The following are some of the most common “about you” interview questions: 1. Tell me something about yourself. This is a common way to start an interview, so make sure you’re ready with a short, smart answer. The interviewer is not interested in your whole life; think of this as a highlight reel and keep…
The following are some of the most common “about you” interview questions:
1. Tell me something about yourself.
This is a common way to start an interview, so make sure you’re ready with a short, smart answer. The interviewer is not interested in your whole life; think of this as a highlight reel and keep your answer to one minute. Even though you don’t have to tell your whole life story, now is the time to talk about the things you’re most proud of. Start with your education and then talk about your career accomplishments, putting the most emphasis on those that are relevant to this job.
You should explain clearly and with enthusiasm how the organization will benefit from your current and past responsibilities and skills. Even though you should stay focused on the job at hand, your personal interests can make you a more memorable candidate by making your answer stand out. They can also help you connect with the interviewer on a personal level.
2. What are your best qualities?
Even though it looks like a trick, this common question is actually a gift. Answer as honestly as you can and focus on the things about you that make you a good fit for this job. For a strong answer, think of three of your best qualities and back them up with evidence, like awards, compliments, or personal stories.
Choose strengths that are directly related to the job and show that you can learn the job faster and do better than others. Try not to say things that the interviewer has heard a million times before. Instead, think about times when your unique skills made a positive difference.
3. What are your weaknesses?
This question, which is the opposite of “strengths,” is popular with interviewers and feared by candidates. Again, back up your answers with facts and stay away from cliches. Perfectionism and working too much are not signs of weakness. The interviewer knows you are a person and wants to get a true picture of you.
The key is to pick weaknesses that aren’t real flaws (remember, this is an interview, not a therapy session) and aren’t important to the job at hand. If you want to be an accountant and are interviewing for a job, you shouldn’t say you’re bad with numbers.
Be honest about your flaws, but be ready to talk about how you’re working to improve them. Employers want to see that you are working on your flaws and getting better.
Both strengths and weaknesses get better with practice. Prepare specific examples of your strengths and weaknesses, and then back up your answers with those examples. Take a minute or two to write down everything important or strange that happens to you every day. You never know when you might need to talk about this in an interview in the future.
