Mark Uychoco

Unit 2 Interviewing Project

OGL 482

First impressions matter. They are lasting. They last far beyond the initial moment and

create the foundation to the lasting (or lacking) of a budding relationship. Everyone makes

judgements. We are so quick and so prone to judge based off of such miniscule things. First

impressions can lead to quick assumptions and judgements. These assumptions and

judgements have real meaning in both personal and professional scopes. For example, if I meet

someone and find them to be short and dismissive, I will assume they are unkind. This

assumption will leave a negative impression to me and I may choose to run the other way. In a

professional setting, say I am going on an interview for a job. If I appear lackluster, the

interviewee may assume that I do not have the skills to be successful for said job. While we are

told that first impressions matter, we are also taught not to “judge a book by its cover.” Where

do we find the middle ground? Do we allow people the space and time to grow as individuals

after a not so good, first impression? We all evolve over time; most of us for the better, but

some of us for the worst. It is important to be present to ourselves and to others; to be kind

and to make time. Our first impressions and the qualities we have will leave a lasting

impression. They will create the foundation and act as a guide on our walk throughout life.

Everyone we meet, personally and professionally, will think differently about us. Do you ever
wonder what people think of you? How you live, how you work? Maybe we should all take the

time to ask.

For this interview project, I did ask. I asked three different people, from three different

worlds, what they thought and what they think about me – on both a personal and professional

field. I chose to interview my friend, my wife, and my employee at work. I chose them because

they each carry different viewpoints of me. They each know me in a different light and I am

different things to each of them. I also chose to go a little different route and ask each of them

the same questions. My intention in doing this was to examine the differences and similarities

in their responses. Since they all know me in different ways, does that mean they all see me in

different ways? I wanted to compare their answers to know my impression on them and know

the impression that I give off. If everyone says the same thing, am I consistent and confident in

who I am as a person? If everyone is saying different things, am I not being true to myself? Am I

inconsistent in who I am? I want to be the best person I can be, in and out of work. I also kind of

want to be the same person in and out of work. I know I don’t manage my home and family the

same way I manage a store, but I want my personal attributes and characteristics to be the

same. I simply just want to be true to myself and to others.

Life is busy. I work full time, am in school and come home to three sons (ages 6, 4, and

1) and a wife. My wife’s life is busy, my friend’s life is busy, and my employee’s life is busy. I

chose to email my questions to each person and allowed them each the time to answer

honestly. I let them know the intention of the interview and told them to be honest and not to

hold back any judgement. I wish we each had the time to sit down or even have a phone call,
but the time did not allow. I kept communication open and allowed them to respond to me

with any questions as well. My worry in doing it this way was what if their answers were too

short? If they were too short, I planned on calling them to follow up and pull for more insight. I

had to do this for a few questions from my friend and employee. Overall, I found this way of

conducting the interview to be the most practical for everyone. I enjoyed reading through their

responses. I also feel like it allowed for more honesty. People tend to be less nervous when

they are behind a computer. When reading through the responses, I first did a quick read

through. Then I read it again and really paid attention to their responses and highlighted

important notions they hit on. I then compared what I highlighted from all three people. In

doing this, I was able to highlight what everyone thought of me and how they think I have

changed. Again, my intention was to explore the differences and similarities of each person’s

response to understand how I come across. I wanted to understand my first impression on

different people from different parts of my life. I wanted to see, from their perspective, how I

have changed, or if I have changed. I believe I achieved every intention I had with these

interviews.

What was your rationale in developing your interview guide sheet(s)? What did you hope to

discover?

My rationale in developing my questions was to gauge their impressions of me, on both a

personal and professional playing field. I have known each of these people for over 8 years. I

wanted to know their first impression of me and then wanted to see how they think I have

changed. I know I have changed – in my time knowing each of them; I have become a husband
and a father that alone has changed me, I know that. But I wanted to see how they think I have

changed. From their perspective, have a changed for the better? I would hope so, since they are

all still active in my life. By asking all of them questions about my work life, I again, wanted to

see their view points. My wife and friend do not see me at work; they don’t know me as a boss.

