Interview Questions and Answers – “Tell me about yourself”
Anticipating interview questions and preparing answers for these questions is an important success step if you want to come out on top in the interview process. Many if not most job candidates are under prepared when they sit down for an interview. Those that take the time to prepare interview questions and answers have a decided advantage over their competition.
For example, many job candidates are caught off guard by the question “Tell me about yourself?”
In reality this is a question you want to be asked. It is an invitation for you to deliver an unedited commercial about yourself, one that you have prepared and practiced in advance. What could be more beneficial to the impression you are trying to make than to deliver a precise message about the value you can bring to an organization. In constructing your answer it is important to adhere to the following points;
- Reinforce the value you will bring to the organization. Deliver new information that is not already in your resume or cover letter. Or present your value in a new context so that the hiring manager gains further insight into your substantial abilities. You want to stress that you are results oriented, so give an example.
- Relate something interesting about yourself that is not work related. You want the hiring manager to understand that you are a fine and interesting person. So describe a non controversial activity that you like to participate in outside of work.
- Give your answer with energy and enthusiasm. By delivering your message with conviction you will convey that you are passionate about what you do and what type of person you are. This energy will insure that your answer is not perceived as “canned”.
- Practice your delivery. Your answer should be no longer than one minute. You do not want to ramble. Make your point and let the interview continue. It is important that you practice your delivery out loud, either to another person or a mirror. Get some feedback as to the content and delivery of your message. Is it memorable? This practice will also help you add the enthusiasm to your answer.
Preparing and rehearsing answers to common interview questions will allow you to approach each interview with the confidence needed to convince the hiring manager that you are the right person for the job.