Answering the question “Tell me about yourself” during a job interview can be tricky, especially if you don’t have a lot of work experience. But even if you’re a recent graduate or just starting out in your career, you can still impress the interviewer by highlighting your transferable skills and relevant experiences. Here are a few tips for effectively answering this question:
Keep it brief
This question is usually one of the first things the interviewer will ask, so it’s important to keep your answer brief and to the point. Your response should be no longer than two minutes.
Highlight your education
If you don’t have much work experience, your education can be a key selling point. Talk about your field of study and any relevant coursework that has prepared you for the job you’re applying for.
Emphasise your transferable skills
Transferable skills are skills that you’ve acquired through various experiences, such as school, volunteer work, or internships, that can be applied to different jobs. For example, customer service skills, teamwork, or problem-solving skills. Highlight those experiences and demonstrate how they can be applied to the role you’re applying for.
Discuss any relevant volunteer or extracurricular activities
Volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities can demonstrate your passion and commitment to your field of study, as well as your ability to work in a team.
Show enthusiasm and ambition
Even if you don’t have a lot of experience, you can still demonstrate your enthusiasm and ambition for the job and the company. Show that you are eager to learn and grow in your career.
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback or clarifications from the interviewer
If you’re not sure about what the interviewer is asking, or if you need further clarifications, feel free to ask, remember the interviewer is not expecting you to be an expert with all the answers.
Here’s an example of how you could answer the question “Tell me about yourself” with little work experience
“I am a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in marketing. During my studies, I had the opportunity to take several courses relevant to this position, such as digital marketing and consumer behaviour. Furthermore, I have gained transferable skills such as problem-solving and teamwork through my volunteer work as a member of a local charity organization. I am eager to apply these skills and continue learning in a professional setting. I am very excited about this opportunity to join your team and grow my career with the company.”
Summary
The important thing is to focus on what you do have, which is a strong educational background, transferable skills, and passion for the job, and to communicate those to the interviewer in a confident and enthusiastic manner. Remember that interviewers aren’t just looking for candidates with experience, but also for people who are eager to learn and grow in their careers.