Question about work environmentIt seems like my answer to the question about what type of work environment I'm looking for always gets me in trouble. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what I should be saying. I do not have a preference as far as work environment, or at least my preferences are not so strong as to cause me to not want to work somewhere if they are not met. For example, I prefer a casual environment given a choice, but can work in a more conservative environment just fine without any problems. I prefer to work on my own, but I have successfully worked as part of a team in the past. I prefer a more enterpreneural environment with ideas flying, but I've worked in more structured environments too and didn't hate it. The way I see it, work is just work. I'm not seeking to move into the company offices and invite my family and friends over to visit me there. There is personal life, in which I like to have fun, and then there is work, which is basically a means to pay the bills and something most people, even those who love their jobs, would not be doing if they won the lottery. As long as the environment is professional and there isn't a soap-opera like drama going on every minute of every day, I can make it work. So how do I answer this question? I get the feeling that the interviewers interpret my not having particular preferences as not being serious about the job or not knowing what I want, which isn't true. It's just that I've worked in many different environments throughout the years, and never had trouble adapting to any of them. Suggestions? Thanks Try something like "I' m very flexible and have worked in a variety of work environments. When I worked for Acme, that was a very structured and formal environment and was quite comfortable there. On the other hand, when I worked for Beta, that was a very casual and loose work environment and I very much enjoyed working there as well..." Tell them just that. You have worked in many different types of environments and do not favor one over another, but you do like a professional arena where you can have the opportunity to let your ideas be known and like to hear other coworkers points of view. I haven't been asked this in a while because I usually head them off at the pass. Many times when an interviewer askes me to tell them about myself, (which I have always been really wierd at doing) I have always stated that that I have worked as both a team player and in an office where it was just myself and maybe two or three others doing our own stuff and I would be hardpressed to choose which I liked more. If the interviewer does press me about why I like them both I believe (if memory serves) that I stated because I like knowing that there are others that I can count on for assistance if needed, but that I also like to do what I need to do without having to worry if the job is being done right. I know that if I am doing it, then it will be right. If you know for a fact that the company to which you are applying has a casual, entrepreneurial environment where the results matter more than the process, you can go ahead and say that' s what you prefer. If this you are not sure about the type of environment at that particular company, just say that you have worked in many different environments and found ways to be productive in all of them. | |
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