Let me start off by saying that this is the question that probably stumps more candidates than any other questions asked. It is typically the first question, just a warm up to get to know to you. This is a casual question that has no structure and a way for the Interviewers to "break the ice" while determining how prepared you are for the interview and how well a candidate thinks on their feet. It seems like a simple question, right? It can definitely catch you off guard, so be prepared!I'm sure at some point in your career you've heard that it only takes 7 seconds to make a strong, first impression. With this question typically being one of first question asked, you want to sell yourself and make a positive first impression. What you don’t want to do is start reading off your resume, reciting your cover letter or telling the interviewer about every job you’ve ever had. You want to answer quickly (speak clearly) and concisely. It''s important not to keep pausing or rambling incoherently ("ummm??!") , trying to think up the next thing to say. It is more about how confident you are when answering such a broad question and how positive you are about the message you are conveying, than the actual answer itself.
Telling the interviewer about yourself should be short and straight to the point. Why should they hire you? Make sure your answer is relevant to the job you are interviewing for. You should be able to answer this question in 1-2 minutes. You don’t want to assume they know everything about your past experiences and studied your resume but you also don’t want to point out the obvious.
Things to avoid:
1. Talking about your 5 kids and how important it is to have free time for them, all of their sporting events and how busy you already are. Even if that’s true, employers may think that this will interfere with your work schedule and committing to the job. The interviewer may also assume that you won’t commit to the position long term. It's not a bad thing to talk about having kids but the interviewer will want to ensure that you have someone caring for your children if the position is a remote opportunity.
2. Talking about all of the things you hated about your previous jobs. It's okay to be honest or discuss your deal breakers. Even in desperate times, a position has to be a good fit for both parties. Just be careful. You don’t want to go on and on about everything you hated at your previous job especially if those things possibly relate to the job you’re interviewing for. Bottom line, do your research on the position AND the company.
3. Coming off as “too qualified” for an entry level job. I've interviewed AND hired candidates who've been overqualified. In these situations, I've had to dig a little deeper in order to learn why a candidate is willing to take a pay cut and leave their high-paying salary career jobs. If you’re applying for a factory job after being the VP of a fortune 500 company, you want to downplay your skill set a bit and be ready to explain why you want to walk away from your career for the position you’re interviewing for.
If you are in a similar position, rest assure that this isn't uncommon. I get why people leave their careers and look for work from home opportunities even if it means taking a a pretty hefty pay cut.
After working years in a highly stressful environment, trying to meet unrealistic deadlines, pulling all nighters, working weekends or crazy hours, missing out on family time and your kids sporting events, Holidays…etc, it's easy to start re-evaluating what's most important in your life. Sometimes taking a pay cut is worth the time you gain. The old adage “time is money” has never been more true.
4. Talking too much about growth when the job has little room for advancement. Candidates who are looking to move up the ladder are the ones that don’t typically stay long. Whether they are trying to move up in their current company or constantly pursuing other opportunities. In an interview, if you continuously discuss moving up-up-up, the interviewer may assume that you won’t stay for the long hall or that that job you're applying for is only a temporary transition until you find what your really looking for.
5. “Well what do you want to know?” Trust me, don’t do it!
This is based only on my opinion. I’d like to think I am knowledgeable and capable of giving my professional opinion on how to answer this question based on my own research and my background as in HR/Recruiter. On average I typically interviewed about 4-6 candidates a day. I will give you examples on what to do and what not to do...
Example 1
Share something personal (but not too personal).
- “I love art and enjoy going to galleries in my free time,”
- “I’m a big sports fan,”
- “I am someone who you can find around the kitchen trying new recipes on the weekend.”
Example 2
Skills match the job description.
When discussing your strengths, skills and past experiences, you want to ensure that they relate to the job you are applying for. Don't spend time discussing strengths that aren't related to the job you're interviewing for. Not only because it isn't relevant but the interviewer may assume your strengths are the skills your looking to utilize in your next role. For instance, you don't want to stress how great you are with numbers and your analytical skills if it doesn't relate to job requirements. If the position is customer service related, you'll want to reiterate your skills that involve communication, building rapport, phone etiquette…you get the point. ;)
Example 3
What you're currently doing, what you are looking to do next and why you want to work for THIS specific company in THIS specific position.
Example:
Well I am originally from [fill in the blank]. I moved to [City, State] where I attended the [University of XYZ] and earned my bachelor’s degree in [fill in the blank]. Most of my experience has been in the field of [fill in the blank].
I currently work for ABC Inc. in the [fill in the blank] department where I [enter responsibilities] and have [enter accomplishments]. I have been with ABC Inc. for 6 years. When I started 6 years ago I was hired as a temporary [job title] and was hired 6 months later as a permanent employee. I was quickly promoted as the [job title] in the [LMNOP department] where I [few main responsibilities] and then promoted to my current role as a/the [job title/position].
In my current role as [job title/position] I have [enter accomplishments] and [enter responsibilities that would be beneficial in the position you’re interviewing for].
***You may also want to add specific examples of ways that you've benefited/impacted the company, awards you've earned, specific compliments given to you by important people (name/title drop for those examples), specific difficult goals you've accomplished and how you accomplished them (as long as they relate to something you may do if hired) and then any other additional information you would want them to know that is relevant and not on your resume.
The reason why I've chosen to purse the [Position your applying for] with [Company’s Name] is to [fill in WHY you are applying and be specific without giving TOO much detail]
Common reasons: supplement income, more opportunities for growth, career change,…etc.”
With my [fill in the blank] experiences, I feel that I would be an immediate asset to [name of the company] company, I am able to meet [necessary requirements], and am very excited about this opportunity!
I profit $20 for each 20 minute survey!
ReplyDeleteGuess what? This is exactly what big companies are paying for. They need to know what their average customer needs and wants. So large companies pay millions of dollars every month to the average person. In return, the average person, like myself, fills out surveys and gives them their opinion.