INTERVIEW Q & A: Tell me about yourself

More than 75 per cent of all job interviews begin with the question, 'Tell me about yourself'. Although it seems an innocuous question, it could kill your chance of interview success if you're not prepared.

So to help you ace this question and make a great first impression, here are some time-tested tips.

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

• Before you answer this or any question, try to uncover your interviewer's greatest need, want, problem or goal. Research the company on the Internet or speak with employees.
• Don't mistake the question as an expression of interest in you; it's a preliminary step to decide if you can meet the needs the interviewer has. The interviewer doesn't care about you, only what you can do for him or her, and the company.
• Create a compelling story highlighting your suitability. The key to successful interviewing is to match your qualifications, abilities, job experience and career aspirations to what the interviewer is looking for.
• Resist the natural tendency to recite interesting and impressive facts about yourself that don't relate directly to why you are the best fit for the specific wants and needs of the interviewer.
• In other words, sell what the buyer is buying, not what you have to sell. This is the single-most important strategy for job-hunting success.
• Rehearse your story. Don't tell yourself that you could answer this question in your sleep. You may have a rude awakening if you try to wing it.

AT THE INTERVIEW

• Relax. Expect the question with the confidence that you've prepared and are ready for it.
• Listen carefully. A slight variation on the question may be: Who are you, really?; or How would you describe yourself? Adjust the opening statements of your response accordingly.
• As soon as possible in the interview, try to get as much information about the post you're being interviewed for. Ask: "Can you tell me more about the most important priorities of this position, so I can talk more directly to your needs?"
• After uncovering what the employer is looking for, describe why the needs of this job bear striking parallels to tasks you've succeeded at before. This is basically the story you had rehearsed before, but with greater clarity based upon what you've learned from your questions.
• Be sure to illustrate with specific examples of your responsibilities and especially your achievements, all of which are geared to present yourself as a perfect match for the needs he or she has just described.
• Know when to stop. One of the greatest pieces of advice I ever got was from a prospective client with whom I was trying to broker a deal. I had made my case, but kept on talking, when he said to me: "Mr Smith, don't sell to someone who has already bought." Don't make the same mistake.

Glenford Smith is a motivational speaker and success strategist.