Mastering Job Interviews: Effective Self-Presentation and Interview Techniques

Dear Seniors,

I'm still not sure about this soft-spoken phrase 'Tell me about yourself' asked during an interview. Apart from introducing myself, mentioning my work experience, and education, what am I supposed to include? What exactly does the interviewer want to know? How do they evaluate a candidate's skills and abilities with this question?

I shall be glad for your valuable suggestions.

Thank you all,
Ben Jr

Dear Benjamir,

I am a fresher too. I gathered a few pieces of information from guest lectures and workshops. So here it goes,

"TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF" - As simple as the question may seem, it could be one of the trickiest questions. The HRs judge you by the relevance of your answers, so it is always good to stick to your professional profile. Although a few lines about your family and background are no harm.

For example: Hi, I am Mr./Ms. QWERTY, I hail from a farming family (or your family details). My native place is "POLLACHI," etc. Mention your siblings' names if you want. Avoid elaborating (e.g., My first brother is a Veterinary doctor, my sister is married to a farmer in the next village... etc., should be avoided).

The next step should be your educational details. Again, a few lines would suffice. In case you have received any special rewards or medals in your academics, mention them. For example, I passed my UG-B.E with Distinction, etc.

The third step could be your SWOT (strengths, weaknesses stuff)... I guess most of us here know how to define them. But avoid mentioning personal weaknesses like smoking or drinking habits as it does not convey a good message to HR. Let them be something that substantiates your strengths. For example, if you had mentioned that you are a FRIENDLY PERSON as a strength, try putting that as Being Friendly. In all situations, it is not possible, so I must learn to cope with such situations - this could be your weakness, also known as an Area of improvement.

The fourth and last step should be your career-related information in case you have work experience. Your current job description and a few achievements and other related things. In the case of a fresher, show them how and why you are interested in working with that particular organization. Show your willingness.

Apart from step 3, all others are in your resume itself. So, it's just testing your communication skills and how boldly you talk, giving full justice to relevant matters.

This is simply what I have gathered from some workshops I have attended. It could be around 90% correct.

I also welcome some senior HRs to correct me if I am wrong and suggest the right thing as well.

Hope this is useful.

Cheers,

SHARRANYA V. GANESH

Hi Siddharth,

I still want to be clearer on the weakness part. What are those so-called weaknesses that will make you feel comfortable and also make you more hireable? As mentioned earlier, if you smoke or drink, you can't say that. Please name the list of things that you can put in your weakness chart. :)

Thank you.

Dear Ben,

I too agree with the inputs that Sharranya has given. To share my personal experience, I have always started with my educational qualifications, then proceeded with the career notes. The next step would be highlighting my special achievements and finally concluding with my personal and family details. It is essential to ensure that the information provided aligns with your resume. Pay attention to mentioning your year of passing, date of joining, relieving, etc. When elaborating on your career notes, make sure you are concise and specific. Mention your Date of Joining (DOJ), designation, responsibilities (concisely), any remarkable achievements, and finally, your reason for leaving. The key is to express all details crisply while providing all relevant information without leaving room for the interviewer to ask for more data. It is crucial to proactively deliver the information before being asked. Your body language also plays a significant role. Always respond positively and learn to present even negative answers in a constructive manner. Being bold, confident, and accepting mistakes are also important. It is better to decline answering than to give evasive or false statements.

I hope these tips will help you improve.

Regards,

Subhashini

Dear Siddharth,

Weaknesses can be mentioned, but end on a positive note. Personal weaknesses are different and should not be mingled. Examples such as not being punctual, having a short temper, not getting along with people, being lazy, or lethargic can be considered weaknesses; however, mentioning these in an interview could lead to a negative impression. It is advisable not to mention more than one or two weaknesses, and even those should appear correctable.

Regards,
Subhashini

Thank you for your prompt reply, Subhasini. I am very interested in knowing what I should say, rather than what I should not. Could you please provide me with a list?

I personally feel that there is nothing in quotes that you should not say. Say yours, but end on a positive or supportive note.

