The Best Way to Answer the Tell Me About Yourself Question

Cindy Lish
14 Jun 202305:55
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this transcript, the speaker emphasizes the importance of answering the 'tell me about yourself' interview question effectively, as it can greatly influence an employer's initial impression. The speaker advises focusing on recent relevant experience rather than personal details or life history. They stress the need to tailor the response to the specific job, highlighting achievements and experiences that demonstrate suitability for the role. The speaker provides examples for different scenarios, such as transitioning from teaching to curriculum writing or corporate training, and encourages succinctness to maintain the interviewer's interest. The goal is to present oneself as the best candidate for the job by connecting personal experiences with the job requirements.

Takeaways
  • 🎯 Tailor your 'tell me about yourself' answer to the specific job you're applying for, focusing on relevant experiences and skills.
  • 🕒 Employers often make decisions quickly, so make a strong first impression within the first 90 seconds of the interview.
  • 🚫 Avoid sharing personal details; keep the focus on professional experiences and qualifications.
  • 📈 Start with your most recent position and highlight achievements that align with the job requirements.
  • 📊 If switching careers, adjust your answer to emphasize transferable skills and relevant experiences.
  • 🔢 Include numbers and statistics to quantify your accomplishments and demonstrate the impact of your work.
  • 🎓 For a curriculum writing position, mention the scope of your writing, any recognition, and the reach of your curriculum.
  • 🏢 For a training position, discuss the number of people you've trained, seminars led, and professional development contributions.
  • 📈 Craft an 'elevator pitch' to market yourself effectively, showcasing your value and suitability for the role.
  • 👂 Know the job description thoroughly and align your answer to the key qualifications and responsibilities listed.
  • 💬 Be succinct and avoid rambling; keep your answer focused and relevant to maintain the interviewer's interest.
Q & A

  • Why is the 'tell me about yourself' interview question so important?

    -It's important because employers often make a decision about a candidate within the first 90 seconds of meeting them, and this question is likely to be the first one they ask.

  • What should you avoid discussing when answering 'tell me about yourself'?

    -You should avoid discussing personal details such as family, hobbies, or extensive life history, as these are not relevant to the job at hand.

  • How should you start your 'tell me about yourself' response?

    -You should start with your most recent professional experience and highlight what is important to the employer in the context of the job you're applying for.

  • What is the purpose of the 'tell me about yourself' question?

    -The purpose is to convince the employer that you are the best person for the job by showcasing your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements.

  • How does the 'tell me about yourself' response differ based on the job you're applying for?

    -The response should be tailored to highlight experiences and skills that are most relevant to the specific job requirements and the employer's needs.

  • What is an 'elevator pitch' in the context of a job interview?

    -An 'elevator pitch' is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to market and sell yourself to the interviewer, focusing on your most relevant qualifications and achievements.

  • Why is it important to be succinct when answering 'tell me about yourself'?

    -Being succinct prevents you from rambling and losing the employer's interest, ensuring that you communicate your value effectively within the limited time of the interview.

  • What should you do to prepare for the 'tell me about yourself' question?

    -You should study the job posting thoroughly and prepare to articulate how your recent experiences and skills align with the job requirements.

  • How can including numbers and values in your 'tell me about yourself' response benefit you?

    -Including numbers and values can increase the magnitude of your achievements, making them more impressive and memorable to the employer.

  • What is the main goal when answering the 'tell me about yourself' question?

    -The main goal is to demonstrate that you are the best candidate for the job by providing clear, relevant, and concise information about your professional background and achievements.

Outlines
00:00
📝 Mastering the 'Tell Me About Yourself' Interview Question

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of answering the 'tell me about yourself' interview question effectively, as it can influence an employer's initial impression. It advises focusing on why you are the best fit for the job rather than personal details. The speaker suggests starting with recent accomplishments and tailoring your response to highlight relevant experience for the specific position. The paragraph also warns against making the 'tell me about yourself' section too long, which could prevent the interviewer from learning about your suitability for the role.

