What did you say?
Chances are you've been asked this classic question on an interview before..."Can you tell me about yourself?"
Why? Well because they want to see what YOU bring to their company. You might be wondering (or tempted) to tell your life story and be more personal, but don’t!
When an interviewer says, "Tell me about yourself," what he or she really wants to know is how your experience applies to the job you're interviewing for.
TIPS:
Stick to talking about what it is you do or have done as it relates to the job. You can think about some past experiences that are relevant to the job you’re applying for, and select 3 or so strengths you possess which you feel are important to the role.
This could be experiences, traits, skills, etc. By discussing these things it will allow your interviewer to know more about you and also cleverly state why you are a good fit for the role.
Selling yourself is key, so always be thinking in the back of your mind, “Would I hire me?”
Let’s take a look at an example:
Interviewer: Ok Joe, can you tell me more about yourself?
Joe: I have been working as a stocker for Target for over 2 years. My most recent experience has been writing and keeping track of inventory orders on our database systems. One reason I particularly enjoyed my position were the challenges that went along with it such as anticipating inventory needs. I also loved that I was able to use my organizational skills daily whether it was through taking inventory or rotating stock.
Next, mention your strengths and abilities:
Joe: My real strength is achieving goals. I pride myself on following through, maintaining company standards, and meeting deadlines. When I commit to doing something, I make sure it gets done, and on time.
Conclude with a statement about your current situation: Joe: What I am looking for now is a company that values commitment, offers a strong team and a place where my work efforts are valued."
Before you head into the interview PLAN what you are going to say. This little speech is called your elevator pitch. Once you have written it down, practice it at home with family, in front of the mirror, or even consider recording yourself. Get comfortable speaking about yourself and why you are a great fit for the company and your confidence will shine through!
What do YOU think is the toughest interview question?
I would always ask that question first when I did the interviewing. Candidates would often tell me things I can't legally ask, such as are you married or how many kids, how old are you They have your resume so you can elaborate, tell how you've been a team player, how you like responsibility, etc
Very good information, my suggestion is to practice answering this question, and other questions, so your ready if they ask it, study the company, read their website, understand what they do, have a good answer about the distance from your house to the work place, My goal is to control the conversation, yes I let them ask questions, but I try to direct where the conversation is going, remember, so many people go into interviews unprepared, and give yes and no answers, they interview is boring, the interview might end and the interviewer, still doesn’t know what your personality is like. Go in, confident, ready and prepared to have a productive interview, actually if you can turn the interview into a conversation, that would even be better, because you want the interviewer to feel like they just met a new friend, or atleast a person they could see as being their friend. And who doesn’t want to work with person that is friendly.
I learned something several years ago while attending a class that taught you about preparing for a looking for a job, I had been with a company for 13yrs and got laid off so the company paid someone to help us with resumes and interviewing. I was a very helpful class.. and I learned something that for me has worked 100% of the time to get the job, now I havent done it 100% of the time, but when I did, i always got the job.
very simple. Thank you cards, Not an email thank you, a rel thank you card. this is the idea lets say me and you(whoever is reading this) are interviewing for the same job, we both have similar qualifications, I get called in first, the interview goes good and i leave then you go in, and you do just as good maybe even a little better, you are the last person on the interviewers mind. but as soon as i left the interview on the way to my car, I see a mail box and I use the address i got from the business card i got from the interviewer and in the card, I write something like " i appreciate you taking the time to day to speak to me about what =ever job" looking forward to hearing from you soon. sign my name clearly." drop it in the mail. in a couple of day that interviewer, has probably interviewed more people, my name and interview and how it went isnt so clear any more and she has to decide who to hire. she has to make the right decision, and sitting on her desk is her job mail along with a thank you card from me. Boom I am back at the front of her thoughts, I did just a little bit more that anyone else and I got the job. THIS DOESNT WORK REAL GOOD WITH EMAILS, a 10pack of thank you cards are cheap probably 5.00 , and buy some that are kinda generic colored, so they can be used for a man or woman. I promise you, not very many people know this, i dare you to ask your friends if they do it, i bet many wont. I promise you will standout as that person that showed you wanted that job more than all the rest.