Saturday, January 10, 2009

Data Gathering

As I have known myself, I am not what anyone would call verbose but sometimes aggressive, loud, playful and whatever. There are times that I am quiet and times I am not. When I am in my silent mode, I used to think about anything that goes into my mind and observes the things surround me yet it is somewhat helpful because I am learning and I could have my realization after.

Based on the description of my personality that I have stated and on my choice, I could say that I would choose interviewing not because I am more comfortable with it, it is because I love the feeling (not very). I love the feeling going to companies a little bit terrified and excited. I love the feeling going to companies seeing the employees busy with their works and I love the feeling of being cold because of the air-conditioned rooms.

Among the data gathering techniques, interviewing is the most challenging for me when talking about confidence, guts and patience. You must have complete confidence in order to be good in doing such thing and to have a good outcome. You must be brave to avoid bulges while speaking and not to forget the things to say. And I do agree because I already experienced the same thing. I was very nervous at that time, I was lack of preparation, and it gave me so much trouble that made me forgot the things that I have to say even the beginning of my talk. I was totally blackout. You must also have the patience when the person from whom the information is sought keeps on talking even if the words coming are not on track anymore and if the treatment is not good to you. And as an interviewer, you must be attentive and smart in order to keep the conversation going. Ask proper questions to draw out further information, and contribute some ideas of your own on the subject being talked about.

Talking about being comfortable with, I could say that I am more comfortable with document review, observation and use of questionnaires because I do not have to talk much and no so much pressure. When using document review, I just have to rely on papers and study those. In observing, of course, I just have to observe and interpret. And when using questionnaires, I have to construct questions that would cater the information that I need then give it to the assigned person and wait.

I could say that I could get sufficient information when using interviewing. I could make sure that the information that was gathered is from a reliable source and not just a bulk of falsified papers. I could easily ask another question when needed and I could easily make clarifications if there is. It would also help me build more my self-confidence, learn more how to get along with other people not of my own age and learn to converse easily, naturally and effectively. It is also a practice for me to be ready in the future because as it has been said, as we grow older, we encounter new and different types of situations. More and more, we are expected to take part in social conversations. I might be exposed regardless of my major like having communication either verbal or written to some tasks.