The most feared question during any job interview: “Can you tell me about yourself?”
When interviewing for a new job (unless you’re interviewing with your father-in-law) you will be asked the inevitable question “Can you tell me about yourself?”
You’re probably thinking…”what a boring, vague, open-ended question.”
The fact is, as one of the top executive recruiters, we ask candidates that very question. So, you can be sure companies are also going to ask in the interview process.
There are really two essential elements behind the answer any interviewer is really looking for.
- First, the way you answer the question is important. The interviewer cares less about your answer to this question and more about the confidence, enthusiasm and passion with which you answer it.
- Secondly, the speed of the response is important. The biggest mistake you could make is pausing, stalling or fumbling at the onset of your answer, thus demonstrating a lack of self-awareness and self-esteem.
Ultimately it’s about answering quickly, it’s about speaking creatively and it’s about breaking people’s patterns.
A recent blog post by the self-help site wikiHow listed some ways to prepare for this interview question. Tips included; picking out the skill, abilities, and interests you think might appeal to your potential employer, developing your “elevator pitch” detailing ambitions and personality, being heart-felt in your answer, and practicing your answer with a friend.
At Key Corporate Services, our specialists will advise you as you prepare for that important interview. That way, you’ll answer each interview question with relevant, interesting and concise explanations that make the already bored interviewer look up from his stale coffee and think, “Wow! That’s the best answer I’ve heard all day!”
From The Key Corporate Services Blog Team
