One of the most prominent and ever-asked questions in an interview is “Tell me about yourself”. In most cases, it is the first question of the interview. The interviewer’s vision to ask this question is primarily to know about yourself apart from your resume and secondly, it is to make you comfortable during an interview.
Interview and its questions are the most worrying topics for those who are about to apply for their first or a new job. But it cracking an interview is not the most difficult thing, if you are well prepared for it. The more prepared you are for the interview, the more comfortable you will be to appear for one and the more likely will be your chances to get a job.
Well here are some tips on how to answer the most prominently asked question in an interview “Tell me about yourself”.
1. Describe your current Profession
Well, the interviewer will be glad to know everything about you. But what they will be most interested in is your current profession. Because that is why you will be hired. So start the conversation by telling them about yourself. What is your current profession and what makes you excited or happy about being in this field? Also include details of your current or past job, basic details about your ex-employer organisation, your job profile etc.
2. Your Professional Journey
The employer is curious about your professional background. Tell them about your professional journey. Things like where did you pursue your primary and higher education, your college/university, your internships in the field, your past job experiences etc. Summarise about how you have become the professional you are today.
3. Tell about your Expertise
As a professional, you would have specific expertise or field of interest. Share your interest, skills and field of expertise with the interviewer. This will also help them understand that which type of work or department will be best suited for you.
4. Balanced Answers
The most difficult thing is to crack the thin line of difference between the formal interview and an informal conversation. People ought to get confused and either end up responding very briefly or go on for a long conversation. The interviewer is interested in knowing you as a professional. Give answers which aptly satisfy the interviewer’s information requirement.
5. Share your hobbies with a finite interest
Some individuals share hobbies in an over-excited way. They end up creating an impression in the interviewer’s mind that your hobby comes before your work for you. Well, avoid doing that. The interviewer does not want you taking long leaves or seemingly becoming less interested in your work over the time you are more interested in your hobbies than your work.
6. Honesty is still the best policy
Do not try to create any fake impressions about your education, skills, expertise, experience or anything else. Be honest with them because for one reason it is easy to be real than to fake things. Another thing is that the person interviewing you is more experienced and knowledgeable than you. He can easily sense the fakeism.
Moreover, even if you can fool them in the interview, eventually they will learn about your true skillset and capabilities, once you are into working in front of them. So it is highly advised to be as honest as possible.
