Week 1 Blog Post - Job Application Experience

The most important thing I learned from this class was on the cognitive and non-cognitive predictors that are used through the interview and selection process. I thought it was interesting to learn about the different aspects that are considered during the hiring process and the tools that are used to assess potential candidates. I have always enjoyed taking cognitive ability assessments, especially ones focused on problem solving, memory, reasoning, etc. Although I’m not very good with some parts of these tests, I still like to see how I score and perform. I took my first personality test during highschool for a class and it motivated me to learn more about the MBTI (Meyers-Briggs type indicator) and enneagram tests. I didn’t realize how many different tests and assessments there really were until I took this class and it was interesting to see which ones are commonly used by organizations. One last factor that I found important was the role of education and experience in performance predictors. I was initially surprised that the test utility is low because I had always assumed that it was a large factor in hiring decisions. 

There are so many different methods and factors to consider when it comes to the hiring and selection process, and these tools are great ways to get more insight on the performance of potential talent. I don’t necessarily think that employers should solely rely on these assessments because of the risk of bias and adverse impact, it is critical to ensure inclusivity while also considering the performance predictors. Learning more about these predictors has helped me get a better understanding of how the interview process is structured. This will help me feel more prepared going into interviews because I can improve the things I can and learn how to become a more qualified candidate. 

Week 9 Blog Post

1. What am I good at?

I am good at thinking creatively and it helps me come up with new ideas and solutions. My empathy helps me build valuable connections with others through listening and understanding of their perspectives. I am able to adapt well in high-pressure situations and find ways to overcome obstacles. 

2. What do I value?

Authenticity is an important value to me because I want to live for my own purpose and feel like I am being honest with myself. Another value of mine is kindness. I think it’s important to treat others with respect and care whether it’s a person, animal or the environment. Creativity is a strong value of mine because it helps me express myself, connect with others and think of different ideas. 

3. How did I get here?

I got here through self improvement and determination. I’ve learned and grown from my struggles which has helped me reflect and feel more prepared for future challenges. Connecting with others and building meaningful relationships has kept my perspective open to different viewpoints and has shaped me into a better person. 

4. Where am I going?

I am going to continue improving my skills and building my work experience up. I plan to continue making art and finding new creative opportunities. I want to be able to help others and leave a meaningful impact.  

Natalie Maurer – Week 7 Blog Post

For the enneagram test I got 4 as my results, which is also known as the individualist. Type fours are commonly introspective and creative, and have strong self-awareness. I fall right in the middle of being introverted and extroverted and I enjoy trying new things and forming meaningful relationships. I have moderate conscientiousness and like to create goals to stay on task, however I do struggle with disorganization at times. I am empathetic and enjoy helping or taking care of others, but I often put my own needs on the backburner which can impact completing my own goals or performance. I do struggle quite a bit with self-doubt which frequently distracts me from more important things that I need to complete. However when I am under pressure and need to complete something by a certain deadline, I am able to focus and am highly productive. 

A potential employer looking at these results may potentially view my creativity and attention to detail as a strength for a role that’s more focused on innovation or project based. They may see my empathy and personal value of meaningful relationships as a strength that would be beneficial for roles centered around people. My introversion and extroversion fluctuates and this could be seen as adaptability, where I am able to perform well on individual projects as well as group-work. I enjoy my independence as well as collaboration when I am working and the mix keeps my motivation and productivity up.

In terms of a potential employer viewing my results that are viewed as weaknesses, I think that my self-doubt would be seen as a negative aspect. It can impact my ability to make quick decisions because I tend to overthink and take a long time to decide. Being productive underpressure could be viewed as a weakness because it’s not as focused around consistency and solid organization. The potential employer would most likely see this as a caution because reliability is a significant factor in the hiring process. Overall I do think that an employer would possibly encourage me to come up with ways to stay on track and feel more confident with my work and performance. 

Natalie Maurer – Week 5 Blog Post

If I were in the shoes of the business owner, I would feel more inclined to hire Jaime for the role. Although Avery is an appealing candidate due to her high performance ceiling, her reliability is not aligned with the nature of the job. Since this is considered an essential job, having an employee who is consistent and on time is a critical aspect. Having employees you can trust and rely on helps businesses run smoother and lowers the risk of missing important deadlines. While Jaime’s performance may not be as high as Avery’s, consistency will be much more beneficial in the long term for the business.

A type of job where it would be better to hire Avery is one that is more creative or project focused, considering her high potential. This would allow her more freedom and control with her work and wouldn’t necessarily require day-to-day consistency. An example of this is a product designer, where she can brainstorm new ideas and work more independently. A product designer role is less focused on routine and depends on employees who are innovative and high performing. 

For Jaime since she has high consistency, an ideal job type would be a management position. This job type typically looks for employees who are dependable and efficient with their work, because it is more involved in working with other individuals and is a routine based work environment. Jaime is productive and reliable which are great characteristics for a management position. 

Natalie Maurer – Week 4 Blog Post

My Brand:

As a potential employee my brand is centered around adaptability, empathy and communication. The majority of my past jobs were fast-paced and they required quick decision making skills to deal with any unexpected events. Being in this environment taught me that problem solving and flexibility is often a necessary aspect when it comes to dealing with unexpected obstacles. Empathy and active listening helps me get a better understanding of different perspectives and makes it easier to provide feedback or support. I am able to connect with and collaborate well with others, which can be beneficial for team dynamics and stronger relationships. A weakness of mine is that I tend to overthink and doubt my abilities in the workplace, and I have been working to improve this to make decisions more confidently. I value creativity and use it to think of new ideas and brainstorm solutions to possible obstacles in the workplace.

