FollowThis is one question most people dread, so why do interviewers ask it?
Some interviewers use it to try to make you feel comfortable, while they shuffle through their interview questions to get to what they really want to ask. Some interviewers use it to see how you communicate. Others use it to see how you sell yourself, and whether you have done your research on the role, on yourself and on the company.
To be honest, I think it’s a bit of a lazy question.
It doesn’t put people at their ease. People are generally nervous at the start of the interview, and tend to blurt out whatever comes to mind, even if they have prepared for the question. Then they worry about the impression they make. That nervousness can carry over into the rest of the interview.
So how should you prepare?
First of all, don’t rabbit on too long.
“Tell me about yourself”, will never be the only question the interviewer asks. It’s the umbrella question before they get to the specifics they want to know. You have, however, only one chance to make a positive first impression. So you want to answer this question in a powerful way.
I’ve recently updated this blog with new examples and tips.
Click through here to find tips and examples to help you answer this question in a way that will make the interviewer lean forward and say “tell me more” and help propel the interview in a direction that you want to take it.
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Karalyn is the Founder of InterviewIQ and chief champion for all her clients. Get personal coaching to make 2023 your most successful year yet. Check out our job search booster services here>>Give me smarter ways to find a job .
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Interview tips – How do you answer “tell me about yourself†in a job interview? http://twrt.me/21mlu via @InterviewIQ
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Interview tips – How do you answer “tell me about yourself†in a job interview? http://ow.ly/5LYL6 via @interviewIQ
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This was just very professional feedback from Karalyn and really appreciate the thought process .
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