Tell Me What About Yourself When Interviews.

If the prospect of your next job interview is playing on your mind, then this is going to be the most important message you'll read today, because in the next few paragraphs, I'm going to tell you exactly what you need to do to make any hiring manager desperate to employ you!

If you've ever walked out of an interview with your head down and your shoulders up, you’ll know what I'm talking about. It’s that gut wrenching certainty that you've blown that one shot at your dream job – the interview.

What went wrong? Your resume matched the job perfectly, your skills and achievements were second to none but you messed up so badly on the questions – and why was the hiring manager sitting there with his arms folded and an expression on his face like you just insulted his mom?

You see, the truth is...in today’s fiercely competitive job market where every vacancy attracts countless applicants, it is vital to stay ahead of the competition. 

Here why...

Tell me about yourself

The ‘tell me about your self’ interview question should be expected in most interviews, and it is usually one of the first questions that the hiring manager will pull out of the bag. It seems like a fairly informal question, but knowing how to describe yourself in a concise and positive way will set the tone for the rest of the interview, so don’t drop your guard!

When answering this question, avoid telling your life story. What the hiring manager really wants to know is how you feel your life experience is relevant to the position you have applied for. Before you attend the interview, have a think about your highest achievements and consider how you could apply those to the job you are being interviewed for.

Don’t aimlessly chatter away about your hobbies and interests.

Do include specific achievements from your past which are relevant to this job. This can include work-place achievements, educational achievements and relevant out of work activities.

Do pick two or three of your achievements to talk about. Any more than that is overkill.

Sample response:

‘I belong to a debating society which I attend in my free time. From this I have learnt very strong negotiating skills which have served me very well during the last three years working as a Sales Manager. 

As a result, I recently won a big contract for my employer which will ensure our sales targets are exceeded for this financial quarter. While working for a previous employer, I introduced an innovative sales method which resulted in my sales team achieving their annual sales targets six weeks before the deadline and earning the whole team a bonus.

Sample questions and answers

Here are some sample questions and answers taken from my best-selling interview guide:

What do you do in your spare time?

This question is used for two reasons. Firstly, it is usually asked at the beginning of the interview as a gentle 'ice-breaker' to help you relax. Secondly, it helps the interviewer get a fuller idea of what type of person you are by discovering what your hobbies and leisure interests are.

Your answer should be honest, but think about any hobbies you may have which are relevant to the job you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a sales position then mentioning that you play a competitive team sport would support your application.

Sample response: 'I like to spend time with my family and friends, but I am also a huge sports fan. I enjoy the excitement and competitive edge that comes with playing team sports. I think because I have such a goal orientated personality, it is why I enjoy working in sales so much.'

How do you handle criticism of your work?

Most supervisors and line managers have the occasional bad day when they'll find fault with your work, whether it's justified or not. The interviewer is trying to assess your view of your temperament. Do not respond by saying 'Tell them they are wrong'; that suggests someone who is not open to another opinion! Likewise, don't suggest you take it in your stride; no-one enjoys being criticized.

Sample response: 'Naturally, if I have put extensive time and effort into a project, it is not easy to be told that I've made mistakes or that my work is not up to scratch. I would obviously be concerned and ask my manager to explain why and where my work is not up to standard. I would reflect on those comments and incorporate them into future projects. If I felt I did not agree in areas I would politely explain why.'

Where do you see yourself in five years' time?

Depending on where you are in your job search and how many interviews you’ve endured unsuccessfully before this one, you may not particularly care where you are going to be in five years’ time (besides that may be the year you’ve penciled in a world cruise!). That’s not what the employer wants to hear. The response they are looking for is a forward thinking career plan that demonstrates logical, clear and achievable thinking. Similarly, do not say ‘I’m after your job’.

Sample response: ‘With my skills, achievements and experience I would anticipate growing within this company. In five years, with the appropriate opportunities and training, I would hope to be employed in a management or team leader role which would both challenge me and enable me to coach, encourage and mentor other members of staff’.

Which company did you least enjoy working for?

One of the golden rules in an interview is not to criticize any of your previous employers. While you may have explained that you made errors in taking roles in the past, you’ve personally accepted responsibility for that error. All jobs are a part of your career growth and present an opportunity to learn. If you criticize your former employers, it will, as we have said previously, reflect back on to you.

Sample response: ‘Every single one of my positions has been a learning experience, although I did accept one job for the wrong reasons. Each role has given me the opportunity to learn valuable lessons about myself and my career and I’m grateful for the continuing chances to evolve in my career’.

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