Nearly 60% of job recruiters report that "tell me about yourself" is their first go-to question for a candidate. Although this open-ended question can feel overwhelming, it could be the key to ensuring your interviewers remember you as the standout candidate.

The universal "tell me about yourself" question

Managers ask questions like "tell me about yourself" because they are looking to see whether your professional skills align with the role you're interviewing for.   Hiring managers are looking for more information you can express in one minute. So, if your answer is too short, the recruiter might think you simply don't care or don't have much to say. It's not just what you've done in your career but why you made those decisions. Share your experiences, roles and achievements.

Take your time

If you answer this first interview question hesitantly, it'll be harder to show that you're a strong leader.<ul><li>Leadership starts with your physical presence. Be vocal and animated. Act enthusiastically and eager to be there. </li><li>Start your interview with the intention of motivating and inspiring your potential employers. Show that you've done your research on the company.</li><li>Adopt the "Leader Script." Open your answer with a line such as, "I've heard so much about you from my previous interviews, so it's great to meet you in person."</li></ul>

Think like a leader

Think of how your answer to "tell me about yourself" can be the start of a deeper conversation, leading to a stronger relationship with your interviewer.  Keep three themes in mind when crafting your response:<ol><li>Engage your audience</li><li>Establish credibility</li><li>Tell your interviewers why they should care</li></ol>

Embrace it

Employers are looking for well-rounded candidates. Don't discount the last thing you read or watched, as this can be a way to demonstrate your interests beyond the workplace and show that you have opinions you're not afraid to express.

Don't list what's on your resume

You'll leave hiring managers cringing if you admit how you've been unable to get a job or that you're unsure why this position is a good fit for you.  Instead, "tell me about yourself" is an opportunity to share what you're like beyond your one-page résumé.

Don't narrate your life story

Another way to start a job interview is with "Tell me your story." Most candidates seem caught off guard by this question and fall back on reciting their résumés or fall prey to telling the interviewers everything they've done since high school. The question is meant to be an opportunity for a potential hire to offer a deep dive into what drives and encourages them as a person.

Be on the lookout for similar questions

Your athletic experience could be a factor in showing hiring managers that you're suitable for the job. Many skills employers are looking for alignment with the characteristics developed on the athletic field. You just need to convince an interviewer that this is the case. Former athletes know how to work through tough times, handle a busy schedule, and always keep a goal in mind. They understand that if one team member is struggling, success is unlikely.

Don't discount your athletic experience

Employers interview many candidates, and if your answers sound the same as theirs, you won't stick out.  <ul><li>Using generic buzzwords will increase the chance you'll sound like the rest. To avoid this, practice describing your skills and experience with anecdotes that demonstrate the value you will bring to a company.</li><li>Avoid generic descriptions such as "I'm a perfectionist," "I get along with everyone", and "this is a dream job for me." Instead, focus on individual experience and growth.</li></ul>

Avoid buzzwords

Without a script to the question "Tell me about yourself", you could be caught flailing in an interview. It's better to be prepared. Good scripts don't come in the moment.  You have to think about how you will tell your story that inspires the interviewer and company. Every job seeker needs a message. What's the big idea you want your interviewer to hear? And how will that show them that you're the right candidate?

Plan ahead and write it down

If you struggle to write out possible responses, build your story chronologically with a past, present and future.  Go into the interview having already rehearsed what you plan to say. You should sound confident without coming across as a know-it-all. Practice in front of a mirror or with trusted friends. Stay calm, take a deep breath, and move ahead with your prepared script.

Frame it as a story, then practice, practice, practice

During the interview, follow the lead of your interviewer. Do they want to make small talk? Go with it. Are they probing for how much you know about the company? Go for it.  During the "tell me about yourself", emphasize the skills and strengths you will bring to the job.

Be yourself. This is just a conversation.

Everyone asks it, yet we’re all caught by surprise. Here are 12 key steps to avoid that interview stress.

Stashed ideas

The ultimate guide to nailing the ‘tell me about yourself’ interview question

On the face of it, being over-qualified for a job might appear to be a good thing. A candidate with more experience would logically be placed at the top of the applicant pile. And for an employer, hiring a worker who surpasses the job requirements would seemingly be a coup.However, that’s generally not how it works out; in fact, being over-qualified can sometimes be a reason for employers to rule candidates out. Perhaps counterintuitively, employers often reject candidates based on an excess of skills and experience, even in a market where talent is hard to come by.

Too Much Experience, Too Many Skills

As workers’ careers progress, they typically ascend into more senior roles, gradually making their way towards management or executive positions. However, the higher employees go, the fewer the alternative jobs. They move towards the peak of a pyramid. As they gain greater experience, there’s less breadth in terms of opportunities: trying something different would require scaling back down the pyramid.

The Pyramid

A CV of an overly-experienced candidate is like one indicating job-hopping or no movement at all - it's cause for suspicion.Recruiters can see workers applying for positions apparently 'below' their current career level as a red flag.If someone is coming down a level or two, and they've likely already achieved what the role offers, then you have to ask questions about their motivation.

