| No matter how many job interviews you go on, one | | | | 1. Identify the top 3 jobs that you want. Maybe you just |
| thing is sure to remain the same - you will always be | | | | read a job description or you have already sent a |
| asked to "Tell me about yourself". How you answer | | | | resume and cover letter and are waiting on the call. |
| this question, which is usually the very first one out of | | | | Think about these jobs, what they require, what |
| the interviewer's mouth, will set the tone for the entire | | | | relevant experience you have to bring to the table, and |
| interview. You have the power in just a few short | | | | why you should be the one chosen for the job over |
| sentences to stand out from the rest of the | | | | everyone else. |
| interviewees, wow the interviewers, and make an | | | | 2. Imagine the interviewer has just said "tell me about |
| impression that will cause the interviewers to want to | | | | yourself" and that this is only chance you will have to |
| know more. | | | | convince the interviewer that you are the right person |
| So, what can you do to make sure your response to | | | | for this job. Practice your response. Write it down. |
| this question is right on the money? Prepare, know | | | | Make sure everything you say is relevant and speaks |
| what they are looking for and then practice until saying | | | | to why you are the right candidate. If there were |
| it feels like second nature. | | | | some words that were emphasized in the job |
| I was doing a mock interview with a client the other | | | | description, try to weave those into your |
| day and posed this question. He responded by telling | | | | knowledge-based or transferable skills. Make sure that |
| me where he grew up, where he went to high school, | | | | you don't just say you have excellent communication |
| etc. When I asked him how knowing all of this | | | | skills - make sure you explain what having those skills |
| information was going to help me determine if he could | | | | allows you to do/why they are important in a job like |
| do the job at hand he agreed that it probably would | | | | this. If there are terms key to that industry, incorporate |
| not help much at all. | | | | those as well - but don't get too dense. |
| When someone asks you to tell them about yourself | | | | 3. Show your enthusiasm and interest and use direct |
| they are looking for a brief summary of what you | | | | and clear language. |
| have to offer. They want to know how long you have | | | | 4. Leave the interviewer satisfied that you responded |
| been working in the field (work related experience), | | | | thoroughly but also wanting more. |
| where you have worked (types of companies), and | | | | You should know this 1-2 minute personal statement |
| what you consider to be your strengths as they relate | | | | so well that you could tell it to anyone who asked |
| to the job. It is also good to incorporate relevant | | | | (which is critical when you are in the midst of a job |
| knowledge-based skills, transferable skills, and a few | | | | search - you never know who you may meet). |
| personality traits that will make you stand out. Avoid | | | | Having a clear personal statement gives you two |
| using over-used terms such as "hard-worker" and | | | | advantages: 1. It gives the interviewer a clear snapshot |
| "people-person"- they are too generic and not | | | | of who you are and what you want and 2. Having a |
| descriptive enough of something that makes you | | | | well thought out and relevant answer will alleviate |
| unique. | | | | some of the nervousness that goes with interviewing. |
| In order to respond to this question in the best way, | | | | Getting through this question and getting positive cues |
| you have to practice it. | | | | from your interviewer as a result will likely make the |
| Exercise: | | | | rest of the interview go more smoothly. |