Linyesha B.

The relationship between personal values, choice, and goal setting is foundational and interconnected:

1. Personal Values: These are core beliefs and principles that guide an individual’s behavior and decisions. They reflect what is truly important to a person (e.g., integrity, ambition, family, growth).
2. Choices: Values influence the choices one makes. When individuals are clear about their values, they are more likely to make decisions that align with their true selves.
3. Goal Setting: Effective goals are rooted in personal values. Goals that reflect one’s values are more meaningful, motivating, and sustainable. When goals align with values, individuals are more committed and focused in their pursuit.

In essence:

Values inform choices, and choices shape the goals we set. Aligning all three leads to a more purposeful and fulfilling life.

The first step in effective goal setting is clearly identifying and defining your goal.

This means determining exactly what you want to achieve, ensuring the goal is specific and meaningful. A well-defined goal lays the foundation for creating actionable steps and staying focused throughout the process.

Goal setting is the process of identifying specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives that a person or organization aims to accomplish. It provides direction, motivation, and a clear focus for action.

Strategy refers to the structured plan or approach designed to achieve those goals. It outlines the methods, resources, timelines, and steps required to move from the current state to the desired outcome.

In simple terms:

• Goal setting defines what you want to achieve.
• Strategy defines how you will achieve it.

To improve your phone interviewing skills, focus on the following strategies:

1. Practice Voice Clarity: Speak slowly, clearly, and with a confident tone. Avoid filler words like “um” or “uh.”
2. Prepare Your Environment: Choose a quiet location with no distractions and ensure good phone reception.
3. Use Notes Wisely: Keep key points, achievements, and questions written down, but avoid reading directly from them.
4. Listen Actively: Allow the interviewer to finish speaking before responding. Use verbal cues like “I understand” to show engagement.
5. Prepare Responses: Practice common interview questions and structure your answers clearly using the STAR method.
6. Smile While Speaking: Smiling naturally makes your voice sound more warm and enthusiastic.
7. Record and Review: Practice mock interviews over the phone and listen to recordings to identify areas for improvement.
8. Follow Up: Send a professional thank-you message after the call to express appreciation and reinforce your interest.

Would you like a set of mock phone interview questions to practice with?

Data scientists can keep their interview skills sharp by engaging in the following daily practices:

1. Practice Problem-Solving: Regularly solve data structures, algorithms, and SQL problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
2. Review Past Projects: Revisit and articulate past work, focusing on business impact, tools used, and challenges overcome.
3. Mock Interviews: Participate in short mock interviews or practice explaining concepts out loud, such as machine learning models or statistical methods.
4. Stay Updated: Read industry blogs or papers to stay informed about new tools, trends, and techniques.
5. Refine Storytelling: Practice framing technical experiences in clear, structured ways (using STAR – Situation, Task, Action, Result).
6. Build Communication Skills: Explain complex concepts simply, as you might to a non-technical stakeholder.

These habits maintain both technical sharpness and communication clarity, both crucial for successful interviews.