We all know that this is typically the first question in most interviews. You may think this is the easiest or one of the most challenging questions in an interview.
I cannot tell you how many times I see a great resume, (and yes, I get excited to interview them) ask candidates this question and they completely go off topic!
Don’t get me wrong, I love that you just got back from your honeymoon, just had your third baby, just sent your kids off to college or just bought a new home. However; it’s another story when you begin to inform me about your battling divorce, how you can’t stand your parents or kids, your recent break-up or how your dog just ran away from you.
Here are a few tips on a great way to actually answer this question:
• Begin with any educational experience…you earned that degree, be proud of it!
• If you are a recent college graduate, talk about extra-curricular activities you were involved with during school—employers love to see that you put yourself in leadership positions.
• When discussing employment history, start with your first position and end with most recent.
• Make sure you touch base on what your responsibilities entailed with each position.
• Never talk negatively about former companies!
• Always end on a positive note; for example…that brings us to today and I’m looking forward to learning more about this organization!
• Lastly, keep it professional and leave the personal topics at home!
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