But how do they think I work? Do they think I am effective as a leader and manage my time

effectively? My wife hears my phone calls with work related issues, what does she think of

them? Would she want to work for someone like me? Would my friend? Does my employee? In

asking everyone the same questions, I wanted to see the differences and similarities in their

responses. Like I mentioned previously, I wanted to see if I am viewed the same way by

everyone and how true I am to myself in all aspects of my life.

How comfortable did you feel listening to the feedback in your personal interview(s)?

I am not going to lie, I was nervous to read through their responses. I told them not to hold

back and to be honest. I was nervous that they might hit on something about me that I am

uncomfortable with. Would I get mad if I disagreed with what they thought of me by how they

answered a specific question? I didn’t want to get defensive, but it’s hard not to. But again,

these were all my worries. In actuality, as I read the answers, I did not feel like my walls were

up and I did not get defensive. I do think I am comfortable enough in my skin. I know where I

struggle, I know where and how I can be better. We are all a work in progress, aren’t we?

The most predictable responses were from my wife. We are together all of the time; I know (for

the most part) how she feels. For my friend, I don’t think I have ever asked her what her first

impression was of me. I haven’t asked her how she thinks I have changed after all of these
years. She also doesn’t see me every single day, she doesn’t see how I work, how would she

view my work ethic as an outsider? My employee only sees me at work. They don’t know as

much about my personal shortfalls – how do they view me?

So, to answer the question simply, I was comfortable-ish, reading the responses.

How comfortable did you feel listening to the feedback in your professional interview(s)?

I was comfortable reading through the responses to work related questions and the interview

itself from my employee. I am confident in how I lead at work. And honestly, if my employee

didn’t like me and didn’t like how I am as their boss, they would have wanted to transfer stores

or leave! There is a reason they still work at my store. We generally do not have any issue and I

generally do not have many issues with anyone at work. I think that I lead on a compassionate

level and take a very human approach to work and to everyone there. It was interesting to read

my friends work question responses. Again, she is the furthest removed from that part of me.

Work/life balance is an area in which I struggle. I was interested in hearing what everyone else’s

definition of the idea was. I then wanted to take the time to see how they think I balance the

time and how I could do better. Again, the three of them know and expect different parts of

me. How can I balance being better?

What did you learn about yourself as a result of this process?

I learned that I am true to myself. That the person I am at home carries over to work, and vice

versa. I learned that these three people, from three internal parts of my life, all think the same

about me. It makes me feel confident in who I am as a person. It makes me confident that I am
not walking around with two versions of myself – the Mark at home and the Mark at work. I

carry those same human approaches to life with me in both worlds. It is important for me to be

true to myself and by asking these questions to these important people, I can see that I am.

Were there any surprising results from your interviews? Explain?

In reflecting, there isn’t anything specific that stands out as surprising to me. I think that I was

more nervous in being surprised, if that makes sense. I was nervous that answers would

surprise me and that my first impression on these people were not good. First impressions do

matter and they are important factors. I haven’t ever just asked someone what their first

impression of me was.

In formulating these questions all to be the same, I was surprised at how everything carried

over. Each interview yielded somewhat of the same responses. All echoed the same sentiments

of me being empathetic, considerate, logical. First impressions were funny, personable, goofy.

How have I changed is in line with normal evolution with life. In knowing all of these people, I

became a father. In having three children, my priorities have changed. I view things differently. I

now put them first, not myself. That changes someone. I knew my wife and employee would

say I could do better in the work/life balance regard. But I was glad to see them notice that I am

doing better balancing the two.

How will you think differently, and what will you do differently, as a result of this assignment

(self-monitoring, working on developing certain skills, etc.)?

As a result of this assignment, I think it will help me to be more self aware. By asking people

their impression of me, I was able to see myself from their eyes. I was able to see myself

differently. You could never guess what someone’s first impression of you is. You can only hope

it’s good and that it’s ever lasting. Being self aware helps me to stay humble and keep a realistic

perspective of myself and how I carry myself in every situation. Asking people honest questions

like this is a great tool to monitor myself and it is something I would like to do with other

people as well, when I have the time. It is important as a leader and as a person to know how

you are perceived.

