Tell Me About Yourself
The ultimate question in any encounter with someone you don’t know is, “Who are you, anyway?” When one person is getting to know another person, the most common request is “Tell me about yourself.” Those may not be the exact words used, but the question will be there:
“What do you do?”
“What’s your background?”
“Where are you from?”
“What do you like to do?”
“Where do you work?”
How this question is answered will depend on the situation and the setting. But the same challenge will always be there:
“What do I say?”
“How much information should I give?”
“I don’t know where to start or where to focus.”
Not surprising, one of the most frequent ways to begin a job interview is the interviewer asking something like “Why don’t we begin by you telling me something about yourself?”
On the surface this appears to be a straightforward question, but if you answer too hastily you may end up sounding like every other candidate. The answer you give to this question will set the tone for the rest of the interview. For some candidates, this is the most challenging question in the interview to answer. Why? Because of the unknowns and the trust issues involved. You may be thinking, “I don’t know this person, why should I tell her everything there is to know about me?” The answer is because if you don’t tell her about yourself, she won’t get to know you. And who is going to hire someone he or she didn’t get to know? This is a key issue in interviewing: how do you connect with the interviewer in such a short period of time?
For the more extroverted person, answering this question may not be as big a challenge as it is for the more introverted person, who thinks answering this question is pure torture. If you are the type of person who needs time to warm up to a stranger and establish trust before you start talking about yourself, you will want to work on some before-the-interview preparation to feel more in control about what you are going to say.
If you are a more extroverted person, you will need to draw some boundaries about how much you are going to tell the interviewer. An analogy I use with clients is:
“Open your shirt one button at a time. You don’t have to show everything right away.”
In fact, if the interviewer is a more introverted type of person, and you are a highly extroverted person, you may be coming off as a “tsunami”: too much information given too soon.
Preparing ahead of time and using the company’s job description to identify what the interviewer is seeking in a new hire will help you craft a statement that can make you stand out from the competition.
Eleanor dreaded this question, and when it was the first one asked at her interview, she fumbled her way through with a vague answer, not focusing on what she would bring to the job.
I’m happily married, and originally from Denver. My husband was transferred here three months ago, and I’ve been getting us settled in our new home. I’m now ready to go back to work. I’ve worked in a variety of jobs, usually customer service related. I’m looking for a company that offers growth opportunities.
The interview went downhill after that. Her first mistake was starting with personal information (illegal for the interviewer to ask in an interview, but in this case she volunteered the information: “I am married”) and giving the interviewer reason to doubt whether she was an employee who would stay for very long. Looking at this scenario from the interviewer’s perspective, you can see why Eleanor did not get a second interview or an offer.
• Interviewer’s concern: She’s married, and when her husband gets transferred that means she has to leave. She did it before and she can do it again.
• Interviewer’s concern: She has some work experience with customers, but she didn’t emphasize what she did. Will she be able to do this job?
• Interviewer’s concern: She is looking to “grow.” Although I like a person who is interested in “growing,” what about the job she is applying for? Will she stay content for long? I’m looking to fill this job right now.
How could Eleanor have approached this differently? If Eleanor had a job description, the first thing she could have done was to read through it and find out what it would take to do this job.
One of the first things that Eleanor needed to do was to begin thinking about her strengths and how they matched the job posting she was preparing to interview for.
The Job Posting
Eleanor’s Experience
Three to five years of customer service experience
• Worked in a variety of settings, working with customers for over five years.
Must be able to work with difficult people
• She is strong in communications and at connecting with people.
• She has a strong background and proven success with customer relationships.
Organization and follow-through are a must
• Her key strength is her follow-through.
• She prides herself on her reputation for meeting deadlines.
Eleanor had many factors that the employer was seeking in an employee, but she had diluted her answer by talking about her marriage and setting up the house. This information is not only unnecessary information that is not of interest to the interviewer, but it hurt her chances of getting the job by focusing on the wrong things.
