Interviewers will likely start out with a question about yourself and your background to get to know you. Keep it professional when answering this question. You don’t need to share personal details.
Start out by giving them an overview of your current/previous position or activities, then provide the most important and relevant highlights from your background that make you most qualified for the role.
Examples:
Experienced professionals
“Well, I thrive in the excitement of a fast-paced office. As a receptionist at [company name], I loved interacting with our 200 regular clients and managing training and travel schedules for 25 employees. Before that at [company name], I really enjoyed being the contact point for hundreds of client calls and visits every week. In fact I saved 20 management hours a month by triaging calls and emails. Those were great opportunities, but I’m at the point where this position at [employer’s company] would really let my talents shine.”
Inexperienced/New graduates
More often than not, the company cares more about your ability to fulfill their needs than it does about what you did for another company. Sure, it helps if your Success Story refers to a practical on-the-job experience, but if you don’t have that option you can draw from a different place. For example, if you are a new graduate you can reference your academic achievements, athletic endeavors, charity and volunteer work.
Also briefly talk about your personal interest in this position and how you feel passionate about your career and future line of work. As a general rule, you should not discuss your personal life, hobbies, family, etc. because that’s not what they are looking for.They want to know what brought you here and why you chose this line of work and where you see yourself going in the next 3-5 years
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