When you, as a job seeker, are asked the most common, and toughest, interview question, "Tell me about yourself,"your answer can make or break you as a candidate. Usually job seekers will respond with their "30 second commercial," and then elaborate on their background. While almost every career book and career counselor will tell you that is the appropriate response, I totally disagree.

Many people fail in their job search because they are too often focused on what they want in a job including industry, type of position, location, income, benefits, and work environment. Their "30 second commercial" is centered around this premise. The commercial describes the job seeker's career history and what they are looking for. Too often, this is in direct contrast to what employers are looking for.

There are two dominant reasons why job seekers are successful in the job search. The first is focusing on the needs of the organization. The second is focusing on the needs of the people within that organization. In this article, we are going to examine how to focus on the needs of the people within organizations. This will assist in rethinking your response to that all-important question, "Tell me about yourself."

In order to learn how to respond to the needs of the interviewer, let's first learn more about ourselves. We can then apply that knowledge about ourselves to knowing how to understand and respond to the needs of others.

Most social psychologists recognize four basic personality styles: Analytical, Amiable, Expressive, and Driver. Usually, each of us exhibits personality characteristics unique to one of the styles. However, we also possess characteristics to a lesser degree in the other styles. To determine your unique style, you can take a Myers-Briggs assessment or go to the following site for a free Keirsey Temperament Sorter assessment test: www.keirsey.com

Here are the characteristics that are most commonly associated with each of the styles:

Analytical:
Positive Traits: Precise, Methodical, Organized, Rational, Detail Oriented
Negative Traits: Critical, Formal, Uncertain, Judgmental, Picky

Amiable:
Positive Traits: Cooperative, Dependable, Warm, Listener, Negotiator
Negative Traits: Undisciplined, Dependent, Submissive, Overly Cautious, Conforming

Expressive:
Positive Traits: Enthusiastic, Persuasive, Outgoing, Positive, Communicator
Negative Traits: Ego Centered, Emotional, Exploitive, Opinionated, Reacting

Driver:
Positive Traits: Persistent, Independent, Decision Maker, Effective, Strong Willed
Negative Traits: Aggressive, Strict, Intense, Relentless, Rigid

Gaining an in-depth understanding of your personality style has enormous value in your career as well as your personal life. However, our focus today is learning how to use this knowledge to make you more successful in your job search.

Once you have learned about your own style and have studied the other styles, I encourage you to have a little fun in trying to determine the styles of others. When you meet someone for the first time, try to identify his or her style within the first two minutes. You can often identify styles by observing a person's demeanor, conversation, body language, appearance, and possessions.

To demonstrate what I mean, let's take some examples from the business world. While there are always exceptions, generally speaking the styles fit the example.

Analytical Style: Financial Manager (or programmers, engineers, and accountants). They like systems and procedures. They are slow to make decisions because they will analyze things to death?but their decisions are usually very sound. They prefer working independently and are usually not very good in team environments, but they are also dependable. They buy cars with good resale value and great gas mileage. They are conservative dressers. At the party, they want to know why so much money was spent on Michelob when we could have purchased Busch. They come to the party with their laptops.

Amiable Style: Human Resources Manager. Very people-focused. They are dependable, loyal and easygoing; very compassionate. They will give you the shirt off their backs and the last nickel in their pockets. They are good listeners and value team players who don't "rock the boat." They are usually conformists and followers?rarely leaders. They avoid conflict and are not good decision makers. They drive four-door sedans or mini-vans to take the kids to sporting events. They usually clean up after the party is over.

Expressive Style: Sales Manager. Very outgoing and enthusiastic, with a high energy level. They are also great idea generators, but usually do not have the ability to see the idea through to completion. Very opinionated and egotistical. Money motivated. They can be good communicators. They prefer to direct and control rather then ask and listen. They drive red convertibles with great stereos; to heck with the gas mileage. They come up with the idea for a company party, but never help clean up. They are on their way to another party.

Driver: Corporate CEO. Intelligent, intense, focused, relentless. They thrive on the thrill of the challenge and the internal motivation to succeed. Money is only a measure of success; it is not the driving factor. They are results/performance oriented. They have compassion for the truly disadvantaged, but absolutely no patience or tolerance for the lazy or whiners. They drive prestige cars, not because the car attracts attention, but because it was a wise investment. They want to know why we had a party; what were the benefits of the party, and did we invite the banker?

Ok, now you are really getting some insight into your style and the style of others. It is time for the interviews. Throw out your 30-second commercial. Think on your feet.

You will be interviewing with the human resource manager, the finance manager, the sales manager, and the CEO. The first question each of them will ask you is: "Tell me about yourself." How should you respond? Remember the second reason for succeeding in a job search: focus on the needs of the people in the organization. Here are just a few examples of how to respond to that question:

"Tell me about yourself?"

Response to Finance Manager: "I have been successful in my career by making well-thought-out decisions based on careful analysis of all factors. I approach problems with logic and sound reasoning. I would enjoy working with you in developing the appropriate systems and procedures to make our two departments function efficiently together."

Response to Human Resource Manager: "My career has been characterized by my ability to work well with diverse teams. I seek out opportunities to involve others in the decision-making process. This collaboration and communication is what has enabled me to achieve success in my department. People are the most valuable resource of any organization."

Response to Sales Manager: "Throughout my career I have always adhered to the principle that everyone in the organization must be sales-focused. My department is always trained in customer service, providing outstanding support to the sales team and to our customers. Without sales, the rest of use would not have a job. I look forward to helping you drive sales in any way possible."