She could have selected the key factors the employer was looking for and prepared her stories and answers based on those factors. By reading between the lines, she would have seen that some of her Transferrable Skills and Personal Traits made up for her being out of the work force for a while.
The next thing Eleanor could have done was to know her strengths and what she had to offer, not only in knowledge-based skills, but her broad experience working with customers and her ability to build relationships. By doing some simple exercises, she could have been prepared to let the interviewer know that she was worth the risk of hiring someone who might not stay long term because she had the skills and traits the company was seeking in an employee.
Eleanor is prepared to answer the question, “Tell me about yourself” this time:
I am a person who thrives on solving problems, particularly “people problems.” For the past five years I have worked in a wide variety of settings—everything from retail to manufacturing—and I never met a problem I couldn’t work through.
I have very strong communication skills and know how to make connections with people. Anyone who has worked with me would tell you that I am highly organized and known for my follow-through and attention to detail.
This time, Eleanor not only was given a second interview, but she was given a job offer. She had intrigued the interviewer from the start when she emphasized her ability to work with any type of person in a variety of settings, plus her strong communication skills and organizational ability. That was exactly what the interviewer was seeking in a candidate. After all, that’s what it said in the job posting.
When an interviewer starts the interview with the request “Walk me through your résumé,” she is asking a different question than “Tell me about yourself.” This is true in reverse: when an interviewer asks the “tell me about” question, he or she is not wanting to hear you walk through your résumé.
The next mistake people make is that they start talking from the bottom of the résumé to answer this question, and then work forward to the present. By the time you get to your current position, the interviewer has more than likely lost interest or is taking a snooze. Hopefully, you have written your résumé with the most current experience at the top and then worked backward. So, why would you start at the bottom and move forward to answer a question about your experience?
When the interviewer asks you to “Walk me through your résumé,” there’s a good chance that he or she hasn’t spent much time studying your résumé. Sometimes a résumé reader will scan the résumé for certain information and then rely on you to summarize the rest of the résumé for him or her. If this happens to you, be ready to hit the “high spots” so that the interviewer can get a good picture of who you are.
The secret to success with a free-form question like: “Tell me about yourself,” is to focus, script, and practice. You cannot afford to “wing” this statement, as it will have an effect on the rest of the interview. Begin to think about what the interviewer is seeking in a candidate and what you have that matches the experience, skills, and traits required.
One of the best techniques I use to help clients answer this type of open-ended question is a Five-Point System. This is a summary to help you prepare and to remember what you want the interviewer to know. This five-point summary becomes your personal brand and should include (1) your education and years of experience, (2) your area of expertise or knowledge, (3) your strengths, (4) your work ethic and reputation, and, if applicable, (5) some personal information (hobbies, interests, volunteer work). What do you want the interviewer to remember about you when you leave?
By writing out your five points before the interview, you will be prepared for a number of questions, because you will have a summary of who you are and what you bring to a position, plus a new tool you are about to learn that will assist you in remembering exactly what you want to tell the interviewer.
This system includes five points that will not only summarize who you are as a person, but will assist you in staying focused.
• Point One: Your education and years of experience. This includes any special licenses, certifications, or security clearances. (More experienced persons will talk mainly about experience and not focus on education. New students will focus on education with special classes or honors received.)
• Point Two: Your area of expertise. What do you know a great deal about? This is the information from your knowledge-based skills exercise. It is important to emphasize your experience related to the job posting or description. (People with less experience will have to rely on classes taken or coursework done.)
• Point Three: Your key strength. This is usually a trait that you can use in any job. The information from your transferable skills exercise can be used here (i.e., communication skills, relating to others, problem solving, time management).
• Point Four: Your work ethic or work style. Refer to your personal traits list. This is what your coworkers would say about you if they were asked. Third-party endorsements work well here.
• Point Five: Personal facts. Something interesting about you (a hobby, a volunteer job, a sport or activity that is of interest to you). If you can think of something that relates to the job you are applying for, that would be a plus. Use of personal facts can be an optional point, depending on your circumstances and what you have to say.
