Strength Questions Flashcards
(42 cards)
What sort of problems do you most enjoy solving?
I really enjoy problems where there’s a lot of data but no clear answer straight away. During my MSc dissertation, I was looking at the effects of Quantitative Easing in the UK using VAR and cointegration analysis. I spent ages cleaning the time series data and testing different lag structures, but I found the process absorbing. Even when I hit dead ends, I liked the challenge of digging into the stats and figuring out what the data was actually telling me. It’s satisfying when everything clicks and you can explain something complex in a way that’s actually useful.
What have you enjoyed learning recently?
I’ve always liked picking up new tools, especially when they make things more efficient. At work, I taught myself how to automate reporting using VBA and SQL. I’d never done that before, but once I started seeing how much faster and more accurate it made things, I was hooked. Outside work, I did the CFI Corporate Finance course to improve my modelling and valuation skills. I genuinely enjoy learning things I can apply straight away.
What motivates you at work?
I like being able to fix something that’s inefficient or messy. At Keyteach, we used to track training data across loads of spreadsheets, which was a nightmare. I built a central database in Access with SQL automation and forecasting tools to simplify everything. It felt good to turn something chaotic into something clear. The bonus was that the team could make better decisions from the data, which made it even more rewarding.
How do you respond to setbacks?
I try to treat them as something to work through rather than dwell on. For my MSc dissertation, we weren’t given advisors, so I had to figure out the whole thing on my own. At first it was a bit overwhelming, but I broke it down, set milestones, and just chipped away at it. There were weeks when it didn’t feel like I was making progress, but I stuck with it. Finishing it felt even more worthwhile because of that.
How do you approach managing your workload?
I like to plan things out, especially when juggling a lot. When I was Social Secretary for the American Football team, I had to coordinate events, budgets, and deals with venues. I kept a shared tracker, set check-ins, and had backup plans if things fell through. It helped take the pressure off on the day and made everything run a lot smoother. I’m the kind of person who prefers being overprepared rather than scrambling at the last minute.
How do you approach communicating complex ideas?
I usually try to think about what the other person actually needs to understand. When I was designing training on Oracle and OneStream, I worked with people who weren’t technical, so I’d break down features into simple use cases and visuals. I like making things more accessible and it’s rewarding when someone who thought it would be over their head tells you it finally makes sense.
How do you make sure everyone feels included in a group setting?
I try to be aware of how people are coming across, especially in group work. At uni, I mentored first-years and could tell some were nervous about speaking up in group projects. I’d make a point of drawing them in by asking what they thought or backing their ideas if they were hesitant. I’ve always believed teams work better when everyone feels comfortable enough to contribute, especially if they’ve got a different way of thinking.
What gives your work a sense of purpose?
I’m most motivated when the work has a clear impact beyond just ticking a box. That’s one of the reasons I’m drawn to roles in government or policy. My MSc research focused on how QE affected the wider economy. What kept me engaged wasn’t just the technical modelling, but knowing it fed into real-world questions like how monetary policy affects people’s lives. I enjoy feeling like what I’m doing actually matters.
What role do you usually take in a team?
I’m usually the one who gets things going. I don’t like sitting on ideas for too long, so I tend to nudge the group to set timelines and break tasks down. When I led our data revamp at work, I pushed to stop using messy spreadsheets and took the lead on building a new system. I like driving things forward once I see a better way of doing them.
What do you enjoy about working in a team?
I like bouncing ideas off people with different strengths. In a few of my uni projects, I’d handle the quantitative side, while others were better at writing or presenting. That balance made the end product stronger. At work, I enjoy collaborating with developers and content teams because they challenge my thinking and we all improve by working together.
What frustrates you at work?
I get a bit restless when things are being done inefficiently but no one’s trying to fix them. I’m not someone who complains about it — I just start tweaking things. For example, I redesigned how we ran our virtual labs for training delivery because the old system was clunky and slow. The change didn’t just save time — it made the whole process smoother for clients. I like refining things, even if it’s behind the scenes.
Do you prefer working independently or being closely managed?
