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Mastering the "Tell Me About Yourself" Question in Job Interviews

Mastering the "Tell Me About Yourself" Question in Job Interviews

Part 5

By Sami Bsoul

 

I know it is hard for me to predict who you, my mysterious reader, are, but it is not hard for me to tell you that if this is the first question you are asked, then the ball is now in your court. This is a typical question that is frequently repeated in interviews. Your answer will depend on various factors, but you are the one who knows yourself best.

Start with your latest/current role. You do not need to mention what you did last summer during your vacation since your interviewer

or future employer already has your resume. During these few moments, be brief, clear, and show them who you really are. This is your chance to be unique and mention something new about yourself that you would like your future employer to know.

Example

If you are currently employed in another company and doing a similar job to the one you applied for, briefly mention what you do at your current company. However, keep in mind that your answer should not contain any confidential information from your current or previous jobs, and you should be fully honest.

If you feel uncomfortable answering the question, especially if you are currently unemployed or have been for some time, don't worry. You can talk about your latest relevant job/s, being specific about the tasks and responsibilities that relate to the position you are applying for now.

If the question is relevant to your current employment status, you can answer accordingly. For example, if you are currently employed, your answer might be: "I am currently working as (mention your position)."

If you are currently unemployed, your answer could be: "My most recent job role was (mention your position), and I resigned from that position." Then, you can mention what you have been doing in the meantime to show that you have been productive and proactive. Your interviewer is not expecting you to be unemployed for an extended period, so it's essential to be honest about what you have been doing since your previous job. Avoid giving the impression that you have been sitting at home doing nothing.

You could say, "I have been working on my personal development and recently completed a new degree (or some other educational program)." This will show that you have been productive and proactive, even if you haven't been working. You could also mention any other accomplishments or projects that you have been working on.

It's essential to highlight the positive things you have been doing lately, even if you haven't been employed. Your interviewer wants to know that you are a productive and motivated person. You can then continue by giving a brief background about yourself, focusing on your relevant skills and experience that make you the ideal candidate for the position.

"My most recent job in the last few years/months was (mention your position). I started as (mention your best work experience that is relevant to the job you are currently applying for), as I knew this would be my career path and what I wanted to do most. Soon, I developed skills that enabled me to take on the role of (mention the second role) within the same department. Every year, I progressed to a higher level by taking on new roles, responsibilities, and challenges within the business area (mention the department or division). My latest role was (briefly mention it)."

This response shows that you have a clear career path and have been able to progress and develop new skills throughout your career. It also highlights your relevant experience and shows that you are a motivated and driven individual.

"If you want to showcase your uniqueness, you can mention that, in addition to understanding the processes flow (which should be relevant to the job you are applying for), you have also learned what works and what doesn't work. For example, you may have discovered mistakes in a particular process. No matter what job you do, you will inevitably learn what works and what doesn't. In a way, this is what is called 'risk assessment', and it can be a significant advantage."

 

This response highlights your ability to identify and analyse problems and shows that you are a valuable asset to any team. It also demonstrates your attention to detail and commitment to improving processes.

 

Other relevant examples you may use, include:

Instead of saying "I had a team under my responsibility," you could say "I had the opportunity to demonstrate my leadership skills by managing a team of [insert number of employees here]."

Instead of saying "I was involved in change management," you could say "I performed change management activities."

Instead of saying "I was responsible for implementing improvements," you could say "I implemented improvements in [insert area of responsibility here]."

Remember, in any matter, you do not want to come across as arrogant. You want to feel proud, and that can make a big difference. When it comes to your future employer or interviewers, they will see that you are well-prepared with a good CV, have defined your goals, and gained the skills required to achieve them. Here's some advice on the question "Tell me about yourself": be brief when answering. The interview has just started, but that doesn't mean you should only say one word and wait for the next question to be asked. Rather, you should find a balance between being talkative on some questions and not on others. You should be comfortable with each question and to some degree, the length of your answers. Keep your responses neither too long nor too short.

Note 1: If you were to ask me what I consider more important - skills or passion - I would say passion, without hesitation. If it is possible for you, please do not apply for any job that you do not like. Instead, dare to apply for a job you like or would like to do, even if you do not have all the required skills for it. But please do not apply for a surgical role at a hospital or clinic and then tell me you have a passion to be a doctor, only to be rejected because it was found out that you have never graduated from medical school.

 

When answering the question "tell me about yourself"

Remember

  • Keep it brief and to the point. Avoid rambling and getting sidetracked.

When answering the question "tell me about yourself,"Keep it brief and to the point. Avoid rambling and getting sidetracked.

When answering the question "tell me about yourself," remember to keep your answer brief and to the point. Avoid going off on tangents and rambling, as this can make your answer less effective and memorable.

  • Highlight your relevant skills and experience.

Focus on highlighting your relevant skills and experience when answering this question. Consider how your past experiences have prepared you for the position you're applying for.

  • Tailor your response to the position and company.

Tailor your response to the position and company you're applying to. Highlight skills and experiences that are relevant to the specific job requirements and company culture.

  • Emphasize your achievements and accomplishments.

Emphasize your achievements and accomplishments when answering this question. This will help demonstrate your value and potential contribution to the company.

  • Use concrete examples to illustrate your points.

When answering the question "tell me about yourself," use concrete examples to illustrate your points. This will help make your response more engaging and memorable.

  • Be confident and positive in your delivery.

When delivering your response, be confident and positive. This will help demonstrate your enthusiasm and readiness for the position.

  • Avoid personal information that isn't relevant to the job.

Avoid including personal information that isn't relevant to the job when answering this question. Stick to professional information that highlights your qualifications for the position.

  • Be aware of your body language and tone of voice.

Be aware of your body language and tone of voice when answering this question. Maintain eye contact, speak clearly and confidently, and avoid fidgeting or slouching.

  • Practice your response beforehand.

Practice your response to this question beforehand to help ensure that you're delivering a clear and effective message.

  • End on a positive note and express your interest in the position.

End your response on a positive note and express your interest in the position. This will help demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job and leave a lasting impression on the interviewer. remember to keep your answer brief and to the point. Avoid going off on tangents and rambling, as this can make your answer less effective and memorable.

 

Continue reading here - Why do you want to work here/for us?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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