The reason the Five-Point System works is because it summarizes in a succinct manner what you have to offer so that you will be less apt to drift off target or forget what you intended to say. Here are some questions that could be answered by using all, or part of the five points:
Tell me about yourself.
What can you bring to the job that other candidates can’t?
What are your strengths?
What makes you unique?
Why should we hire you?
What do others say about you?
Describe your personality.
By now you’ve done some significant work if you’ve been following along with the exercises in the book. It’s time to pull all the information together in a format that you can remember easily. Below are exercises for the professional as well as for the student. That is not to say that you can’t work on both, if you want the additional practice. You will notice that the student version focuses more on education and extracurricular activities.
Whether you begin your statement with your years of experience or your education will depend on your current status and the position for which you are applying. If you have been working for several years, you will most likely want to focus on your “years of experience,” instead of your education, as your experience will become more important if you qualify for the position. You will have to judge your individual situation, as there are some positions that will stress the degrees that are desired. For instance, scientific, medical, and teaching positions, as well as many other professional fields, are interested in your education and training. In those cases, you may decide to start with your education, especially if you have advanced degrees.
Knowledge-based skills: skills you learned from experience and education: computer programs; graphics; languages; writing; training; leadership; science; coaching; sales; special skills; and others.
Statement Examples: Education and Experience
I’ll begin with my education, which includes an MBA that I am proud to say I achieved while working full time. I also have a bachelor’s degree in accounting and am a certified CPA. Added to that, I have eight years of experience working in the commercial real estate industry.
I have been in the customer service industry for the past four years. My most recent experience has been in the high-tech industry handling incoming calls. In my current job, I formed some significant customer relationships, resulting in a 25 percent increase in sales within a matter of months.
I have been working for the past seven years in the financial banking area. I have had experience and success working in fraud prevention and anti–money laundering. Last year, I stopped three separate fraud cases, saving the bank $100 million. I have been one of the top salespersons at my current position and was rated in the top 10 percent nationwide for sales.
An important factor in any interview is being able to distinguish yourself from the next “guy” who walks through the door. When asked what your area of expertise is, you should immediately think: “knowledge-based skills.” These are the skills you acquired from your years of education and experience.
Knowledge-based skills: knowledge of computer programs; graphics; languages; writing; training; management; science; coaching; sales; leadership; special skills, and so on. (These skills were covered in Chapter 2.)
What is your area of expertise? What do you know a great deal about? Are you an SME (subject matter expert)?
Statement Examples: Area of Expertise and Knowledge
My broad experience is my expertise. I have an in-depth knowledge of accounting and finance principles. This knowledge and my analytical ability allow me to work with individuals and to educate them regarding their finances. I have analyzed hundreds of projects to determine their feasibility and then made recommendations as to the effect on others’ investments.
My expertise is my problem-solving ability. I am very analytical and computer savvy. I use these skills to view things from a strategic point of view. I have a broad range of experience across multiple retail functional areas with experience in establishing formal planning frameworks to drive growth. Some of my achievements include double-digit cost reduction percentages.
My specialty or area of interest is in internal medicine. I have completed two internships. These experiences have allowed me to learn protocols in the U.S. healthcare system and how to build rapport with patients and to deal with different personalities, especially difficult patients.
Your key strength skills are your transferable skills that you can take with you to any job you hold. Identifying your transferable skills is especially important for anyone who is transferring to another field, or a different type of organization. If you have been out of the workforce and are now re-entering, it will be important to stress these skills, especially if you fall short of experience to meet the qualifications. These are sometimes the skills that many people take for granted without realizing they might distinguish you from the competition.
Transferable skills: skills that are portable such as communication, listening, decision making, judgment, initiative, negotiation, planning, organizing, time management, some leadership skills. (Transferrable skills were covered in Chapter 3.)
Statement Examples: Key Strengths
My strengths are my analytical mind and my research skills, combined with a natural curiosity to find answers. I think the people I have worked with would tell you that they appreciated my skills and my way of thinking through problems.
