Your answer should be relevant to the job for which you are being
interviews. Do not start going into your personal life. Keep your
self-introduction PROFESSIONAL.
A person is defined in three ways: (1) who he is right now, (2)
what he has done in the past, and (3) what he will become in the
future.
So, here is how you answer: (1) I am a [the job title for which
you are applying or something very close.] (2) I have [how many years
of experience] in [what field, what subject]. (3) I want to be [a job
title that is a couple or a few levels above the current position for
which you are applying in 5 to 10 years.]
Close your answer with an affirmative question: "Is there anything else you want to know?"
Here are more suggestions for answering this very common interview question.
- You should be very straight forward and honest in replying
to this question. The interviewer wants to check if what you have
mentioned in your resume is correct or not.
- I would answer the question based on who is interviewing
me? If it's a sales manager/Technical Manager/Human resources manager?
Depending on the person's field I'll have to mend the answer to please
him...I feel that everyone's goals are different...so anlayse that and
then answer.
- Answer this question with your 30 second "elevator speach"
about yourself. The standard format for this speech is... "I am a
(BLANK), who does (WHAT)." In my case... I am a PROJECT MANAGER, who
PROVIDES QUALITY MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, Blah, Blah, Blah. (you get the
idea).
- The Answer can Start like this: "I have 10 years' sales
rep experience, working in a variety of industries, from retail to
advertising. For the past two years I have been working in the food
industry. In addition to my successful sales techniques, I have a great
record for forming long-standing relationships with customers. I'm a
team player who thrives on challenge."
- Let me share what my recruiting office tells its
candidates as they head out for that crucial face-to-face interview.
When asked to "tell me about yourself," say, "I will gladly answer that
question, but may I first ask you a question? (They ALWAYS say yes) So
that I may better focus my answer, what are the issues you want me to
address should you hire me? Once they share with you what they need to
have you do, then proceed to address how your training, education,
skills, and experience can best resolve these issues. By answering in
this fashion, you have proven that you know how to focus ... and that
you have what's needed to fix the issues they need to have fixed. It's
always a winner ... and beats the heck out of, "Well, let's see, I was
born on a small farm in Idaho ..."
- I am a self-starter dedicated, hard-working person who
works well with other, punctual, detail oriented a team player, great
organizational and interpersonal skills.