Tell me about yourself

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 9:33:27 MDT     no comments

Interview question

The interview question “tell me about yourself” is as predictable as Yellowstone’s Old Faithful. You can count on in being asked at some point during the interview process. You just don’t want to be the person who traveled all the way to Wyoming to see a natural wonder and didn’t bother to bring their camera. Be prepared for this interview question! But the fact is many job candidates just aren’t ready. Like deer in the headlights applicants sit frozen with the phrase Holy @#$% echoing through their head without a good interview answer. Sweat starts gathering on their foreheads and adrenaline begins shooting through their veins. Then the typical applicant frantically reaches for their 6th grade vocabulary list. Words like dependable, perfectionist and sincere start rolling off their tongues. Then with great relief they think, “OK, I survived that question”. >

How to answer the ‘Tell Me about Yourself’ interview question:

Below is an example for an Administrative Assistant position.

INTERVIEWER: Tell me about yourself?

GOOD: I’m a good communicator and detail oriented

BETTER: I am from Wyoming. I am married with one little girl. I have been an Administrative Assistant for 5-years and am working towards my bachelors in business administration

BEST: I am from the Wyoming and I am married with one child. I have worked as an Administrative Assistant for 5-years and love it. I am good with coordinating heavy schedules; I am thorough and believe in providing quality, friendly service. I am approachable, responsive and people oriented.

TIP: Align your responses with the job posting. Make your description choices targeted and position relevant. Select descriptive words, and consider using a short phrase. Consider using original word choices. What does Communicative mean? Communication has so many facets such as speaking, listening, presenting, and negotiating. Also, many people use the word detailed. Replace with more meaningful words like meticulous, accurate, or thorough.

March 1, 2011
To contact the author, Marilyn Maslin:

• Email: Marilyn@ResumeFootprint.com

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RFJobTrends