Invariably, an interview starts out with the seemingly innocuous question, "So, tell me about yourself." This is the opening gauntlet question.
You want to make sure you give the interviewer a powerful response to this, because it somewhat sets the tone for further questions. This is also, unfortunately, where I find a lot of people trip-wire into revealing information that can be unnecessary and potentially damaging. Let's unpack this:
"Breaking The Ice"
What the interviewer is looking for is to get you relaxed and talking. It's based on the premise that you're the subject matter expert in YOU, so it's a technique to get you, as the interviewee, comfortable with opening up and talking. Far too many times, though, I experience interviewees who are still unprepared for this opening question. They're not sure what they should talk about. If this has happened to you, I assure you that you're not alone.
The interviewer wants to have you do a quick (5 minute max) summary of your education, work history, skills, and work-related interests. This is not the time to talk about your marriage, your kids, where you go to church, your personal interests (like hunting, playing Scrabble, or wine tasting). All of that is nice, but it really broaches on conversation that shouldn't be included in interviews (primarily because they aren't relevant to the position and therefore, can lead to discrimination).
A Reader's Digest Summary
Be prepared, as you're giving your quick "overview of yourself" that the interviewer may ask questions as you're going through this. That's great! The interviewer may want to understand, for example, why you chose, after you finished high school, to go on to college to get your Associate's degree or your Bachelor's degree. Or, he may want to know what drove your decision to leave a particular company for the next job opportunity.
This is a time to be brief, but give the interviewer what I call a "Reader's Digest" version of your background, skills and experience. A quick example:
"I earned my Associate's Degree in business from XYZ University and started my career with EFG Company as a Customer Service Representative. After 2 years there, they promoted me to Customer Service Manager, where I oversaw 4 direct employees and handled company quality complaints. I spent a total of 5 years at EFG, and then was recruited to take an opportunity with ABC company as a Business Development Manager, developing my background in sales and marketing for outside sales for ABC. I was caught up in a massive layoff after 4 years there, and I'm currently seeking this opportunity to apply my experience in customer service and business development for your firm."
Give 'Em an Outline
Notice, in this example, I didn't go into too much depth, but skimmed the surface about education, work history and reason for talking with the interviewer today. This "sets the stage" for the interviewer to go back and delve into more details (if he wants). Or, hopefully, it may have succinctly answered his initial question of why you left your former employers and now the interviewer wants to go through some behavior-based questions (check out my previous blog on Behavior-Based Questions).
Summary: Tell the interviewer about your education, your work history, your particular skills and why you're looking to work for his company. Avoid taking the conversation into the weeds by talking about your golf game and such.
Kathleen Lapekas - PHR
Action HR Consulting
For Personal Attention to Personnel Matters....
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