"Tell Me About Yourself" (Oh, Yikes!)

Has the "tell me about yourself" question ever been tossed your way in a job interview? What did you do with it - ramble, freeze, or answer it smoothly?

What usually happens in a job interview situation is you shake hands with the interviewer, take your seat, and then, boom - that dreaded "tell me about yourself" question hits you right out of the chute. Those who've never faced that question will likely take a deep breath and then start sharing their life story from birth to most recent job. The interviewer's eyes will glaze over as he sneaks a peek at his watch. He tries to focus on your words because, after all, you may something that he isn't able to legally ask you about. You, on the other hand, are getting lost in your own words and wondering why this interviewer is even interested in the story of your life.

Or perhaps you are the candidate who freezes when asked to "tell me about yourself." Thoughts of "what is this guy looking for" race through your mind as you search for something - just anything - to say. Should I mention why I left my last job? Should I talk about my college years and how I got that "D" in chemistry because the professor didn't like me? Should I explain how I got my first job because my dad knew the boss? Whatever I say, I need to say it now - I'm running out of time! That interviewer looks impatient. Gosh, I sure hope this interview gets easier!

Hopefully, you'll be the candidate who has prepared for the job interview - the one who knows that the "tell me about yourself" question is the first opportunity to "sell" yourself to this company. You will know that an interview is more about the value you can offer the company than what you need to get from the company. You will take this question and only briefly touch on your career (after all, the interviewer has your resume already, right?) and then bring to the forefront a story or two that demonstrates how you've solved a problem for a past employer that could benefit this potential employer, and how you'd like to contribute your unique skills or talent to better this company.

Now, you have the interviewer's full attention. He's beginning to think he has a credible candidate to assess. And you have already scored points in this job interview.

Bottom line: Don't think this job interview is about you - even if you are asked questions about you. It's about the employer - always. You wouldn't be interviewing if weren't qualified for the job, per your resume. The job interview is a process to screen out qualified candidates. The only way to "win" at the interviewing game is to prepare before you go. Know your career history backward and forward. Know what results you've created for your past employers. And above all else, be able to tell stories that demonstrate your value and problem solving abilities.

Now, go get that job!

Wishing you career success in 2010!

Meg

SPECIAL NOTE: I am honored to be a member of the Career Collective, a group of career experts who will each month share their advice and tips to enhance the management of your career. Please link to their blog posts below. Your comments are invited and much appreciated. Follow our hashtag, #careercollective, on Twitter, as well as follow everyone's individual tweets on this month's topic: What should job seekers do now to prepare for interviews?

Sit Down and Panic. The Interview is Yours @GayleHoward

How to Stand Out in a Job Interview @heathermundell

Avoid These Reference Mistakes @DawnBugni

Unspoken Secrets of Job Interviewing Prep: How Your Nonverbal Presentation and Behaviors Impact the Impression You Make @KatCareerGal

Prep for Interviews Now: Snuff out the Elephant in the Room Later! @chandlee

What Should Job Seekers Do Now to Prepare for an Interview @erinkennedycprw

Take a Ride in the Elevator Before You Interview @barbarasafani

Are You Ready for the Elephant in the Room? @WorkWithIllness

"Tell Me About Yourself" (Oh, Yikes!), @KCCareerCoach

The job interview as a shared narrative @WalterAkana

Prepare your references for job search success @Keppie_Careers

No Pain No Gain In Job Search and Interview Prep @ValueIntoWords

Job searching? Take a cue from the Boy Scouts @LaurieBerenson

Preparing for Career Success Starts with Interviewing the Employers @JobHuntOrg

The Interview: A Well Rehearsed Performance or Hacked Improv? @careersherpa

Comments

[Ken Mattsson]

Meg,

Great post. One of the things I always mention to clients is to answer the question "Why should I (the interviewer) care?" That is lost to most people. the Tell Me About Yourself question is hopefully the interviewee's opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the conversation, and if you can show and connect the needs of the organization with your own story, you've got a winner.

[Kelley Robertson]

Good post Meg.

I would further suggest two additional points:

1. Keep your answer short and concise, preferably under one minute. Focus on highlighting a success story or results you achieved with another company that would relate to this company.

2. After you give your asnwer pause briefly (2-4 seconds) and follow up with a question of your own. Your question should focus on something your research uncovered and that relates to the position you are applying for. For example: An IT specialist could say, "I noticed in the newspaper that you and XYZ company are merging. How is the integration of two different platforms affecting your operations?"

This approach will capture the interviewer's attention, cause them to give you additional information (to fill in the blanks or validate your research) and help you better position yourself as the best candidate.

Cheers!
Kelley

[Jon Jacobs]

I learned the above lessons the hard way - from being on the receiving end of the question (and muffing it, repeatedly, as so many others do when they first encounter it).

But I did learn: http://news.efinancialcareers.com/News_ITEM/newsItemId-20120

[Gayle Howard]

Terrific article as always. Preparation and planning is my mantra! It is the key to succeeding in most things in life. Spontaneous sounds free and terrific, but the reality is that most things work out better when you're prepared!

[Career Sherpa]

Meg:
Great job! Fun to read and engaging post. Thank you for pointing out that all exchanges, whether in a formal interview or networking, are about the other person! Tailoring your words to the needs/concerns/issues of importance to the listener is how to build rapport.
Now,let me tell you about the time when I was 5 and lived in a small town in Connecticut...(only kidding).

[Heather Mundell]

Meg, this is terrific advice for how to master responding to such a common yet tricky question!

I really enjoy your engaging and supportive writing style, too. I think it hits the right notes!

[Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter]

Meg,
Impactful post! I love the 'boom - the dreaded tell-me-about-yourself question hits you right out of the chute.'

As is human nature, when posed such a seemingly 'broad' question, job seekers easily fall into the quagmire of information overload, articulating the inane details of 15, 20 and sometimes even 30 years' experience, much of their response unrelated to the interviewer's needs.

In your usual, cut through the thicket style, you help job seekers identify best practices in effectively and winningly handling a tough interview question.

Thank you for another meaningful post!
Jacqui