My wife and my employee both said I could do better at creating a healthier work/life balance. I

will take the steps to continue to better myself in this area. My issue is that I feel like I am

neglecting my job and my role when I am away. But in reality, by focusing so much on work, I

am neglecting my job at home – as a partner and father. I am happy to see them say I am doing

better, nonetheless.

How does what you found out pertain to your leadership style?

I think it solidified my confidence in how I view myself as a leader. I see myself as a servant

leader. I try to take care of everyone else’s needs before my own. I create an environment of

culture and trust. I have an unselfish mindset. I see myself as all of the things that everyone

described. I believe that I do lead with compassion and empathy. I view everyone as a person,

not an employee. I feel like I lead this way and I was happy to see that it is true and clear to

others as well. I think it meant the most coming from my friend. Although we are close, we
don’t see each other as often as we would like due to the demands of life. But for her to know

me enough as a person, to know my leadership style, says a lot about who I am.

First impressions matter. They are lasting. Everyone we have ever met has had a first

impression of us, yet most of us will go our whole lives without really knowing the impression

we have left/ are leaving on people. Why not ask? Why not take the gamble? Will knowing we

left a bad impression with someone make us feel uncomfortable? What is life if we don’t allow

room to be uncomfortable? I think that it is important that we ask this question as a way to

deepen our understanding of ourselves and who we share our lives with. In the personal and

professional world, it is necessary to self-evaluate and ask for help understanding. By having

these uncomfortable conversations, that is how we grow. We are all a work in progress, we are

all evolving, why not ask for progress reports along the way?
Interview 1: Employee

1. What was your first impression when you met me?

I wasn’t intimidated by you. I have worked for other managers who have made their position known.
They were the manager, they were the boss. You did not exude this. You presented yourself humbly and
without an ego. I thought that you were a really cool person. You were easy to talk to and from the
beginning I could tell that you cared and that you were a good human being. My first time meeting you
was my interview with you. I was nervous, but not personally because of you. I was nervous in the way
anyone is for a job interview. But I do remember the nerves lessoning as the interview went on. You
made it more conversational instead of transactional and that put me at east.

2. As a person, have I changed since you first met me? If I have, how so?

For sure you have changed. On a personal level, I have seen you become a husband and a dad three
times. I have seen your priorities and opinions on the world change to protect and guide your family
now. You are a deeper person since that first interview. I have really come to know who you are, how
you work, what you expect of me at work and how we best work together. You’ve been in your position
longer to have more experience. You can effectively train and coach assistant managers and it has been
cool to see other/future managers learning from you. They are taking the best parts of you and molding
their leadership styles off of yours – I think that’s great.

3. If you can, how would you describe my work ethic?

You are very committed to work. You have a strong work ethic. You are always available if there is a
problem. I hate having to call you when you are at home, or off, but when you pick up the phone you
never give me the impression that you are bothered by me or by the problem that is being presented.
You never rush me off the phone and always tell me to “call or text if anything.” You take a very human
approach to your work and to everyone at work. You make me and everyone else feel comfortable to be
ourselves. You never have any judgements. So, strong and committed at work.

4. How would you define a healthy work/life balance?

I would define a healthy work/life balance as boundaries. It is about knowing when enough is enough
and when work is too much and too consuming, you need to realize that and take a step back. Mental
health days are important. We all need time to be away from work and enjoy life. We all need to go out,
to get out and explore, and have fun. Work is work, life is life. I do not like blending the two worlds; I do
not think it’s healthy.

5. Do you think I have a healthy work/life balance? I think this is something I have trouble with. How do
you think I can do better?

You have gotten better! But it’s still a work in progress. Like I said above, you are always available. And
while that’s good for us….I don’t know how good that is for you. I hope that you are decompressing and
leaving most of your work at the door when you leave. I know our industry is always kind of “on,” but
the store does close, you know? We are capable of running the day to day but we know you are there
when fire starts. I can remember when you would come in on off days, call us on off days. While it is
appreciated….you’re off! Go enjoy your family. I can count a lot of times that I have told you “We are
fine! Don’t call us! Enjoy your time off! Get off your phone! Don’t worry!” But, in recent times, I have
seen you shed that worry and have a better work/life balance. You take more time off, which is good!
Life isn’t all about work.

