Free Career and Job Search Advice

superman180 · New User Joined: 08 Mar 2009 Posts: 5 Career Advice: +0/-0

I live in the United Stated Cincinnati,Ohio

I wanted to know what would be the best response to the question
tell me about yourself

Randy · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:16 am Post subject:

I've endured hundreds of interviews. I've answered it from my heart and by trying all the "expert advice" and conventional wisdom.

If there's a next time, my answer will be:

"I don't understand the question. Could you be more specific?"

Mark McCormick · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject:

Hi Superman180,

This is a softball question that all savvy interviewers love to get. The reason is that it lets you quickly define who you are and is often done at the beginning of the interview. This can be a tremendous advantage as it helps you make the first impression. I recommend that you do not make the mistake of thinking they are asking about your life story. This will be time wasted that could be better spent on you selling how you are a good fit for the job. Instead, I would tailor it around how you are good fit for the job. Basically, you want to craft about a 30 second answer about how your background has led up to this point and makes you a good fit.

For example, if you are interviewing for a finance job and a recent college graduate. You could say that you went to college and majored in finance where you got 3.5 GPA. You learned in your classes that you really enjoyed accounting because you could see the importance of having the debits and credits line up. This coupled with your experience at the Bank One Internship made you think that a finance career in banking would be great fit because of your interest in accounting and the impact that proper investing had everyday people. Then you can say, "I am very detail-oriented, but I also like to go running. I have plans of running a marathon later this summer."

This is a pretty good answer because it
1. Highlights some strong points of the candidate:
-Finance major
-High GPA
-Internship at bank.

2. States how they fit another criteria of the job description. In this case, I am saying it is detail-oriented. Your answers to the questions should mirror what they are looking for in the job description.

3. Tell something fun about yourself.
This can be unique as long as it isn't controversial like political and pc. This is helpful because it shows you are well rounded. This will often create a conversation piece. Basically, you just want to choose a hobby you do that you would enjoy talking about in an interview. This should never be the main part of your tell me about yourself answer, but it is a nice throw in that shows you are human.

Now, the best way I can suggest you answer your question is to look at your strengths as a candidate and tailor your response in a way that it mentions those. The trick is not to go too deep with your response. Recognize that you will have time to go in depth with other interview questions like: give me your 3 greatest strengths or other behavioral interview questions.

Hope this helps,
Mark McCormick

For example, you can start with where you went to college
http://www.interviewquestionsandanswers.org

zozo515 · Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2009 Posts: 2 Career Advice: +0/-0

Well, you should say that if you really don't understand the question.

Here's an article that meay help you with tihs situation: http://nicolewilliams.com/getahead/the-toughest-interview-questions

JOBSEARCHNINJA · Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 4:29 am Post subject:

Basically you have to tell where you finished your studies, the course you took up and the year you graduated. Also your previous work experience from other companies. If you have any affiliation or organization that you joined in.

You may also express you skills and other qualification needed for the position that you're applying for.

Are you a job hunting ninja?

kawn · New User Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 9 Career Advice: +0/-0

Most important thing to remember which isn't at all a secret but people always forget is that you should always focus on your strengths. Learn to twist questions around, don't give them reasons to pick someone over you.

If you're still struggling even with all this great help then I'd suggest you read over the '10 Sins of Interviewing' it's completely free I'd be more then happy to send you my copy over. It really helped me tons. Drop me an email at teamkon@live.ca if you're interested. Best of luck with your next one!

Jennifer107 · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject:

Thought you might find this helpful...

Here is what to do if you are asked the all too common interview question "Tell me about yourself"...

"Be prepared to answer, because it's an all-too-common tactic. Actually, this is your perfect cue to provide a 30-second overview of your experience that relates to the position, followed by one of the following two questions:

* "What part of my background would you like to discuss first?" or
* "What do you feel are the most important skills someone must bring to this position?"

Again, you're using your power to direct the interview in a way that benefits your candidacy."

http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/188/how-to-handle-6-dumb-things-interviewers-do.cfm

Good Luck on your interview...Jen

uttam_giet

Try to introduce some of your most important employment-oriented skills as well as your education and accomplishments to the interviewer. Answer to thie question is very important because it positions you for the rest of the interview. That's why this statement is often called the " Positioning Statement".

One should take the opportunity to show his/her communication skills by speaking clearly and concisely in an organized manner. Since there is no right or wrong answer for this question hence it is important to appear friendly.

The answers can be:

1) I am a person with strong interpersonal skills and have the ability to get along well with people. I enjoy challenges and looking for creative solutions to problems.

2)Besides the details given in my resume, I believe in character values, vision and action. I am quick in learning from mistakes. I am confident that the various tests that you have conducted will corroborate my competencies aptitude and right attitude for the job.

For more answers, visit :

http://uttambpt.blogspot.com

Nathan-land-that-job · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:22 pm Post subject:

I think this may have been mentioned above, but when telling simeone about yourslef describe your skills and traits that make you suitable for the position.

The Interviewer will not be looking for your life story.

The secrets to landng the job you desire: www.land-that-job.com

Randy · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 5:34 pm Post subject:

So putting all that into blue-collar lingo, the answer--the truthful answer, not the one which is an exercise in semantics--is this:

"You've looked over my resume and application and have concluded I have all the requisite skills, training, and education required for this particular position. The only possible reason for me sitting across from you and having this conversation is for you to determine whether or not you like me as a person. And as long as I tell you exactly what you want to hear in exactly the way you want to hear it, you and I both will pretend it's the truth when, deep in our souls, we both know this is a silly game of pretense and bullshit, meaningless, and of no value whatsoever except to make you, personally, feel really good about yourself by having a total stranger sit across from you and go through the motions of validating your feelings of self-worth."

See? I can't do it, won't do it, and refuse to work for anyone who truly believes that these "strategies" and sincere, honest, and truthful.

If this is the crap being taught in business schools and colleges then no one should be the least bit surprised to see "big business" crumbling in this country.

God, I miss the days when "Tell me a little about yourself" meant exactly that, your "self," YOU, as a person, a living human being...

Oh, never mind....

Just thinking of the countless corporate zombies I encounter every day who actually practice this nonsense. Makes my day by pitting who I "am" against who they pretend to be....

Back to the regular scheduled program.... Rolling Eyes

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