equlibrium:



What seems like such a simple question can really make you sweat, especially in an interview. What, exactly, should you share—not just to build rapport, but toshow that you’re the perfect fit for the job?

Fear not, job seekers: There’s a super-simple formula that will help you answer this question with ease. Watch this quick video as our CEO Kathryn Minshew gives a simple tip from our career expert Lily Zhang, then try it out for yourself!

How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself”

So, the first question you’re probably going to get in an interview is, “Tell me about yourself.” Now, this is not an invitation to recite your entire life story or even to go bullet by bullet through your resume. Instead, it’s probably your first and best chance to pitch the hiring manager on why you’re the right one for the job.

A formula I really like to use is called the Present-Past-Future formula. So, first you start with the present—where you are right now. Then, segue into the past—a little bit about the experiences you’ve had and the skills you gained at the previous position. Finally, finish with the future—why you are really excited for this particular opportunity.

Let me give you an example:

If someone asked, “tell me about yourself,” you could say:

“Well, I’m currently an account executive at Smith, where I handle our top performing client. Before that, I worked at an agency where I was on three different major national healthcare brands. And while I really enjoyed the work that I did, I’d love the chance to dig in much deeper with one specific healthcare company, which is why I’m so excited about this opportunity with Metro Health Center.”



Remember throughout your answer to focus on the experiences and skills that are going to be most relevant for the hiring manager when they’re thinking about this particular position and this company. And ultimately, don’t be afraid to relax a little bit, tell stories and anecdotes—the hiring manager already has your resume, so they also want to know a little more about you.

Culled from Times Magazine

halfrica:
Simple
Gooday i am halfrica able and capable industrious i can manage things well
hobbies - working and getting paid
Likes- an extra payment and a nice boss
Dislikes - over work pressure and un paid salaries
Motives - to be to acquire the change
Vision- am shortsighted uses glasses
Past experiences- house chores failed relationships and education

equlibrium:


hahahaha
rolling on the floor here men

CHM11:
Most Nigerian HR persons studied non pure science related courses. They are mostly made up of people who back in high school couldn't make it to the sciences so they had to settle for Commercial/art or Humanities...my point? Most HR persons are dull and have low IQ, so when you say something smart, you sound really stupid to them.

At interviews here in Nigeria, know what the mumu HR wants to hear and tell the 1diot so he gives you the job. If you try to be very smart, the HR person will get lost as his/her IQ cannot take the fire you are emitting.

My advice, see interviews as a discussion and not an exam and you will ace most interviews.

dukum:
What about those that have no experience? Tell me how one would go about that,please!

CHM11:
Most Nigerian HR persons studied non pure science related courses. They are mostly made up of people who back in high school couldn't make it to the sciences so they had to settle for Commercial/art or Humanities...my point? Most HR persons are dull and have low IQ, so when you say something smart, you sound really stupid to them.

At interviews here in Nigeria, know what the mumu HR wants to hear and tell the 1diot so he gives you the job. If you try to be very smart, the HR person will get lost as his/her IQ cannot take the fire you are emitting.

My advice, see interviews as a discussion and not an exam and you will ace most interviews.

Davijunson:
someone should pls notify me if this gets to FP. tnks.

dukum:
What about those that have no experience? Tell me how one would go about that,please!

Awesomeking:
on behalf of all genius economists and accountants who went through commercial class

Bleep YOU!!

CHM11:

I'm sorry if you misconstrued my comment. Not all commercial people are dull. But on average, the science guys do better. That's a fact.

Awesomeking:
stating that science guys do better than commercial is like saying science has more intelligent set of people

honestly fella,everyone is a genius in his own feild,you only think commercial is easy because of the miniature commercial questions you've come accross or seen,study economics or accounting as a course,you will weep...

CHM11:


'On average' this phrase I used means something....I hope you understand the meaning bro?...."On average, science guys have higher IQ as compared to their commercial/art counterparts.

Awesomeking:
wether u use the Bleep!ng phrase or not,you are still trying to say yall got higher IQ's than us and thats a blatant lie..

CHM11:

Hmmmm, na wa o...ok...u didn't or have refused or couldn't understand my post. I'd leave the issue there as it only proves my earlier assertion.

Awesomeking:
simply prooves that you dont want to accept that we are all geniuses in our feild..because u beleive strongly that you are better off than any commercial or art student..dont sugarcoat it fella

#shikena

Awesomeking:
simply prooves that you dont want to accept that we are all geniuses in our feild..because u beleive strongly that you are better off than any commercial or art student..dont sugarcoat it fella

#shikena

CHM11:

'On average, pure science related peeps are smarter than their commercial counterparts'.....understand this then we can discuss.

Average here can also be referred to as 'mean' in statistics. Doesn't take away the fact that their are some extremely intelligent commercial guys and there are also some really dull science guys.

Awesomeking:
i understand what u mean fella,but u are also insinuating that atleast an handfull of science fellaz are better intellectually than arts and commercials

and am trynna counter that with simple statement-equality

Ademat7:
boss calm down; answer this Y is it easy for science to cross to management and not the other way?

CHM11:
Ok

Awesomeking:
its not easy,science students who crossed to management when i was in school ended up failing woefully,all 6 of them,apparently,its a lot harder than they thought..they think its all rainbows and flowers,fella there are man eating canivorous flowers there too,just like every other department.

Awesomeking:
good,i am happy you aggree with me

moyinoluwabun:
Will dis give u d desired job without God's mercy. Anyway, it's nice.

CHM11:
Most Nigerian HR persons studied non pure science related courses. They are mostly made up of people who back in high school couldn't make it to the sciences so they had to settle for Commercial/art or Humanities...my point? Most HR persons are dull and have low IQ, so when you say something smart, you sound really stupid to them.

At interviews here in Nigeria, know what the mumu HR wants to hear and tell the 1diot so he gives you the job. If you try to be very smart, the HR person will get lost as his/her IQ cannot take the fire you are emitting.

My advice, see interviews as a discussion and not an exam and you will ace most interviews.

Wealthyone:


What you wrote is an insult to the Human Resources profession. Unfortunately, the so-called 1diot won't give you the job as your trait and aura during the interview will give u away.