Congrats, you got the interview. You read up on the company, researched their competitors, you feel like you know everything about them and you really want this job. You sit down, ready to impress by dropping in and sharing all your newly gained knowledge and the first question is: Tell us about yourself…
Yes, one that is most commonly asked as an opener. One you can expect and one to prepare for. Here, an interviewer is not interested in your entire life story and essentially wants to hear a few key points about yourself that make you the right fit.
Not an easy question.
Our quick tip: Be prepared. Have an elevator pitch prepared. Tailor it to the specific position you are interviewing for, get across why you feel you are the right person for the job because ultimately it’s the reason you’re in the room. Use it to your advantage, make the most of it. Sell yourself. Expect it and be prepared.
So practically, consider what you would say within 3 minutes max to explain where you are at at the moment as a professional, then move on to the past and explain your professional journey and educational basis that helped you get to where you are now. In this bit make sure to focus on all your experience and skills that make you a great fit for the position you are interviewing for.
Move on to the future, talk about where you are heading and what your ambitions are.
Then top it all off with who you are as a person, what makes you tick and why you’d be a good person to be around and have in the team.
You see, this seemingly casual question can be a great opportunity to impress from the outset and it also gives you a great basis to refer back to in the end of the interview should they ask if you would like to add anything. Close the loop by referring back to it (without repeating it).
