Lecture Notes: "Tell Me About Yourself" Question

Importance of the Question

• Commonly asked in 99% of job interviews.
• Sets the tone for the interview and impacts results.
• Gives candidates a chance to make a strong first impression.

Why Interviewers Ask This Question

• Easy way to start the conversation.
• Helps the interviewer dive into relevant information about the candidate.
• Allows the interviewer to see how the candidate presents themselves.

Common Candidate Challenges

• The question is open-ended, leading to uncertainty on how to answer.
• Candidates often stumble, talk too much, or provide irrelevant information.

Strategy for a Strong Answer

• Embrace the question to take control of the interview.
• Consider the response as an elevator pitch: concise and focused.
• Customize the response to each job opportunity.

Crafting Your Response

1. Step One: Who You Are

   • Make a confident, compelling statement about your professional self.
   • Avoid chronological walk-throughs of your resume.
   • Focus on current position and relevant experience.
   • Example: "I am a recent Columbia MBA graduate with a strong background in the pharmaceutical industry."

2. Step Two: Why You're Qualified

   • Discuss 2-4 key selling points or accomplishments relevant to the position.
   • Keep it concise, ideally under two minutes.
   • Highlight achievements and competencies, not just duties.
   • Example: "I spent the last six years as a customer service manager at Megacompany, Inc., where I won several awards and was promoted twice."

3. Step Three: Why You're Here

   • Express enthusiasm and readiness for the new role in 1-2 sentences.
   • Keep it general but relevant to many positions.
   • Example: "Although I love my current role, I feel ready for a more challenging assignment."

Finalizing Your Elevator Pitch

• Outline bullet points for each step.
• Practice the delivery to find a natural flow.
• Personalize the pitch for specific opportunities.
• Example response structure:
  • Professional background and recent accomplishments.
  • Reason for seeking new opportunities.

Additional Resources

• Utilize practice tools like Big Interview for sample answers and feedback.

Conclusion

• Preparing a strong "tell me about yourself" response can significantly improve your interview performance.
• The goal is to confidently present yourself and tailor the message to the job at hand.
• Practice and customization are key to success.