The Perfect Answer To “Tell Me About Yourself” Interview Question That Will Get You The Job

I finally figured out how to answer the “tell me about yourself” question in an interview! It’s actually not as difficult as you think.
Like you, whenever I entered an interview room and this question was asked, I would rumble on, speak too fast, say too little and in 1 minute or less I was done!
I wasn’t really sure of what to say. Should I talk about my experience, personal life, my spiritual life? What?
I almost quit attending interviews because this question was asked everywhere regardless of the company.
One time I completed the answer in 30 seconds since everything evaporated due to nervousness and one of the interviewers asked me in surprise, “you’re done?”
I was extremely embarrassed and right there I knew I had failed the interview.
It wasn’t until I saw this clip talking about the tell me about yourself question that I finally got it!
Do you also find yourself struggling to answer this question?
Well not anymore. Let me share with you what I have learnt about answering the question.
I’m sure it will help you as much as it helped me.

You need to know these 3 tips when answering the tell me about yourself question

1. The HR manager has looked at your CV
Don’t bore the employer by repeating what they have already read in your CV. They have had it for about a week or so, do you really want to tell them what they can already see?
Remember you are not there to echo what your CV says but rather offer brief and specific explanations relating to your job skills and experience.
2. Be specific to the job; don’t talk about irrelevant things
Did you know that 90% of questions come from the job description?
The panel of interviewers normally gets their questions from the job description.
Therefore, whatever you say especially in your skills and experience should match the responsibilities in the job description.
As much as you might be tempted to say things not related to the job, remember your time in the interview room is valuable. You can’t afford to waste it.
You’re not the only candidate being interviewed.
3. You are being interviewed as a professional.
By the way you will always be interviewed as a professional and nothing else. That is not the time to telling the interviewers  things like “I’m married”, “single”, “down-to-earth”, “introvert”, “I like dogs” etc.
Stick to who you are as a professional.
So how will you respond?
I propose this order;
Always give your name, age, educational and professional background, relevant work experience (again, relate it the job description) and always close with a unique statement (it will leave a long lasting positive impression on interviewers).
If this is you in an interview, I suggest you watch this clip. It will actually provide you with a real life example on how to answer this question and you can tailor the answer to your profession.
I know it can be a tough one but after this I am sure you will have no problem landing your next job.
Let me know if the clip helps won’t you? You can email me your comments or questions regarding the same on esther@corporatestaffing.co.ke.
The writer works as the Communications Officer and job interview coach at Corporate Staffing Services –a HR firm that offers FREE job placement and recruitment services.