Tell Your Story
One of the most common ways an interview begins isn’t really a question at all—it’s the statement, “Tell me about yourself.” In all honesty, it’s one of my favorite ways to begin an interview or phone screen.
Why?
I read a lot of resumés that clearly outline career objectives, highlight work history with well-written bullet points, and showcase impressive skills. Yet the very first thing I want to hear is, “Tell me about you.”
Don’t I already have enough information from your resumé?
Absolutely not.
A resumé provides objective facts about your experience and qualifications. It’s helpful, but it doesn’t tell me who you are. What I’m really looking for is what’s between the lines. I want to hear your story.
Create Your Story
“When I hear your story, I begin to picture what it would be like to work with you…”
People love stories. We connect with them because they help us imagine, relate, and understand. A great story paints a picture, weaves a gripping plot and engineers an emotional response.
When an interviewer says, “Tell me about yourself,” they’re giving you an opportunity to paint that picture. Give them a vision of what it would be like to work with you. Help them understand the person behind the resumé.
That doesn’t mean share every detail about your personal life.
A few personal details can help build rapport, but too much can distract from the purpose of the interview. If your story wanders too far off course, an interviewer may wonder whether you also lose focus on the job. The key is to always bring your story back to your experience, your skills, and ultimately, your resumé. After all, that’s why you were invited to interview in the first place.
Here are a few tips to help you tell your story effectively:We LOVE stories. We love to be compelled by a gripping plot that keeps us on the edge of our seat and takes us on a journey. When I read, or hear a story, it opens up my mind to a vision of what would be like. When an interviewer asks (tells) you to “Tell me about yourself,” give them a vision of what it would be like to work with you. Basically, tell me what’s between the lines of your resumé.
Although I would want to hear how you weave your story into what it would be like working with you, I don’t want to hear every detail of your personal life. A few personal things about you may be ok, but too much will be a distraction. Therefore, an interviewer might conclude that you either get distracted at work, or are a distraction at work. The best thing to do is to always “bring it back” to your resumé. It’s part of the reason you were chosen to interview to begin with.
Begin with a Smile
Your next interview tip in this series will focus on communication, but remember that non-verbal communication is still communication. Be sure to SMILE! Smiles are instantly contagious. Everytime I coach candidates on smiling in an interview, I actually smile and it instantly changes the mood in the room…it cuts and releases tension for everyone, and the person across the table, usually smiles back!
A genuine smile immediately creates warmth, confidence, and approachability. It’s a simple way to start your story on the right note.
Be Intentional
Describe yourself using the title of the position you’re interviewing for.
For example, if you’re interviewing for a Graphic Designer role, you might begin by saying:
“I’m a graphic designer with four years of experience creating marketing materials and digital content for growing businesses.”
This immediately connects your story to the position you’re seeking.
Talk About Your Highs—and Your Lows
This is a great opportunity to naturally address both your strengths and areas for growth.
Talk about what you do well and, just as importantly, why you enjoy doing it. Then briefly mention an area you’ve worked to improve or continue to develop.
Another way to think about this, in terms of telling your story, is to talk about your wins and losses! We love to hear stories of an underdog, about overcomers, and unfortunately tragedy. If you can thoughtfully tell the interview about your highs and your lows in a meaningful way, you’ll be way ahead of the game.
Be Concise…But Not Too Concise
Keep your story engaging without turning it into your autobiography.
If you share too much, you may lose your audience. If you share too little, the conversation can become awkward.
Aim for about two to three minutes. Give enough information to spark interest while leaving the interviewer wanting to learn more through the rest of the interview.
Close with What You Want
Finish your story by explaining what you’re looking for.
For example:
“I’m looking for a position that challenges me, allows me to continue growing professionally, and gives me the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to a company like yours.”
This naturally transitions the conversation from who you are to why you’re excited about the opportunity.
Hopefully these tips help you confidently begin telling your story during the interview process.
A great story connects the person behind the resumé to the qualifications on the page. More importantly, it helps the interviewer envision you as part of their team.
And when you can do that, you’ve already started building a long-term connection before a hiring decision is made.
If you are looking and interviewing for a position and are interested in more information about us here at Streamed Hire, LLC please visit our Job Seeking Resources and reach out to us!
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