Why do interview panelists always want to know about you?
The purpose of an interview is to know more about you as a prospective intern. The "tell me about yourself" question is used to move the interview from casual talk to the more substantive technical and behavioural topics.
The interviewer is looking for signs that you can convey information in a polished and effective manner. If you freeze up the first time you're put on the spot, that will reflect poorly on you.
The ideal response to an interview question is a natural one. That says the candidate has done their homework and is enthusiastic about the opportunity. Having a fantastic response ready can set you apart from other job applicants.
Video or phone interviews provide you the opportunity to prepare in advance for questions like this. In-person interviews require you to be confident enough to respond without consulting your notes.
The interviewer could also ask this question in a variety of other ways.
The interview question "tell me about yourself" can be phrased in a variety of ways. Some similar question(s) that can be asked could be as follows:
- Please elaborate about your background.
- Please tell me some more interesting facts about you.
- Provide some background about your time spent working for "x" firm or on "x" project(if any).
- Enlighten about you that's not mentioned on your CV.
You should have a well-rehearsed, structured response ready for any variation of this question.
Interview preparation: How to respond to the "tell me about yourself" question?
The standard "tell me about yourself" question at job interviews can be answered in a variety of ways. Your answer's structure may be influenced by your level of expertise. The response of a new graduate will vary greatly from that of an experienced candidate. Make sure to put in some practise time once you've settled on a form that works well for you.
Get your response down on paper, so you may reorganise it. Specially when you are about to intern, check its logic, and remember its most important points. Make sure that whichever approach you use, you always bring it back to the role and the firm you're interviewing with. The interviewer should see your interest in the position as natural after hearing your response.
Structure of your response
When responding to the "tell me about yourself" question, it's important to include details about your
- present circumstances,
- relevant work experience,
- why you're a good fit for the position, and
- how your values coincide with those of the organisation.
Describe your present role(if any). Highlight a recent achievement or piece of constructive criticism you received from your employer/University head to the interviewer. Don't complain about your work environment at the moment.
A Look Back at the Past
Provide a detailed account of your experience history, either in reverse-chronological or chronological sequence.
Share a brief narrative from your own life that displays your enthusiasm for the new field if you've recently changed career path. And above all, be truthful.
Share your Reasons
Please explain why you are interested in applying for this specific position. Just what makes you the ideal person for this position? Make the most of this opportunity to market yourself and explain your motivations to the interviewer. This should be simple if you've adapted the rest of your answer to the position for which you're interviewing.
Give an example of how this position can help you reach your long-term professional goals.
Integrating your personal values, interests, and skills into your work at the organisation
Examine the company's ethos. Discuss whether you and the employer place more value on individual effort or teamwork. Don't forget to bring up any side projects you've been working on or any interests you have that could make you an even more valuable employee.
How long is an appropriate response?
Keep in mind that the interviewers' goals are to gain insight into your job history and character. If you answer this question in just a few words, you risk looking unprepared. If you cite long essays, people could worry about your lack of concise communication.
Please limit your response time to no more than three minutes. Keep an eye on the interviewer's expressions to see if there's anything you can build on.
Absolute essentials for answering 'tell me about yourself' - Summary
When asked "tell me about yourself" at an interview, there are some guidelines to follow. The interviewer probably has some preconceived notions about how you should respond to this question. It's best not to go too far from the script.
Maintaining your professionalism throughout the interview process is crucial. This opportunity could be lost if you are too negative or share too much personal information.
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| Vacancy | Location (Sector) | Job Type | Date Published | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Real Estate InternshipJBROWN GLOBAL LIMITED |
London , Central London Property Management / Real Estate |
Full-time | Nov 20, 2023 | View |
Real Estate Marketing PlacementJBROWN GLOBAL LIMITED |
London, Central London Marketing / Advertising / Social Media |
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Full-time | Nov 20, 2023 | View |
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| Vacancy | Sector | Location | Job Type | Date Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Business Development & Marketing InternDRUM ADVISORY LIMITED |
Business Management / Development, Marketing / Advertising / Social Media, Market Research / Analysis, Financial Services / Banking |
London, Central London | Full-time | Dec 05, 2023 |
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Media / New Media, Marketing / Advertising / Social Media, Internet Business / Online / Mobile |
London, Greater London | Part-time | Nov 20, 2023 |
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| Region | Vacancies | |
|---|---|---|
Central London |
5095 | View |
Greater London |
1155 | View |
South East England |
359 | View |
South West England |
91 | View |
East of England |
43 | View |
East Midlands |
48 | View |
West Midlands |
160 | View |
North East England |
9 | View |
North West England |
143 | View |
Yorkshire and the Humber |
34 | View |
Scotland |
45 | View |
Wales |
25 | View |
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