Navigating self-introduction during interviews can pose significant challenges for candidates. A former MBA admissions director shares valuable insights on effectively handling this common yet complex interview question.
The interview question “tell me about yourself” is deceptively simple yet often trips up candidates, leading to lengthy and unfocused responses. Candidates frequently attempt to cover too much of their professional background and skills all at once. Thomas Caleel, who once directed MBA admissions and financial aid at the Wharton School, emphasizes a strategic approach to this query.
Caleel notes that being able to clarify and reframe questions under pressure is a critical skill in both academic and corporate settings. He elaborated on the topic in his podcast “Admittedly,” sharing that many candidates simply ramble on when asked about themselves, which quickly causes interviewers to lose interest. “Most people, when you ask them ‘tell me about yourself,’ they will start to talk and they will ramble and ramble and ramble,” he explained. According to Caleel, this results in glazed eyes within 30 seconds of starting the response.
To combat this, Caleel suggests breaking down your answer into manageable parts and directly engaging the interviewer. He advises candidates to say something like, “Love to tell you about myself. There are three main areas that I’m involved in: academics, extracurricular activities, and sports or volunteering. Which one would you like to start with first?” This approach turns the interviewer into an active participant, fostering a more engaging and meaningful conversation.
While Caleel’s advice primarily targets students applying to colleges, job seekers can adapt it by focusing on leadership, teamwork, and relevant experience. The key, according to Caleel, is to engage the interviewer and establish a dynamic tone. This method helps prevent overwhelming them with excessive information.
Career experts reinforce this strategy by advising candidates to highlight their accomplishments and demonstrate how their experiences are relevant to the new role. They recommend keeping the response concise, ideally within a minute.
Caleel also stresses the importance of remaining genuine and composed, illustrating that candidates who think quickly and maintain engagement often do well in interviews.
In summary, effectively answering “tell me about yourself” requires a methodical approach. By structuring responses and involving the interviewer, candidates can maintain interest and set a positive tone for the remainder of the interview.
Source: Businessinsider
