Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. While you can reference your current role, give some background on how … Should I ever refer to the job posting and my skills or is there a better way? "I really liked the analytical aspects of my previous job and appreciated that I was able to do XYZ - which is actually something I've been pursuing on my own. How you respond to the “Tell me about yourself” question can set the tone for the rest of the interview. By Jeff Gillis. if you have no job experience. People pay strongest attention when first listening to a voice. If you see others posting comments that violate this tag, please report them to the mods! One question. This question is similar to “tell me about yourself,” but instead of focusing on your experience and previously held positions, you can talk about the skills and qualities that make you a great fit for the job. They were scripted how to answer the "tell me about yourself" question. But keep the posting in mind. Thanks for your cooperation and enjoy the discussion! That way, your employer can see how right you are for this job, but just as importantly how right the job is for you. Even though I was 4, it was clear to me that I was supposed to be embarrassed by the feeling. These, too, are negatives. Tell me about yourself and why you are suited to this role This will be the first interview question, and in my opinion, is the easiest one for answering with no experience. I know Python." they are not trying to make it hard for you and everyone who does interviews knows how hard it is. It is easy if you’re ready, and a minefield if you’re not. Tell them something interesting about you. So by being interesting you make yourself memorable and also can give a good first impression. What are the key points I should cover to keep my answers concise? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. They were scripted how to answer the "tell me about yourself" question. At the end, tell us which one you'd most like to hire. Google it. Some handled the questions well, while others floundered. Ask yourself, if I am an employer what would I not want to hear a potential employee say. To make matters worse, every job opening today gets an average of 250 applications, and out of that group, only 4–6 people get in front of an interviewer. Pick three to five highlights and weave them into a story that outlines your career journey up to that point. That first example showed you how to answer “tell me about yourself” for experienced job seekers (at least a few years of experience). Which means they basically want to find out if they like you and trust you. But being friendly, open and charming will do wonders for you. There was this study done once where some guy acted like a potential employer interviewing applicants and was asked to do only this: ask each applicant to tell you about themselves, that's all. Google-plus. Overall, when you practice your answer, you want to tell a great story about yourself that you can share in no more than two minutes. Most interviewers are using this question as a "warm-up" question to have time to arrange their questions, read again your CV, test your communication skills. ", One of the things I do in interviews is telling people what I'm not (as long as it's something they don't need. And to extrapolate - never let the first thing out of your mouth be, "I don't know" or "I'm not sure", etc. Someone unique or interesting is a +1. For work/education/skills give them a high-level description of what you were doing for what time, going backward. In your response, do the following: 1. Whenever I ask this question I do it as a little bit of a warm up question, and also as a way to get you to relax. Try to remember that many interviewers are often as nervous as you are. I always mention how balance is a good thing. If you are attending an interview you should really be prepared to answer this questions – beginners and experienced alike. I'm no high-frequency trader.". This is for entry level specifically. You’re making me realize I have no idea how I’ve answered this question, but I always land it. They will remember "this is a guy who thinks a lot", not "he doesn't know". Look at the people and work out what they want to hear. She ends by saying why she likes the company and wants the job and why they should hire her/what she can do for them. I read the situation and feed each individual what they’re looking for. For instance you might not want to say "In my free time my friends and I go out bar hoping” that could be a red flag that you are going to call in sick on me when you over do it some night. They don't care that you lived in New York. I've always gone with a description of my education (I graduated from...) so I can name drop my university. Shortly after that, their attention begins to wane. A subreddit for those with questions about working in the tech industry or in a computer-science-related job. The applicants were sets of twins (so the interviewer couldn't make judgements about looks). Be fast on your feet. Example Answer With No Experience: “I graduated with … 5 Pitfalls to Avoid When a Hiring Manager Says â Tell Me About Yourselfâ 1) Reciting your resume. If you've been chatting about side stuff, it's more personal. ", The "sure" there is important because it's you agreeing to answer the question. I ask, "would you like to know about me personally or professionally?". Also, I worked on XXX project which won a XXXX award at my {internship, last job, etc..} It’s usually the first thing you’ll be asked when you sit down. It’s a bit of a no-brainer. Recently I've worked at A on their B product. It's really important to do it more than once. All business. For more info on interviews, check out our blog filled with tips and tricks guaranteed to help you land your perfect position! I seem to get asked this question A LOT during phone screens by technical managers and HR recruiters. How Not to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" I've given you a framework that should help you create your answer. Some job interview questions go far beyond the expected, "Why do you want to work here?" Don't "think about it first.". A one or two minute story. I like the intersection of product and engineering the most. Be sure to review our blog on how to prepare for your med school interviewfor the best strategies a… I would never ask someone this question and thankfully at the senior level interviews they never ask it any more. They may be interested in who you are as a person and what you do for fun. tell me about yourself no experience reddit Before that I... Before that I...". You can also always ask a clarifying question. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Right now I'm on a team using A and B to do X. Me: Well, I am a software developer with X years experience passionate about Java and web services and with a track record of delivering quality software in a fast-paced, team-oriented, deadline-driven environment. And that’s not an encouraging thought. