How to prepare to talk about yourself during the interview

At Key Corporate Services, our specialists can help you with advise on preparing a resume that reflects your accomplishments and skills.  We know how important it is to show the true value you can bring to a position and to make a good first impression.

However, we can’t go into the interview with you. You are on your own when it comes to answering that all-important question “Tell me about yourself?”  Don’t worry.  While most people really aren’t prepared to answer this question, there are ways to prepare in advance to excel at your answer.

Know this:

What the company is really asking is “tell me about yourself as it relates to the opening I am trying to fill”.  They don’t want to hear your whole life story from childhood to adulthood, unless they have asked for it, so keep your answer relevant to the role you are applying for. It is a good idea to expand on the information that they have seen on your resume.

Take time to share the skills you have been positively noticed for during your career. This will paint a picture of you in the mind of the interviewer that isn’t readily seen on a resume. Highlighting these skills- develop a 15-45 second statement about WHO you are. (Your resume already has told them what you do).

Incorporate key descriptive words in your short pitch like leader, consensus-builder, specialist, subject-matter expert, etc..

Fake it till it becomes natural!

Let’s face it; unless you are Donald Trump, no one feels natural talking about himself or herself. But practice will make you exhibit confidence and set the tone for the entire interview. Follow the practice used by some actors and practice in front of a mirror!  Be careful to speak clearly and slowly, as nervousness tends to make anyone talk unnaturally fast. Perhaps practice in front of a friend or family member.

Remember, when answering the “tell me about yourself” question, making an immediate and memorable impression is key to setting yourself apart from the rest of the competition.

From The Key Corporate Services Blog Team