Rhonda Alexander, MS, MA, CSM (SCRUM)

For those of us who have to make extra efforts when it comes to analytics, figure out exactly what it is about analytical skills that is perplexing to you. Is it reading the data? Is it using the software? When you know exactly where your weakness lies, that is how you dig in and begin to seek out the appropriate solution. Do you need to take a class? Or are you one who is self-taught, and can use online resources to help you strengthen the areas where you fall short? If you need more than the Internet can provide, don't be ashamed to reach out and ask for the help in whatever form that takes. The only 'dummy' is the one who does not ask for help.

If you're in a temporary or contract role as a customer service professional, do your best in the role as it may become a permanent role. Performing the role to the best of your ability is a great way to build your brand. If the role is temporary or contract and it comes to an end, and you've done your best, you could get referred for another role that is permanent, in the future.

The easiest and hopefully, the most comfortable way to build your professional network is to find common interests that may be slightly outside of the profession to use to build on. Commonality is a great way to build and strengthen relationships. Finding passions outside of the professional can be a way to discover if you may like the person(s) as a real life friend, too. Finding new people to share common interests and even goals with is a great way to expand, not just your professional network, but your personal network as well.

The best way to build a relationship with anyone is to take a genuine interest in getting to know them. If you have any common interests, this makes it quite easy to commiserate over shared interests, and move forward from there. Sometimes, all it takes is sharing one, common interest. Depending on the passion behind that interest, it can carry the entire relationship. After a while, it's natural to explore other commonalities to deepen the relationship and strengthen it.

Of course, this question will be asked in an interview. Having a great amount of self-awareness about the skillsets you know you excel at is a great start. Take it a step further by researching the org as well as the duties expected in the role. Use that knowledge to guide your answer and make sure you tailor your strengths to the needs for the role. Make sure to connect the dots for the interviewer, so it becomes easier for them see you in the role, performing the duties.

You have to meet your audience where they are. Once you find out where they are, you must speak their language. Not using the tone and cadence of your demographic is the same as not talking to them at all. Even worse, you run the risk of them feeling "talked at" or feeling like they are being ordered to do something versus whatever you may be trying to do.