I have asked this question each time I have met a prospective job seeker and I have yet to meet someone who handles this question well. If you take the time to know what your answer is in advance of your interview, you will most certainly stand out amongst the competition. The organization has a requirement. Someone has to get the job and by being able to effectively handle this question, you will dramatically improve your chances.
This question is one of the toughest open ended questions you will face. Talking about, or more correctly selling yourself, in the context of this job interview question is difficult and you will need to prepare for it. Here’s how:
This question is directed toward you, not your skills, not your background and not your goals and aspirations. Most seasoned interviewers love to ask this question and if you haven’t been asked it so far when being interviewed, be ready, because you sure will and very soon.
The first thing you need to do is get prepared by writing a list of the following:
- my strongest skills
- my greatest areas of knowledge
- my greatest personality strengths
- the things I do best (not necessarily the things you like)
- my key accomplishments
Your answers to the above will be content of a speech you are about to write about yourself. As you write and edit your speech, keep it between 300 to 400 words (one to two minutes – max). Too many words may put your interviewer to sleep. Too few words will look like you aren’t interested.
Now that you have the framework, the next step is to start writing. I have included an example below of each part of your speech.
- My introduction – keep it brief and to the point:
I believe I am good with getting along with others. Because I take the time to listen before I respond, I think it validates other people and they appreciate that and want to work with me. - My key accomplishments – pick your top three:
I get the greatest personal satisfaction by setting and then accomplishing my goals. Being a good listener has helped me enroll others in what I am doing. As a project manager I am dependent on the work of others to make me successful in what I do. I know this through the projects I have successfully completed that it was my relationships that made me successful in the end. I have completed many projects of varying sizes and am ready to pursue another organization in the same industry to manage larger, more sophisticated projects. - My key strengths shown by these accomplishments – pick your top two or three:
Including my keen ability to listen and internalize before responding, I also have a strong ability to remain objective when there is more work than resources to handle it. In doing so, my thinking remains clear which allows me to complete my projects while keeping my relationships in tact. - My strengths as benefits to my prospective employer – get to the point quickly:
I have held positions in the past unrelated to project management which included engineering and sales. In these past careers, I showed an ability to learn and adapt as was the case when I first got into project management. I have great acumen which includes paying close attention to costs and recognize that I need to be up to speed quickly. I am very comfortable with a steep learning curve while delivering results. - How I am going to develop in the position I am applying to – selling you as benefits:
I also recognize that it’s the people around me that will make me successful. Knowing that I would be working in your organization, I see integrating myself as part of the team while maintaining my role as a project manager as something that is doable and I look forward to it. I have also learned that recently your business is expanding into larger projects. How is that going?
So that’s it – 321 words. If this question gets asked of you, expect it earlier in the interview. Coming from the interviewer, it is usually the first question. Be clear about one thing – this is not an easy speech to write, so be patient.
Keep your speech focussed on what is positive with some direct comments about who you are, what you have done and what you will do for your prospective employer. Be sure and include a transition question at the end. Follow this five point framework above and you will feel confident and ready to answer the question “so tell me about yourself” and answer it well for that matter.
Be mindful that you should rehearse, but not memorize your answer. Include positive words and phrases and include that what you don’t know, you will learn quickly. This is not an easy process, but it gets easier as you spend more time tuning your message.
Here comes the closer:
I say this as a continuous reminder: the odds are stacked against you. You can still come out the winner by paying close attention to the details of interest of your prospective employer including the opening question, “so tell me about yourself”. The organization has a requirement. Someone has to get the job. It may as well be you.
