Ex-Google Recruiter Explains: How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" In A Job Interview Step-by-Step

Summary

This video script offers a comprehensive guide to acing job interviews, focusing on the critical 'tell me about yourself' question. It advises job seekers to avoid irrelevant personal details and instead connect past experiences to the job's requirements. The script introduces a unique technique to engage interviewers by asking what they'd like to know most, ensuring responses are tailored to the company's needs. It also suggests using a 'log line' to succinctly introduce oneself, emphasizing professional background and suitability for the role.

Takeaways

• 📊 72% of candidates who didn't receive a job offer failed to make a great impression.
• 🗣️ The first question 'Tell me about yourself' sets the tone for the rest of the interview.
• 👀 Interviewers often only briefly review resumes before interviews.
• 🚫 Avoid sharing irrelevant personal details; focus on job relevance.
• 💼 Understand the job description as a set of problems the company needs solving.
• 🔍 Break down job responsibilities to identify the business's needs.
• 📝 Craft a response that connects your past experience to solving the company's problems.
• 🎬 Use a 'log line' to create a short, impactful introduction about yourself.
• 🔗 Tailor your past experiences to show how they make you a fit for the job.
• 🔄 After stating your future interest, ask the interviewer what they want to know more about to provide relevant information.
• 🤫 Practice silence after asking the interviewer what they want to know, giving them time to respond.

Q & A

What percentage of candidates fail to make a great impression in job interviews according to the Harvard Business Review study?

72 percent of candidates fail to make a great impression in job interviews.

What is the first question interviewers typically ask in a job interview?

The first question interviewers typically ask is 'Tell me about yourself.'

Why is the 'Tell me about yourself' question important in a job interview?

The 'Tell me about yourself' question sets the tone for the rest of the interview.

What is the main reason interviewers ask candidates to tell them about themselves?

Interviewers ask candidates to tell them about themselves to understand why they would be a good fit for the job.

What should a candidate avoid discussing when answering the 'Tell me about yourself' question?

A candidate should avoid discussing irrelevant personal details such as their birth date, drama with neighbors, or preferences for leisure activities like long walks on the beach.

What is the purpose of a job interview from the company's perspective?

The purpose of a job interview from the company's perspective is to find someone with the right set of experiences to do a job and solve an existing problem.

Why do many candidates fail to impress interviewers despite highlighting their accomplishments?

Many candidates fail to impress interviewers because they don't relate their past experiences to the job they're interviewing for.

What should a candidate do to understand the company's needs for a specific role?

A candidate should read through the job description, consider the responsibilities as problems to be solved, and think about how their skills can address those problems.

What is a log line and how can it be applied to a job interview?

A log line is a short description of a story or movie that gives a basic idea about what it is in a few sentences. In a job interview, a candidate can use log line logic to describe themselves in a short and meaningful way.

How should a candidate structure their past statement when answering the 'Tell me about yourself' question?

A candidate should structure their past statement by selecting two or three sentences from their prior roles that connect to the job they want, highlighting how their experience is relevant.

What technique can a candidate use at the end of their 'Tell me about yourself' answer to engage the interviewer?

A candidate can ask the interviewer, 'Given our limited time together, can you tell me what you'd like to learn most about me?' to engage the interviewer and ensure they provide the most relevant information.