Creative Situation Wanted Ad:

If you’re in search of someone who is a quick problem solver and a reliable teammate, then I may be the person you’re seeking. I place a lot of value on collaboration, in order to build meaningful connections and be a supportive team member in the workplace. My creativity motivates me to come up with new ideas and solutions, making it easier to tackle any challenges or obstacles in the way. 

Through past jobs I have learned how important it is to be able to quickly adapt and work in unpredictable environments. Through this skill I have learned how to stay calm during stressful situations and efficiently renavigate the plan to better fit the circumstances. I am always open to learning and make an effort to build new skills that can be used in the workplace.

My empathy shows through actively listening and communicating to others. It gives me a better understanding of different perspectives and ways that I can be supportive to others. I enjoy diving into new projects, working with others and being a team player that you can count on. I strive to create quality work and bring positivity into the work environment, and I would love to be a part of your team!

Week 3 Blog Post – Natalie Maurer

The last job that I worked at was through OSU as a Community Kitchen Assistant. The job description definitely influenced my decision to apply for the position. It was appealing to me because I would be involved with catering events and it seemed like it would be a fast paced job. It was also a very team-oriented role which is an aspect I tend to look for when applying to places.

In terms of the actual position, I would say it was generally close to the job description. The main tasks that I was responsible for was helping in setting up/taking down food lines for events, assisting students with food preparation in the kitchen and ensuring that health and safety guidelines were being followed. 

I felt a bit unprepared with the actual catering/event process going into this position. We often had transport equipment and food across campus so there was a lot of going back and forth. Although this wasn’t specifically listed on the description, I still assumed that it would be part of the role since it was a catering position. 

The job did feel chaotic at times, although we had a big team I often felt confused on how I was supposed to help and didn’t get a lot of clear guidance. I felt more confident during the actual events because we were all assigned tasks individually, but on the days we didn’t have any events the tasks were more unclear. Despite this, after a few events I became more familiar with what needed to be done. It was a very fun job and I enjoyed being involved with different people and events on campus. 

Natalie Maurer – Week 2 Blog Post

If I learned that my favorite company was involved in a lawsuit for being accused of discrimination, it would definitely affect my view of the organization. Rather than continuing to support the company, I would try my best to find businesses that have similar values to me and promote inclusivity. Most of the time there are tons of other businesses that have the same or similar products, which makes it easier to find establishments with better values. It’s always disappointing to hear when a company I like engaged in something that went against my beliefs. I would feel much better spending my money somewhere else and supporting them instead. 

I think that this would impact my desire to apply to the company in the future, it would feel morally wrong to work somewhere that went against my personal values. If the company were to take accountability and take action into changing and implementing more ethical policies and practices, it could potentially sway my opinion in the future. However, with a discrimination lawsuit, I think the business would need to put serious effort in and show that they are living up to their redefined and ethical values. I would rather work somewhere that places importance on fairness and living up to their ethical standards. In the past, I momentarily worked somewhere that had some questionable views. The work environment always had a lot of tension and it was not an enjoyable place to work at. Now when I apply for a job, I do my best to research the company beforehand to see what their views and values are. 

Natalie Maurer – MGMT 448

Week 1 Blog Post: Recruitment & Selection Process

There are several reasons an organization may focus more on using their resources for marketing or product design rather than the employee recruitment process. One reason behind this could be due to the high costs that are involved in recruiting. If a business puts more focus into their marketing strategies it could help pull in more customers and overall sales, increasing their financial stability. This way they would be able to distribute their resources more equally and implement a better recruitment process.

Another reason a business may focus more on marketing is because of the job type and its turnover rate. Some entry level jobs don’t require a lot of training or experience which often results in a high turnover rate. Due to the quick turnover, this could push an organization to adjust their focus to strengthening their brand rather than investing in a better recruitment process. 

A potential strength of an organization that focuses more on marketing, is that they would have a better ability to build their reputation and brand. By having a stronger brand the organization would gain more customers and strengthen their customer loyalty. On the other hand, a potential weakness that could occur from this strategy is it could negatively impact the work environment of the organization. If there is not much attention on the recruitment process it could cause the company to hire individuals who may not be the best candidate for the position. This could hurt the overall efficiency of the workplace and create a stressful/tense environment. 

Natalie Maurer – Week 1 Blog

The last job that I applied to was as a dietary aid for a retirement home. I had worked as a dietary aid at my previous job, where the work environment felt welcoming and well structured. I really enjoyed working there and thought that the environment would be similar at the new location, since they’re both under the same company. I heard back fairly quickly from them and got an interview scheduled, however when I arrived for the interview the manager was not aware that it had been scheduled. During the interview, it seemed unorganized and rushed, which was offputting to me. They didn’t ask very many questions and instead just read over my resume in front of me. The manager also seemed to be disengaged and annoyed that they had to do an interview. I was given an offer for the job, but my interest in it was quickly fading. 

Initially I was excited and motivated to work there, but I left feeling unsure about the job and work environment. This definitely impacted my desire to work there, since the whole application process seemed unstructured and unplanned. I also wasn’t able to learn much about the actual role of the job and what a typical shift would play out because of how rushed it was. Considering how the process went, I was worried that the lack of professionalism would reflect in the workplace. This first impression really impacted my view of the company and I ultimately decided to decline the offer to pursue a better fitting job. 

Welcome to blogs.oregonstate.edu. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!