I definitely prefer working independently. I like knowing what the goal is, but then having space to work out how to get there. During my MSc, we weren’t given dissertation supervisors, so I had to plan the whole thing on my own — from topic to analysis. It was tough at times, but I liked having full responsibility. I knew that if I didn’t put the work in, no one else would. That sort of accountability motivates me.
How do you handle disagreements in group work?
I try to understand where the other person is coming from first. I’ve found that a lot of tension comes from miscommunication rather than actual disagreement. In a group project at uni, two team members were clashing over workload. I stepped in and suggested we each lay out what we could reasonably commit to, and once that was out in the open, we split things more fairly. I don’t like drama — I’d rather get people talking honestly and move on.
How important is attention to detail in your work?
Really important, especially when I’m working with data. If one formula is off or a label’s wrong, it can completely change the outcome. When I built a forecasting tool using SQL and VBA, I double-checked everything, because I knew people would rely on it for planning. I actually enjoy that sort of checking — I find it satisfying when I know everything adds up properly.
Do you focus more on short-term goals or long-term impact?
I like to know how the short-term fits into the bigger picture. At work, I was asked to create training materials, but I also looked at how we could redesign the whole training infrastructure so it worked better over time. I like spotting patterns, thinking ahead, and making sure we’re not just solving the problem in front of us, but also making things more effective going forward.
How do you support the development of others?
When I mentored first-year students during my undergrad, I didn’t just help with academic stuff. I’d check in on how they were settling in, suggest societies to join, and help them plan study schedules. I didn’t see it as a formal role — just something I liked doing. It felt good knowing I’d helped someone get more confident and enjoy uni more.
How do you approach problems where there’s more than one opinion?
I think it’s healthy to question things, especially if something doesn’t feel quite right. I try to listen to the different views first, then ask questions to get to the core of the issue. I don’t push for the sake of it, but I’m comfortable suggesting alternatives if I think they’ll work better. In training design, I’ve sometimes challenged assumptions about what users need — not rudely, just by asking “why do we do it this way?” That often opens up a better discussion.
What energises you?
When I’m working on something that feels meaningful and a bit complex, I get completely absorbed. I like breaking things down and figuring out how all the moving parts connect — whether it’s a research project, a new data system, or a messy spreadsheet that needs sorting. I think it’s the mix of challenge and clarity that keeps me focused.
How do you work best?
I work best when I understand the goal and then have the space to get stuck in. I like setting up a plan and working through it at my own pace — but I also check in with others to make sure we’re aligned. If I hit a problem, I’ll try to fix it myself first, but I’m not afraid to ask for input if I need it. I prefer a bit of structure, but with the freedom to improve things if I spot a better way.
How would your friends describe you?
Probably as someone who’s reliable and straight-talking. I’m the kind of person who’ll help you solve a problem without making a big deal out of it. I think they’d also say I’ve got a dry sense of humour and don’t panic easily — even when things go off-plan. That definitely comes in handy in group work or when plans fall apart last minute.
What do you find draining?
I find it draining when things feel unorganised for no reason — like if a project’s going in circles or no one wants to make a decision. I don’t mind working hard or under pressure, but I like knowing we’re moving forward. If something’s inefficient and everyone just accepts it, I’ll usually step in and try to make it better.
What kind of task do you enjoy most?
I enjoy tasks where there’s room to think independently but also a clear end goal. Something like designing a tool, solving a policy question, or analysing economic data — basically anything where I can go away, get stuck into the details, then come back with something useful to share with the team. I get a lot of satisfaction from turning messy information into something clear and actionable.
Do you prefer working alone or in a team?
Bit of both. I like having quiet time to get into the detail — especially with technical work — but I also enjoy team projects where people bring different strengths. I’ve done a lot of collaborative stuff, from mentoring to society roles, and I’ve always found that sharing ideas helps sharpen your own thinking too.
What do you find hardest about working with others?
I sometimes find it frustrating when people aren’t clear about what they’re doing or miss deadlines. I’m quite structured, so I try to be understanding, but I’ll usually take the lead on setting shared check-ins or timelines to help keep things on track.
