[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Courses” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ custom_padding=”0px|0px|100px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The most common question asked at an interview but in my experience, it\u2019s the question that most often stumps a person.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n You may hear those exact words or similar versions including:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Really it should be easy, after all each of us knows all about ourselves but this question can be stressful and really complicated.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/interviewskills.fabricdevelopment.co.nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/i-s-scaled.jpg” title_text=”i-s” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider color=”#dddc00″ divider_weight=”4px” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”40px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||10px|” animation_direction=”left” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”36px” custom_margin=”||20px|” animation_direction=”bottom” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” header_font_size__hover=”30px” header_font_size__hover_enabled=”30px” header_letter_spacing__hover=”0px” header_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”0px” header_text_shadow_style__hover=”none” header_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=”none” header_text_shadow_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” header_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n This seems such an obvious statement. Every question in a job interview is designed to get the information an employer wants. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n However when the \u201cTell me about yourself\u201d question is asked many job seekers forget this and fall into the trap of telling a story that has little real relevance to the job opportunity.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In an interview, every answer you give should only be focussed on addressing the:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#dddc00″ divider_weight=”4px” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”40px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||10px|” animation_direction=”left” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”36px” custom_margin=”||20px|” animation_direction=”bottom” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” header_font_size__hover=”30px” header_font_size__hover_enabled=”30px” header_letter_spacing__hover=”0px” header_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”0px” header_text_shadow_style__hover=”none” header_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=”none” header_text_shadow_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” header_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n For many interviewers the question eases them into the interview particularly for less seasoned interviewers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Often depending on what you say will lead them into their next question. In reality your answer to this question can \u201ccontrol\u201d the interview. Get it right and you will frame the interview and quickly position yourself as a prime candidate, in terms of experience and hard skills as well as soft skills. It\u2019s a key opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills, that you can clearly and effectively connect with and react to other humans and present professionally. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#dddc00″ divider_weight=”4px” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”40px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||10px|” animation_direction=”left” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”36px” custom_margin=”||20px|” animation_direction=”bottom” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” header_font_size__hover=”30px” header_font_size__hover_enabled=”30px” header_letter_spacing__hover=”0px” header_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”0px” header_text_shadow_style__hover=”none” header_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=”none” header_text_shadow_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” header_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n As this question is the most common question asked by interviewers you should have a prepared answer for it. There can be no excuses for this.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n There is a simple structure that will give you an order in which to present information. Even if you know the structure and do no preparation, I am sure your answer to this question will be more relevant to the interviewer.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Its simple\u2026<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Present<\/strong> \u2013 Start with now. Talk about your current role in terms of the position you are interviewing for. Only talk about experiences, responsibilities and competencies that relate to the new job. Mention specific accomplishments, again that relate to the job (remember, you can find these in the Position description and job advert).<\/p>\n Past<\/strong> \u2013 Talk about any additional experiences, skills and competencies from your past jobs or other activities that again support your suitability for the role. If you can, share an experience that aligns with the company values.<\/span><\/p>\n Future<\/strong> \u2013 Segue into what you want to do in the future and therefore why this job fits. (remember, this must still be all about them not about you. You must convince them that their future aligns with yours).<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#dddc00″ divider_weight=”4px” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”40px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||10px|” animation_direction=”left” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ header_font=”||||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font=”|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”36px” custom_margin=”||20px|” animation_direction=”bottom” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” header_font_size__hover=”30px” header_font_size__hover_enabled=”30px” header_letter_spacing__hover=”0px” header_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”0px” header_text_shadow_style__hover=”none” header_text_shadow_style__hover_enabled=”none” header_text_shadow_color__hover=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” header_text_shadow_color__hover_enabled=”rgba(0,0,0,0.4)” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Answers to questions that in some way align with the values or purpose of the business or the person interviewing are the most powerful.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n There is something that subconsciously happens when your answers align with an employer\u2019s values. Immediately the interviewer starts to visualise you in the role, they can see you as a person they can work with, someone that will fit into the team. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n So, when preparing for an interview, try to identify the values or purpose of an organisation and ensure that your answers are aligned.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The most common question asked at an interview but in my experience, it\u2019s the question that most often stumps a person. You may hear those exact words or similar versions including: Tell me why you have applied for this job? Walk me through your experiences? I have your resume in from of me but tell […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":242,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1080","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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An interview is all about them, the employer, and not about you the job seeker.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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<\/span><\/span><\/li>\nWhy interviewers ask the question?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The power of Values-based interview answers<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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A simple formula for answering \u201cTell me about yourself\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n