6. What qualities do you see in me that make me a good leader?

You are realistic, empathetic, conversational, logical, and compassionate. With these qualities, you
create a welcoming work environment. You allow for room for life to happen. If I or someone needs to
take off work and get the shift covered, you understand. In the event of bad things happening, you
check in on people with a text. You are a good person and it translates to who you are at work. You are
transparent and clear in direction. You ask for feedback and follow up on yourself too, which is cool.

7. Would you trust me to lead you in a project or in a professional setting? Why or why not

Obviously, or I would have left by now. If I didn’t trust you, I would have been gone a long time ago!
Your transparency is great. You lay down the rules and there aren’t any surprises with you. You tell
people how you feel. You explain new concepts clearly. If we have questions that you don’t know, you
find out. I trust you, my dude. You are a great boss and I am happy and lucky to work with you and learn
from you.
Interview 2: Wife
1. What was your first impression when you met me?

I think I knew of you before you knew me. I remember you from high school; my locker was next to your
friend’s locker. I remember you always had crazy, different color hair and holes in your clothes…but in a
trendy way? If that’s a thing? I thought you were goofy, but you left some type of impression if I can
remember you from that long ago! Years later when we officially met, you still had holes in your linen
pants but your hair was black, no longer dyed. I still thought you were goofy, but you were fun and
funny and I enjoyed being around you.

2. As a person, have I changed since you first met me? If I have, how so?

100% you have changed, in ways that life changes us. We’ve been together for so long now…we have
kids, that alone has changed you. Being a father has opened up a new side of you that you obviously
didn’t have the first time I met you. But my first time meeting you was so much on a surface level. As we
grew closer I got to know you as a person. I got to understand what makes you, you, and I am honestly
still learning about you after all of these years. You are still that goofy, fun and funny person. But now
you have depth to you. I think that you understand yourself more than you ever have. You are
comfortable with who you are. So yes, you have changed and evolved in all good ways.

3. If you can, how would you describe my work ethic?

Your work ethic far differs from mine. You are very invested in your work – physically and emotionally.
Not that I am not, but you are more involved in your work. You have more of a presence. I can’t think of
the word, I want to say aggressive…but that doesn’t sound right. You just like to work more? Does this
make sense? Like I said, you are invested. You will answer every call, respond to any problem, no matter
the time. You are devoted to your role and your work.

4. How would you define a healthy work/life balance?

I would define a healthy work/life balance as leaving work at work, and not bringing it home. It is leaving
the emotion of work at the door and trying not to bring that energy back home. It is being able to have a
life outside of work. Being able to take time off to do things for yourself and with your family. It is being
flexible and allowing for time away for home emergencies. A good work/life balance makes everything
so easy, at least it should. It should allow for the flexibility of life and for free moments away to enjoy
life and not worry about work.

5. Do you think I have a healthy work/life balance? I think this is something I have trouble with. How do
you think I can do better?

I think it has gotten better. If you asked me this question a year or two ago, I would have said absolutely
not. At that point in time, you were always on your phone looking up your sales. You were checking
constantly to the point where it almost became a habit. You took phone calls when we were on
vacation, made phone calls when we were on vacation. The store won’t burn down without you. When
you are gone, someone else is watching your store. I never understood why you had to be so hands on,
when in reality it could be handled by the point person in your absence. But as of recent times, you are
more disconnected on your off days. Maybe it is because you have a store assistant and they can do
most things. But I do believe that you have better work/life balance. If something is going on with the
kids, you can talk with your boss and leave. You never used to do that before. You take more time off
sporadically, more than you ever did. You do not check your phone and the sales like you used to, hardly
ever. You do not seem as obsessed with it. You do a better job of leaving work and work and not letting
the emotion of the day take over you. In terms of what you can do better. I think you could be a bit
more available to home in emergencies. I do understand you have a job to do, but so do I. And I take a
lot of time off when they are sick or to go on appointments. I go through all of my PTO so fast because I
am the one with more flexibility, I get it. But I think in that regard, that is where I would like to see a
change.

