# Tell Me About Yourself: This is what's missing in your answer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g3mhK55lak

[00:00] I'll be honest.
[00:03] I used to be scared by the thought of answering this question.
[00:07] We're here today to find out how to answer tell me about yourself question.
[00:13] There's a myth about answering this interview question.
[00:15] Many think it's just an icebreaker, a casual way to start the conversation.
[00:21] It is not.
[00:21] Then what is it?
[00:21] What's the truth?
[00:24] The truth is this question is your opportunity to plant a seed.
[00:30] a powerful idea in your interviewer's mind.
[00:34] The idea that you are exactly what they have been looking for.
[00:42] Hi, my name is Vibbor Jandal.
[00:44] I have been hiring and helping others hire professionals on product development teams for a little over a decade now.
[00:50] I have spent years studying successful job interviews and I have discovered something fascinating.
[00:57] When candidates nail the answer to this question, something remarkable happens in the
[01:01] something remarkable happens in the interviewer's mind.
[01:04] It's just crazy how interviewer's mind.
[01:04] It's just crazy how it happens.
[01:07] Their brain literally begin to sync with your brain.
[01:10] They start seeing you in the role before you even finish speaking.
[01:13] But, but it's not that easy.
[01:15] You have exactly 90 seconds to transfer this idea into their mind through a clear, compelling story about who you are professionally.
[01:20] So, how do you do it?
[01:22] First, you need to understand what makes a response extraordinary.
[01:25] All the great answers to the tell me about yourself question have one key ingredient.
[01:28] They build a sequence of information that helps the interviewers understand how they will respond or navigate their world.
[01:31] Let's say you are interviewing for a project manager position.
[01:32] Here is what a successful answer looks like for a project manager.
[01:34] I'm currently leading a team of developers at the ABC company where we've delivered three major products ahead of schedule.
[01:37] My background in both coding and team leadership has taught me
[02:02] coding and team leadership has taught me that successful projects need both.
[02:04] that successful projects need both technical excellence and strong communication.
[02:07] technical excellence and strong communication.
[02:09] That's why I'm excited about this role at your company.
[02:11] You're looking for someone who can bridge the technical and management aspects of project delivery.
[02:13] technical and management aspects of project delivery.
[02:15] Is that correct?
[02:18] Now if you have listened to the answer carefully, you must have noticed a pattern that connects the present role, past experience, and the future aspirations directly to the company's needs.
[02:20] carefully, you must have noticed a pattern that connects the present role,
[02:22] pattern that connects the present role, past experience, and the future aspirations directly to the company's needs.
[02:24] past experience, and the future aspirations directly to the company's needs.
[02:27] aspirations directly to the company's needs.
[02:29] A successful answer to this question almost always follows this present, past and future structure.
[02:31] needs. A successful answer to this question almost always follows this present, past and future structure.
[02:33] question almost always follows this present, past and future structure.
[02:37] But it's not just the structure that makes the answer successful.
[02:39] it's not just the structure that makes the answer successful.
[02:41] It's also the four guidelines on how to deliver the answer.
[02:43] four guidelines on how to deliver the answer.
[02:45] Let's talk about these guidelines.
[02:48] guidelines. Limit your response to one major idea.
[02:51] major idea. When answering this question, don't try to tell them everything about yourself.
[02:53] When answering this question, don't try to tell them everything about yourself.
[02:55] Focus on one single thread that makes you perfect for this role.
[02:58] you perfect for this role. When you present multiple ideas, their brain has to work overtime to process each story.
[02:59] When you present multiple ideas, their brain has to work overtime to process each story.
[03:02] present multiple ideas, their brain has to work overtime to process each story.
[03:04] to work overtime to process each story.
[03:06] They try to connect the dots in real time as you answer this question.
[03:09] This mental juggling causes overwhelm and it results in them remembering either nothing or just random fragments of what you have said.
[03:13] Number two, give them a reason to care.
[03:23] Humans are naturally curious, but you have to earn that curiosity.
[03:27] When beginning to answer this question, start with what I call a power statement, which is an achievement or a responsibility that makes them think, "Tell me more."
[03:36] Here is an example of a weak opening.
[03:39] I'm currently a project manager at the XYZ company.
[03:44] This is a job title.
[03:46] It's not a power statement.
[03:48] Here is a power statement.
[03:50] I'm currently leading a $5 million digital transformation project that's revolutionizing how our company serves 100,000 customers.
[03:55] This is the beginning of the story that they want to hear.
[03:58] Number three, build your idea piece by piece using concepts the interviewer already understands.
[04:06] already understands.
[04:08] Use their language, not yours.
[04:10] If the job description says crossf functional leadership, weave that phrase into the story that you tell.
[04:15] Speak in terms that resonate with their needs.
[04:18] Number four, and this is where most people miss the mark.
[04:22] When answering this question, most people focus on what they want, which is the job.
[04:28] But a great response is not about you.
[04:31] It is about what you can do for them.
[04:34] dig the job description and find the one thing that they value.
[04:36] For example, you mentioned in the job posting that you're looking to strengthen your data analytics capabilities.
[04:43] In my current role, I built a data team from scratch.
[04:47] I'm excited about the possibility of building similar capabilities here.
[04:52] Remember, every point you make should answer the unspoken question in their mind.
[04:57] How can this person help us succeed?
[05:00] When you weave these guidelines together, you create a response that is unforgettable to the interviewer.
[05:05] It makes them see not just who you are,
[05:08] It makes them see not just who you are, but what's possible when you join their team.
[05:11] And that's how you answer the tell me about yourself question.
[05:21] If you like this video, then don't forget to like and subscribe.
[05:24] I'll see you in the next one.