How to answer the most common interview question

How to answer the interview question “Tell me about yourself”?#interviewing #career #jobhunting

When you get to the interview of course you are a bit nervous. You do some small talk to create a connection and now it’s time. You’ve prepared a lot of notes and you are reminding yourself to slow down and avoid buzz words. But now comes the dreaded first question.?

“So,” your interviewer says, “tell me about yourself.”??Almost 60% of recruiters ask this as their first question. So it’s important to get this one right.?

PAUSE AND RESET

People have different opinions on how to answer this question. You need to remember that??Managers ask questions like “tell me about yourself” because they are looking to see whether your professional skills align with the role you’re interviewing for.??In general, your answer should be in the 3-minute range. If the interviewer needs more details they can always ask them.?

You want to give an impression that you really thought this through. If your answer is too short, the recruiter might think you simply don’t care or have much to say. What the interviewer is looking for is what you have accomplished and why you made the decisions that you did. This is your chance to tell your story by connecting the pieces and showing you have a road map. By telling a clear story you will stand out from the other candidates.?

THINK LIKE A LEADER

If your answer to this question is hesitant or rambling it will be hard to recover. You want to show the interviewer that you can help their company and do the job. Think about how to tell an inspirational story-and don’t forget to incorporate?the research you have done on the company into your story.?

You want to come across as open-minded, and secure. Be vocal and animated. Speak energetically. Act enthusiastically and eager to be there. A smile and good posture could just be the extra note of confidence to show recruiters your commitment to the job.??

ENGAGE

When you answer the question,??you want to: engage your audience, establish your credibility and tell the interviewer why they should care. This means tailoring your response to a specific audience….use phrases like this connects to X or Y , the importance of this is xxxx.?Watch the interviewer to be sure they can follow you. Drop the acronyms/buzzwords so you are clearly understood.?

ADD TO YOUR RéSUMé

As much as your previous leadership experience matters, employers are also looking for a well-rounded candidate. It’s ok to demonstrate your interests beyond the workplace and to show hiring managers that you have opinions that you’re not afraid to express.??In general, the hiring manager is looking for curiosity, a learning mindset and work/life balance. Talk about what makes you uniquely you and own it.?

DON’T NARRATE YOUR LIFE STORY

The purpose of the question is to share who you are beyond the resume. It’s not your emotional story or everything that happened. Think about a few key points that helped you define your future or made you pivot in a different direction-then explain what happened and how that makes you better than you used to be. Everyone wants a candidate that can accept change, admit mistakes and self-correct and move forward.?

LOOK FOR SIMILAR QUESTIONS

Sometimes the question can be??“tell me your story.” The person you are talking to has already read your resume so don’t just repeat it. Add color commentary. You should be talking about what motivates you, and how you are making informed decisions.

CONSIDER YOUR SPORTS/MUSIC/COMMUNITY WORK??

If you are a new graduate or you are switching careers, think about other ways to show you have the expertise they are looking for. How can you connect other facets of your life to show you have what it takes to do the job! Can you show teamwork, overcoming obstacles, time spent practicing, etc. that reinforces why you are a great candidate??

PLAN AHEAD AND WRITE IT DOWN

Since you know you are likely to be asked this question you should be writing down your answer, practicing it out loud, and then modifying your talk to “tighten it”. You have no excuse for not preparing. In order to create a clear and compelling narrative, you have to think about how you tell your story so you can inspire your interviewer. Every job seeker needs a message. What is the big idea you want your interviewer to hear? And how should that show them you’re the right candidate? In getting this message across when you’re asked to tell interviewers who you are, you’ll have a better chance of securing your interview narrative right from the start.??

FRAME IT AS A STORY

The simplest way of thinking about the best answer is to build your story chronologically—with a past, present, and future. If you are in a job interview for a Marketing??position and are asked why you want the job, you might develop this flow:

Things I did in the Past:?“I’ve always loved brands, and messaging. I knew all the jingles, even when young.”

What I am doing in the Present:?“In my last two marketing positions, I have developed programs based on customer feedback that helped build customer loyalty and referrals. One program I am particularly proud of is our Sustainability effort to reduce our use of water by 50%.?

How this connects with the Future:?“As a marketing professional, I know I would be a great fit because I have experience and knowledge in building online influencers and engaging customers which is what is needed right now.?

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

You can’t read the script you have so you have to practice in front of a mirror or with a handful of trusted friends, or your career coach. Go into an interview having already rehearsed what you plan to say. In an interview, you’re expected to be confident but not a know it all.??At the end of the day, the interviewer is deciding between candidates who have all the hard skills they need to do the job. You need to show them you have the soft skills/personality to do the job.

BE YOURSELF

Now that you are prepared for this question, relax. Emphasize the skills you will bring to the job. Share your strengths and insights. Show them you are more than your career accomplishments.??Companies what individuals not just robots. Put your best foot forward.?

Darcy Bevelacqua, Career Coach for Marketing and Sales professionals.?www.Successworkscx.com/