You meet people day in and day out, sharing bits of who you are and what defines you. Learning about others helps to build relationships that can turn into networks, friendships, and even job opportunities. Yet, when it comes to interviews, the request to “tell me about yourself” is often one of the most dreaded of all. Is it because it is so vague? Or maybe you aren’t sure what to share that would be appropriate, definitive, intriguing, or (insert adjective here) enough? A big key to answering this question is to have a clear objective, write it down, and practice, practice, practice!
When looking at how to respond to this request in an interview, consider what it is you want to convey about yourself to your potential employer. Is it your great people skills, your determination, your love of service, or perhaps your initiative? Pick one or two key traits you’d like them to know about you. From there, think of a couple examples for each that reflect that characteristic. Choose one example that is more personally related and one that is more professionally related. From there, weave a story about the stories, emphasizing the key point(s) you are trying to get across to the interviewer.
When putting your answer together, it’s best to keep it around 30-45 seconds, not too short as to seem brief and uninviting but not too long to be verbose and rambling. Write it down and contemplate keeping several variations available. Variations could include longer or shorter versions as well as ones that include a few more characteristics. These could be useful in case the question is formatted more specifically about your RN or healthcare background. Then practice. A lot. The more you practice it, the more naturally (and quickly) the answer will come to you when you’re asked the question. It will also help you skip the “ums” and the “likes” while trying to come up with an answer! Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from others for some fine-tuning.
This format is just one way to give a potential employer insight into your personality, your skills, and a little bit about how you act on both the personal and professional level. It shows self-awareness and creativity in answering a question that often breeds mundane and redundant responses. Deliver it with great intonation, confidant eye contact, and a smile to lead the interview with a great impression!
Veronica Goodwin, also known as V, started with Aureus Medical Group as an Account Manager in September 2011. In May 2013, V stepped into the role of Nursing Student Outreach Coordinator. Prior to Aureus Medical, she worked as a Branch Manager with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design and Minor in Problems of Philosophy from Creighton University, V has a creative outlook on the world and enjoys sharing that with others. In her downtime, V can be found with friends or family, traveling, photographing nature and gardening, reading, and learning about various wellness theories.