Response to CEO: "I have achieved success in my career because I have been focused on the bottom line. I have always sought out innovative solutions to challenging problems to maximize profitability. Regardless of the task or challenge, I always established benchmarks of performance and standards of excellence. I have never sought to maintain the "status quo." An organization that does not change and grow will die. I would enjoy working with you to help define new market opportunities in order to achieve the organization's goals."

In each instance, we responded to the "needs of the individual." It is almost guaranteed that, when you respond appropriately to the diverse needs of the different managers, you will become the standard by which all of the other candidates will be measured.

I challenge you to learn about your personality and leadership style, learn about the styles of others, and learn how to think on your feet when responding to questions. Whether you are seeking a job or you are gainfully employed, by understanding the needs of others you will become a more valuable person, employee, manager and leader.
 

Selection Process

Selection is the process of choosing from a group of applicants those individuals best suited for a particular
position. Most managers recognize that employee selection is one of their most difficult, and most important,
business decisions. This process involves making a judgment -not about the applicant, but about the fit
between the applicant and the job by considering knowledge,skills and abilities and other characteristics required to perform the job Selection procedures are not carried out through standard pattern and steps in this. Process can vary from organization to organization some steps performed and considered important by one organization can be skipped by other organization.
Environmental Factors Affecting the Selection Process A permanent, standardized screening process could greatly simplify the selection process. However, development of such a process even if it were possible and desirable would not eliminate deviations to meet the unique needs of  particular situation.

Legal Considerations
Legislation, executive orders, and court decisions have a major impact on human resource management. It is important for hiring managers to see the relationship between useful and legally defensible selection tools.

Speed of Decision Making
The time available to make the selection decision can have a major effect on the selection process. Closely following selection policies and procedures can provide greater protection against legal problems; however, there are times when the pressure of business will dictate that exceptions be made.

Organizational Hierarchy
Different approaches to selection are generally taken for filling positions at different levels in the organization.

Applicant Pool
The number of applicants for a particular job can also affect the selection process. The process can be truly
selective only if there are several qualified applicants for a particular position. The number of people hired for a particular job compared to the individuals in the applicant pool is often expressed as a selection ratio.

Type of Organization
The sector of the economy in which individuals are to be employed private,  governmental, or not-forprofit can also affect the selection process.

Probationary Period
Many firms use a probationary period that permits evaluating an employee's ability based on performance. This may be either a substitute for certain phases of the selection process or a check on the validity of the process.

Selection Criteria
Mostly the selection of applicant depends upon the
following factors or criterions.
1. EDUCATION
2. COMPETENCIES
3. EXPERIENCE
4. SKILLS AND ABILITIES
5. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Applicant who is best fit should be hired instead of hiring a person with extra ordinary skills it means right person for right job should be hired person who is over or under qualified for the particular job will not be able to adjust in the organization.

STEPS IN THE SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process typically begins with the preliminary interview; next, candidates complete the application for employment. They progress through a series of selection tests, the employment interview, and reference and background checks. The successful applicant receives a company physical examination and is employed if the results are satisfactory. Several external and internal factors impact the selection process, and the manager must take them into account in making selection decisions. Typically selection process consists of the following steps but it is not necessary that all organization go through all these steps as per requirement of the organization some steps can be skipped while performing the selection process.
1. Initial Screening
2. Application Blank
3. Pre-employment Testing
. General Intelligence Tests
. Aptitude Tests
. Personality and Interest Tests
. Achievement Tests
. Honesty Tests
4. Interview
. Structured Interview
. Unstructured Interview
. Mixed Interview
5. Background Checks
6. Conditional job offer
7. Medical Exam/Drug Tests
8. Final Selection Decision

(Refer to accomplishments. Everyone has had a few of these pressure situations in a career. Behavior-related questions aim at assessing a candidate's character, attitude, and personality traits by asking for an account of how the candidate handled certain challenging situations. Plan for such questions by making a list of the desirable traits relevant to the needs of the industry or prospective employer and by preparing some job-related stories about your experience that demonstrate a range of those traits and habits of conduct. Before answering the questions, listen carefully and ask any clarifying questions you think necessary. Tell your story and conclude by explaining what you intended your story to illustrate. Finally, ask for feedback: "Does this tell you what you need to know?")

(Use this question as a chance to show that you are a team player: "The only people I have trouble with are those who aren't team players, who just don't perform, who complain constantly, and who fail to respond to any efforts to motivate them." The interviewer is expecting a response focused on personality and personal dislikes. Surprise her by delivering an answer that reflects company values.)

(Keep your answer short and relevant to the job and the organization's culture.) General

A name clash occurs when a name is defined in more than one place. For example., two different class libraries could give two different classes the same name. If you try to use many class libraries at the same time, there is a fair chance that you will be unable to compile or link the program because of name clashes.

This will engender more conversation about personality styles and attitudes that mesh well with the culture and those that don't. You bluff your way through this question at your own risk. Why would you want to go to work where you would be at war with the prevailing culture?)

Hotel industry facinates me in terms of building-up of a perfect professional personality. Career in hospitality
leads to become a successful human-being while representing an organisation by being a reference point n problem solvers for the everyone present in the surrounding. Learning more n more through interacting with global enviornment at a place. Its requirement of being living encyclopedia. This industry nurture a commonman with a common  sense of understanding along with the knowledge to pamparelite class n global guest. personally i believe that all successful personals or professionals in the management of various fields equiped with the elementry qualities besides any technical knowledge which are essential at the initial level of this industry before technical knowledge and experience.