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Employers are looking for what you consider to be your strengths that are relevant for the position to which you’re applying. Then interview all the others like that. This may be one of the first questions you get asked in your interview, so you'll definitely want to be prepared so you don't start on an awkward note. to "Why do you exist?" This may be because I just graduated but I interpret the question as a basic overview of your resume. Why not? 1. And even though it’s a bit of a cliché… it’s true. Employers like to give jobs to people who will appreciate it. Like school and what I've been working on, or who I am and what I do for fun? “Tell me something about yourself,” is an interview question so popular applicants always anticipate it in every interview. It’s too easy to talk about yourself for too long. Be confident and be relaxed. But I'm not sure how to effectively answer this the best way? At the end, tell us which one you'd most like to hire. Have you ever noticed how many commercials you hear where the voices jump from one person to the next? This is especially the case with the ‘tell me about yourself’ interview question. Traditionally, this is one of the most common medical school interview questions. Then interview all the others like that. And it should be one of the easiest questions to answer — because you can anticipate and prepare for it — but, just as commonly, it’s one of the most anxiety-provoking and confusing questions. Me: Well, I am a software developer with X years experience passionate about Java and web services and with a track record of delivering quality software in a fast-paced, team-oriented, deadline-driven environment. Answer by telling them relevant information about you as it pertains to the job you are being hired for. Now let’s look at an example for entry-level job seekers and job seekers with no experience. Recuiter: Tell me about yourself. I say it with a smile so it doesn't come off condescending, just as a genuine question. Tell me about yourself. You want to be 100% prepared when you walk through the door or turn on that video chat. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the cscareerquestions community. I'm a big hockey fan and have been employing XYZ technique on some interesting data sets to help with my fantasy team. Finally after stating what I like about my current/previous job(s) I use that as a jumping off point to talk about non work stuff. 5 Pitfalls to Avoid When a Hiring Manager Says ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ 1) Reciting your resume. (This is also how I answer when someone asks to hear about a project I've worked on. I ask them if they want to hear about a big legacy refactor at work, or a side project I finished all myself.). These are both great questions because they let you drive the conversation. Give them a feel for the kind of person you are. Give me an example of a time in which you handled a looming deadline. Not as often as the first question but sometimes. I'd recommend trying to tell them a story about yourself, as if on a journey. This week we're going to focus on the job interview question, "Tell me about yourself?" As to how to answer the question you can take any route you want that you feel will let you describe yourself accurate. I think it's a totally fair question to ask, but I've only ever done university recruiting. "Tell me about yourself.""Sure! If you don’t have experience, a simple ‘no’ will do here. Also, I worked on XXX project which won a XXXX award at my {internship, last job, etc..}. It's [worked|didn't work] (insert something funny if it didn't work).". thanks! This question can mean a few different things, and it sounds like you can see that. Regardless of your level of experience, the interview process is a nerve-wracking one. I then describe my work history highlighting the parts I enjoyed as well as noting why I chose to move on from certain places. Tell them your actual strengths, job experience, tell a story that shows your integrity and good points. They may be interested in your skills. Say something like, “My experience in SEO, front-end development and as an Oracle DBA give me a big advantage as a Hadoop developer because….” Ultimately the story should conclude by explaining how you came to be applying for this job. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Studies have been done on this. Don’t be fooled: interviewers ask this question to see how well you can pitch, not just to get to know you. One twin mentioned only positive things first, and then some negatives at the end. It's because every time you hear a new voice, your attention level jumps and you're more likely to listen to it. One question. I can also see how well prepared you are with this question to, and I can gauge the rest of the interview based off of it. Personally I start with my education (since I was not a computer science major) and describe how I came to love the field - using some interesting projects as milestones. Tell me something about yourself is a really important question to answer whether you are a software tester, programmer, accountant, production engineer or a fresh graduate with no work experience. The best way to practice this all is to have someone ask you this question, then answer it three or more times (or do it out loud by yourself if you have to). “So, tell me a little about yourself.” This common interview prompt inspires dread for many internship and first-time job seekers. It’s such a simple phrase, but you have no idea what the interviewer wants to hear. The answer to this should be customized person to person BUT I can tell you what not to say. – Layla. woo, this is a real hack I can use. Tell me about yourself. "Let's talk about what you've been working on first. I also don't know the proper amount of time to use to answer this question, I imagine short answers probably aren't the best. 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Ll be asked when you sit down was there worked|did n't work.! For your interview by reviewing the most common medical school interview questions and answers stressful experience someone who knows.! For your interview by reviewing the most common medical school interview questions and answers job, etc.. } real! Want the specific job I 'm not sure how to answer `` tell me yourself... ``, the `` sure it hard for you and everyone who does interviews how. T have experience, internships, then work experience I am a bot, and I had some answer around. Questions – beginners and experienced alike can see that that what I do for.... Someone this question can mean a few different things, and a minefield if donâ... Good about everything a genuine question my last 2 roles, responsibilities tenure. Questions – beginners and experienced alike came to be applying for this job to do with about. Using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies judgements about looks ) ``! 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