Interviewing? Nutshell to Nail it.
In an #interview, your answer to "tell me about yourself" will make an impression that sets the tone for the entire meeting.
Depending on how you answer, you’ll be seen as the competent candidate of choice or a forgettable waste of time.
Establish yourself as the top candidate and gain automatic credibility. Remember the 3C Method:
🎯 Clear
🎯 Concise
🎯 Compelling
Prove your authority and your aptitude in an engaging way. Make the listener want to learn more by doing this:
Be Clear
Select and share only the parts of your background that relate to the job description. Draw a clear correlation for your listener to show you are the right choice
Be Concise
Smart people get to the point. If you package your intro into an easy-to-absorb message, you can speak at a natural pace and still convey your authority in less than 60 seconds.
(Hot tip: Authenticity is appealing. Don’t try to use big words or unnatural formality.)
Be Compelling
Focus on outcomes and add a personal touch that makes your profile memorable. Use metrics to show the scope of your role, time constraints, or decision ability. Mention a sport, hobby, or activity you do now or in the past that might be slightly unique to the competition.
Here are a couple of examples to show you what we mean:
-
“I'm a Product Manager with 5 years in SaaS product development. I specialize in using data to turn insights into solutions. I’m big on fostering cross-functional collaboration and customer-first prioritization. Last year my team delivered a new product launch 4 months ahead of schedule by sticking to the prioritization schedule I created. Outside of work I like to (take a class, practice a sport, play an instrument, do a hobby).”
-
“As a seasoned VP of Change Management, my career has centered around driving successful transformations. Part of how I make change sticky is by navigating complexity and streamlining processes so that culture shifts feel easy. I’ve seen the value of innovation in optimizing performance cross-functionally and I customize strategy to suit each unique organization. As a COO, my experience in strategic operational leadership, change agility, and ability to deliver seamless, impactful transitions will help you elevate operational excellence at this company. And bringing order to chaos is something I know a ton about. I’m a foster parent for a dog rescue group - there are always at least 3 crazy pups at my house.”
-
I'm a digital marketing professional with 4 years of experience working directly with clients to take campaigns from concept to execution, and blend creativity with data-driven strategy. I specialize in email marketing and brand development. I love helping brands use creativity, technology and data to improve their ROI. I’ve always had a creative mindset. Even in school I developed the copy and edited videos for student council candidates.”
-
“Over 5 years, my role as a middle school teacher has honed my ability to adapt quickly, communicate in a compelling way, and solve problems under pressure. I've excelled in simplifying complex ideas and fostering teamwork. Now, I'm eager to apply these strengths to a customer success role, leveraging my knack for connecting with people and navigating dynamic situations effectively. I like solving problems in my free time too. I’ve successfully beat 15 escape rooms under the time limit across the state of Nevada.”
Creating a winning answer takes effort. Winning candidates don't wing it. We've helped thousands of people craft messaging that wins offers.
👉What we’re reading:
The New York Times finally picked up on what we’ve all known for years: Job Hopping is a great way to increase your salary.
Forbes shares some interview red flags to consider before you go ahead and accept the job.
Are you a Baby Boomer? This article shares common reasons why Boomers struggle to find jobs, and how to fix it.