Job-Hopping Or Just At One Place For A long Time

<ul><li>Employers may also be more likely to be accommodating to younger over-qualified workers because their motives for a downwards move can be more easily justified.</li><li>A candidate who is too good for the role will be only an asset to the business in the short term unless there are excellent internal progression opportunities.</li><li>In the end, while patience and a determined job hunt can be rewarded, the reality is that some experienced candidates can find themselves stuck.</li></ul>

The Downwards Move

Intuitively, it seems employers would want to hire the most skilled and experienced candidates. But that’s not always the reality.

The over-qualified workers struggling to find a job

Throughout the world of business, dialogue involving Q+A has replaced speeches and presentations as the format of choice for sharing ideas. Executives are frequently interviewed on stage, job candidates confront a battery of <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90415895/how-to-answer-5-common-trick-questions-designed-to-trip-you-up-in-an-interview">questions designed to trip them up</a>, and most formal meetings involve back and forth discussion involving questions and answers.

The Q And A Model

This evaluation of the question asked is often a stalling tactic—an effort to buy time while thinking. Occasionally, it might be a sincere response to an especially thoughtful question. The problem is that if you say, “That’s a good question,” you’re elevating yourself above the questioner. If you’re an executive in a meeting, you’ll sound condescending toward the employee who’s asked the question. If you’re a job seeker, you’ll sound arrogant (or, equally bad, fawning) in praising the hiring manager interviewing you.

Saying 'That's A Good Question!'

Your job is to answer the question, not evaluate it. Instead of commenting on the quality of the question, pause. Don’t be afraid to take a moment to think in silence, and, when you’re ready, make sure you respond confidently.

Don't Evaluate, Just Take Your Time And Answer

It’s a ubiquitous phrase. But here’s why you should eliminate it from your vocabulary before your next big interview.

Why you should never say ‘That’s a good question’ in an interview

Adding generic buzzwords to your résumé and LinkedIn profile can be off-putting to potential employers. However, it's much worse when you recite them during an interview. Whether your interviewer asks you to "tell me about yourself" or "What are your greatest strengths?" the goal is to get a better idea of who you are and see if you're a good fit for the position. You don't want to come across as arrogant or inauthentic.

Generic buzzwords during an interview

Instead of saying you're a hard worker, convince your interviewers of your work ethic by showing them your capabilities. Talk about a major contribution you've made, the goal you've met or exceeded, or accomplishments you've achieved that illustrate how your hard work has paid off for your former employers.

Hardworking

Being a team player is more than getting along with others and being able to work in a group. A real team player can compromise when necessary, show respect for others, listen to the needs of their team members and work together. You can show you're a team player throughout the interview process by describing an accompishment that was a group effort and giving credit where credit is due. Speak of "we", not "I" when appropriate, to demonstrate that you have a team player mentality.

Team player

When you want to describe yourself as dynamic or passionate, show, don't tell. Show up at the interview full of positive energy and excited to share your ideas. To ensure you can express your dynamic personality and passion during the interview, do your research on the company and the position, so you feel confident.

Describing yourself as dynamic and passionate

Employers are interested in hiring professionals who can adapt to new challenges in the workplace. Instead of stating, "I'm adaptable", state that you're equipped to handle whatever workplace scenarios you may encounter by explaining how you successfully met challenges head-on.

Adaptable and flexible

Describing yourself as "creative" or "innovative" can come across as cheesy or obnoxious. <ul><li>Express your creativity and innovative spirit through an online portfolio or blog with your latest projects. Be ready to talk about how you’ve leveraged your creativity in your latest projects, and what was the outcome of those projects. </li><li>Explain why you like tackling new challenges and share recent examples of when you had to think outside of the box in order to solve a problem, learn a skill, or meet a goal.</li></ul>

Creative and innovative

How not to describe yourself in an interview

You don't want to stand out like an oddball. You should already have an idea on what people are wearing<ul><li class="ql-align-justify">We already know what people are wearing so we are all good with that tip we have the dress code.</li></ul>

Step #1 Find out what people are wearing. 

If you have any questions make sure you ask them, they know that you are new and they actually want to help you to suceed another thing you can do is to find your go to person who you will be asking the bulk of your questions

 Step #2 Ask any questions you have before starting

Not only should you show good manners to the people that you are working with you should also be eager to go out and meet new people. This means that you get out from under your desk and tell them who you are and if they need anything you can help them. Make them know that you are genuinely interested and eager to start working.**It sets the tone for yourself**

 Step #3 Be Polite To Everyone

- Make sure you try and solve the problem before you ask for help, but don't be afraid to ask for him, your coworkers want to help you and they want you to succeed so asking for help is the best course of action

 Step #4 Don't Be Afraid to Ask For Help the first 30 days

Ask there titles the projects they are working on, and everything that they are doing in their company- Find that one person who will be the biggest help and see how you can help them and they can help you out as well

 Step #5 Find out what everyone does

Use the first 30 days to figure out everything that you need to know, and when you ask a question then make sure that you actually remember the answer to that question- It's okay to make mistakes, just learn from them and keep moving forward, cringy moments will happen just accept them.

