It is a new week. Full of new opportunities and challenges. Here is my thought for the week: Be Thankful for Everything you’ve encountered along your professional journey. It’s a part of your story.
“The more relaxed you are, the better you are at everything: the better you are with your loved ones, the better you are with your enemies, the better you are at your job, the better you are with yourself.” – Bill Murray
During your interview, the hiring manager or recruiter will most likely start by asking you to tell them about yourself. While this serves the purpose of getting to get to know you, it is really an opportunity to establish an emotional connection with your future coworkers or boss.
Here are three things you need to know about responding to this request:
- It sets the tone for the rest of the interview. If you sound annoyed with the question or excited about the question, this is the same energy they will expect over the next few questions and potentially on the job as well. The lack of enthusiasm will not place them at ease, and therefore the rest of your interview might not go well. They are looking at how well you interact with new people (i.e. new customers, co-workers), and how you make people feel. Do you put people at ease and make them feel comfortable around you? Put them at ease! Make them smile. Have a good vibe.
- Do not start by discussing your private life. Do not start from infancy. Do not talk about your dog, unless “Bullet” was key to your promotion. Do not go in with low confidence on how you just need a chance. This is the not the time. You are a highly qualified individual who will excel in the job to which you are applying. That is the mindset that you need.
- I recommend this 5-part framework to respond to the request to “Tell us about yourself” in under 2 minutes: Try this out! 1) What you do/did? 2) What are the 1 or 2 goals you set out to achieve? 3) What specific skill did you learn? 4) What is your greatest value as it relates to the job you are seeking? 5). Why you are seeking this job?
Here’s an example: “Currently, I serve as general labor supervisor for Four Season’s Yard Care. I have 5 years of experience as a landscaper for residential properties. Last year, my goal was to be promoted and withing 6 months, I was promoted to shift supervisor where I led a team of 30 landscapers. I have learned how to anticipate staffing roadblocks, deliver great customer service with my team, and how to include them in decisions. My greatest value I will bring to this role is getting people to carry out projects to completion while helping the team to understand just how important each is to the team. I am seeking an opportunity to grow by leading more people while managing more commercial properties.
The ‘Tell us about yourself’ request can be a bit tricky to navigate. However, this is an opportunity to establish an emotional connection with your future coworkers or boss. It is important to set the tone for the rest of the interview by putting the interviewer at ease and making them comfortable around you. Avoid discussing your private life or demonstrate a lack of confidence. A 5-part framework to respond to the request is recommended, which includes what you do, your goals, specific skills learned, your greatest value, and why you are seeking the job. An example response could include current position, previous experience, goals achieved, skills learned, greatest value, and why you are seeking the job.
