“Tell me about yourself” may seem like an easy success for an interview question. After all, you know all about yourself. When you go for an interview the first thing that a recruiter asks is “Tell me something about yourself’ whether it is a proper interview, a WhatsApp chat with your potential employer, or a short conversation with a company CEO. Somehow, it is a tricky question that no one can answer without preparation. Finding a suitable job during the era of recession is next to impossible, so when going for an interview one should be ready to answer the open-ended questions.
Why Do Interviewers Ask, “Tell Me About Yourself”?
The main reason behind conducting a job interview is to get to know the candidate as a person and as an employee. Interviewers move from small talk to technical and behavioral questions using the “Tell me about yourself” interview.
Interviewers want to assess your ability to communicate clearly and professionally. It freezes the first time it is installed and gives a bad impression. Interviewers want candidates to be able to answer questions naturally to show that they are prepared and care about the interview. A smart reply to an open-ended question helps you stand out in a job interview. A recruiter gets an instant reply in a video call interview or a phone call, one should be equally prepared in an in-person interview.
How to Answer a Recruiters Question “Tell Me About Yourself”
The way you answer ‘Tell me about yourself’ largely depends upon the rest of the interview and how it went. As you prepare your answers you should create an impressive fact-based story about yourself, that you can tell in the shortest possible time like a minute or two. if you follow the following steps it might be helpful for you in answering such questions.
Mention Your Work Experience And Accomplishments
Start by reviewing your job description. Please focus on the skills needed for the job and identify recent behaviors demonstrating them. Check out the STAR method for practicing telling great stories in interviews. It can mostly refer to recent work experience but also reflect previous volunteer work and other relevant experiences to support your account.
Consider How Your Current Job Relates to the Position You are Applying For
You may talk about your current job and share your experience with that job posting, but if you are applying for a better position, you should narrate that your current position has much more responsibilities. If you are moving to a designation with different skills, tell your potential employer how your existing skills will help you in your new role. If you have any confusion doing it you can ask CV makers in Dubai for guidance.
Focus on Strengths and Skills Supported By Examples
As you begin scripting each example, focus on quantifiable details and results where possible. For example, imagine you want to discuss how you improved customer service at your previous job. Instead of just stating that you have improved your customer service, you can corroborate your example by stating that your customer service response rate improved by 10-15% quarter over quarter.
Emphasize Your Individuality
“Tell me about yourself” is meant to get to know you, so it’s a good idea to tell the interviewer what kind of person you are. You may want to briefly mention hobbies that demonstrate your intellectual development or emphasize your involvement with the community. These hobbies may include reading, music, volunteering, or playing team sports. You can also discuss hobbies demonstrating personal discipline and a sense of accomplishment.
Pay Attention to the Format of Your Reply
To keep your answers clear and concise, you can organize your answers according to a format or formula. Two general formulas can be considered.
- Present, past, future
- Past, Present, Future
Both formulas work best according to the job seeker’s requirements. From the above-mentioned formulas you can choose the one that suits your job requirements for which you are trying. For example, if your most recent designation highlights most of the qualifications and skills required for your desired post, your current job post is a good place to start. But if you’re considering switching your career and your experience is more applicable to the job than your current job engagements, your experience may be a good place to start.
No Need to Strain Yourself
Most people react to this as if they were writing a thesis on their resume, but that would only make the interviewer sick. It’s not about just entertaining and captivating the interviewer. It is also helpful with how to speak in meetings with your colleagues, bosses, and customers. Do you go on rambling for 10 minutes whenever someone asks you a somewhat open-ended question?
The optimal length to answer this and other interview questions has not been scientifically proven. Some trainers and recruiters advise him to limit his time to 30 seconds or less, while others say he should aim for 1 minute or speak no more than 2 minutes.
