You've received that long-awaited job interview invitation, and now you're faced with the question: "Tell me about yourself." This is a crucial moment where you can highlight your skills, experience, and personality in a positive way. 

What to say about myself in a job interview

In this blog post, we'll explore 15 valuable tips on what to say at this crucial moment, offering a detailed look at how to impress your interviewers.

1. Start with a Professional Greeting

Starting your response with a professional greeting sets a positive tone from the start. Saying something like, "Good morning/afternoon/evening, my name is [your name], and I'm very excited to be here today" shows courtesy and enthusiasm.

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2. Talk About Your Academic Background

Briefly share your educational background, highlighting courses relevant to the position. Avoid excessive detail, but be sure to mention any academic achievements that highlight your skills.

3. Highlight Your Previous Professional Experiences

When discussing your professional experiences, focus on the achievements and responsibilities that are directly relevant to the position in question. Explain how your previous experiences prepared you for the challenges of the position.

4. Technical Skills and Soft Skills

Integrate technical and soft skills (interpersonal skills) in your answer. Show how your skills can contribute to the workplace and address specific challenges the company faces.

5. Demonstrate Your Knowledge of the Company

Research the company before the interview and include information that demonstrates your understanding of the organization's culture, values, and mission. This shows interviewers that you're genuinely interested in the position.

6. Explain Your Career Goals

Share your professional goals in a way that aligns with the position you're seeking. This demonstrates commitment and helps create a cohesive narrative about your career path.

7. Highlight Relevant Projects

If you've worked on specific projects, highlight them, explaining your contribution and the results achieved. This provides concrete evidence of your skills and achievements.

8. Talk About Your Continuous Learning Process

Show that you're always seeking to learn and grow professionally. Mention recent courses, certifications, or workshops you've attended to stay up-to-date in your field.

9. Demonstrate Your Adaptability

Highlight situations where you demonstrated adaptability and resilience in challenging environments. Employers value professionals who can adapt to new circumstances.

10. Share Examples of Teamwork

Explain how you collaborate effectively as a team, highlighting past experiences where you contributed to collective success. Interpersonal skills are often as important as technical skills.

11. Talk About Your Problem-Solving Style

Describe how you approach and solve problems, highlighting specific examples. This gives interviewers practical insight into how you tackle challenges in the workplace.

12. Show Your Initiative and Proactivity

Highlight instances where you took the initiative to improve processes or implement innovative ideas. Employers appreciate candidates who go beyond their basic responsibilities.

13. Be Authentic and Transparent

Honesty is crucial. Be transparent about your experiences and skills. This helps build trust with interviewers and establish a genuine connection.

14. Practice Nonverbal Communication

Beyond what you say, how you express yourself nonverbally is vital. Maintain eye contact, smile, and use moderate gestures to convey confidence and professionalism.

15. Close with Enthusiasm and Ask About Next Steps

Conclude your response enthusiastically, reiterating your interest in the position. Ask a polite question about the next steps in the selection process, demonstrating your commitment.

Why prepare for the job interview?

Preparing for an interview is crucial for several reasons, and it goes far beyond simply knowing the company. Here are some compelling reasons to invest time and effort in properly preparing for a job interview:

1. Professional Printing

Preparation allows you to make a professional impression from the start. By knowing details about the company, the position, and the interviewers, you show the employer that you're genuinely interested in the opportunity.

2. Confidence and Calmness

By preparing, you gain confidence. Knowing what to say, how to say it, and what to expect reduces anxiety and helps you stay calm during the interview. Confidence is a valuable trait employers look for in candidates.

3. Coherent and Structured Responses

Preparation allows you to formulate clear, structured answers to common questions. This ensures you effectively communicate your skills, experience, and accomplishments in a way that's relevant to the position.

4. Demonstration of Knowledge

Understanding the company, its culture, values, and mission is crucial. This allows you to highlight how your skills and experience align with the company's objectives, demonstrating that you understand the environment and organizational goals.

5. Adaptation to the Company Profile

Every company has a unique culture. By preparing, you can tailor your answers to reflect the organization's values and culture, increasing your chances of being perceived as a perfect fit.

Conclusion

In a job interview, the answer to "Tell me about yourself" is a golden opportunity to impress your interviewers. By following these 15 tips, you can craft a compelling narrative, highlighting your skills and experiences in an impactful way. Remember to be authentic, prepared, and confident, and you'll be well on your way to landing that dream job. Good luck!

See also: Job openings at Marisa, apply now

November 25, 2023