Themes 2000, 2006-2008 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.This is not a test there are no right or wrong answers. Everyone has a different combination of strengths. Read the descriptions first so that you will be aware of the range of strengths described here.Go back through the themes. Circle Y for Yes only when a theme strongly resonates with you, either because you know it about yourself or because others have described you in this way. Circle S for Sometimes when you show this strength, but you know it is not a signature part of you. Circle N for No when you know that a theme doesnt really describe you. Remember, no theme is better than another. No one will see this sheet except you.When you are done, review your choices. Circle strengths that describe you the best. When you complete this step, go to Part 2 of the assignment.Domains 2009 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved.Check off your four to six selected strengths here. Your strengths may be distributed across the columns or may be concentrated in one or two columns again, there is no right or wrong answer.Now consider the mini-profile youve just created. What youve identified is your natural set of talents your recurring patterns of behavior that can be put to productive use. Talents are generally stable, familiar, and obvious throughout a persons life, whether they are put to best use or not.You cannot learn a talent, and you cannot teach a talent. Acquired skills and knowledge will be crucial in any job, but more important will be the match between a persons natural talents and the requirements of the position.Write some notes on a piece of paper (not on a computer screen!) about your profile. Think about the strengths domains. Are you predominantly in one or two domains, or in several? Did the groupings of strengths give you any additional insight about your set of strengths?Think specifically about stories or examples from your life that prove your choices. Think about times that youve been told you exemplify a certain trait; consider the different people whove told you this, and in what settings. If it applies,think about times youve been teased for a trait (for example, being a compulsive list-maker, or being able to talk to anyone you meet). Ponder how this trait can actually be a strength in a particular work setting.Finally, refine all this analysis into three sentences that best describe you as a person. write, I am an Activator who makes things happen. These sentences need to be in your own words; if you use a theme word such as strategic, it must not be capitalized if it is used in mid-sentence.The two important parts of this exercise are for you to begin to think actively about how you can describe yourself, and for you organize your thoughts before you begin to write about them. Dont skip this step.Using the three sentences you wrote as a guide, write an approximately 500-word description of your strengths (double-spaced is fine) and attach it online where indicated.In your opening paragraph, briefly describe your experience with the exercise specifically, whether it was easier or more difficult to identify and narrow down your three main strengths.In the body of the assignment, describe yourself in a way that someone who doesnt know you would gain a good understanding of your natural talents. You can certainly use the three sentences you developed. You must illustrate your paper with strong examples or stories from your life (work, school, or personal).Conclude by describing what your talents tell you about your career what insights did this assignment give you about what your career? What will you have to offer an employer?

You will conduct a real-world interview with a seasoned professional to find out what they wish they had learned about business communication early in their career – and why. Hand in a one page summary (not a transcript) of what you discovered and share highlights in class.