Hello friends,
Thank you, each one of you, for trying to explain to us, freshers, the importance of the questions asked during the interview. This is really helpful for us, at least for me, to prepare myself confidently for any interview hereafter.
Always be in contact and give us guidance. First of all, thanks to Anu for the question and then to all who have answered.
From India, Pune
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Thank you, each one of you, for trying to explain to us, freshers, the importance of the questions asked during the interview. This is really helpful for us, at least for me, to prepare myself confidently for any interview hereafter.
Always be in contact and give us guidance. First of all, thanks to Anu for the question and then to all who have answered.
From India, Pune
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Well, dude, there is nothing difficult in introducing yourself. When a new friend meets you, what you will do is explain everything, starting with your name, place, studies, and job.
In interviews, we professionally add details of education and job description, along with hobbies. You just need to know what the company is up to before going and the role you are applying for, so it makes your way easier to answer tough questions.
Prepare for additional questions like:
1) What was your role in the previous organization?
2) What is the reason for leaving the previous organization?
3) What tools or applications were used?
Regarding your family background, it is unnecessary information you are providing. Personal information is about you, not your family. What are you thinking? What do you want to become? How would you work to achieve it?
So, in this round, you are the teller and the one listening, so speak as much as you can and avoid things you should not tell (like loopholes of the previous organization). Always present yourself in a positive light; if asked about negatives, turn them into positives to create a good impression.
Moreover, tell everything from present to past. For example, start from post-graduation to 10th class, not the other way around.
Dear HR Experts/All Cite Members,
I want to know something from all of you. In an interview, the first question is, "TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF?" It seems simple but is a difficult question. How can we start answering this question? What should we include?
On this site, I have read many things about this question, but nothing is satisfactory. If we can't start by telling our name, how should we manage this question?
Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you.
Regards,
Annu
From India, Hyderabad
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1In interviews, we professionally add details of education and job description, along with hobbies. You just need to know what the company is up to before going and the role you are applying for, so it makes your way easier to answer tough questions.
Prepare for additional questions like:
1) What was your role in the previous organization?
2) What is the reason for leaving the previous organization?
3) What tools or applications were used?
Regarding your family background, it is unnecessary information you are providing. Personal information is about you, not your family. What are you thinking? What do you want to become? How would you work to achieve it?
So, in this round, you are the teller and the one listening, so speak as much as you can and avoid things you should not tell (like loopholes of the previous organization). Always present yourself in a positive light; if asked about negatives, turn them into positives to create a good impression.
Moreover, tell everything from present to past. For example, start from post-graduation to 10th class, not the other way around.
Dear HR Experts/All Cite Members,
I want to know something from all of you. In an interview, the first question is, "TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF?" It seems simple but is a difficult question. How can we start answering this question? What should we include?
On this site, I have read many things about this question, but nothing is satisfactory. If we can't start by telling our name, how should we manage this question?
Looking forward to your reply.
Thank you.
Regards,
Annu
From India, Hyderabad
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Dear Paddu,
There is a saying in English, "Tell me who your friends are, I will tell you who you are"; similarly, "A tree is known by its fruit," and vice versa. The three most important factors of socialization are the family, school, and peer group. Hence, it is imperative that you talk about your family. If there is nothing worthwhile to talk about, then keep quiet. It's all situational. For example, both my parents have been IAS officers, and mentioning them has always given me a cutting edge over others. Of course, taking it for granted that you are smart too!
Don't get carried away by the DOCOMO advertisement, wherein the guy gets a job despite knowing nothing. It doesn't happen in real life!
Cheers!
Sudhakar
From India, Hyderabad
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There is a saying in English, "Tell me who your friends are, I will tell you who you are"; similarly, "A tree is known by its fruit," and vice versa. The three most important factors of socialization are the family, school, and peer group. Hence, it is imperative that you talk about your family. If there is nothing worthwhile to talk about, then keep quiet. It's all situational. For example, both my parents have been IAS officers, and mentioning them has always given me a cutting edge over others. Of course, taking it for granted that you are smart too!
Don't get carried away by the DOCOMO advertisement, wherein the guy gets a job despite knowing nothing. It doesn't happen in real life!
Cheers!
Sudhakar
From India, Hyderabad
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Hi there,
I started working as a secretary in 1996 for a bank for 8 years, of which 5 years were spent in the HR department. I gained enough exposure to HR issues related to recruitment, payment, benefits, training, and development.
I then moved to the petroleum sector and worked as an assistant Training Officer for 2 years. Following that, I transitioned to the IT authority where I am currently working as an HR specialist with a focus on training and development.
As of January 2010, I am an Administration Specialist. My total working experience is 14 years.
From Oman, Muscat
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I started working as a secretary in 1996 for a bank for 8 years, of which 5 years were spent in the HR department. I gained enough exposure to HR issues related to recruitment, payment, benefits, training, and development.
