HOW TO ANSWER THE QUESTION “TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF”
Most times when we go for interviews or we meet influential persons, we are asked this question or given the look that shows that you have to answer this question, you see someone you really admire sitting alone or standing alone and you know that opportunities don’t come that easy, well according to John Obidi, sometimes you don’t wait for opportunities, you create one.
Just like the four friends of the leper created an opportunity by opening a hole in the roof of a house where Jesus was just so that their friend could get healed but apart from the lesson of habit smart and faithful friends (and also being one) you also learn how to create a way sometimes even in a dead end because you are made in the image of God (who created light out of darkness)
Back to the topic, how do you explain yourself in a way that creates a lasting impression because words are what create impressions.
You see, when you meet someone for the first time, you’re a blank sheet of memory in their mind, it is up to you to do a pretty good job by creating a space in the memory of that person.
It’s like submitting a CV to someone who doesn’t know Jack about you and would want you to manage or be part of their enterprise, company, firm or team.
So how do you start?
🔥Start with a compliment, if it’s someone that you admire, let them know how much you admire them, and what you admire about them, you can tell a story around why you admire that quality in them.
“Hey, I saw your necklace and I loved it, it reminds me of the necklace Jack got Rose in the movie, Titanic. If it wasn’t that the necklace was thrown into the sea, I would have thought that you bought it from the movie director. My name is Jedice by the way, what’s yours”
Well this is for unofficial and informal meetings but for formal and job interviews, it’s best to start on an official note
🔥Begin with an introduction, a name and a title.
My name is Tony Diamond, the CEO of TDiamonds enterprise
My name is Nkiru Cynthia, I’m a content creator who gives valuable contents to business start ups so that they can avoid the mistakes made by pioneers and leverage on the milestones achieved by previous start up companies before them.
My name is Tony Diamond, the CEO of TDiamonds enterprise, One of the best manufacturing companies in the south east of Nigeria, with just 3 years of being in business…
My name is Nkiru Cynthia, I’m a content creator who gives valuable contents to business start ups so that they can avoid the mistakes made by pioneers and leverage on the milestones achieved by previous start up companies before them, I’ve helped over 6 companies get established in their various industries, and one of them just recently bagged an award from the Leading monitoring agency in their locality….
I’m Felix Fernando, a business management graduate from the prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, a former business intern with Freakados where I learnt….
🔥 Next you mention past experiences and proven success that relate to the either the Job(that you’re applying for) or the things that the person you’re connecting with is doing or the event where you’re meeting the person.
Here you need to focus on your strength and abilities, highlight on your personality in a way that enables you to completely ‘break the ice’
Yes you need to keep the answer professional but it doesn’t mean you should not shed light on why you’re passionate about your work or about the company even if it somehow breaches personal territory.
People feel comfortable telling their story from a passionate perspective, not only does it liven the room, it helps to engage the interviewer and sets them apart
Every good answer to “tell me about yourself” should consist of:
Work – This should make up about 80% of your answer. Focus on your previous experience and accomplishments here.
Academic – 10-15% of your answer should then be about your academic background (university, academic achievements, etc.).
Personal – Finally the last 5-10% should be about you as a person, while still keeping it relevant to the company.
Also remember the KISS principle (Keep it short & simple)
Don’t be scared to tell your own story of how you got passionate about the job or why you wanted to meet the person, stories are how we relate to people, it helps us to penetrate walls set up by people from strangers…
Hope you found value?
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