Picture the scene – you’ve created a high quality, high impact CV (probably with the help of Your New Job Journey CV Writing Course!), you’ve submitted your application and YES YOU’VE BEEN INVITED FOR AN INTERVIEW
You’re prepared on your work history
You’ve got your questions ready
You’ve researched the company
And the interviewer kicks off with a ‘Tell me a bit about yourself’ and is met with SILENCE
Your thoughts rush….should I tell them about my work?
My personal life?
My hobbies?
Should I start with a joke?
Hands getting sweaty…..
Still not started speaking…
EPIC FAIL
But it really shouldn’t be – like everything interview related, you can (and absolutely SHOULD) prepare for this….here’s how:
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Understand that the person asking you to introduce yourself is very likely to be very uninterested in your life story – they are probably looking for a jumping in point to get the conversation going
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They absolutely need to hear about the parts of your work history that are relevant to the job you’re interviewing for
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They absolutely do not need to suffer through a 30 minute monologue where you read through your CV word for word (trust me, I’ve been there … .I didn’t let it run for 30 minutes obviously but you get the idea!)
Keep it Short and Sweet:
The Interviewer wants to gain a snapshot of who you are, not a detailed autobiography. Aim to keep your answer to no more than 5 minutes, focusing on the most relevant aspects of your professional background and personal qualities and please don’t just recite text from your CV – this is your chance to add some context & emotion. Reading the words that are already printed in front of them doesn’t add anything at all
Cover the Essentials:
In your brief introduction, consider including the following elements
a. Professional Background: Start by summarising your professional journey, emphasising the experiences most relevant to the position you’re applying for. Highlight your key roles, industries you’ve worked in, and any notable achievements or projects
b. Skills and Strengths: Share a few core skills and strengths that make you a valuable asset to the employer. Consider mentioning both technical and soft skills, such as leadership, problem-solving, or proficiency in specific software
c. Passion and Motivation: Express your enthusiasm for the industry, the company, and the role you’re applying for. Briefly explain what sparked your interest and why you’re excited about the opportunity
Close the point:
It’s essential that you don’t just drift off into silence, unsure as to whether you’ve said enough or too much, are they still listening? Have you still got their attention?
Take charge by actively ‘closing’ your point e.g:
“Is there any part of what I’ve just run through that you’d like me to cover in more detail?” – this way you deliberately hand control of the conversation back to the interviewer and also give them a chance to interact further on the information you’ve just delivered
Think about your 5 minute intro
Write it down
Practise it
Practise it again
USE IT
