Tell Me About Yourself - A Good Answer To This Interview Question

Summary

In this video, a CEO and hiring manager shares expert advice on acing the 'tell me about yourself' interview question. They emphasize that interviewers are seeking to understand the value you bring to the company. The video offers a 'Three S' formula: Success (highlighting your achievements), Strength (discussing your key skills), and Situation (explaining how you fit the role). It also stresses the importance of preparation and practice to ensure a confident delivery, and provides a script template to help job seekers master this crucial interview question.

Takeaways

• 😅 When asked 'tell me about yourself' in an interview, don't panic and remember it's not about sharing your life story.
• 🕵️‍♂️ The question 'tell me about yourself' is really about what value you can bring to the company, not your personal background.
• 💡 Keep your response focused on your professional skills and how they can solve problems or add value to the company.
• 🌟 Be authentic but present your best self, highlighting your strengths and how they align with the job requirements.
• 🗣️ Use the 'Three S' formula: Success, Strength, and Situation to structure your response effectively.
• 📈 Start with Success by mentioning your professional achievements that are relevant to the position.
• 💪 Follow with Strength by discussing your key skills and how they can benefit the company.
• 📍 End with Situation by explaining how your skills and experiences fit the role and contribute to the company's goals.
• ❓ Control the conversation by asking a question at the end of your response, showing your interest and engagement.
• 📝 Memorize and practice your response to ensure it comes across naturally and confidently during the interview.

Q & A

What is the common mistake people make when asked 'Tell me about yourself' in an interview?

People often mistake the question as an invitation to share their entire life story, including personal details irrelevant to the job, which can lead to a lack of focus on their professional value to the company.

Why is it crucial to make a good first impression during an interview?

A good first impression is critical because hiring managers often form their opinions within the first three minutes of the interview, and it's challenging to change that initial perception.

What does the hiring manager actually want to know when they ask 'Tell me about yourself'?

The hiring manager is interested in understanding the value the candidate can bring to the company, including the skills, experiences, and problem-solving abilities relevant to the job.

How should a candidate respond to the question 'Tell me about yourself' to make a positive impression?

A candidate should focus on their professional achievements, strengths, and how they align with the company's needs, rather than sharing personal anecdotes or irrelevant information.

What is the 'Three S' formula mentioned in the script for answering the question 'Tell me about yourself'?

The 'Three S' formula stands for Success, Strength, and Situation. It involves discussing past achievements (Success), key strengths (Strength), and how these apply to the position and company (Situation).

Why is it important for a candidate to be authentic but also strategic in their interview responses?

Being authentic helps build trust, while being strategic ensures that the candidate's responses are relevant and compelling to the hiring manager, showcasing their value to the company.

What is the significance of the acronym W-I-I-F-M in the context of the interview?

W-I-I-F-M stands for 'What's in it for me?' and is used to remind candidates to focus on how their skills and experiences can benefit the company, rather than just sharing information about themselves.

How can a candidate demonstrate their value without coming across as bragging during an interview?

A candidate can demonstrate value by providing concrete examples of their achievements and the impact they had, focusing on the results and the relevance to the job, rather than personal accolades.

Why is it recommended for candidates to memorize and rehearse their interview responses?

Memorizing and rehearsing responses helps candidates to deliver their points confidently and naturally, reducing the risk of nervousness or stumbling during the actual interview.

What is the purpose of asking a question at the end of the 'Tell me about yourself' response?

Asking a question at the end of the response allows the candidate to control the conversation, engage the hiring manager, and show initiative and interest in the role and company.

How can the advice from the script be applied to improve not just interview skills, but also general communication and persuasion?

The principles of understanding the audience's needs, being concise and relevant, and practicing responses can be applied to various communication scenarios to enhance persuasion and effectiveness.