Generic Qs Flashcards
Confidence
Confidence – I am a confident individual who is comfortable with public speaking.
During my final year at university I gave presentations to both sponsors and supervisors for the Leeds Student Formula Race Engine Team.
The presentation to sponsors Mahle Powertrain helped to secure further assistance from them throughout the project.
Performing as a professional DJ also means that I am confident in front of large groups of people.
Strong time management skills
Strong time management skills – I have excellent time management skills, I would often organize extra meeting for the Engine Team to ensure we were on track.
Also during my time in the production management department at Midland Computer Services I was responsible for meeting monthly shipping targets.
This was achieved by producing production schedules from which the predicted monthly shipping figures could be calculated.
Ability to work effectively under pressure
Ability to work effectively under pressure – At Midland computer services I often had to work under pressure to ensure monthly shipping targets were met.
This was achieved by carefully planning out daily and weekly production schedules to meet targets.
Strong IT skills
I am competent using an array of IT software from engineering modelling programs through to applications of Microsoft Office such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
A further example of using my IT skills to solve a problem is one of my university projects where MATLAB was used to calculate the thrust of a rocket…
Analytical
Analytical Skills – My final year project of designing the exhaust system for the Leeds Formula Student race team required full use of my analytical skills.
My task was to design an exhaust system which was quieter than the competition regulations without compromising the cars performance significantly, something which had not been achieved in the past two years.
I started this project with an in depth literature review starting from the fundamentals, critically reviewing a large number of sources.
From this research I identified a method of reducing the noise output which had not been trialled in previous years.
I came up with an innovative design to include an expansion chamber into the exhaust system.
I produced models varying the dimensions and materials of the expansion chamber using computer modelling with GT Power to produce large sets of noise output and also engine power.
This data required large amounts of analysis to identify the trends and present it appropriately.
The outcome of this was I successfully predicted a lower output for my design than the competition limits whilst ensuring good engine performance.
I was finally able to present this in a final written report and also a verbal presentation.
Teamworking skills
Teamworking skills – I was a part of the 20 person Leeds Formula Student race team and the smaller Engine sub team.
This required continuous teamwork throughout my final year in order to ensure all of our individual projects collectively made the car perform better.
Keen interest in and understanding of financial markets
Keen interest in and understanding of financial markets - Keeping knowledge up-to-date about the UK economy, current financial news and financial markets through news outlets such as BBC News and the Financial Times online.
Use of Virtual Portfolios such as the London Stock Exchange and Morning Star have allowed me to trial using a few investment strategies.
Communication skills
Communication skills – Various experience working in customer related environments has enabled me to develop key communication skills, interacting with customers in a friendly and enthusiastic way.
I also have experience communicating with suppliers when I was in the purchasing department at Midland Computer Services.
Numerical skills
Numerical skills – I have developed a strong set of numerical skills throughout my university course, originating from my A Levels of Maths, Chemistry and Physics.
Problem solving skills
Developed throughout my engineering degree and refined whilst working in technical support, solving customer problems on a daily basis.
My final year project involved designing the Exhaust system for the Leeds Formula Student Race Car.
The problem was that in the past two years the car had exceeded the regulation noise limits, disqualifying it from the competition.
Therefore my task was essential to ensure the car could compete in the competition.
I implanted an innovative design which included a large expansion chamber using modelling and analysis through GT Power software.
I was then able to predict the noise output of the car, comparing it to previous cars and ensuring that the design did not hinder the overall car performance.
Give an example of you having Determination?
If something is particularly challenging then I am even more motivated and determined to achieve it, even if I don’t manage this the first time.
An example of this is when was working in the purchasing department at Midland Computer services.
Sometimes a particular part would not be available from the usual supplier, if it was urgent I would often have to keep trying different suppliers to see if they had the part and in some cases import it from around the world.
Give an example of you having Self-motivation?
Whenever I complete a task the next thing that springs to my mind is what can be the next task, as I always enjoy to be challenged.
For example when working at Midland Computer Services in customer support after solving each case I would immediately go back through the case log and attempt to solve other active issues.
If there were no others that could be solved I would got through the list of parts awaiting return from customers and chase them up.
This meant faulty items were returned faster and they could then either be repaired or called in for replacement.
Give an example of you being Inquisitive?
When working on customer support at Midland Computer Services I was often either flat out with calls or some days I would only receive a few calls meaning I had some free time.
As I am naturally inquisitive as to how things work and am always eager to learn, I would spend this time researching how the servers the company produced worked in detail.
This would range from researching on the internet to shadowing members of the production team when they were building.
The results of this was I soon had a much better understanding of the various machines and therefore was much more adept at answering questions customers had about them.
Give an example of you being ambitious?
I have always been ambitious to learn and take on more responsibility.
Whilst I was working at Midland computer services in the accounts and purchasing department I would often take on additional responsibilities when my colleagues were on holiday.
An example of this would be important tasks such as order processing.
It was key that the orders were processed as soon as payment was confirmed so orders could be put into production.
When my colleague responsible for this was on holiday I volunteered to take up the extra responsibility and process the orders, logging them in both excel and QuickBooks as they came in.
This ensure orders were shipped out as soon as they possibly could.
Give an example of you being a Quick learner?
During my first role at Midland Computer Services working in customer support I was thrown in at the deep end. I was the first point of call for customers who had issues with their servers, meaning I often had to answer questions on things I originally knew little about. I used my initiative to look through the log of previous errors and identify which type of errors came up most frequently. I then spent any free time I had researching these errors so I could better deal with them when customers. This was a steep learning curve but very soon I was able to deal with the most common problems and only had to escalate the more unusual issues.