My strength is my ability to deal with people. This has a lot to do with the fact that I am a good listener and that I’m good at reading people. I have worked with a diversity of people and have always been able to adapt and get along by adjusting my style and vocabulary to meet the person’s level.
My strength is my strong leadership ability and style. I believe in being very open in my communications. I work collaboratively with the people who work for and with me. I think my record proves my leadership ability: I was promoted from a staff accountant to a controller, and then to my current position as vice president.
My strength is my ability to solve problems. Throughout my life, it has been something that I have been able to do by looking at the issue and sorting through what is important and what is not important.
What other traits or experiences would you like the employer to know about you? Your integrity, work ethic, or personal achievements apply here. For example, you achieved a major accomplishment that earned you an award or an honor, or saved the company a great deal of money by thinking of a creative, more efficient solution.
A more comfortable way to talk about your work ethic and personal style is to think about how others see you. Dig out those old performance appraisals and read through those letters of reference for words to use (third-party endorsement)
Question: If I were to ask your coworkers to tell me three positive things about you—your personality, your work style, or what you are like to work with—what would they say?
Statement Examples: Your Work Ethic/Loyalty, Achievements
I have a strong work ethic with an abundance of energy. I can work for hours and days and never tire. I sometimes surprise people who work with me by working for days with no breaks, and being on-call at night.
I consider myself to be very adaptable, and I can usually make friends in new situations. I will go out of my way to help someone who needs help. I try to get to know people on a deeper level.
I am a very hard worker, working an average of 60 to 70 hours a week. I will do whatever it takes to complete a job. I am sure to keep my boss and team workers in the communication loop by setting up time to get their thoughts and their buy-in.
I have a strong work ethic and am very dependable. People who know me and have worked with me would tell you that I am loyal and extremely punctual. They would also tell you that I am fun to be around and that I have a dry sense of humor.
Lastly, think of the personal traits that make you unique. Depending on your personality and the situation, you may want to talk about some interests or hobbies outside of work. If this feels uncomfortable or inappropriate, then stick to what you’ve identified as your personal traits.
Don’t dismiss these traits as unimportant. More people are fired for negative personal traits than for lack of knowledge.
Personal traits: qualities that make you who you are: flexible; honest; friendly; dependable; decisive; reliable; calm; high energy; patient; good attitude; adaptable; detail oriented. (These traits were covered in Chapter 3.)
Statement Example: Personal Traits
I am a sincere and gentle person. If I sound like I am too serious, I do have a fun side where I like to laugh and make people laugh. My friends would tell you that I have a very funny sense of humor, in appropriate situations.
I have many interests, including music, film, sports, current events, and politics. I have a great sense of humor and can be very witty and sometimes sarcastic. I think something that makes me unique from other candidates is that I am very entrepreneurial. I’ve been investing in the stock market since I was old enough to drive.
Lastly, I have a very high sense of integrity. My coworkers would describe me as someone who is very dependable and adaptable. They would also tell you that I am a go-getter who is very organized and can take control of chaotic situations when needed.
Writing Your Five Points: Student Version
The Five-Point System student version is very similar to the Five-Point System professional version; however, because students typically don’t have as much work experience, the words that will be used to describe strengths, skills, and abilities are therefore different. The student, or new grad, for the most part, will rely on “transferable skills” acquired in a variety of ways other than working.
As a student or recent grad, your education will probably be your strongest starting point unless you have some other relevant experience. If you have work experience of any kind, or have worked as a volunteer or in some other capacity, this exercise will be easier for you because you will have more examples to pull from. If you don’t have work experience, you can use your transferable skills to point out the skills you have that you can bring to any job. Any experience is just that: experiences you’ve had. Experience is what helps you develop skills and should be included in your statement about you and what you have to offer an employer.
For example, if you worked in a retail store or in the fast-food industry, chances are that you have customer service experience. What does it take to have good customer service skills? More than likely it takes people skills. What does it take to have good people skills? It’s about relating to others through communication. This could include good interpersonal skills, being patient with people, and problem solving, to name a few traits you may have experienced while working part-time or summers.
