Bonnie Costa
Self-assessment Essay
February 6, 2013

Based upon my personality profile information, my strengths are that I am an efficient multi-tasker. I have a high energy level and enjoy working with people, as opposed to handling a task on my own. I am a very social individual but am able to work individually on projects when required. I am a very considerate, caring person and will go out of my way to help co-workers, family members, and friends. My older daughter has two young sons. In between running a house, going to school, and working 30 hours a week for Verizon, I always make time to have the boys sleep over once or twice a week, and I occasionally babysit when both parents are working Also, I enjoy helping people I don't know. For example, if I see a stranger taking a photograph of his wife and/or family, I'll approach him and ask if I can take a picture on his camera of all of their family together. I have done this on scenic bridges, at the beach, and at sporting events. Being the photographer in my family, I know how happy I am to have a group shot with me in there too! People are always very happy and receptive when I offer to do this for them! I find joy in the simple pleasure of helping to make other peoples' lives just a little bit easier. Making lists and generally being organized are two of my strong points. I was an executive secretary before raising my family; that was the most enjoyable and fulfilling job in my varied career. As an executive secretary, I composed letters in response to correspondence my boss received. I scheduled meetings and appointments, and I helped my boss organize his professional and personal life. I am very happy when I can take someone's messy pile of papers, or unbalanced checking account, and make order out of chaos. I have sat down and helped each of my four children develop skills and strategies to organize their income and spending habits. I enjoy taking the lessons I've learned the hard way in life and teaching them to my children. I acquired many organizational skills throughout secretarial school (Bradford) and various jobs after that. I am an extremely fast typist and am fluent in Gregg shorthand. Based upon my personality profile information, my weaknesses are that I am a creature of habit and prefer existing in a consistent environment; some may consider it being in a "rut." I find comfort in stability and consistency with all things -- whether it's money, career, schooling, or family -- I believe that if you find a method that works, you should stick with it. However, in order to grow as an employee and as an individual, I do realize that I need to take on new challenges and responsibilities and step out of my comfort zone.
In the context of where I would like to work, I prefer large corporations to smaller firms. Currently I work part time in a Verizon call center. For over six years, I assisted customers who had our antiquated copper telephone service. It was very repetitive work, so I took supervisor training to assist customers, both residential and commercial, who had special needs and situations. Instead of taking numerous repetitive calls, as a supervisor I could spend more time with each individual to help solve their specific problems. It was fulfilling when I was able to rectify customers' troubles. Last summer, an opportunity presented itself for me at Verizon to take Cisco-type training and learn in-depth about computers and televisions. I was excited to add to add to my knowledge of basic telephone lines. After extensive training, hours of studying outside of work, and passing numerous examinations, I became a certified Fiber Customer Support Analyst. I feel as though this makes me a more valuable employee to Verizon. I am still working in a call center, on an average of 30 hours per week, but my brain has substantially expanded. This past Black Friday, my husband purchased a large flat-screen high definition television for our living room. After assembling the new TV stand and configuring the television, the picture was green and blue. Ralph and our son, Bradley, were standing there scratching their heads. In stepped Fiber Analyst Bonnie, who rectified the situation with my knowledge of component wiring for HD televisions. (The blue and green video wire were properly seated; however, the red video line was not securely affixed in the proper port.) It was personally fulfilling -- and a great day for womankind -- to see those two testosterone-laden gentlemen stare blankly at me, with dropped jaws, when I fixed what they collectively couldn’t figure out!! There are several things I have to keep in mind that are going to help me from a strength standpoint. I am a very effective diplomat and am good at bringing two warring individuals to a common ground. After raising four children with four very different personalities, I've had much experience at working out a compromise. For a group to succeed together, it is necessary that all members at least partially agree on important topics that will affect the work that needs to be done. I feel that I am an excellent group leader who can help individuals succeed together.
I have several weaknesses that I need to take into account. My level of self-confidence is sometimes questionable. I don’t give myself enough credit for being capable of what I really am able to do. I underestimate my abilities and sometimes set personal goals too low in order to ensure success. I realize that I need to push myself further to see of what I'm really capable. Also, I need to remind myself that I don’t always need to prove my abilities to myself and others.