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

Dan Lok
25 Dec 201910:02
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script offers valuable insights on how to effectively answer the common interview question, 'Tell me about yourself.' It emphasizes the importance of focusing on the value one can bring to the company, rather than sharing personal life details. The speaker, presumably a CEO or hiring manager, shares a 'Three S' formula—Success, Strength, and Situation—to structure a compelling response. The script advises job applicants to be authentic but strategic, highlighting their achievements, strengths, and how they align with the company's needs, and concludes with a call to action for viewers to subscribe for more business and communication tips.

Takeaways
  • 💡 When asked 'Tell me about yourself', focus on the value you bring to the company rather than your life story.
  • 🎯 Be concise and avoid going into unnecessary personal details during the interview.
  • 🌟 Emphasize what problems you can solve and how you can contribute to the company's success.
  • 🔍 Remember, interviewers make quick decisions based on first impressions, often within the first three minutes.
  • 🤝 Be yourself, but ensure it's the best version of yourself, focusing on strengths and relevant experiences.
  • 📈 Structure your response using the 'Three S' formula: Success, Strength, and Situation.
  • 🚀 Highlight your successes by discussing specific achievements and results you've had in previous roles.
  • 💪 Clearly articulate your strengths and how they align with the needs of the position.
  • 🎭 Tailor your 'situation' to show how your background and skills fit the company's current needs and goals.
  • 📝 Prepare and rehearse your answers to common interview questions to deliver them confidently and naturally.
  • 💬 End with a question to control the conversation and show your interest in the position and the company.
Q & A
  • What is the common mistake people make when asked to 'tell me about yourself' in an interview?

    -The common mistake is that people tend to share their entire life story, including personal details that are not relevant to the job. Instead, they should focus on their professional background and how they can add value to the company.

  • 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, the problems they can solve, and how they fit the role in question.

  • How should one respond to the 'tell me about yourself' question effectively?

    -Effectively, one should respond by highlighting their professional successes, strengths relevant to the role, and how they can apply these to benefit the company in the position they are applying for.

  • What is the 'Three S' formula mentioned in the script and how does it apply to answering 'tell me about yourself'?

    -The 'Three S' formula stands for Success, Strength, and Situation. It is a structured approach to answering interview questions by first discussing one's relevant successes, then highlighting specific strengths, and finally explaining how these apply to the situation of the job being interviewed for.

  • Why is it important to tie your responses back to 'What's in it for them (WIIFM)' during an interview?

    -Tying responses back to WIIFM is important because it demonstrates the candidate's understanding of the company's needs and how they can meet those needs, thereby showing their potential value to the organization.

  • How should one prepare for the 'tell me about yourself' question in an interview?

    -One should prepare by writing out a response that incorporates the 'Three S' formula, practicing it to make it sound natural, and rehearsing it multiple times to ensure confidence and clarity during the actual interview.

  • What is the purpose of asking a question at the end of your response to 'tell me about yourself'?

    -Asking a question at the end of your response helps to control the conversation and engage the interviewer, showing that the candidate is proactive and interested in the role and the company.

  • Why is it important to 'be yourself' during an interview?

    -Being yourself is important to ensure authenticity and to allow the hiring manager to see the candidate's true character and potential fit within the company culture. However, it is crucial to present your 'best self' that aligns with the job requirements.

  • How can one avoid sounding boastful while discussing their successes in an interview?

    -One can avoid sounding boastful by focusing on the facts and results of their achievements, and by framing them in the context of how they benefited previous employers or clients, rather than just highlighting personal accolades.

  • What should a candidate do if they find the provided video script useful?

    -If a candidate finds the video script useful, they should consider subscribing to the channel for more practical business knowledge and communication tips, and possibly attend a free master class on communication and closing techniques if interested in improving their income potential.

Outlines
00:00
🤔 The Art of Introducing Yourself in an Interview

This paragraph discusses the common challenge of answering the question 'Tell me about yourself' during job interviews. It highlights the anxiety and panic that often accompany this question and emphasizes the importance of making a good first impression. The speaker, presumably a CEO or hiring manager, promises to share insights from their experience interviewing thousands of candidates. They outline that the best responses focus on the value the candidate can bring to the company, rather than personal life details. The paragraph concludes with the introduction of two key points: understanding the hiring manager's true intent behind the question and being one's best self during the interview.

