“Tell me about yourself” – Interviewing Tips
If you have been selected for an interview, congratulations! You've made it to the next step of the hiring/acceptance process. An interview may be required for many jobs, internships, and graduate and professional school programs.
If you were invited for an interview, that indicates that your application caught their eye! The interview is typically the last step and will likely be the determining factor for you being accepted or hired.
That sounds daunting but if you take the following advice and prepare well you will be just fine!
The Basic Steps:
- Do your research! Read the organization’s website and be sure you fully understand the mission and/or the services offered.
- Gather your references! Identify three people who can speak to your ability to succeed and communicate with them before your interview.
- Select Your outfit! Your clothing and accessories will speak about professionalism and workplace savvy.
- Map your route. Find out the exact time and place of the interview. Make sure that the address and phone number are on hand. Take a print out of directions in case technology fails you. Arrive 10-15 minutes early. Don’t arrive too early; this can inconvenience the employer. It is okay to sit in your car.
- Practice! practice! practice! Review questions you are likely to encounter and practice your response to each question. See a sample of some of the questions you may be asked below.
Common Interview Questions:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you excited about this new opportunity?
- What is your greatest strength/weakness?
- Why do you want to work for this company/ Why do you want to join this program?
- How do you handle ambiguity?
- Do you have any questions for me?
“Tell me about yourself” is typically the first question you might be asked. This question does not ask about your likes and dislikes and what you like to do with your free time. You should prepare a thoughtful response that provides an overview of your skills that match the job educational background, and experience.
“What is your major weakness?” You can identify a weakness that will not significantly hinder you in the job, then highlight a strength that will compensate. You can also identify a weakness that could also be used as a strength. But, most interviewers are tired of hearing “I am a perfectionist” or “I tend to take on too much.” You can also point out something that the interviewer already knows but does not appear to be a stumbling block. For example, a low G.P.A or the lack of a specific technical skill.
“Why do you want to work for this company” can be answered by expressing what impressed you about the research you did on the organization.
Some other challenging interview questions are behavioral questions. These are known as “behavioral-based-interviews” (BBI) and the questions will pertain to a time when you used a certain skill. For example, “provide an example of a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.”
BBI questions can be answered using the STAR Method.
S T– Situation or Task – describe the situation in detail.
A – Action – describe the action you took to remedy the situation.
R – Result – explain the result of the action. Make sure the result reflects positively on you.
One of the top skills interviewers are looking for is communication skills. The key to a successful interview is to be able to communicate your skills and accomplishments well. You should speak concisely, don’t let the interviewer zone out or lose focus because you are taking too much time trying to answer one question.
Make sure you ask questions throughout the interview and at the end when prompted. Questions are a great way to show your enthusiasm for the opportunity. If you have an upcoming interview, make an appointment at the Career Center to discuss interviewing skills. We can help you prepare to answer difficult questions and help you identify key ways to have a successful interview!
Check out the Career Center Career Guide and online workshops for more tips!
