Tell Me about Yourself

Over the next two weeks, Mulling at Work brings you a special series on interviewing for a job. Nothing is more important, or more nerve-wracking, than a job interview. This week’s articles will help you prepare. The first article in our interview series deals with how to respond when your interviewer says, “Tell me about yourself.”

Tell me about yourself.

90% of all interviews begin with this question, but it’s one of the most overlooked when it comes to interview preparation. Many candidates talk for five or ten minutes, boring the interviewer and failing to communicate any key points that sell themselves.

What’s the solution? The Two-Minute Drill.

Make bullet points for the different phases of your life, and touch on each area in the following order:

· 10-15 seconds on your formative years. If you are over 35, the first 22 years of your life are of little importance. This should be covered in 10 seconds by saying: “I grew up in _____ then went to college/trade school and majored in ___. I then began my career in ___.”

· 10-15 seconds on your educational credentials. If you are a recent graduate, you should emphasize your coursework, extracurricular activities and part-time jobs.

· 30-45 seconds on the progression of your career, highlighting one or two major accomplishments.

· 10-15 seconds on why you are in transition (your “parting line”).

· 10-15 seconds on what you want to do next.

· 10-15 seconds to wrap up with a comment on family status if appropriate.

You must practice in advance to make answer concise. Practice ten or 15 times out loud; maybe call yourself and record it on your voicemail so you can hear how it sounds. You should sound comfortable and clear, without babbling. If you practice your Two-Minute Drill, you’ll save yourself the awkwardness of struggling to think of what to say.