05:01
📈 Crafting a Compelling Interview Response

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of how to craft a response to 'Tell me about yourself' that highlights the candidate's success, strengths, and suitability for the position. It critiques a self-centered approach and instead offers a formula—'Three S'—to guide candidates. The 'Three S' method includes discussing past successes, identifying key strengths, and explaining how these apply to the job at hand. The paragraph also touches on the importance of preparation and practice, suggesting that candidates should memorize and rehearse their responses. It concludes with advice on engaging the hiring manager by ending the response with a question, thereby controlling the conversation and showcasing the candidate's proactive nature.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Interview
An interview, as discussed in the video, is a formal meeting where a hiring manager assesses a potential candidate's suitability for a job. It is a critical step in the job application process where first impressions are made and where candidates have the opportunity to showcase their skills and qualifications. The video emphasizes the importance of being prepared for common interview questions, such as 'tell me about yourself,' to make a positive impression and increase the chances of being hired.
💡First Impression
A first impression refers to the initial perception one forms about a person or situation, which significantly influences future interactions. In the context of the video, it highlights the importance of how candidates present themselves at the beginning of an interview, as hiring managers often make decisions within the first few minutes. The video stresses the need to be conscious of one's behavior, appearance, and communication to create a positive and memorable first impression.
💡Hiring Manager
A hiring manager is an individual responsible for overseeing the recruitment process, interviewing candidates, and making decisions about who to hire for a particular position within an organization. In the video, the perspective of a hiring manager is emphasized to provide insight into what they are looking for when asking interview questions, such as 'tell me about yourself,' and how candidates can best address these questions to demonstrate their value to the company.
💡Value Proposition
A value proposition is a statement that communicates the unique benefits a product, service, or individual offers to customers or employers. In the video, it is suggested that when answering 'tell me about yourself,' candidates should focus on their value proposition by highlighting their skills, experiences, and the specific benefits they can bring to the company. This approach helps to align the candidate's qualifications with the needs of the employer.
💡Authenticity
Authenticity refers to the quality of being genuine, true to oneself, and not pretending to be anything different from what one truly is. In the context of the video, it is advised that candidates should be themselves during an interview, but their 'best selves,' meaning they should present their strongest qualities and be honest without revealing every aspect of their personal lives. Authenticity helps in establishing trust and credibility with the hiring manager.
💡Communication Skills
Communication skills encompass the ability to effectively convey information, ideas, and emotions to others through speaking, listening, and non-verbal cues. The video emphasizes the importance of clear and concise communication during interviews, particularly when answering questions about oneself. It suggests that candidates should focus on what is relevant to the job and the company's needs, using communication skills to highlight their strengths and achievements.
💡Success
Success, in the context of the video, refers to the accomplishments and achievements that an individual has attained in their professional life. It is crucial for candidates to articulate their past successes when answering 'tell me about yourself,' as it demonstrates their capability and potential to bring positive outcomes to the company. The video provides a strategy for discussing successes without appearing boastful, by focusing on the impact and relevance of those achievements to the position applied for.
💡Strengths
Strengths are the attributes, skills, or characteristics that give an individual an advantage in a particular area. In the video, it is advised that candidates should identify and communicate their real strengths as they relate to the job they are applying for. By doing so, candidates can demonstrate how their unique abilities can benefit the company and address the needs of the hiring manager.
💡Situation
In the context of the video, 'situation' refers to the specific context or scenario in which a candidate's skills and strengths can be applied. It is about connecting one's background and abilities to the specific requirements of the job and the company. The video suggests that candidates should tailor their responses to show how their past experiences and strengths make them a good fit for the position they are applying for.
💡Preparation
Preparation in the context of the video refers to the act of getting ready and practicing for the interview. It emphasizes the importance of being well-prepared to answer common interview questions effectively and confidently. The video suggests that candidates should memorize and rehearse their responses to ensure that they can communicate naturally and流畅地 during the actual interview.
Highlights

The best response to 'tell me about yourself' from a CEO, hiring manager, and employer perspective.

Interviewers often make up their minds within the first three minutes of the interview.

The question 'tell me about yourself' is not about your life story but what value you bring to the company.

When answering, focus on what problems you can solve for the company.

Being yourself in an interview means presenting your best self, not revealing everything.

Every statement should tie back to what's in it for the company (WIIFM).

Avoid the 'me, me, me' approach and focus on the benefits you offer.

Use the 'Three S' formula: Success, Strength, and Situation when answering.

Demonstrate your skillset without bragging by highlighting your successes.

Mention your real strength in terms of what the hiring manager is looking for.

Explain how your background and strengths apply to the position you're applying for.

End your answer with a question to control the conversation.

Memorize and practice your response to common interview questions.

The importance of appearing natural and confident in your interview answers.

The video offers a practical guide to answering 'tell me about yourself' effectively.

Subscribe to the channel for daily videos on business knowledge and communication skills.

Free master class on communication and closing available for those looking to increase their income.

Transcripts
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