We’ve all got an interview topic that makes us squirm, and for many of us it’s the same thing: ourselves. Unless you’re a narcissist—which, as it turns out, is definitely not true of all millennials (duh)—talking about yourself is weird. Especially during a job interview you need to walk a tight-rope between confidence and humility, avoiding arrogance while still talking yourself up.
Unfortunately this isn’t one of those things that gets easier with time, but at least you can prepare and, with the right info, become a little more comfortable while you’re in the hot seat.
Check our short list of tips for talking about yourself below:
- If you’re prepping for a job interview you know you’re gonna have to talk about yourself, but even more specifically, you’ll have to answer that familiar question: “Tell me about yourself.” You don’t want to sound like you’re reading from an index card, but a little planning doesn’t hurt. When an interviewer asks that question they’re not interested in your childhood or favorite sports team, they want to know about your work history and current position. But even with a few sentences you can fold in relevant details that’ll help your chances. You can even boil down your response into something resembling a formula: Describe where you’re currently working and what you’re doing. (“I’ve been a client manager at Newport since 2012 where I handle all accounts in the Northeast.”) And then pepper in some work history. (“Before my current job I was working at a nonprofit as their liaison to the local community and government.”) Finally, add a comment that shows you’re looking forward to something new, and have specific experience that would inform the job you’re interviewing for. (“I’ve been incredibly happy at both jobs, but I’m really looking forward to an opportunity like this one that would allow me to work more directly on marketing materials specifically, which is an area I learned a lot about from clients directly previously.”)
- Another questions that will require you to open up about yourself takes a slightly different angle: “What is your greatest strength?” Here you can double down and overshare a little by explaining your best trait both as an employee in general—maybe you’re a quick and eager learner—as well as a strength in your particular field—you can say, “As a marketing writer I think I’ve developed the ability to adapt my voice for a variety of clients.”
- Sometimes the most important part of your response is what you don’t say, which hints at an obvious fact: don’t overshare. You definitely don’t want to dodge questions suspiciously—if you start sweating buckets when asked about why you left your last job you might need some practice—but you also don’t want to broach negative or unnecessary information about yourself when you don’t have to.
- Especially during a job interview, one of the most important things to remember when talking about yourself is to be specific. Don’t speak in generalities, particularly when you’re referencing your job history or experience.