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Career Advice for Job Seekers

“So Tell Me about Yourself”

William Frierson AvatarWilliam Frierson
June 29, 2012


Ron Fry

Ron Fry

There it is. The granddaddy of all interview questions. And one that still,unbelievably, makes some of you stumble.

It’s really more of a request than a question, but it can put you on the spot like no question can. And if you’re unprepared for such an open-ended prelude to the series of standard questions about your skills, background, and aspirations you’ve been expecting, it can stop you dead and earn you an immediate one-way ticket out of the interview.

What Do They Want to Hear?

From this information, you will now construct a well-thought-out, logically sequenced summary of your experience, skills, talents, and schooling. It’s a decided plus if this brief introduction clearly and succinctly ties your experience into the requirements of the position. But be sure to keep it tightly focused—about 250 to 350 words, and chock-full of specifics. It should take you no more than two minutes to recite an answer that features the following information:

  • Brief introduction.
  • Key accomplishments.
  • Key strengths demonstrated by these accomplishments.
  • Importance of these strengths and accomplishments to the prospective employer.
  • Where and how you see yourself developing in the position for which you’re applying (tempered with the right amount of self-deprecating humor and modesty).

Again, we’re not talking War and Peace here. Anywhere from 250 to 350 words is about right (taking from 90 to 120 seconds to recite).

Here’s how Barb, a recent college graduate applying for an entry-level sales position, answered this question:

“I’ve always been able to get along with different types of people. I think it’s because I’m a good talker and an even better listener. 

[Modestly introduces herself, while immediately laying claim to the most important skills a good salesperson should have.]

“During my senior year in high school, when I began thinking seriously about which careers I’d be best suited for, sales came to mind almost immediately. In high school and during my summer breaks from college, I worked various part-time jobs at retail outlets.

[Demonstrates industriousness and at least some related experience.]

Unlike most of my friends, I actually liked dealing with the public.

[Conveys enthusiasm for selling.]

“However, I also realized that retail had its limitations, so I went on to read about other types of sales positions. I was particularly fascinated by what is usually described as ‘consultive selling.’ I like the idea of going to a client you have really done your homework on and showing him how your products can help him solve one of his nagging problems, and then following through on that.

[Shows interest and enthusiasm for the job.]

“After I wrote a term paper on consultive selling in my senior year of college, I started looking for companies at which I could learn and refine the skills shared by people who are working as account executives.

[Shows initiative both in researching the area of consultive selling to write a term paper and in then researching prospective companies.]

“That led me to your company, Mr. Sheldon. I find the prospect of working with companies to increase the energy efficiency of their installations exciting. I’ve also learned some things about your sales training programs. They sound like they’re on the cutting edge.

[Gives evidence that she is an enthusiastic self-starter.]

“I guess the only thing I find a little daunting about the prospect  of working at Co-generation, Inc., is selling that highly technical equipment without a degree in engineering. 

By the way, what sort of support does your technical staff lend to the sales effort?” 

[Demonstrates that she is willing to learn what she doesn’t know and closes by deferring to the interviewer’s authority. By asking a question the interviewer must answer, Barb has also given herself a little breather. Now the conversational ball sits squarely in the interviewer’s court.]

Based on the apparent sincerity and detail of her answers, it’s not a bad little speech of a mere 253 words, is it?

Article by Ron Fry

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