What do you believe are your top 3 character traits that make you successful? How do they fit with Cisco?
Question Analysis
This question is asking you to reflect on your personal character traits that contribute to your success and how they align with the values and culture of Cisco. It's designed to assess your self-awareness, your understanding of what makes you effective, and how well you have researched and understand Cisco's values and corporate culture. This is not just about listing traits, but also demonstrating how they have been applied effectively in past experiences and how they will benefit Cisco.
Answer
Situation: In my previous role as a project manager, I was tasked with leading a cross-functional team to deliver a critical product update under a tight deadline.
Task: The challenge was to ensure effective collaboration among team members who came from different departments, while also meeting the project timeline.
Action:
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Communication: I believe my strong communication skills are crucial for success. I organized regular meetings and set up an open communication channel for all team members to ensure everyone was aligned with the project goals and deadlines. At Cisco, where teamwork and collaboration are emphasized, my ability to communicate effectively will help in fostering a collaborative environment.
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Problem-Solving: I proactively identified potential risks and devised contingency plans to address them. This trait ensures that I can anticipate challenges and address them efficiently. Cisco values innovative solutions and my problem-solving skills align well with this, enabling me to contribute effectively to cutting-edge projects.
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Adaptability: I remained flexible and open to feedback, adjusting the project plan as necessary. In the fast-paced technology industry, adaptability is key, and at Cisco, it ensures that I can thrive in dynamic situations and drive continuous improvement.
Result: As a result of leveraging these character traits, the project was completed on time, meeting all the quality standards, and received positive feedback from stakeholders. These traits not only contributed to my success in this project but also align with Cisco’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and customer satisfaction.