As a Tax Manager at Clothier & Head, I’ve had the opportunity to interview several individuals for a number of positions. In my experience, I’ve found one of the most dreaded job interview questions for inexperienced interviewees is, “So, tell me a little about yourself. . .”
How in the heck do you prepare for an open-ended question like that? Fear not! I thought I would help. I’ve included ways to help you prepare for this question and your interview with Clothier & Head.
- Focus - List five strengths you have that are pertinent to this job — experience, traits, skills, etc. What do you want to be most remembered for? “My real strength is my attention to detail. I pride myself on my reputation for following through and meeting deadlines. When I commit to doing something, I make sure it gets done, and on time.”
- Script - Prepare a script that includes information you want to convey and practice it. Practice makes better. Practice your script until you feel comfortable with what you intend to emphasize in the interview. Having a script will make it easier for you to stay on track, but you shouldn’t memorize it. Memorizing your script will only make you sound stiff and rehearsed. Remember, this should sound natural and conversational.
- Conclude with a statement about your current situation - “What I am looking for now is a company that values client relations, where I can join a strong team and have a positive impact on client retention.”
Even if you are not asked this type of question in an interview, this preparation will help you focus on what you have to offer.
You will also find you can use the information in this exercise to assist you in answering other questions. The more you can talk about your product — you — the better chance you will have at selling it!