If you completed an internship, that is great experience to talk about. This may or may not have been in your area of interest, but it will definitely be something to put on your résumé and be proud of; plus you honed your transferable skills. Also, don’t discount any volunteer work you did. You should begin to think about the transferable skills you used or developed in this capacity.
Statement Examples: Education and Experience
To begin, I am in the process of finishing up my BA in finance in December. I have maintained a 4.0 in my major and have been on the Dean’s List First Honors four times. During the summer, I have worked for my uncle’s construction company.
The area I have excelled in is finance. I have done well in all my finance classes. I really enjoy the material and learning about it. I have always had an aptitude toward math and a head for numbers, and I’m very good at solving problems.
I have worked summers during my college years, and last summer I worked for a high-tech company where I performed a variety of tasks, the most interesting being a data summary analysis condensing huge spreadsheets to manageable categories using Excel.
Okay, so maybe you’re not an expert yet. But you probably have some areas that you are stronger in than others. Usually when we do well in a subject, or are at least interested in the subject, we tend to do better than with things that are not of interest to us. Here are some questions to ask yourself to determine where your interests are:
What class have you taken that was of particular interest to you?
What classes did you like best?
What classes did you excel in?
What is your area of expertise?
What do you know a great deal about?
Select some areas that you have been encouraged to pursue as a career (for example, writing skills, problem solving, math, computers, debate, interpersonal and persuasive skills).
Statement Examples: Area of Expertise (Your Area of Interest or Knowledge)
Math is my strongest point because it comes so easily to me. I understand what is going on right away. I understand the problem and what it will take to get to the solution. This is one reason that investment banking is of interest to me.
Between my work experience and my college classes, I have a good background in basic accounting. In addition, I have taken advanced finance as this is an area of interest to me.
I have been working in the food industry as an assistant manager, managing customers and employees while I have been going to school. I moved quickly up the ranks in the restaurant business and was even offered my own store to manage at one time.
I am very familiar with computers, current technology, and a variety of software and hardware systems. I keep up to date with the latest technology by reading and taking classes. If I don’t know an answer to a problem, I know the resources to find it.
You have many strengths, but give some thought to those skills in which you excel. Some people refer to these skills as “soft skills.” These skills can be viewed as transferable, meaning you can take them with you to any job. Identifying transferable skills is especially important for students or people with little or no experience. Think about what you have to offer in the way of transferable skills. Chances are that you are probably taking for granted some of the skills that make you unique.
Transferable skills are portable: communication; listening; decision making; judgment; initiative’ negotiation; planning; organizing; time management; some leadership skills.
Statement Examples: Strengths
I believe my strengths are my communication/language skills. I communicate with a wide variety of people and am able to adjust my communication style to the audience to whom I am speaking. I am also a good writer.
I have very strong people skills and have worked with a wide diversity of people. I like working with groups where I often become the main “go to guy.” I can listen to opposing viewpoints and then become the intermediary, working toward the good of the team.
I consider myself to be very adaptable and usually make friends in new situations. Having worked in a variety of settings during my internships has allowed me to make friends by listening and showing that I care about other people. I will go out of my way to help someone who needs help.
I would say my strength is my analytical problem solving. My engineering education background has taught me the problem-solving process of planning, troubleshooting, and researching.
What other traits or experiences would you like the employer to know about you? Your integrity, work ethic, or personal achievements would apply here. Maybe some major accomplishment you’ve had or an honor you received?
One way to determine your work ethic and personal style is to think about how others see you. Think of feedback you’ve received from others. Think of your interviewer asking your classmates or coworkers to tell him three positive things about you, your personality, and your work style. What if the interviewer asked them what you are like to work with? What would they say?
Statement Examples
I have a strong work ethic and am always ready and willing to volunteer for new projects. I am also very thorough with my research, never leaving any “stone left unturned” when gathering facts. I am easy to work with, and I think my coworkers would describe me as friendly, and willing to help.