 Step #6 Don't Stress Out yourself

Meetings are meant to get everyone to speed and to make sure everyone is on the right track so by asking questions you make sure that you are doing what is expected of you- Don't ask too many stupid questions

 Step #7 Ask Questions In Meetings

Feedback is one of the best opportunities for growth so don't be afraid to ask your coworkers or boss how you're doing what can you improve on and what can help take your designs to the next level- Show a genuine interest to continue to grow and get better

 Step #8 Don't Be Afraid to Ask your co-workers how you're doing

- Whatever job you are trying to do make sure that you do it to the best of your abilities and very early because negative impressions are formed very easily.

Step #9 Perform your job to the best of your ability

Honestly your coworkers don't want to work with an overly nice guy or a fake guy- Make sure that you let your coworkers know the real you- Everything in life is balanced, let them know you slowly don't go overboard

 Step #10 Don't be a too nice guy or a fake nice guy

- Don't arrive too early for work and don't leave too early or right on time because that shows that you are a time watcher

 Step #11 Timing

Don't demand things people do not like that, all too often new hires hide who they are- Be there to help and do it enthuiastically.

Step #12 Don't Be A Diva

- Even if you know how to do something still allow them to show you, it might benefit you and it also shows that you are willing to learn new ways

 Step #13 Don't be a Know-It-All

<ul><li>It shows that you respect the company equipment and puts you in a good light with the manager and your coworkers at the company</li></ul>

 Step #14 Lay off Social Media and don't use company equipment

I am starting a new job tommrow so this video was very helpful. Thank you Deepstash for helping me get a new job.

Your first day at work can be very stressful and challenging. Your first day is when you will feel the most anxiety. In this video you will learn how to calm your nerves so you are not a wreck on the first day of your new job. There are so many unknowns when starting a new job and the last thing you want to do is to let your nerves get the best of you on the first day at work. Starting a new job does not have to be hard and in fact, with a little planning, the first day of your new job can be quite exciting. Learn how to start your new job from hiring expert: Don Georgevich of: https://jobinterviewtools.com #firstdayatwork #startyournewjob ************************************************************************************** DOWNLOAD THE TOP 10 BEST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR FREE: https://jobinterviewtools.com/top10 ************************************************************************************** PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL AND LIKE THE VIDEO. Thank you 😊 https://youtube.com/dgeorgevich?sub_confirmation=1 So, you have a new job. Congratulations. Now, you want to make a great first impression. So, let's get you into the right mindset, so you look awesome. Step number one; find out what people are wearing. It used to be traditional to wear a suit on your first day, but that is old-school thinking. You don't want to stand out like an oddball in a suit if everyone else is wearing jeans or business casual. Now, do you? Now, you should already have got an idea of what people are wearing from when you went on job interviews at this company. Okay? Step number two... BEST AND MOST POPULAR VIDEOS BY DON GEORGEVICH ON YOUTUBE: Why Do You Want to Leave Your Job: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZsnJmhs7Hc Tricky interview question: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkMN8nsCgXE How to achieve amazing interview success: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeYTuQUQ4m4 How to answer, "What bothers you?": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtymmkLBBtw STOP Sending Out Your Resume: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6zpC7D7h-E How to Write a Thank You Letter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9d90Nk8x98 CONNECT WITH DON GEORGEVICH ON LINKEDIN.COM: https://linkedin.com/in/DGEORGEVICH DOWNLOAD DON’S TOP 10 INTERVIEW QUESTIONS GUIDE FOR FREE: https://jobinterviewtools.com/top10 NEED PERSONAL COACHING FROM DON? APPLY HERE: https://jobinterviewtools.com/hpc VALUALBE INTERVIEWING RESOURCES RECOMMENDED BY DON: ➡️Learn how to answer the most common interview questions: https://jobinterviewtools.com ➡️Learn how to write a great resume: https://jobinterviewtools.com/resume ➡️Get coached like by Don: https://jobinterviewtools.com/hpc ➡️Get Learn how to write a thank you letter: https://jobinterviewtools.com/thankyou-letters/ ➡️Build your interview strategy: https://jobinterviewtools.com/isb ➡️Don’s NEW HIRING GUIDE: https://simplehiringsystem.com ➡️Get Don’s hiring guide on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Master-Steps-Hiring-Players/dp/1737401703/ FREE DOWNLOAD: Don Recommends the Top 10 Interview Questions for you. https://JobInterviewTools.com/Top10/ CONTACT DON: https://jobinterviewtools.com/contact/ https://simplehiringsystem.com/contact/ ************************************************************************************** DOWNLOAD THE TOP 10 BEST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR FREE: https://jobinterviewtools.com/top10 ************************************************************************************** PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL AND LIKE THE VIDEO. Thank you 😊 https://www.youtube.com/dgeorgevich?sub_confirmation=1

The ultimate guide to nailing the ‘tell me about yourself’ interview question

The over-qualified workers struggling to find a job

Why you should never say ‘That’s a good question’ in an interview

How not to describe yourself in an interview

14 TIPS to Start Your New Job - First Day at Work - How to make a great first impression

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