When you hear this question, usually two things happen:
- You immediately think “I hate talking about myself”
- “What am I even supposed to say?”
On one hand you know all about yourself, but on the other hand, talking about yourself in the context of a job interview can feel stressful and complicated. It may seem like an intimidating question, but we have some tips to help you keep your audience, present yourself appropriately, and make them see that you are a natural fit for the role.
This is an opportunity for the hiring team to get to know you and see you as a human being, not just a paper resume. Be succinct, honest, and engaging. When someone asks you to “Tell me about yourself”, they want to get a better idea of who you are as a person, what your goals are, and what your strengths are. Everyone loves a good story from a relatable human.
Tell Me About Yourself – Formula
- Look at the job description and identify anything listed that you’ve done in the military or a past role. Do you have any of these skills or strengths? Choose 2-3 of your best ones (that you could elaborate on if it comes up!).
- Once upon a time there was [blank]. Every day, [blank]. One day [blank]. Because of that, [blank]. Until finally [bank].
Present
- Hook ‘em
- Don’t get too deep, especially if you’re transitioning from the military. No one cares about your rank or MOS or your entire assignment history.
Past
- The highlights – not your whole life story!
- What did you learn about your strengths while you were in the military (or at your current or previous roles)? What energizes you?
Future
- Keeping your audience and purpose in mind, connect the dots
- What makes you a natural fit for this role?
- What problem can you help them solve?
**Think like a hiring manager: You’re looking for someone who can ____ and ____, and my experience/skills/passion in ____ and ____ make me a natural fit for the role.
Take the opportunity to keep the conversation focused on the skills, and experiences that you know are most aligned to the job requirements
Toolkit for Career Success
A Genuine Understanding of Yourself
The core knowledge of what has driven your choices and what should drive them moving forward – and the confidence to make the right decisions for yourself
Authentic Relationship Management
The ability to cultivate relationships, win over allies and advocates, and create a team that helps you find your way
Adept Storytelling Skills
The skill of succinctly describing your journey to date, your goals, your unique value proposition, and your key needs to support your growth
Try out the Mirror challenge for practice, up next!