I have a very strong work ethic and am known for being someone who is always looking for more work to do. I think my fellow students and project teams would describe me as a “nice guy” who has a lot of respect for others.
I have a lot of energy and know how to channel that energy to get things done on time. I am extremely organized and efficient with time management. I have been able to work part-time, get good grades, and participate as a member of the college band.
Lastly, think of the personal traits that make you unique. Maybe you are very organized, punctual, and never miss deadlines, or perhaps you are willing to go above and beyond what is asked or have a great, upbeat attitude.
(Don’t dismiss these traits as unimportant. More people are fired for negative personal traits than for lack of knowledge.)
Personal traits: qualities that make you who you are: flexible; highly moral; friendly; dependable; decisive; reliable; calm; high energy; patient; good attitude; adaptable; detail oriented.
Statement Examples: Personal Traits
Something personal about me is that I am an entrepreneur. While going to college, I started my own export company where I deal daily with customers and employees.
I have a good sense of humor and can make hard, tedious work fun and easy using funny stories to get my point across.
I have many interests including music, film, sports, current events, and politics. I have a great sense of humor and can be very witty and sometimes sarcastic.
Point One: Education and Experience
I have a BS in computer science and have been working in the IT industry for the past five years. I have diverse experience working for small companies as well as Fortune 500 companies. I am currently a senior analyst consultant and have been for the past three years.
Point Two: Your Area of Expertise
My area of expertise is that I am a subject matter expert for the company’s technology. I am also knowledgeable about many other computer languages, programs, and applications.
Point Three: Your Key Strength
My strength is my strong interpersonal skills. I am able to work with a diverse group of people in various ranks within the company. I adjust my style and vocabulary according to who I am speaking to ranging from executives to outside vendors. I try to use language that they will understand without getting too technical and talking down to them.
Point Four: Your Work Ethic, Loyalty
I am a person who works well in stressful situations without getting frustrated. I consider myself even-keeled, and I work well with others. I think my coworkers would describe me as personable and fun to work with. I try to stay lighthearted and can usually find something to joke about, especially in tense situations.
Point Five: Your Personal Info, as Appropriate
On the personal side, I am into physical fitness. I work out five to six times a week, running and lifting weights. I also like the outdoors, and hiking is something I do with my friends every year. But, you can usually find me in front of the TV when there’s a good football game on.
End with something about you being there at the company for an interview and what it means to you, or why you think you are an excellent fit for the position. Keep it brief, but it’s good to have an ending transition:
As you can hear, I am a good fit for this position’s requirements. I have been very impressed with what I have experienced by going through your hiring process and hope that you consider me a serious candidate.
I’m the kind of person who keeps one eye on the future while taking care of today’s business. I know how to get things done, but at the same time I have the ability to foresee areas that may become problems and put processes in place to prevent the problems from occurring.
I have been in business operations for more than seven years. My experience has been broad in that I have been very successful in developing ways to improve businesses and make them more profitable. I’ve worked in a number of companies in various industries, banking, retail, and the medical fields, and transitioned seamlessly to each.
I believe my success can be attributed to my strong leadership and decision-making style. I talk to employees and managers and share the goals so that everyone is on the same page. I work with the under-achievers and put process improvements in place. I work with management to develop budgets that can be attained.
I would describe my style as open and honest. I share all pertinent information with the employees one-on-one and listen to their ideas, concerns, desires, and needs. I teach them to utilize resources and tools and provide feedback so that they realize their contribution to the organization.
When I look at your job posting, I can see myself in the role, bringing my vast knowledge and record of success in improving processes. I am very enthusiastic about your company and know that I could bring my creative and problem-solving ability to this job.
I am a fourth-year computer engineering major. I have taken an indirect path to what I really want to do, which is to work in finance. I feel that I have added value to offer by bringing the two disciplines together.
