Interview Question: Tell me about yourself...

You: In 2005 I graduated from college with my bachelor's in communications. After that, I got my first job as an inside sales rep. I did that pretty well and then by 2007 I was promoted to an outside sales rep. I pretty much-sold toaster ovens door to door for the entire time and that is when I decided that I didn't want to do that anymore. So then... I moved to Nebraska to raise cows...

Yeah... did you stop listening too? 

And then did you ask yourself. Wait? Does Nebraska even have cows?

I did too.

And that ladies and gentlemen is what I mean by Interviewing is for Humans, Not Robots - Act Like It.

Like... that is the driest interview answer I have ever listened too. And I get it. You think that the answer to this question is for a complete rundown of your professional background and experience. 

So I will be the first to tell you that it is NOT! You sound like a robot!

Now, I am going to tell you how to answer this question like a human - you know making a genuine connection with the person across the table.

Take 2:

Interview Question: Tell me about yourself

You: I am so glad you asked that Joanie and I have this kind of wild story to tell you. In 2005, I actually started my career in sales, and after breaking the national sales records and generating over half a million in revenue from toaster sales I had decided I needed a new challenge. I actually went to Nebraska to help some rural farmers with their struggling cow raising business. There I headed their sales and marketing team, and build a strategy that completely saved their business in just 6 months. They went from net negative to breaking even and then some. Now the company is profitable, generating over 5.5 million from just milk sales. I am so proud of everything I've done there, but I am looking for my next challenge and specifically a leadership role in the telecommunications industry. I am looking to explore with you over the next hour or how I can leverage my marketing and sales expertise at your company. 

Engaging right?

Genuine right?

You sound pretty qualified right?

Yeah, that is what I mean by being a human when you are interviewing. 

And it's less about being raw or saying it like it is.

Which I have seen time and time again in interviews.

It is about making a genuine connection while being genuinely who you are. 

When you do this, not only do you share your experience and skills in an engaging way, but the person interviewing you likes you.

And that is the secret to job search success!

And now... I know what you're asking, "Mercedes... how do I make a genuine connection while being genuinely who I am?"

Loosen Up: 

Reframe the interview. In your mind, this interview should just be one of many interviews that you are uniquely talented and quite frankly awesome enough to get the offer letter for. 

So loosen up. You got this. Worrying about your performance is only going to iRobot your interview. 

So as soon as you walk into the front door. Leave all for interview anxiety out of the door.

You got this!

Remind yourself that you are just talking to another human about how talented you are, and you are sharing your professional story. It's not the end of the world. 

Professional yet Personable

Don't be so professional that you lose who you are. Employers are hiring a professional brand and a personal brand. 

They are hiring the whole package. 

Now you don't want to say anything that is rude, controversial, or another red flag. But you want to be yourself.

If you smile a lot, SMILE. If you reference memes every day at work - weave that into your story.

And when you get to talk about what you do - tell them why you LOVE what you do. Why you show up passionately every day and how you pour every ounce of you into your work.

Don't stick to just the script. 

Tell your story, sell the value, but do it in a way that is genuine to you. 

Make Informed Connections

Connection is innately human. We want to connect with those around us in a meaningful way. When we build the connection between:

• You and the recruiter
• You and the hiring manager
• You and the job

You set yourself up for interview success.

The connection starts with every pleasant reaction with the individual - but it goes much further than that. Informed connections make you human and the best candidate for the position.

So what does an informed connection look like anyways? BET.

1. Asking the recruiter why they love working where they work.
2. Digging into the hiring manager's background and asking what made them go into healthcare.
3. Speaking about how you absolutely love the mission of the company's philanthropy initiatives and how you've done similar work with your favorite non-profit.

These types of connections show that you are a well-informed candidate, who is genuinely interested in the role and can connect with the team. It makes you FIT in and better yet... It makes you stand out as the uniquely talented human you are! 

Build your Confidence

Now... I know confidence in an interview is one of the most challenging parts of job seeking and being a human! 

For good reason! Right! Either you really really really need the job you are applying for or you really really want it. 

And when the stakes are that high... well say goodbye to cool, calm, and collect and hello to a nervous wreck.

Well... Instead of coming in like a wrecking ball.

Let's get your HUMAN Interviewing skills on point.

Click the link below to learn all about my new Show Up, Show Out Interview Bootcamp Workshop. 

This interviewing Bootcamp will show you exactly how to show up and interview with confidence and leave with a job offer in hand!

That means exactly how to build a relationship with your interviewer and leave with the offer letter.

Register Now and Interview Like a Human: 

https://www.mercedesswan.com/show-up-show-out-interview-bootcamp-workshop