3M Mock Interview
Practice 33 3M interview questions covering innovation, technical problem-solving, and collaboration.
Question 25 of 33
Who has been your greatest influence? A person that has defined what type of leader you wish to be.
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Community Answers
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
By learning more about your mentors or those leaders who you admire, they may be able to get a clearer sense of the leadership style you tend to emulate. So, when sharing the impact your mentors or those leaders you admire had on your development, present it in a context that aligns with what they are looking for in their ideal target talent. Familiarize yourself with the leadership style they promote in their company. You can often find clues to this through the value propositions they advertise in their recruiting efforts. Be sincere and be yourself. But advertise how you are aligned, and a well-suited fit for what they are looking for in a candidate.
Kevin Downey has an extensive background in business management, recruiting, branding and marketing. He's volunteered his career coaching services at job fairs, lecturing on interview techniques and crafting winning resumes and cover letters.
"The greatest influence in my career has been one of my professors from university. Mr. Smith was my professor in Business Ethics and I connected really well with his teaching style. Even after graduating the university, we kept in touch and he has greatly influenced my coaching, teaching, and leadership style. I'd say he was very influential, and provided me with many transformative experiences."
"The first CEO I reported to has been a tremendous influence on my career. That person helped shape my work ethic and passion for business early on, which has helped me become a better business partner along the way in my career. I wish to be someone who is fair, demanding and supportive. Someone who cares about the customers and cares about our people."
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Anonymous Answer
For me, my greatest influence was Professor Hawkins. Despite all odds, he was successful in life which is a general consent by many others. He always looked up at the stars and not down at his feet. For future generations, we will never have such a different human being among us.
Amanda's Feedback
You have chosen an admirable person to reference. Consider improving your answer by telling the interviewer specifically how Professor Hawkins has influenced the way you manage people or processes. Do you keep a positive perspective? Does he influence the way you view problems, approach obstacles, or defy limitations?
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