You have been hired as a consultant by your neighbor to help her with her computer. You notice that she has a screen full of icons which appear to be Word documents, Excel Spreadsheets and other graphic files. How would you help her organize her data i.e. documents, spreadsheets and other graphic files? What kinds of questions would you want to ask her before organizing the data?

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Be sure you ask your neighbor what SHE calls the different categories for her files. Name the folders you teach her how to make with the words SHE UNDERSTANDS so she'll be able to find things again later.

You have been hired as a consultant by your neighbor to help her with her computer. You notice that she has a screen full of icons which appear to be Word documents, Excel Spreadsheets and other graphic files. How would you help her organize her data i.e. documents, spreadsheets and other graphic files? What kinds of questions would you want to ask her before organizing the data?

The only thing I would add to your list of interviewing tips would be to ask qutnsioes that put them on their heels. Why should I take this job? ; Where is this company going in the future? ; etc. all make the interviewer sell you rather than you having to sell yourself.

Before organizing your neighbor's data, it would be helpful to ask her the following questions to understand her preferences and requirements:

1. What is the primary purpose of organizing the data? Is it for easier access, improved productivity, or both?
2. How do you currently navigate and locate files on your computer? Are you comfortable using the file explorer or searching within specific applications?
3. Do you have any specific categories or groups in mind for organizing the files, or would you like recommendations based on best practices?
4. Are there any dependencies or relationships between different types of files? For example, do certain Word documents relate to specific Excel spreadsheets?
5. Do you want to keep all the files on the desktop, or would you prefer to create a separate folder structure for better organization?
6. What is the volume of the data you have? Do you anticipate it increasing in the future?
7. Are there any specific security or privacy requirements for storing and organizing the files?

Once you have gathered this information, you can proceed with organizing the data following these general steps:

1. Evaluate the existing files: Take a look at the current icons and file names to identify patterns, duplicate files, or any immediate improvements that can be made.
2. Create a folder structure: Based on the agreed-upon categories or your recommendations, create a folder structure that can accommodate the different types of files. For example, you could have folders named "Word Documents," "Excel Spreadsheets," and "Graphics."
3. Sort and move files: Go through each file and sort them into the appropriate folders. You can either drag and drop files manually or use the "Cut" and "Paste" options to relocate them.
4. Rename files if necessary: If the existing file names are unclear or generic, you can consider renaming them to make them more descriptive and easily recognizable.
5. Consider subfolders or additional organization methods: Depending on the volume of data and specific needs, you might want to create subfolders within each category or utilize other organizational tools, such as tags or metadata.
6. Create a backup plan: Ensure that a reliable backup system is in place to protect the organized data. Consider using cloud storage, external drives, or automatic backup software.

By following these steps and tailoring the organization process to your neighbor's requirements, you can effectively structure and manage her documents, spreadsheets, and graphic files for easier access and improved productivity.