Tell me about yourself.
That is one of the most common of what I call CORE interview questions. It also one of the best questions a job applicant could hope for as a first question. Why? Because it is loaded with opportunity for an executive to set the table with a positive image, a selling profile. It is a wonderful gift.
Unfortunately, far too many executives squander this opportunity. Sometimes badly.
What you do want to do is to briefly tell your story about who you are, your values, leadership style and successes. What better way to start?
What you do not want to do, under any circumstance, is to launch into a protracted, rambling rundown of your career, a verbal summary of what is on your resume.
Another great question for an applicant is this: Why do you want to work for us? This, too, is a gift question for a well prepared job applicant.
If you cannot ace these two questions there is a very good chance you will not make it to the next round of interviews.
If you cannot ace these two questions there is a very good chance you will not make it to the next round of interviews.
Being prepared for the interview does not mean that you did your homework on the company. No, that is only the half of it. You must be prepared — with relentless rehearsal — as to how you will answer the common CORE as well the CATEGORICAL questions related to your performance, successes and failures.
Today’s executive job market is extremely competitive. You cannot afford to show up for an interview unprepared.
Why would you want to waste your time?
Join Chrishonda Smith, CCDP, SHRM of OhioHealth and John G Self, an author, blogger and executive career transition coach, for a dynamic MASTER COURSE on interviewing skills at the American College Healthcare Congress in Chicago, March 23- 26. This is one of the more popular and highly rated sessions of the Congress The session is at 2:15 PM on Wednesday, March 25.