One of the most common and difficult questions asked during an interview or at a job fair is...

Can you tell me about yourself?

Similar questions are: -Why should we hire you? -Why do you want the job? -What is it about us that makes you want to work here?

Just know that employers are not looking for you to actually tell them about your personal life, like your favorite shows or how awesome your spouse is. They are expecting you to tell them about yourself while giving them a brief overview of who you are, professionally speaking.

You should be ready with a one-minute answer that summarizes where you are in your career, generally with an emphasis on your most recent job while highlighting your strengths.

Answer these 5 questions to help yourself plan what to say and impress employers!

1- What are the three strongest reasons I am a great fit for this job?

2- What are some positive things I can say about the company, and how can I connect what they do with what I can bring to them?

3- Why do I really want this job beyond having a steady paycheck and perks?

4- What are three AWESOME things I did in my previous position that I can also offer in this new role?

5- What is the EXACT job description (make sure to write it down) and how do MY skills match up with it? Be as specific as possible!

Answering these questions will help you feel prepared to go in with some great things to say.

Have questions? Need some help? Please ask and comment below!

Check out these tips to make sure you are ready for the job fair on March 5th!

It's coming soon!

-Lay out your clothing the night before. By planning ahead you don’t have to scramble trying to find something in the morning. Also, be sure it's clean and wrinkle-free. Check out some tips on what to wear [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/60d77b2f-6640-5331-8816-dca310ec58bf?from=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.jobcase.com%252Fcommunity).

-Grab those resumes. Pack at least 50 copies and place them in a folder, or notebook and then tuck them away in a bag. Just make sure your resumes are easily accessible when an employer requests a copy, so you don't have to go digging for it!

-Eat a good breakfast. It’s true what they say, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. It will fuel your brain/body first thing and last until lunchtime! When in doubt bring a snack to eat later to help keep you energized!

-Go to bed early. Even if you’re a night owl, put on those pj’s and climb into bed early enough the night before so you get a full 8 hours. You will look rested tomorrow and feel much calmer and more focused.

-Get to the fair on time. Plan how you will get there (bus, train, Lyft, sharing a ride, or driving yourself) and how long it will take with Google maps. If you can, arrive a little bit early to calm your nerves and take a lap around the room.

-Practice your pitch a few times that morning. Whether it’s in the shower or on the ride over, say it a few times so you build up that confidence! What will you say in 20-30 seconds to grab that employer’s attention?

-Know that company’s mission/culture. If you haven’t researched it yet, take some time to see what they are all about and jot down some notes! Remember, your pitch should be tailored to what YOU bring to that company based on what they do.

-Nervous? If you are not sure what to say when you first meet an employer, use a few of these [conversation starters] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/6d46f61d-c53b-5ec5-9d7c-69cc61713f6a) to get things rolling!

For all of those in the Cincinnati area wishing to attend the fair on March 5th, grab all the info and [register here] (https://www.jobcase.com/cw-job-fair)!