Math is my strongest point. I understand what is going on right away. As an example, in physics I see the big picture, where some people need lots of examples. I get it very quickly and understand the problem and what it will take to get to the solution. This is one reason that investment banking is of interest to me.
Between my part-time work experience and my college classes, I have a good background in basic accounting. In addition, I have taken advanced finance, as this is an area of interest.
I have been working in the food industry as an assistant manager, managing customers and employees while I have been going to school. The people I supervise have given me great feedback about my management style and they would ask for me to be their supervisor if they had a choice. I have moved quickly up the ranks in the restaurant business, and now feel I have a basic understanding of the issues facing clients in the business sector.
These statements can range from two minutes to four minutes, depending on the situation. If you are prepared, you can adapt your statement as appropriate. If your interviewer seems in a hurry or is checking his watch, that would be a clue to shorten your statement.
I hope you can see that there are many benefits to working through the exercises and writing your five points. A little work can result in a smooth, concise answer to any open-ended question about you. The more work that you put into these exercises, the more succinct and prepared you will be for your next interview. Remember, these are not answers to memorize, but to walk through from point to point.
Using the template below will make summarizing your five points easier. Using the work you’ve completed in the previous exercise, you will transfer each of the points into one concise document. This document will then be summarized to answer open-ended questions about you and what you have to offer an employer.
Think of this as a working document that can be changed and rewritten for each job you apply for, if needed. These points are the basics of what you want the interviewer to know about you.
Point One: Start with education and experience as identified in the exercise.
Point Two: Next, your area of “expertise” as identified in the exercise.
Point Three: Write your key strength/“transferable skills” as identified in the exercise.
Point Four: Experiences you’d like the employer to know about you, which were identified in the exercise.
Point Five: Your “personal traits” as identified in the exercise.
After you have finished writing your five points, take a step back and start to think of how you will say them. Since we write more formally than we talk, they should be put in a less formal speech format. You want your “voice” and style to come through. This statement should not sound like something that you’ve memorized, or you will come off sounding like a recording.
How can you possibly remember all those points? While you can’t bring a “cheat sheet” into the interview, you can bring your fingers. You can use your fingers as a tool to help you to stay focused. Use each finger as a talking point:
The thumb (strong base): education and experience.
The pointer finger (directed): your expertise or knowledge of the job.
The middle finger (to the point): your strength—transferable or personal.
The ring finger (loyalty): people skills, communication, “whatever it takes” attitude.
The little finger (weakest): personal information that is engaging and interesting about you, or how the combination of all these traits together makes you unique.
The five finger method is a technique that has helped my clients not only stay focused but assisted them when they lost track of where they were headed. Here are statements received from clients after their interviews:
The five points for five fingers worked like a charm. I must have had a brain freeze, because I went blank and almost panicked, then I remembered my five points and the five fingers exercise and I just grabbed the wheel for dear life and went through them, point-by-point.
What helped me tremendously and pulled me out of a few scary moments were my five fingers. I am so glad that I learned that technique. It saved the day.
Whether you use the five finger method to remember or some other method, you should be prepared to answer the question, “Tell me about yourself.” Even if it isn’t asked in that format, you will benefit from having your information organized so you can easily remember it. Think of it as your sales “brochure” about yourself; you are the product. It will make a difference in the way that you present yourself, as well as in your ability to talk openly without being modest about what you have to offer. You will be able to tell the interviewer why he should hire you, and what makes you unique.
There are times at the end of the interview when you may be asked, “Is there anything else you’d like to add?” This is an invitation for you to sum up what you can bring. Use your five points as a quick summary at the end of the interview.
Interviewer’s question: “Is there anything else you’d like to add?”
Candidate’s answer: “Before I leave I would like to summarize what I would bring to the job.”
Remember, this is a summary. If you decide to do a brief summary, it should be no more than one minute. Do not belabor what you’ve already told the interviewer; you’re just hitting the high spots to remind him or her of what you have to offer and why you are the best person for the job. Points one, two, three, four, and five, summarized in a quick, succinct manner.