. To address this issue, I cautiously suggested we create and work from a sitemap immediately. Unfortunately, this proposition was met with resistance.
This experience taught me that the project's success hinged not solely on the technical aspects but also on fostering effective partnerships. I realized that to make any headway, I needed to navigate delicate situations and strong opinions with finesse. I embraced the role of a mediator, leading complicated and sometimes contentious meetings to guide everyone toward logical and informed decisions.
My strength as a collaborator proved crucial to the project's revival. To find a middle ground, I carefully considered input from both the design and SEO teams, blending their expertise with my own user experience insights as a connoisseur of good websites. I balanced these insights with the client's desires, ultimately steering the project back on track.
In the end, the client's new website wasn't precisely what I had initially envisioned, but it emerged as a stunning and highly functional compromise. The project's success lay in achieving a harmonious balance between competing perspectives, leaving both sides thoroughly satisfied with the final outcome – a feat that deserved celebration.
How do you define hard work?
To me, hard work is not solely about putting in relentless effort; it's about working smart and efficiently to maximize results. While diligence and determination are crucial, combining them with a smart approach allows hard work to yield even greater accomplishments.
One way to work “smarter” is through effective collaboration and clear communication within a respectful and creative office or remote workplace. In a previous experience, our teams thrived because we prioritized working together harmoniously, reaching a consensus on decisions, and focusing on proactive details like project management to streamline our workflow.
Despite its evident benefits, the concept of working smart is sometimes undervalued or overlooked. Emphasizing this approach often demands front-loaded efforts, such as crafting comprehensive project timelines that encompass all tasks, deadlines, and required resources. Although time-consuming, this proactive approach proves essential for success. It ensures that every aspect of the project is well-considered from the outset, even when deadlines seem distant and motivation may be lacking (except for the ever-approaching final deadline, which can serve as a potent motivator for many teams).
Working smart enables the creation of work that is more comprehensive, collaborative, and consistently completed on time. It fosters an environment of contentment, where team members are expected to bring their best and work intelligently. Having experienced the positive impact of such an approach, I am committed to instilling proactivity in every role I undertake. Whether collaborating with colleagues or leading a project, I strive to adopt a proactive mindset, seeking out opportunities to work smart and achieve excellence.
What are you looking for in an employer?
I am eager to find a company that comprehends the significance of working on the business, not just in it. I yearn to be a part of an organization that prioritizes cultivating strong relationships with existing clients while actively seeking to expand its client base. If your company requires a skilled marketing specialist capable of delivering a consistent flow of engaging blogs, captivating social media content, and impactful content marketing strategies, then I am undoubtedly the right fit.
My passion for writing extends across various mediums, and I envision myself working for a company that possesses a deep understanding of SEO and SEM. I seek an employer with a clear plan to leverage these tools to inform and optimize content effectively. A company that embraces the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing and harnesses it to drive growth is one I aspire to contribute to.
In my professional journey, I have honed valuable qualities such as objectivity, sound judgment, professionalism, and efficiency. I hope to collaborate with a management team that recognizes the importance of delegating tasks clearly and trusts its employees to deliver exceptional work. An employer who fosters an environment of autonomy, providing the necessary space to excel, will undoubtedly witness my unwavering commitment.
Ultimately, I am fiercely loyal to the company that mirrors my values and demonstrates a similar dedication to excellence. By finding an employer who aligns with my vision and fosters an atmosphere of trust and collaboration, I am confident in my ability to bring creativity, expertise, and unparalleled dedication to the table.
If you had $40,000 what kind of business would you begin?
If I had $40,000 at my disposal, I would embark on an innovative venture: establishing an independent contracting business centered around managing people's personal media. It might already exist, but if not, it's an idea that holds tremendous potential. In today's digital age, we all accumulate vast amounts of photos, music, and miscellaneous digital files, often plagued by duplicates and consuming significant hard drive space.
My forte lies in organization, and I possess a knack for developing simple yet effective systems that optimize workflows. After all, what good is a tool if it's buried beneath clutter and cannot be found when needed?
The majority of the initial investment would be channeled into building a sleek, user-friendly website that showcases my expertise, along with a portfolio brimming with glowing testimonials and captivating promotional material. Additionally, I would leverage any remaining funds for networking purposes, seeking valuable contacts to support and expand the business. Alternatively, I'd allocate resources towards crafting compelling blogs and social media content to generate widespread awareness of my unique service.
As my business grows and evolves, I would focus on crafting a compelling narrative, highlighting how something as seemingly simple as personal media organization can unravel a myriad of daily-life challenges. By showcasing the numerous benefits of this service, from decluttering digital spaces to easing accessibility, I aim to revolutionize the way people approach their personal media.
Why should you hire me?
What sets me apart is my unwavering passion for producing exceptional work. Embracing the roles of both a skilled photographer and a talented copywriter, I revel in the intricate puzzle work involved in crafting engaging photos, videos, and written content. My diverse and unique perspective allows me to adapt seamlessly to various voices and styles, enriching the creative process with fresh ideas and innovative approaches.
As an effective collaborator, I value not only my work but also the input and opinions of others. Operating without ego, I am sensitive to the needs of the team, fostering an environment where diverse viewpoints harmoniously converge to create extraordinary results. My belief in working with current best practices ensures that my creations stand out with style and personality, capturing the essence of the project while adhering to industry standards.
Efficiency and quality are equally important to me. I thrive in working swiftly to meet deadlines without compromising on the excellence of my work. Yet, I also recognize the significance of dedicating appropriate time and attention to each project, ensuring every piece I produce reaches the highest level of quality.
A short conclusion
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and my approach to work. While these words provide a glimpse into my capabilities, nothing compares to a face-to-face meeting to truly understand the potential synergy between us. I would be delighted to grab a coffee or a beer (depending on the time of day) to delve deeper into how I can contribute my skills and creativity to your team.
I eagerly await the opportunity to discuss further how my passion, adaptability, and commitment to excellence make me an ideal candidate for this role. Let's connect and explore the exciting possibilities ahead.
Nate Barber
360-510-3085
barber.nate@gmail.com