“So, tell me about yourself?”
Is that not the most obvious interview question? The one that every job seeker should anticipate and prepare to answer? Unfortunately, it may seem so obvious, many don’t spend the time they should focusing on how to answer it.
In fact, most aspects of the job search rely on being able to tell your own story.
- Networking (the all important elevator pitch)
- Your resume – connecting your accomplishments with the employer’s needs
- Cover letter – another opportunity to sell your skills to a targeted employer
- Portfolios – online opportunities to connect with people
- Interviews – sealing the deal
- On the job – to connect and advance
I highly recommend that job seekers take a look at Katharine Hansen’s new book, Tell Me About Yourself: Storytelling to Get Jobs and Propel Your Career.
Her book is organized into several sections:
- Part I – Career propelling story basics
- Part II – Using storytelling in your job search
- Part III – Continuous storytelling
Katharine explains how stories can help you get a job by demonstrating your personality, helping to make you memorable and establishing trust. People who know how to tell good stories can communicate their value proposition, which is key for job seekers and careerists.
This book helps you with every aspect of telling your story – from figuring out what the story should be through tips for how to recall stories stored in your brain! (For example, give your stories names.) It is full of samples of stories and many, many ideas that are critically useful for job seekers and all professionals.
If you’re engaged in a job search – or maybe you should be – don’t miss this great resource!
UPDATED ON 5/10/09:
Could you use some help to come up with your story AND to learn how to tell it well in networking and interview situations? What about your resume? Does it tell your story and tell it well? I can help. I am offering a special, limited time offer to my blog readers to help you land the job you want! Contact me and mention “Reader’s Special” to learn about revising your resume and coaching to help you land your target job!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey
I am leaving this comment in hopes you’d recognize my great talent. I happened on here through twitter as I was browsing briefly, my luck! I’ve been doing all the things I could to boost my visibility to employers and feel lost and confused in the world of networking and job search. It’s so hard for me to talk about myself, and I don’t even know where to start… I might actually get an interview but it doesn’t go my way I stutter and lose track of where I’m going with the story. Help!
Moe
I’d love to win this giveaway! I always write a great cover letter by checking out the company’s mission statement, but I struggle in interviews to talk about ME. Thanks. –Michelle, blogattoday (|at} gmaildotcom
Michelle @ Women Who Win’s last blog post..Tell Me Which Verizon Phone To Get!
I scored an internship once by being able to answer this question. I introduced myself to the CEO of the company at a networking event in a bar. When he responded saying “tell me about yourself” I was able to tell him about a project I was working on and explain why I was interested in his industry. The reflection I had done before the event paid off and before I knew it he’d dragged me across the room and introduced me to the head of HR.
Telling stories and listening to stories is not only interesting in order to be recruited, but to understand it’s time to leave the company, that is to say “de-recruitement”.
I remember travelling with my CEO. We were in the helicopter he owned. On the way back to the factory, he left me at the airport, giving the keys of his new, expensive jeep to me (at this time, jeeps were not as usual as nowadays) : I had to drive the jeep back to the factory. I was proud because it meant he was confident, and frankly, I was already thinking I derserved such confidence.
It was fine, until I saw the shadow of the helicopter on the road during that sunny afternoon : he was following me in order to see if I was doing something wrong with his car ! It was stunning ! I began to wonder if the guy was as smart and faithful as I was thinking. I left the company a couple of months later, when I had the answer…
Little things can have big impact.
Stephane Dangel’s last blog post..Comment les petits détails font les grandes histoires
Somtimes it’s easier to remember a story rather than a person’s name. I think that by telling a story leaves an impression with others. So, in a job interview, it’s a great way to leave the listeners with a lasting impression. Could be the difference between scoring the position and just moving on to the next interview.
Thank you so much for sharing thoughts i hope to read more informative articles on your site soon.
Good Day,
You have a nice article. Keep it up! Share more.!
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