How to Respond to “Tell me about yourself”

Often times, the most puzzling part of an interview is the broad icebreaker: “Tell me about yourself.” When employers say “tell me about yourself”, they really mean what can you do for this business. Prepare yourself before an interview using these helpful tips as guidance.

1. Make a list of your top qualities that apply to the position you are being interviewed for. Practice a dialogue in the mirror of what you will say about yourself during the interview.

2. Be confident. Don’t be afraid to talk about your accomplishments and traits that you are proud of. The interviewer wants to know why you make a better fit to the position than other candidates.

3. Begin with your most impressive accomplishments and try to relate them to how these experiences will help you in your future career.

Practice, practice, practice! And don’t forget to make eye contact!

Make Your Resume a Success

Your resume often serves as your first impression with potential employers. Be sure that you are sending the right message in a clear and concise way. Here are some tips for making a successful first impression with your resume:

Focus on originality – Highlight individual achievements on your resume instead of listing your day-to-day tasks at past jobs.

Get to the point – Writing in a short, concise manner. In today’s job market, a recruiter may file through hundreds of resumes for a single position. Write clearly so your achievements stand out when your resume is given a 10-second look over.

Be relevant – Keep the content of your resume to the last four years of background information. Your high school accomplishments are not going to impress a recruiter. Make sure you are aiming your resume at your target audience!