How to answer when asked: 'Tell us
more about yourself'
How do you
answer the most frequently asked question - Tell us more about yourself!
One question
that interviewers always ask candidates is 'Tell us about yourself'. It might
sound mundane, but it is actually the most challenging question to answer, as
there is no strict premise and clarity as to what the interviewers want to know
and what you should tell them. Usually, when such an all-encompassing question
is asked, it requires an answer that gives out information pertinent to the job
you have applied for and not mere reading out of your CV.
The way to
master this free hand query is to script the answer beforehand. You can and
should rehearse this answer as well. This is one of the first few questions
asked and it strongly influences the rest of the conversation. You can actually
control the flow of your interview though this answer. It might be an uphill
climb if you try and answer on the spot in superlatives and one of the
interviewers picks on one particular word or hobby and you are found wanting.
You should not fumble your way through a vague answer, not focusing on what you
bring to the job.
Script
It
The first step in preparing this answer is to think about what you want the interviewer to know about you. For this, work on a script that includes the information you want to convey. Begin by talking about your experiences and proven success. Next, mention your strengths and abilities. Conclude with your current situation and what you are looking for in your next job. A great answer will address your primary selling points for this job in terms of the number of years of experience in a particular industry or areas of specialization, special training and technical skills and why you are interested in this position right now. Focus on the qualifications in the job description and how you meet and exceed the requirements. You can wrap up your answer by indicating why you are looking for a new challenge and why you feel this role is the best next step.
Ideally, limit
the answer to a few lines where the first sentence should be an introduction
about who you are professionally, an overview statement that shows off your
strengths and gives a little sense of your personality too. This is not easy to
do gracefully on the fly. It pays to prepare a bit in advance. The 4-5 lines
should focus on your skill sets that make you stand apart. Do no assume that
the interviewer has closely read your resume and knows your qualifications. Last
two lines should focus on why you are there and why you want the position.
Rehearse
It
After the script is ready, practice it until you feel confident about what you want to emphasize. Elaborate on the focal points which have to be the strengths you have that are pertinent to the job (experiences, traits and skills) and you take pride in. Your script should help you stay on track, but you do not need to mug it up as it just ends up making you look stiff. You should appear natural and conversational. Just remember, sell yourself as a product and perfect the pitch for it. This question gives you the perfect opening to set the tone and emphasize on your strengths without sounding boastful.
Some points to
keep in mind while answering this tricky question are as follows:
Do not be too
candid and give out too much information. You are meeting an interviewer, not a
friend.
Do not be
negative about your experiences. Nobody likes negative people around them. Talk
about your learnings and have a positive outlook.
Do not be vague as that will make it look like you are interested in any job and not this job in particular
Do not be vague as that will make it look like you are interested in any job and not this job in particular
Do not be
vague as that will make it look like you are interested in any job and not this
job in particular
Do not try to
squeeze in too much information or your interviewer will start to tune out. You
will have time later to walk through your resume in more detail and fill in any
gaps.
Do not waste
the opportunity by simply diving into a long recitation of your resume
A good
interview is a dialogue, not a monologue. Keep it concise and give your
interviewer the chance to dive in and ask questions.
Talk about
your hobbies, but not generic things like 'I love dancing or singing'. Relate
it to your overall character and how it has contributed to your growth.
A concise,
enthusiastic response that summarizes your big-picture fit for the job will
surely increase your chances of landing it.
Source | https://economictimes.indiatimes.com
Regards
Pralhad
Jadhav
Senior Manager @
Knowledge Repository
Khaitan &
Co
Twitter Handle | @Pralhad161978
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