Tell me something about yourself
Scripting
Prepare a script that includes the information you want to convey. Begin by talking about past experiences and proven success:
"I have been in the customer service industry for the past five years. My most recent experience has been handling incoming calls in the high tech industry. One reason I particularly enjoy this business, and the challenges that go along with it, is the opportunity to connect with people. In my last job, I formed some significant customer relationships resulting in a 30 percent increase in sales in a matter of months."
Next, mention your strengths and abilities:
"My real strength is my attention to detail. I pride myself on my reputation for following through and meeting deadlines. When I commit to doing something, I make sure it gets done, and on time."
Conclude with a statement about your current situation:
"What I am looking for now is a company that values customer relations, where I can join a strong team and have a positive impact on customer retention and sales."
Practice
Practice with your script until you feel confident about what you want to emphasize in your statement. Your script should help you stay on track, but you shouldn't memorize it -- you don't want to sound stiff and rehearsed. It should sound natural and conversational.
Even if you are not asked this type of question to begin the interview, this preparation will help you focus on what you have to offer. You will also find that you can use the information in this exercise to assist you in answering other questions. The more you can talk about your product -- you -- the better chance you will have.
How would you describe your personality?"
On the surface this appears to be a straightforward question, but if you answer too hastily, you may end up sounding like every other candidate. You must think about what makes you unique and how you can make yourself stand out and be remembered.
Interviewers ask this question for a couple of reasons: to hear where you place the emphasis in your description and to see how quickly and creatively you can think on the spot. Don't give the interviewer the same answers everybody else gives. Think about new ways to get your message across and sell yourself.
Spice Up Your Answers
Take a look at these typical answers and how you can make them more unique.
Typical: "I am a high-energy person." This answer needs more detail.
Unique: "I am energized by challenges and problems."
Typical: "I'm a hard worker." This is the most common phrase used. It shows no imagination.
Unique: "I do whatever it takes to get the job done, sometimes working 10-hour days."
Typical: "I am a quick learner." This is an overused phrase that has lost its effectiveness.
Unique: "I can hit the ground running and come up to speed faster than anyone I know."
Typical: "I'm analytical." This is a lackluster answer that doesn't reveal much.
Unique: "I'm a wiz at analyzing data and transforming it into useful information."
Typical: "I'm very organized." This answer is understated.
Unique: "I am a person who can bring order to chaos."
Typical: "I'm reliable." This answer needs more information to get the point across.
UnThis open-ended question -- and others like, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" -- throws most candidates off balance. Interviewers ask this question to gain insight into your self-awareness and communication skills.
Scripting
After giving some thought as to where you want to go and how you can help the employer achieve results, try scripting your answer. Here's an example:
"I have learned that long-term goals are best achieved when I break them into shorter goals. My short-term goal is to find a position that will put me in a forward-moving company with solid performance and future projections. As part of a team, I want to add value and continue to grow the company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. My plan is to move into a position of responsibility where I can lead a team."
No one can tell you exactly how to answer this question, since your response will come from what is important to you. However, the more focused and employer-centered you can be about your goal, the better your chances will be of steering the interview in the right direction.
Describing your personality is like writing ads for a product. What makes you unique? Your job is to convince your interviewer that you have the perfect personality for the position.
Make a list of personality traits that describe you. Determine the qualities you would like the interviewer to remember after the interview. Incorporate some of the same words used in the job posting.
For example, if the job listing reads: "Must have five or more years' experience managing a diverse population of employees," you might say to the interviewer:
"I am a person who values other people's qualities and contributions. My employees would tell you that I am a fair manager who listens when they have something to say."
Assessing Your Strengths
Assess your skills, and you will identify your strengths. This is an exercise worth doing before any interview. Make a list of your skills, dividing them into three categories:
1. Knowledge-based skills: Acquired from education and experience (e.g., computer skills, languages, degrees, training and technical ability).
2. Transferable skills: Your portable skills that you take from job to job (e.g., communication and people skills, analytical problem solving and planning skills).
3. Personal traits: Your unique qualities (e.g., dependable, flexible, friendly, hard working, expressive, formal, punctual and being a team player).
When you complete this list, choose three to five of those strengths that match what the employer is seeking in the job posting. Make sure you can give specific examples to demonstrate why you say that is your strength if probed further.
Assessing Your Weaknesses
Probably the most dreaded part of the question. Everyone has weaknesses, but who wants to admit to them, especially in an interview?
The best way to handle this question is to minimize the trait and emphasize the positive. Select a trait and come up with a solution to overcome your weakness. Stay away from personal qualities and concentrate more on professional traits. For example:
"I pride myself on being a 'big picture' guy. I have to admit I sometimes miss small details, but I always make sure I have someone who is detail-oriented on my team."
Scripting Your Answers
Write a positive statement you can say with confidence:
"My strength is my flexibility to handle change. As customer service manager at my last job, I was able to turn around a negative working environment and develop a very supportive team. As far as weaknesses, I feel that my management skills could be stronger, and I am constantly working to improve them."
When confronted with this question, remember the interviewer is looking for a fit. She is forming a picture of you based on your answers. A single answer will probably not keep you from getting the job, unless of course it is something blatant. Put your energy into your strengths statement -- what you have to offer. Then let the interviewer know that although you may not be perfect, you are working on any shortcomings you have.ique: "I pride myself on my record of never missing deadlines."
Typical: "I'm good with customers." The answer needs clarification.
Unique: "I build great relationships with customers; they always ask for me."