I then moved to the petroleum sector and worked as an assistant Training Officer for 2 years. Following that, I transitioned to the IT authority where I am currently working as an HR specialist with a focus on training and development.
As of January 2010, I am an Administration Specialist. My total working experience is 14 years.
From Oman, Muscat
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"Tell me about yourself…" is a very common question asked by the interviewer. You may wonder why he is asking this question despite the resume being open in front of him. The trick lies here. Those who want to ace the question will come up with something not mentioned in their resumes. The most important objective is to judge your personality, as it will have an impact on your work and work environment.
The interviewer may ask this question for the following reasons:
• Make you feel at ease
• Judge your personality
• Explore your interests, likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc.
• Gain an idea about your values, family background, and culture.
• Understand your mentality, which will influence your job role.
• Know your ambitions, career aspirations, how big you dream, and how determined you are about your goals.
Though it may seem easy, it is tough to explore your own mind. The main focus is on organizing your answer. You may share every detail about yourself, but if unprepared, you may present it haphazardly, leaving the interviewer confused. You have to create a lasting impression through this answer. It is your first meeting with your interviewer, so your answer should make him remember you. You have to seize the opportunity to talk about your personality and introduce 'yourself' to the interviewer, which can benefit his company. Your answer should include:
• Brief introduction about you, your family, and your residential place
• Your educational/professional background and your most important achievement
• Your interests, your hobbies (mention those aligning with the job position)
• Your career goals
SAMPLE ANSWER: I am Anuj Sharma from Kolkata, which people call the 'city of joy'. I belong to a well-respected family. My father works for VSNL as a Senior Manager. I have completed my B.Tech in IT from NIT, Durgapur, securing 87% in my last semester. Computers interest me greatly, leading me to choose IT in Engineering. I have won numerous prizes and awards in debates, tech quizzes, etc. During my leisure hours, I enjoy listening to music and solving Sudoku puzzles. I am also keen on computer games, exploring codes and attempting to create my own games. I have been appreciated by my professors for my effort, performance, commitment, and dedication. Certain skills like convincing and interpersonal skills make me popular wherever I go. I aim to be a part of a reputable IT company where I can demonstrate my value.
From India, Calcutta
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The interviewer may ask this question for the following reasons:
• Make you feel at ease
• Judge your personality
• Explore your interests, likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc.
• Gain an idea about your values, family background, and culture.
• Understand your mentality, which will influence your job role.
• Know your ambitions, career aspirations, how big you dream, and how determined you are about your goals.
Though it may seem easy, it is tough to explore your own mind. The main focus is on organizing your answer. You may share every detail about yourself, but if unprepared, you may present it haphazardly, leaving the interviewer confused. You have to create a lasting impression through this answer. It is your first meeting with your interviewer, so your answer should make him remember you. You have to seize the opportunity to talk about your personality and introduce 'yourself' to the interviewer, which can benefit his company. Your answer should include:
• Brief introduction about you, your family, and your residential place
• Your educational/professional background and your most important achievement
• Your interests, your hobbies (mention those aligning with the job position)
• Your career goals
SAMPLE ANSWER: I am Anuj Sharma from Kolkata, which people call the 'city of joy'. I belong to a well-respected family. My father works for VSNL as a Senior Manager. I have completed my B.Tech in IT from NIT, Durgapur, securing 87% in my last semester. Computers interest me greatly, leading me to choose IT in Engineering. I have won numerous prizes and awards in debates, tech quizzes, etc. During my leisure hours, I enjoy listening to music and solving Sudoku puzzles. I am also keen on computer games, exploring codes and attempting to create my own games. I have been appreciated by my professors for my effort, performance, commitment, and dedication. Certain skills like convincing and interpersonal skills make me popular wherever I go. I aim to be a part of a reputable IT company where I can demonstrate my value.
From India, Calcutta
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Hi all,
I appreciate the comments of all the fellow HR professionals on this site. Here is what I feel: most of the time, the candidate is a stranger to the interviewer. Just think, if you meet a stranger professionally and engage in casual conversation, what would you like to know about them? Just prepare for those questions. There is no need to share all high-funda things about yourself because recruiters are tired of hearing similar exaggerated answers.
This question might have been asked to make the candidate feel comfortable, but some surveys suggest that the interviewer makes their decision in the first 10 minutes of the discussion. It always comes down to the effect of the first impression. Additionally, in the interview process, similar questions are often asked, but answers should vary from individual to individual.
I would appreciate your views.
Thanks,
Santosh
From India, Bangalore
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I appreciate the comments of all the fellow HR professionals on this site. Here is what I feel: most of the time, the candidate is a stranger to the interviewer. Just think, if you meet a stranger professionally and engage in casual conversation, what would you like to know about them? Just prepare for those questions. There is no need to share all high-funda things about yourself because recruiters are tired of hearing similar exaggerated answers.
