“Tell Me About Yourself.”
This is often the first question hiring managers will ask a potential candidate, regardless of the job position. This is their chance to get to know you personally - outside of what your resume states - and is your chance to make a memorable first impression. If you want to win over the hiring manager with your response, make sure you follow these steps!
STEP 1: Focus on your skills as they pertain to a business challenge
Interviewers aren’t looking for you to give them your biography. As a matter of fact, they’re often pressed for time. Your response should grab their attention by telling them how you can be of great benefit to the employer. You have carte blanche, so be sure to answer in a way that showcases your strengths. Review the job description and relate back to a few challenges you may have faced and how you ultimately solved them.
STEP 2: Tell a story
People love stories! As humans, we are hard-wired to remember stories. Follow up your response in Step 1 by providing an example via a story that demonstrates your ability to solve the problem/challenge you’ve outlined. The story can be drawn from either a professional or personal experience, but it should always relate to the position for which you are applying.
STEP 3: Practice the answer to the question
Practice makes perfect! Since you know this question is coming, the best way to prepare is by practicing your response so much that you can pretty much recite it without too much thought required. This shouldn’t be difficult…you know the topic (you) well! Doing so will accomplish a few things. First, you’ll feel more confident. You won’t be worried about going blank or not knowing what to say next. Second, you’ll ensure that you don’t miss anything. Last, being well prepared about your response will allow you to focus on the most part of any interview: your non-verbal communication. You don’t want to ramble off in a robotic fashion, but memorizing the question will allow you to focus on being enthusiastic, sitting up straight, smiling, and making eye contact!
If you follow these steps, you will undoubtedly make a fantastic first impression and set yourself apart from the other candidates.