So…tell me about yourself”
One of the hardest questions that you might be asked during a job interview seems also one of the simplest. It seems easy because it feels a bit like a free pass: no pre – stetted scenario, no requesto for real-life examples, no technical challenge. But it only seems simple…
Receiving such an open invitation lead more through more obstacles…because you are not given any direction for your response, just a bank, clue – free page.
At this point your mind can formulate a myriad of internal considerations:
Let’s see if we can answer to some of your questions
What your prospect interviewer most needs from you is a point, how can I best fill the needs of this role, not a book report, just some key points to better identify myself and my person.
Be More Than Your Bio
Nailing the “Tell me more about yourself” question starts with realizing that your interviewer already knows your job history thanks to your resume. So, performing a monologue based on your working history is pointless, remember that job interviews are more about making strong matches than providing qualifications. If you weren’t qualified, you wouldn’t be in that room and in that situation.
This is also not the time to reveal personal information about your life, like your family life, recent vacation, and puppetry obsession. That can come later, when the interview is winding down. For now, take the greatest advantage of this early moment by making a substantial first impression. (Even if you both love puppets, that will only go so far in getting you the job).
Identify the organization’s need focus on phrases like “required,” “must have,” and “highly desired” mean what they say, so highlight those in your planning. Pay particular attention to items under headers like “What We Are Looking For” and “What We Need.” Those are obviously direct hits. The tone of a job description can tell you a lot as well. Descriptions that are written cleverly, sound personal, or other hides a bunch of sense of humor, a very formal job posting might indicate a conservative workplace where people are expected to be serious about the work.
Fill the Need, ones that you have identified the job requirements and the right tone to use, pick a story from you professional life that illustrates you filling that particular need in another situation. Feel free to embellish the details to strengthen the match, but don’t fabricate the primary elements. Assume they can smell a lie or gross exaggeration from a mile away, whether they can or can’t.
Practice your story by telling it loud, as if in response to a question. This will help you to be sure about what you are saying and to not mumble the answer. Practicing out loud is the key.Putting It All Together and articulate a dialogue that puts together the organization’s need and your skills in that spot with a relevant story should do more than just widen eyes in the room. It should also put you head and shoulders above the other applicants. Why? Because, unlike them, you didn’t just tell them about you; you pointed out why you matter to them.
