RT
An interview is usually difficult for most people. This is a high-pressure situation where you’re trying to showcase yourself in the best light for a job. One question we all dread is the “tell me about yourself” question. Here’s how you can go about answering this question.
Relax
The first thing you want to do is just relax at the interview. If you’re relaxed, you’ll be better able to answer the questions at hand. The job interviewer is really interested in your personality and how you tick so show confidence in yourself by relaxing through the interview.
Prepare Before the Interview
Before you go to the actual interview, prepare for it. There’s many resources online where you can look at common questions asked at an interview and this will give you an idea of how you might respond to any given question. If you take the time to prepare, you won’t be as nervous at the actual interview and you’ll have a good idea of whet the employer wants out of you.
Don’t Tell Them Everything
You don’t want to tell the interviewer your life story here. They are asking for information, but they don’t need to know everything about you. It’s a good idea to stick to the main points about yourself.
Personal Interests
When you answer the question, you’re first thought might be to state job qualifications, but this isn’t the best option. You should let the employer know the kinds of things you like to do when not working. Telling them about hobbies is a good idea and why you like them. If the interest relates to the job that is fine. For example, if you’re a runner and applying to work in an athletic shoe store, that’s a good point to le the employer know about.
If you like reading or puzzles, this shows that you’re an intellectual type of person and this can also help you land the job. Any passion that you have should be discussed with the employer. You might want to avoid discussing hobbies such as ‘wine collecting” or “craft beer enthusiast” as these probably aren’t the best options unless you’re applying for a job in these fields.
Another thing to list would be volunteer work if you’ve done any thing along those lines as employers like the fact that individuals donate their time to various causes as it shows they care for their community and other people.
State Professional Things Too
Once you discuss your personal side, transition to discussing some professional things about you. Maybe you can discuss some project you completed or some other professional achievement. You cab list some strengths that would make you an ideal candidate for the job you’re applying for.
Summary
These are some tips that will help you get over the dreaded “tell me about yourself” question. Just be yourself and let the employer know more about you and what ignites your passion. This will go a along way to helping you land the job you want.