This question might have been asked to make the candidate feel comfortable, but some surveys suggest that the interviewer makes their decision in the first 10 minutes of the discussion. It always comes down to the effect of the first impression. Additionally, in the interview process, similar questions are often asked, but answers should vary from individual to individual.
I would appreciate your views.
Thanks,
Santosh
From India, Bangalore
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You need to tell interviewers briefly your names and value proposition to the company. When I was still looking for jobs, I would use the following lines and they always made a good impression on the panel members:
"I am Mustapha Mugisa. I am one of those rare people who can say I am a human resource professional, team player, and business development consultant and mean it. I hold a Master of Business Administration majoring in Human Resources and have worked for XX company for three years, where I initiated a human resource deployment matrix and improved performance. I believe in teamwork and employee empowerment. My qualifications and experience are suited for this job."
Note that employers are interested in assessing your ability to do the job, other than your university, primary, or secondary school! Or even about your parents unless you have some relationship with Gandhi M or along those lines. Focus on summarizing your CV in three to four sentences that show your suitability for the job and stop. Let the panel ask about your parents' names or your former schools or any other personal issues. The rule of thumb is anything written in your CV is not of interest to the panelist. Be original and focus on showing how you are mature, how you have experience and skill to do the job better than anyone else, how you have done it in the past e.g. my statement "I have worked for XX company for 3 years where I initiated an HR deployment matrix." If this is the company's problem [and you need to research to know what their present problem(s) are so that you hit the nail on the head], you will get the job. Assured. Mustapha Mugisa, mmugisa@summitcl.com, Welcome to Summit Business Review - the leading business & finance magazine or Welcome to Summit Consulting Ltd or +2456712984585 Kampala Uganda.
From Uganda
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"I am Mustapha Mugisa. I am one of those rare people who can say I am a human resource professional, team player, and business development consultant and mean it. I hold a Master of Business Administration majoring in Human Resources and have worked for XX company for three years, where I initiated a human resource deployment matrix and improved performance. I believe in teamwork and employee empowerment. My qualifications and experience are suited for this job."
Note that employers are interested in assessing your ability to do the job, other than your university, primary, or secondary school! Or even about your parents unless you have some relationship with Gandhi M or along those lines. Focus on summarizing your CV in three to four sentences that show your suitability for the job and stop. Let the panel ask about your parents' names or your former schools or any other personal issues. The rule of thumb is anything written in your CV is not of interest to the panelist. Be original and focus on showing how you are mature, how you have experience and skill to do the job better than anyone else, how you have done it in the past e.g. my statement "I have worked for XX company for 3 years where I initiated an HR deployment matrix." If this is the company's problem [and you need to research to know what their present problem(s) are so that you hit the nail on the head], you will get the job. Assured. Mustapha Mugisa, mmugisa@summitcl.com, Welcome to Summit Business Review - the leading business & finance magazine or Welcome to Summit Consulting Ltd or +2456712984585 Kampala Uganda.
From Uganda
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1. We have to think "why the question is asked to the candidate" even though most of the things are already mentioned in the resume.
2. You should only say what the interviewer wants to hear from you.
3. The first question leads you to the next question; otherwise...
4. Before answering anything, you must be aware of the required candidate profile, nature of the job, job responsibilities, company profile, salary range, location of the vacancy, and whether you are a fit for representing the company and the position. If you have a deep understanding, you will speak confidently. An interview is nothing but selling your qualities tactfully.
You might have heard of the famous singer "MUKESH" and his song:
“JO TUMKO HAI PASAND WAHI BAT KARUNGA, TUM DIN KO AGAR RAT KAHO TO RAT KAHUNGA”
Remember to only say "what the interview wants to hear and search from you."
L.C. Pant
Author of "THE EMPLOYMENT ABILITY"
From India
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2. You should only say what the interviewer wants to hear from you.
3. The first question leads you to the next question; otherwise...
4. Before answering anything, you must be aware of the required candidate profile, nature of the job, job responsibilities, company profile, salary range, location of the vacancy, and whether you are a fit for representing the company and the position. If you have a deep understanding, you will speak confidently. An interview is nothing but selling your qualities tactfully.
You might have heard of the famous singer "MUKESH" and his song:
“JO TUMKO HAI PASAND WAHI BAT KARUNGA, TUM DIN KO AGAR RAT KAHO TO RAT KAHUNGA”
Remember to only say "what the interview wants to hear and search from you."
L.C. Pant
Author of "THE EMPLOYMENT ABILITY"
From India
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I am a student, yet I have faced this question several times in my interviews. Just one simple concept to answer the question - what I was told about is just be true to yourself, do not try to bluff. The answer you give may pave the way to several other questions, so be firm and know what you are saying. Say it with full confidence.
From India, Bhopal
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From India, Bhopal
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