© Copyright, Hilt, Back Yourself - 2021

www.wearehilt.com info@wearehilt.com

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF WHY DO INTERVIEWERS ASK IT?

Most interviewers think it’s a good way to let you settle into the interview. Talking about yourself - who doesn’t like to do that? It’s also a question interviewers can ask every candidate regardless of their experience. If they are going to ask it, it will be their first question. It is at a point of maximum impact in the interview which means:

1. Importance to you for answering it well? HUGE.

2. Potential negative impact on your performance during the rest of the interview if you mess it up? HUGE.

WHAT ARE THEY REALLY ASKING?

Plain and simple – WHY SHOULD WE GIVE YOU THE JOB? Give me all of the reasons why you match what we are looking for. And do it in 3 minutes. With lots of energy and enthusiasm for the job and my company please!

WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR…

They want to hear – in summary - about 4 key areas that will be discussed in turn in more detail as the interview progresses. They are your:

Experience* | Key Skills and Competencies | Education* | Why you want the job They want you to create links between what you have in each of these 4 areas to what they are looking for in their ideal candidate demonstrating that you have thought about what they need and that you can describe and sell yourself in a way that matches their requirements. And they want you to get to that by yourself, within the first three minutes of the interview, and know when it’s time to stop talking and let them ask their next question. *If you have recently completed your Education and don’t have much (or any) relevant Work Experience then lead with the Education section

WHAT THEY DON’T WANT TO HEAR…

Rule of thumb – If what you are telling them isn’t highlighting or driving home to them that you have the ability to do the job – then keep it to yourself. So, no hobbies, family, where you live etc. They also don't want to hear you telling them that you are the “best person for this job”. You have no idea what the other candidates are like so saying that makes you sound arrogant and a little naive. Tell them you are convinced that you have the skills and experience to make a huge contribution to the role but leave it to them to decide you are the best from all they are interviewing.

© Copyright, Hilt, Back Yourself - 2021

www.wearehilt.com info@wearehilt.com

WHAT OTHER QUESTIONS ARE ASKING THE SAME THING?

So you prepared a great answer to Tell Me About Yourself and …..disaster strikes - They didn't ask it!! Don’t worry - your preparation isn’t be wasted. Your answer could be used to answer any of the following Interviewer Favourites:

Talk me through your CV/ Career to date paying particular attention to where you think your experience is relevant to this role.

Why should we hire you? What can you bring to this role? Is there anything else you would like to add? Usually asked when concluding the interview.

WHAT NEXT?

Click to find out more about Hilt’s comprehensive Interview Training Service or here CV and Interview 101 to order a copy of our book, CV and Interview 101 – How to apply and Interview for Jobs

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF – TEMPLATE FOR ANSWERS

WORK EXPERIENCE

START WITH YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND WORK BACK. MENTION WHAT YOU ACHIEVED IN YOUR CURRENT AND PREVIOUS ROLES – SHOW HOW IT IS RELEVANT FOR THE JOB YOU ARE INTERVIEWING FOR NOW

SKILLS

RESEARCH WHAT SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES THE ROLE REQUIRES– AND TELL THEM YOU HAVE THEM

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

SUMMARISE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING AND WHY THEY ARE RELEVANT TO THE ROLE. MENTION YOUR MOST RECENT EDUCATION FIRST

CLOSING

WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO NOW IS …..MAKE IT ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM NOT WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOURSELF