About Matthew

I currently work as a web consultant and freelance writer on technology and the internet. I've surfed the 'net for over fifteen years and have been using computers for almost twenty five. Add to this a degree in telecommunications management. Despite being rather techno-centric, I build great relationships with people, including several leadership positions within Rotaract, a service organization under the umbrella of Rotary International. One of my key strengths when it comes to working with people is my ability to take a complex concept and explain it in simple and accessible terms. I have applied this skill in several capacities including corporate training environments, end-user training for company websites, and even teaching ballroom dance classes. You can find out more about me by visiting my LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewmurphy

Key Info

Position Desired	Full Time
Willing to Relocate	Yes
Commuting Distance	No Preference
Acceptable Travel	No Preference
U.S. Work Authorization	Not Specified
Eligible for U.S. Security Clearance	Not Specified

Salary

Current Salary: $20,000 to $30,000
Desired Salary: $30,000 to $45,000

Interview

Describe your ideal work environment. (06/25/2007)

My ideal work environment would be a flexible, team-centric environment in which teams were relatively free to design their own guidelines and controls for projects and assignments. Problem-solving and creativity would be rewarded. My ideal work environment would also permit me to telecommute on occasion.

Describe a time when you have had to overcome a challenge. (06/25/2007)

My current supervisor and I have a good working relationship. However, like most employees, I've had a few times where my supervisor and I did not see eye to eye. In one instance, a gap in communication led her to feel that I was doing something on purpose when I was not. Noticing that there was a problem, I immediately requested a meeting and we sat in her office to talk about the issue. We saw that it was a misunderstanding and were soon laughing again. Approaching any individual, much less a supervisor, about a problem can be difficult, but I choose to meet such problems with openness, honesty, and tact rather than let them become larger problems by not addressing them.

What do you like most about your job? (06/25/2007)

In my current position, my co-workers are the best part of my job. I have a great working relationship with everyone in my office. People come to me with questions or news that they want to share. There is no one whom I work with that I don't enjoy interacting with. This work dynamic allows us to complete our assignments with minimal supervision, which is essential in our fast-paced work environment.

What kind of job are you looking for? (06/25/2007)

I am looking for a job that offers learning opportunities in a flexible work environment. Although I am pursuing coursework on my own, I am looking for a position that encourages me to pick up new skill sets and rewards me for doing so. I am also looking for a flexible work environment where, ideally, I could complete at least a portion of my work by telecommuting.

What is the toughest problem you have had to solve? (06/25/2007)

The toughest problem I've had to address recently dealt with the system our team uses to record our productivity and work accuracy. When I originally designed the system two years ago, it worked for the way we worked. Since then our team has expanded and our job duties have changed. Some months ago I was tasked with adapting the system to our new team and duties as the formulas were no longer casting realistic expectations for our daily workload. After having spent the better part of a day re-evaluating the formulas in the original system, I was able to create a spreadsheet that was more accurate and much simpler for the end user. I was very satisfied to see that I had learned a fair amount in the intervening years since I had designed the original system.

What are you most passionate about? (06/25/2007)

I would have to say that there are two things I am most passionate about. I am a geek who loves tea. I'm fascinated by the internet, by the information we can share, the services we can offer, and the people we can connect to. Our world is well on its way to becoming a data-driven world, even in third world countries. My other passion is tea. Particularly fine teas have histories and stories behind their names or origins. I am able to bring these passions together through my family's small tea business by managing their website and order system. The more I learn as I continue my formal education and workplace training, the more I can apply to my family's site, and I can then bring those skills back to the workplace with the confidence that comes with practice and application.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? (06/25/2007)

Five years from now I plan of having worked my way to a position of responsibility within my hiring company. I plan on continuing my education by pursuing a graduate degree. At this point in time I see myself focusing on database administration skills. I also plan to continue my current work as web designer and consultant for small businesses and applying the skills I learn to increase my value within my hiring company.

What are your strengths? Weaknesses? (06/25/2007)

I believe that my biggest strength is my ability to take complicated concepts and explain them in very simple and understandable terms. I have received many compliments on this and I continue to hone this skill. My biggest weakness lies in my introverted nature. I often prefer to observe people rather than interact. My experience with Rotary International and Twin Cities Rotaract Club has been very helpful in that I now feel much more comfortable making the mental switch from observer to initiator.

Why did you choose this career? (02/13/2007)

I am currently working for a large communications company. I work in the Quality Control department within their digital telephone business. My interest in telecommunications led me to a degree in telecommunications management. I feel extremely lucky to have found a position within my degree field. However, I feel that I have reached a point with my current employer where I have learned as much as I can from my current position. Seeing that there is very little turnover in positions that would offer me advancement, I feel that the best thing for me is to follow opportunities outside my current employer.

What did you learn from your previous job? (02/13/2007)

There are many things that I learned from my previous position. I learned to manage tasks in an extremely fast-paced workplace. I learned to multi-task among several order entry/audit applications. I learned to manage my time in order to complete tasks under deadline. I learned to diplomatically explain setbacks to customers. Perhaps the most important lesson learned was how to function as part of a team in a high stress environment.

How would your co-workers describe you? (02/13/2007)

I believe that my co-workers would describe me as a quiet, competent, and knowledgeable worker who is always willing to answer a question or lend assistance. They would explain that I am very technically competent, that I get along well with everyone in my office, and that I am an efficient problem solver. They would say that, although I am a quiet worker, I am a solid lead-by-example type of leader who they feel they can trust.