In my interview, I said, "I will not work after the working hours of the factory, but I will put my heart and soul into my job within the working hours themselves, and it is more than enough. In an emergency, I will extend my working hours." This approach worked out well for me.

Subhashini

This question has been asked many times on CiteHR.

Please do not forget to use the research box at the top of every page here on CiteHR.

https://www.citehr.com/results.php?q...ubmit=reSearch

I always advise people to answer this question solely on the basis of advancing your claim on the job. Find one or two important aspects of the job and talk about those, not about family, education, etc. Your education details are in your resume. Don't bother repeating that information. Details about your family, etc., are irrelevant to whether YOU CAN DO THE JOB and just waste time.

For example, I have a long history of working in offices, administration, etc., so when I am asked this question, I tell them that I am a skilled administrator with extensive experience in a wide range of employers both public and private, etc. Straight away I am telling the employer that I have the skills he needs, etc.

DON'T WASTE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONVINCE AN EMPLOYER OF YOUR VALUE.

I agree with John. I would want to first tell my name and relevant qualifications (I am an engineer from DCE or IIT or whatever), and then launch straight into my skill set relevant to the position applied for. Family details and such in the resume don't have to be repeated unless asked specifically as a question. I usually ask these questions when interviewing someone, even if they have written it in the resume.

I would not quote numbers. As a strategy, leave something for the interviewer to question you about, and then answer it crisply. Try to make your session interactive. It satisfies the interviewer to have asked a question and then have it answered satisfactorily.

Why should you talk about your weaknesses at all unless asked specifically? We don't show the dustbin to the visitor in our house, only the nice furniture and paintings on the wall! When you talk about yourself, talk about your strengths. If they specifically ask for any weaknesses, then discuss something that is correctable, or just say in a respectful tone, "I feel I don't have any weaknesses specific to the job at hand; however, if you have anything specific to ask, then I will reply."

Use this opportunity to also say something and formulate some relevant questions about the company for which you have applied. Read up about the company before you go for the interview. Don't ask an obvious question. Be inventive about asking a question that the interviewer will feel proud or good about answering related to his company. For example, "I understand you are one of the leading manufacturers of so and so... How do you plan to be at the very top (OR) do you plan to add more products to your portfolio? (OR) What are your future expansion plans?" This is just an example; you have to gauge carefully the mood of the interviewer and then ask the question. However, use this opportunity when you are given free rein. Make sure you ask towards the end of your speech.

Best of luck.

Dear sir,

I am working at a construction company's worksite as a Senior Officer - P&A. My boss doesn't like me. In this regard, what should I do?

Thank you.

Dear Ben,

Sharanya has given a good approach, and Subhashini has too.

Remember, "Tell me about yourself" is not a tricky question to trap you or catch you off guard. In any professional interview, this is a good way to break the ice and put the candidate at ease and relaxed. This is one thing (about yourself) you know best than anything else. I would advise that once the question is thrown to you, take it; the field is yours to play sensibly and briefly.

Avoid elaborating much about your family, relatives, etc., except perhaps to say a passing one-liner about your family/parents.

Touch briefly on where you did your schooling, add a couple of lines about what you did outside your books and classroom.

The same goes for your college/professional studies. Maybe you can add if you are truly strong in some subjects relevant to the job. Again, add a line or two about your sports, cultural, social activities, etc.

When talking further about your career, say what you learned from that organization and some positive words too. When discussing leaving a job, mention that the new one offered greater scope or responsibilities besides rewards.

Talking about SWOT, it's for self-analysis or introspection. In a job interview, talk about your strengths.

Remember what you say should be coherent with your resume. Your communication skills are being tested. Have a positive body language exhibited. Being cheerful, pausing for a moment, posing a question to yourself will all add up.

Cleverly and honestly handled, you can swing the trend and ambiance of the interview positively in your favor.

Good Luck,

Ramaswamy

Dear Friends,

This may not be the right forum to discuss my problem, but I am helpless. I have not been receiving my daily newsletters and other alerts from CiteHR for the last 10 days. I have posted my concern to the Administrator, but have not received any response. I am really worried now.

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Kalpana Swamy