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Tell Me About Yourself...

You've made it - you are sitting in front of a prospective employer or client. All the prep work and networking you've done got you the interview or a chance to pitch new business.

So, there you are, ready to talk about how your skills and achievements are a perfect match for the job or why your product and services are the best in the marketplace and then you hear: "Tell me about yourself".

Excuse me? Why on earth would I want to tell you about me? In what way does that have anything to do with my skill set? Wouldn't you rather hear how I increased profitability at my company by 2000%? Can't I just tell you about all the things that are on my resume? Wouldn't you rather hear the benefits you'll experience when you purchase my product or services?

Well yes, but not yet.

Often people think that "tell me about yourself" is a warm up for the real business conversation you'll be having any minute now. Many times you'll have to respond to, "Tell me about yourself", before you get to discuss your achievements, experience or expertise.

So, how do you maximize this awkward moment? Tell the listener something about yourself that illustrates the skills you'll be talking about during the "formal" portion of the interview or presentation.

For example, if you play sports, mention a recent game you've had. Not because you and the interviewer will be best buddies after this meeting, but because by telling the story you illustrate what a great team player you are. If you are meeting with a prospective client, think about how you can create rapport with your response. Create a connection between you, the listener and what you are selling through the story you tell. Tell your story with a purpose and as a way of demonstrating one of your selling points.

You can leverage what appears to be small talk by telling your listener something about you that correlates to their needs and interests.

Then when you get to move on to the "real" interview or presentation you've already started demonstrating why you are a great match for what the listener needs.

Apr 08, 2004    5:49 pm

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