"Tell me About Yourself?"
Angela Farmeary
Career & Interview Coach at Mindful Careers ??Empowering You With Career & Job Search Strategies to Land Your Ideal Job??
"Tell me about yourself?" How you answer this interview question can set the scene for how your interview will progress. It is quite often the first question asked in a job interview, and is your chance to make a great first impression.This important interview question?can often confuse people. Are the interviewers asking about your work life or personal life? Do they just want you to talk through your resume? How much detail should you give? Additionally, it can also be a question you are asked at a general coffee catch up with a new contact you have been introduced to.
For the interviewers, it is an easy way to start an interview and get you talking. Think of it as your "elevator" pitch or your "story" about you. This is a short summary that tells them about you, why you are a good fit for the job and why they should hire you.
Your answer should be no longer than 2 minutes and is usually all work related, unless instructed otherwise. It is an interview question that you should always prepare for in advance. Never try and just make something up on the spot, or you may find yourself waffling and talking for too long! Never a good start to any interview.
After carefully reviewing the job description or job advert, ensure you know the qualifications required for the job. Check where you meet or exceed the requirements of the role. Thoroughly research the company. Once you have done this the next step is to identify, list, and review your own successes and accomplishments, relevant to this role.
Then, you are ready to put yourself in the employer’s shoes. To emphasize what will make you stand out for the company and for this job.
Follow these?3 steps?to help you create your answer:
STEP 1 – ?????? ?????? ???????
This is where you should give a brief, concise description of who you are and your key qualifications, strengths and skills. Always make sure that this is also relevant to the job you are currently being interviewed for.
Example: “I'm currently the Marketing Manager of a small IT Services business called (insert name of your current or most recent employer) and have 3 direct reports. With 10 years marketing experience, I have also worked within FMCG and retail.”
STEP 2 – ???????? ????????????????????
What is your USP (Unique Selling Points) Aim to tailor your answer to the job you are being interviewed for, and declare the strongest benefit that you offer an employer. This will leave the interviewer compelled to know more.
Example:?“My passion is in developing long term client relationships where I can drive brand and category growth. In my current role, I have been able to drive double-digit growth in a declining category though new product development, brand repositioning and an integrated marketing campaign. I did all of this whilst recruiting and training a new team of 3 marketing assistants.”
STEP 3 – ?????? ?????? ?????? ???????????
Tell them why you want the position and why they should hire you.
Example:?“I have worked in 3 different types of industries and this has enabled me to broaden and enhance my marketing knowledge and skills. With my experience and background I feel I could really add value to your organisation and make a difference. I think I would be a great fit for your organisation and would love to be part of your continued success.”
领英推荐
Putting it all together, your answer can look like this:
“I am currently (or was most recently) the Marketing Manager of a small IT Services business called (insert name of your current or most recent employer) and have 3 direct reports. With?10 years marketing experience, I have also worked within FMCG and retail.
My passion is in?developing long term client relationships where I can drive brand and category growth. In my current role, I have been able to drive double-digit growth in a declining category, through new product development, brand repositioning and an integrated marketing campaign. I did all of this whilst recruiting and training a new team of 3 marketing assistants.
I have worked in 3 different types of industries and this has enabled me to broaden and enhance my marketing knowledge and skills. With my experience and background, I feel I could really add value to your organisation and make a difference. I think I would be a great fit for your organisation and would love to be part of your continued success.”
If you do want to add in something personal, then do this at the end of your answer. An example might be: "and in my spare time I am actively involved in my local surf club and also enjoy ocean swimming a few times a week"
This is your story!
Write it down, practice saying it out loud. Try videoing or recording yourself so you can watch and listen to yourself and also time yourself. Remember to keep in to a maximum of 2 minutes. It should always sound like a conversation, and feel authentic and not like you are reading a script.
You need to be concise. Your communication and ability to stay on track with your answer is something the interviewers are watching closely. The more you practice, the more relaxed and genuine you will sound. It then becomes easier and more natural to tell your story.
The interviewers also want to see that you can tell your story, without getting side-tracked or distracted. They do this because it can tell them how you would potentially communicate as an employee of their company. Also, how you might communicate if there was a problem or a disagreement. Or even when you simply want to share your knowledge or opinion.
You can also try using a condensed version of this as your elevator pitch at networking events, when you meet new people. It is a great way to tell people what you do and what you are good at.
Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
Alternatively, if you are feeling overwhelmed or are unsure where to start and need help with?EVERYTHING?click?here
Change Manager | Career Management | Simulation | Leadership Development | Digital Nomad
3 年Great article Angela. So important to help them understand who you are and how your experience translates into their environment
Sensitive GenX mum (with special needs parents) ????♂?????I bring community support around those caring Superheroes ??♂? ??♀? This contributes to wellbeing, fun & connection ??????
3 年Being a woman, I know I really struggle with talking about me. I have never had a job where I was directly responsible for P&L and the value, the energy, care, nurture I bring to any environment is like oxygen. Nobody notices it until it is gone... There is no simple way to communicate this in figures, and sometimes I had to use my figure to “show” not tell my value. This has been the reality for me, Angela. Not sure what other women’s experiences have been like. This is also what’s made me finally take notice and accept my writing gift and life in accordance with my creative flow and talk about my period, because it has a significant impact on what my mood is going to be like and how much energy I will have to get things done.
Senior MS 365 Dynamics 365 CE Consultant
3 年I never thought like this. Very useful tips. Thanks Angela
Executive Coaching and Communications Expert | Founder, Author & Keynote speaker
3 年The hardest question of all!
Career & Interview Coach at Mindful Careers ??Empowering You With Career & Job Search Strategies to Land Your Ideal Job??
3 年Contact me to discuss how I can help you nail that job interview and get the job offer. [email protected]