05:00
🎯 Tailoring Your Response to the Job

In this paragraph, the speaker provides guidance on how to tailor your 'tell me about yourself' answer to the specific job you're applying for. It stresses the importance of understanding the job requirements and discussing relevant experiences and skills. The paragraph uses the example of a teacher transitioning to different roles, such as curriculum writing or corporate training, to illustrate how the focus of the answer changes based on the job's nature. It also introduces the concept of an 'elevator pitch' to succinctly market oneself to the interviewer.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Interview
An interview is a structured conversation where one person, the interviewer, asks a series of questions to another person, the interviewee, to assess their suitability for a job or position. In the context of the video, the interview is the primary setting where the 'tell me about yourself' question is crucial for making a strong first impression.
💡First Impressions
First impressions refer to the initial judgments or evaluations made about someone or something based on the initial encounter. The video highlights that employers often form opinions about candidates within the first 90 seconds of meeting them, making the first impression in an interview extremely important.
💡Personal vs. Professional
This concept differentiates between personal life details and professional qualifications. In the context of the video, it's important to focus on professional experiences and skills relevant to the job during the 'tell me about yourself' part of an interview, rather than personal life details.
💡Relevance
Relevance refers to the pertinence or applicability of information to the matter at hand. In the video, it is stressed that when answering 'tell me about yourself,' one should only include information that is directly relevant to the job they are applying for.
💡Elevator Pitch
An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you use to spark interest in what your organization does or in a job you're seeking. It's a way of marketing oneself in a concise and compelling manner. In the video, the 'tell me about yourself' response is likened to an elevator pitch, where the candidate must sell themselves to the interviewer.
💡Quantifiable Achievements
Quantifiable achievements are measurable accomplishments that can be expressed in numbers or statistics. These provide concrete evidence of one's capabilities and successes. The video emphasizes the importance of including such achievements in the 'tell me about yourself' response to add weight and credibility to one's professional background.
💡Tailoring Responses
Tailoring responses means customizing answers to fit the specific context or requirements of a situation. In the video, it is stressed that the 'tell me about yourself' answer should be different depending on the job being applied for, and should highlight the experiences and skills most relevant to that particular role.
💡Succinctness
Succinctness refers to the quality of being concise and to the point, without unnecessary detail. In the context of the video, it is important to keep the 'tell me about yourself' response brief and focused to maintain the interviewer's interest and leave time for other questions.
💡Job Posting
A job posting is an advertisement that describes a job opening and provides details about the role, responsibilities, qualifications, and application process. In the video, it is suggested that candidates should know the job posting thoroughly to tailor their 'tell me about yourself' response to align with the requirements and expectations of the position.
💡Career Coach
A career coach is a professional who guides individuals in managing their careers, achieving professional goals, and navigating career transitions. In the video, the speaker identifies themselves as a career coach, which underscores their expertise in providing career advice and guidance.
💡Results-Driven
Results-driven refers to an approach that focuses on achieving measurable outcomes or success. It implies a goal-oriented mindset and the ability to deliver tangible results. In the video, the speaker describes themselves as 'results-driven' to highlight their effectiveness and success in their role as a career coach.
Highlights

The importance of answering the 'tell me about yourself' interview question effectively, as it can influence the employer's decision within the first 90 seconds.

The need to focus on professional experience rather than personal life details when answering this question.

Avoiding starting with personal history from birth; instead, begin with the most recent professional experience.

Tailoring the 'tell me about yourself' answer to the specific job and its requirements.

Using the 'tell me about yourself' opportunity as a chance to market and sell oneself to the employer.

Providing specific numbers and achievements to add magnitude and credibility to one's experience.

The concept of an 'elevator pitch' as a short, impactful way to present oneself professionally.

An example of how to answer the question for a career coach with a focus on results and diversity of clients.

The importance of being succinct and avoiding rambling in the interview response.

Knowing the job posting thoroughly to tailor the answer to the position's key requirements.

The necessity of adjusting the 'tell me about yourself' answer depending on the job being applied for.

The value of including the number of people trained and presentations led to demonstrate professional impact.

An example of how a teacher transitioning to a curriculum writing position would structure their answer.

An example of how a teacher transitioning to a Learning and Development role would focus on training and seminars.

The importance of showcasing relevant experience and skills that align with the job's requirements.

The speaker's encouragement to subscribe for more job search advice and her identification as Cindy Lish.

Transcripts

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