6. What qualities do you see in me that make me a good leader?

First qualities that come to mind – confident, empathetic, considerate, logical. From what I see you
display in conversations about work, and how you speak with your peers and co-workers, you are a good
leader. You allow people to be themselves. You allow room for people to grow. You establish the rules
from the beginning so there are no surprises. I think that people can easily come to you with suggestions
and problems they are having without fear. You make people comfortable. I know that you like to treat
your work like family. You really do care for everyone on a human level, not just a professional/ a job
must be done, level. You are skilled in leading and listening to people. You efficiently and effectively
problem solve. Is this an ego boost?

7. Would you trust me to lead you in a project or in a professional setting? Why or why not

I would 100 percent trust you to lead me. I don’t know how we would do in the same work setting, that
might not mesh! But, I could work for a leader similar to you without issue. If we were on The Amazing
Race, I would want you as my partner. You are so skilled at figuring things out and figuring them out
quickly…..and I am not. But you challenge me to try to be better! Isn’t that fundamental to leading
people – that your presence inspires them to try and to want to be better?
Interview 3: Friend

1. What was your first impression when you met me?

We were probably 17/18… You were a cool, chill guy with a great laugh. You were someone I always had
fun with and could count on having fun with when you were around. I knew that you were a good
person and could sense that you had a kind heart. You always would talk to anyone. I can remember
always having a good conversation with you, there was never a lull. I also knew there was more to you
than you ever lead on. You wanted a lot out of life; a lot of experiences.

2. As a person, have I changed since you first met me? If I have, how so?

You still have a great laugh. I would say you’ve changed in the sense that your life has evolved and so
have you. You’re a father, a husband, a student and professional. As your priorities have shifted,
naturally, so have you. You are still always up for adventure. Like I mentioned with my first impression of
you…I knew you always wanted a lot of experiences out of life. Now that you are a family man, you are
bringing your kids around for those experiences and I love to see it. I love that you are instilling that so
early on in their lives. You are giving your kids a great sense of life and a great sense of you.

3. If you can, how would you describe my work ethic?

From what I know, you work hard and you’ve been successful in moving up the ranks at your employer. I
do not see you daily or enough to know your day to day commitments, but I know that you are a
professional and that you handle your work appropriately.

4. How would you define a healthy work/life balance?

I define work/life balance as being intentional about priorities. In my world, having priorities and tiering
those priorities appropriately is the key to work life balance. Life/family/relationships are tiered far
higher than work. At the end of the day, work is work. Life is more than work. Life is about our family,
our health, our relationships. We can always find work. Family tops everything.

5. Do you think I have a healthy work/life balance? I think this is something I have trouble with. How do
you think I can do better?

From what I can see, you prioritize spending time with your family, exploring and making memories.
What could possibly be more important than that? Again, I do not see you daily to really know how you
juggle everything, but I know you are committed to the juggling act! But to offer advice about a wok/life
balance….like I said previously, family is supreme. Always remember that. Work is work, it’s not life. We
cannot give ourselves to work and only work. It is not sustainable to be so heavily invested in our work
that we do not have the time for anything or anyone else; it’s not healthy. I think these past few years
have showed us that, don’t you think?

6. What qualities do you see in me that make me a good leader?

You’re empathic and kind. You have a way of putting yourself in other people’s shoes, so to speak. I
think that you have a great way of connecting to people and making them feel comfortable. Your
communication is clear and direct and understanding. You bring a lot of different view points and are
open to so many options. You are an explorer at heart, and I think you bring that to work. You are open
minded in life and it makes you open minded in a professional/work sense.

7. Would you trust me to lead you in a project or in a professional setting? Why or why not

Yes, because I think you have a lot of experience managing things both professionally and personally. I
would trust your decision making. I think that you and I are both strong willed. In a professional setting,
we may butt heads, but I think that we would be able to problem solve well together. You might get sick
of me before I got sick of you, honestly.