PTT: Tell Me About Yourself

Professional Tip Tuesday
Every interview I have been in starts with: "Tell me about yourself." I counted, and I have been in 15+ interviews. It should be a piece of cake by now, but when it comes to that question I usually freeze up and just stammer through the basics.

The answer should be concise and packed with relevant information. It's easy to neglect this question when preparing for an interview - but as with everything, practice makes perfect. After you do your research, keep the tips below in mind and practice, practice, practice!

There are a couple of reasons why this question is so important.
     1. It is the interviewer's first real impression of you as a candidate.
     2. It allows you to summarizes how you are a good fit for the job.

So how can you nail these two points when you are answering this question?

Meet the generic interviewer: Mr. Word-Art

How to rock the first impression.
- Confidence is key.

• AVOID: Between being nervous and trying to stall, it's easy to start with, "Well... I am... Umm, I did.." You can definitely recover from this, but it's not the best start.
• INSTEAD, DO THIS: Start off strong. Presenting yourself with certainty will not only show the interviewer that you are comfortable - but you will also feel more comfortable moving on in the interview.

- Show off your uniqueness.

• AVOID: Giving the generic answer. It's far too easy to tell them the same general overview they can pick up from scanning your resume. 
• INSTEAD, DO THIS: Tell them something interesting that will make you standout. You can still tie in that general info if it makes sense or seems to fit - just don't make it the focus of your answer. "During my time at College X, I got involved with..."

How to prove you are a good fit.

- Highlight the right experiences. 

• AVOID: Uniqueness can be tricky. Telling them about a special certification or an interesting skill is great - but only if it's relevant to the position. Something that is unique about me is that I can wiggle my ears, but that probably isn't going to help me in an interview.
• INSTEAD, DO THIS: If you are applying for a sales position, talk about a time or an experience that makes you a great salesperson. More specifically, pick an example that compliments the company and/or the position. 

- Tie it all together with a nice, little bow. 

• AVOID: Sometimes people lose what they are saying as they are answering interview questions and trail off. It can be difficult to end strong after a monologue about yourself.
• INSTEAD, DO THIS: Connect the dots. The best way to end your answer is to tie it all together. Why does this experience make you a good fit for this company? HOw is everything you just said relevant to the employer? You can even say, "So with my experience with X, I am excited about the opportunity to be here today because of everything your company is doing with Y."

Answering "Tell me about yourself" confidently can give you a great footing for the rest of the interview. How do you make the most of this question? Comment below. 

PTT: Questions YOU Should Ask in an Interview

Professional Tip Tuesday

Questions YOU should be prepared to ask in a job interview.

Any time I hangout with a group of recent grads, the inevitable question always comes up: What are your plans for next year? Some have a job lined up. But many are still searching.

I thought this would be an appropriate Professional Tip Tuesday, as many people are in the interview process right now! But no matter which position you are in, it's good to be thinking about good interviewing techniques that will keep you sharp.

I was reminded of just how important it can be to have good questions prepared for the interviewer after reading a recent LinkedIn blog posted by Dave K. This small, but important part of an interview is something I wish I would have thought about more as I was interviewing for a full time job.

Especially in a competitive job market, having some solid questions prepared can help you stand out from other candidates. When the interviewer asks what questions you have, the right questions will help you make a lasting impression!

Since "What questions do you have?" is almost always an part of an interview, it's important you take advantage of it. Definitely have questions prepared! This is as much a window into your skills and abilities as any of the other questions they ask during your interview.

That doesn't mean just any question...

• Interviewee question DON'T's: Dave K. points out the obvious - do not ask silly questions that you could have (should have!) researched before the interview. You also do not want to ask questions that make the employer question your work ethic. 
• i.e. What does your company do? How many sick days do your employees receive? 

He also calls out the question, "What does this position entail?". I think I asked a variation of that question in several interviews.. whoops! BUT, not to fear. Dave K. includes 9 fantastic questions that can help you nail the interview. 

The questions you ask the interviewer should show your interest in the company, your initiative, and what makes you a fit for their company and their success. Throughout the interview you want to be flattering the company.. this is your last chance to get in a few final flattering words! 

Below are the first three questions Dave K. suggests on his post. To see the full article and the rest of the questions he lists, click here. 

1) "Who would make the ideal candidate for this position?" - Gives you an idea of how your qualifications can help you in the position. 

2) "How will the work I'll be doing contribute to the organization's mission?" - Sets up the expectations and how you can excel in the position.

3) "What were the best things about the person that held this position before?" - Gives you a few things you can do immediately to impress your employer. 

Hope this Professional Tip Tuesday was helpful! What are your go-to questions you ask in an interview? Comment below!