Tell me a little bit about yourself.
Discussion:
This seemingly simple question can actually be the most
daunting and the most difficult to answer! It is, however, an open-
ended opportunity to communicate a lot of positive attributes. Keep it
short, give a bit of background on yourself, and highlight several
accomplishments. Integrate keywords based on desirable Behavioral
Competencies. You should show how your career has taken a logical
progression – noting how your education helped, if relevant – to where
you are now. You should practice this type of "opening statement"
until you have it down cold. Practice it until it's perfect!
Cover your
1) early years
2) education
3) work history, and
4) recent career experience.
Remember that this is just a warm-up question.
Don't waste your best points on it.
"Well, I grew up just outside of Chicago and then went to school at the
University of Maryland where I studied Political Science and Art
History. While I did love Political Science, I always knew that I would
need to do something practical, so right out of college I got a job doing
"X". Job "X" really tested my stamina and work ethic because I had to
work my butt off, but I managed to achieve a lot there and learn a lot
about my chosen field. From there I got hired into a more senior
position at Company "Y". That's where I really developed my
teamwork skills and learned to create and manage budgets as high as
$1.5 million dollars. Right now I think that my skills and experience
make me a great candidate for a position on your team, and I hope to
demonstrate that today. What kind of qualities are you looking for in
the ideal candidate for this position?"
Discussion:
This seemingly simple question can actually be the most
daunting and the most difficult to answer! It is, however, an open-
ended opportunity to communicate a lot of positive attributes. Keep it
short, give a bit of background on yourself, and highlight several
accomplishments. Integrate keywords based on desirable Behavioral
Competencies. You should show how your career has taken a logical
progression – noting how your education helped, if relevant – to where
you are now. You should practice this type of "opening statement"
until you have it down cold. Practice it until it's perfect!
Cover your
1) early years
2) education
3) work history, and
4) recent career experience.
Remember that this is just a warm-up question.
Don't waste your best points on it.
"Well, I grew up just outside of Chicago and then went to school at the
University of Maryland where I studied Political Science and Art
History. While I did love Political Science, I always knew that I would
need to do something practical, so right out of college I got a job doing
"X". Job "X" really tested my stamina and work ethic because I had to
work my butt off, but I managed to achieve a lot there and learn a lot
about my chosen field. From there I got hired into a more senior
position at Company "Y". That's where I really developed my
teamwork skills and learned to create and manage budgets as high as
$1.5 million dollars. Right now I think that my skills and experience
make me a great candidate for a position on your team, and I hope to
demonstrate that today. What kind of qualities are you looking for in
the ideal candidate for this position?"