| One of the most common questions in a job | | | | are to be explored in today's meeting. For |
| interview, yet most commonly fumbled is the | | | | example, some of the biggest benefits we can |
| question "Tell me about yourself?" And yet this is | | | | bring to a company and to a manager are: |
| the easiest answer for someone to present in an | | | | · fast start in terms of proven expertise |
| interview. The question often arises because the | | | | · an independent worker which requires less |
| manager hasn't really reviewed the resume in a | | | | management time |
| lot of detail. So while they are catching up, they | | | | · someone who can take on more responsibilities |
| throw a pop quiz by asking you "tell me about | | | | over time |
| yourself". | | | | · someone who can solve the immediate |
| This question is an open-ended question and the | | | | problem |
| answer is a free form essay which can easily lead | | | | · someone that would help the manager achieve |
| to all kinds of perilous responses. Yet it is also a | | | | their personal agenda |
| huge advantage. You have a gift---an opportunity | | | | · someone who is low risk or high results. |
| to state 2 or 3 of your strongest points and then | | | | C. Then we end with the appropriate steering |
| controlling where the conversation goes next with | | | | question to move the job interview towards our |
| a question at the end. Your answer demonstrates | | | | preferred direction. |
| your ability to communicate on your feet when | | | | Here is a sample for an IT professional: |
| you're thrown a question, your ability to focus, | | | | Sample sentences 1-3; |
| and your ability to clarify your personal interest | | | | Mr. Manager, I've had 20 years of technical |
| and agenda. This common job interview question | | | | background in information technology, a BS in |
| should be answered similar to an "elevator pitch" | | | | computer science with increasing responsibilities |
| with an answer that is clear, bulletized and | | | | from developer, project leader and also a presales |
| relevant to the opportunity. It should be easy to | | | | consultant. My strongest expertise is in the |
| understand and should not generate more | | | | Microsoft technologies including.net development, |
| questions than answers. It should be less than 2 | | | | SQLserver data base and Business Intelligence |
| minutes. | | | | where I have performed all tasks associated with |
| So the key to handling this question in the | | | | defining, developing and implementing custom |
| interview is to prepare the answer before the | | | | Business applications for the Financial Services |
| interview. The manager really doesn't want to | | | | industry. I have received increasing compensation |
| hear about your life history, what you're | | | | and responsibilities in the 4 companies I have been |
| interested in, a long boring sequence of your jobs, | | | | with because I completed my projects in a timely |
| or any ego trips. An absolute disaster occurs if | | | | and reliable manner. My performance ratings were |
| instead of answering the question, you respond | | | | always strong. |
| with hesitancy or confusion and ask "what would | | | | Sample sentences 4-5: |
| you like to hear?" | | | | My personal goals at this point are to find a |
| What they really want to hear is a focused | | | | company where I can build upon this technical |
| summary of relevant bullets that can benefit him | | | | background and bring this expertise to help solve |
| and may help him solve a problem. I say "may " | | | | additional problems as well as add some new |
| because we don't know enough detail at this | | | | experiences. |
| stage of the interview to use the word "can". | | | | Since I've targeted your particular company (or |
| So how do we structure this answer? | | | | When I read your ad), it appears my background |
| Let's say we want to use 5 sentences max and a | | | | will allow me to contribute quickly, get off to a |
| steering question. Here's how we might structure | | | | fast start and take on some responsibility to help |
| it. | | | | the department accomplish its goals. |
| A. If you prepare properly for the job interview, | | | | Sample Steering Question: |
| you've identified keywords for products, | | | | I look forward to sharing additional relevant |
| industries, technologies, tasks and titles can easily | | | | experience with you today but before we start, |
| be used to create bullets in this summary. The | | | | could you give me some feeling for where you |
| first 3 sentences can list some of these | | | | see this role within the department's goals? |
| keywords and expand them with length of | | | | So the key to handling this simple, yet |
| experience (years) or with breadth of experience | | | | treacherous interview question is to be prepared |
| (for tasks or titles). Then add some results and | | | | ahead of time. Pick 3 points and your steering |
| these keywords have now become "bulletized" | | | | question. Structure a very simple 4-5 sentence |
| accomplishments. Do not try to cover the entire | | | | summary of what you bring to the table that is |
| job description. Focus on the 3 major strengths | | | | clear and relevant to the manager and the |
| you feel you bring to the table based on the | | | | opportunity at hand. Do not stray into other |
| keywords. | | | | events. Do not cover the job description in detail. |
| B. Sentences 4 and 5 should be oriented toward | | | | Remember, it is a summary. The manager will get |
| benefits to the manager and areas of possible | | | | to the detail he needs, rest assured. Good luck |
| mutual interest (complementing agendas) which | | | | and good interviewing. |