When the interviewer leans back in her chair and says, “Tell me about yourself,” she isn’t looking for stories from your rowdy college days. She doesn’t care that you adore scrapbooking or traveled to Europe with your family last summer.
This question (actually more of a request) is such an over-used statement that it’s almost a cliche. In fact, the inquiry is so common, there is simply no excuse for being unprepared. And yet, it continues to confound many job hunters, making them stumble over their words, freeze under the pressure or worse — blather on about personal or irrelevant topics.
How do you plan for this hard-to-pin-down question? The same way that you handle other interview challenges. By figuring out what the employer is really asking (I call this the “question behind the question”) and presenting an appropriate and impressive response.
Let’s dive into the words for a moment: Tell me about yourself. What does the employer want to hear? Many hiring managers think of this phrase as an easy ice breaker. Others use it as a tool to force you to start talking about yourself. Either way, it gives them a chance to gauge your comfort level, communication style and likability.
The following tips will help you respond to this age-old question:
Remember that time is on your side. When the interviewer poses a question as wide-open as this one, you can take as long as you need to respond. Even so, it’s best to keep your answer tightly focused (one to two minutes at most) and provide plenty of examples that back up your claims.
Plan your response. Because it’s a broad question with no “right” way to respond, many job hunters react by panicking. They either clam up or divulge irrelevant details about their lives. This is why it’s essential to prepare your response in advance.
Consider beginning your answer with a short introduction about yourself while maintaining your focus on the job, like this: “I am a hard worker with a passion for this industry. I have been working in the field for over 10 years and will bring every minute of my experience to this position.” Then, mention a few accomplishments and convey the importance of these contributions to the employer. You may also discuss your ability to grow with the company and make a difference in the position. You might also discuss your reasons for pursuing a job with this organization.
Let your personality shine through. The most successful job candidates are able to balance confidence with humility and a touch of humor. It’s OK to be lighthearted during your conversation as long as you keep it professional. Remember that interviewers generally hire people with friendly, likable qualities.
Be a savvy job hunter. Take advantage of this interview question (and all other interview questions, for that matter) as a chance to showcase your strengths. At the same time, avoid discussing health, religion or other topics that could hurt your chances for landing the job.
One more tip. Don’t memorize a speech word for word. The interviewer doesn’t want a canned response; she wants to get to know you. She hopes you will figure out the question behind the question — and answer it.
Contact Eve at Eve.GetaJob@gmail.com.
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