Starting to prepare for your professional interviews? Don't forget to cover all the possible topics Have you already prepared an answer to the tell me about yourself question? It is often asked at new graduate interviews. Do you know what you will say when confronted with this question? Do you know what the employer wants? I am sure you are working hard on the answers for all the expected questions, such as communication, strengths and weaknesses, team player, leadership and interpersonal skills. It is important that you add the question tell me about yourself. The tell me about yourself question is commonly used to make you feel at ease. The assumption is you feel more comfortable starting with a subject you know about. In reality it has the opposite effect because most people find it the hardest interview question to answer. As a trainer when I ask my clients the tell me about yourself question they find it confronting, embarrassing and are never quite sure what to say and how to start. Don't put yourself in that situation start preparing for the tell me about yourself question now.
The answer should be clear and to the point 30 seconds is good
Include an achievement in your answer - proves the point
Like all your other answers, practice your answer until you feel comfortable
Adapt your answer to suit the job you are being interviewed for
Present your answer with confidence and a smile
Stay tuned for more tips on how to handle with confidence that question of Tell me about yourself.
About Deborah Barit
Deborah Barit is a Sydney based author, trainer, consultant and Director of Impressive Interviews who specialises in training individuals and groups for job interviews. She has successfully placed clients from professions as diverse as health, law, IT, senior management and the arts in positions of their choice. For the last 15 years she has specialised in training doctors for medical specialty selection interviews and more recently consultants for senior roles.
Prior to this, her career has included selection and recruitment both in Australia and overseas, labour market research, evaluation of government-funded programs and working with disability employment services. She holds a Bachelor of Economics Degree from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations form UTS.
Deborah is a member of the Australian Institute of Training and Development,