“Tell me about yourself.” You hear it in almost every job interview, but answering it never gets easier. Do you mention your trip to Italy and love of classic rock, or focus instead on the research project you worked on in college and the software you are developing in your spare time?
Unfortunately, answering this question requires you to blend the personal and the professional. The interviewer wants to get a sense of who you are as a person, but they are interviewing you for a job, not a roommate opportunity. There is no right answer, and every person will answer differently, but there are some broad strategies you can use to tell your interviewer what he wants to hear.
Always Have an Answer Ready
There are lots of right ways to answer this question and only one response that is completely wrong. Never reply by saying “What do you want to know?” This suggests that you are unprepared for the interview and unable to think on your feet, both qualities that reflect poorly on you as a potential employee.
Focus on What’s Important
The interviewer isn’t interested in where you were born or what your favorite food is. Ultimately, they are only interested in information that directly relates to your professional performance. Everything else is irrelevant, and diving into your life story can make you seem rambling and unprepared.
That being said, you shouldn’t just recite your resume. The interviewer is looking for information they don’t already have, especially as it relates to your soft skills, professional values, and recent work history. Many experts recommend treating the answer like the trailer for a movie. Use it to highlight some of your best qualities, and to introduce information that you will discuss in more detail later.
Mention Your Biggest Accomplishments and Successes
You are the one answering the question, so use the opportunity to bring up what’s most impressive about you. The opportunity might not come up again later, and this is your chance to make it a part of the conversation, and to focus the interview on your best qualities.
No matter what answers you give, remember that your goal is to stand out and be memorable. It’s not enough to say “I got good grades.” Be specific, and frame all of your responses in a way that sets you apart from everyone else being interviewed.
One final piece of advice – be brief. Your answer should take less than a minute and focus on 2-4 key points.
For 20 years, The Squires Group has strived to be leading staffing provider throughout Annapolis, MD. If you’re looking for additional help and assistance with your job search, contact our experienced team of recruiters and let us put our expertise to work for you!
