What is the best way to answer this interview question, "Tell me about yourself?" (application, wage)

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by Trip Mcnealy

its a loaded question, without a doubt.

Interviewing has become so menial its ridiculous. Honestly, if that question comes about, you're probably not getting the job like folks have said.

Firing back with "well didn't you read my resume?" might actually be your best bet because they can see you're on your toes and actually get the interviewer interested when they clearly werent to begin with.

So you feel by asking that question the interviewer is not interested to begin with?

[Trip Mcnealy]

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

So you feel by asking that question the interviewer is not interested to begin with?

I've gotten that question too. It's just beyond open ended...you're dealing with someone you've never met before....it just seems like a question setting you up to fail if you go off on the wrong tangent.

I mean, what is someone looking to get out of you by asking you that question?

[FBJ]

Originally Posted by Trip Mcnealy

I've gotten that question too. It's just beyond open ended...you're dealing with someone you've never met before....it just seems like a question setting you up to fail if you go off on the wrong tangent.

I mean, what is someone looking to get out of you by asking you that question?

I know and that's exactly what they did.....set me up to FAIL

[Trip Mcnealy]

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

I know and that's exactly what they did.....set me up to FAIL

I mean you could go with the "well, I'm a self starter and a hunter, but I also consider myself a team player yada yada yada..."

But how does that separate you from other candidates?

As Marisa Tomei once said...it's a bull**** question

[findly185]

Interesting, I've been asked this question twice and both times I got the job. Guess I tell my story well. I start at college, work through job experience and certification then grad school. Keep it concise, simple and relevant. They dont need to know my dogs name when I was 5.

[bs13690]

Ummm, tell them about yourself?

[ElizaTeal]

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

I know and that's exactly what they did.....set me up to FAIL

Shouldn't you be able to answer that question better than anyone?

[nebulous1]

Originally Posted by Trip Mcnealy

I mean you could go with the "well, I'm a self starter and a hunter, but I also consider myself a team player yada yada yada..."

But how does that separate you from other candidates?

As Marisa Tomei once said...it's a bull**** question

I agree, and I've answered questions like that just that way.

I'm a self-starter.

I work hard.

I don't say I work well independently anymore, because then they'd think I'm not a "team player".

The typical buzzwords.

If they want to know about someone's skills, that's a question.

[rebel12]

Originally Posted by Trip Mcnealy

I've gotten that question too. It's just beyond open ended...you're dealing with someone you've never met before....it just seems like a question setting you up to fail if you go off on the wrong tangent.

I mean, what is someone looking to get out of you by asking you that question?

A little bit about you and your personality. Why is that such simple question seems to be so hard? What do you have to hide?
Resumes are very formal and dont tell anything about your personality, one of the factors determining your value to the employer.

[nebulous1]

Originally Posted by rebel12

A little bit about you and your personality. Why is that such simple question seems to be so hard? What do you have to hide?
Resumes are very formal and dont tell anything about your personality, one of the factors determining your value to the employer.

Why is a personality so important? I've worked with people who were so skilled, so intelligent, so good at what they did, but were not spotlights with the small talk.