{"id":30001,"date":"2017-10-09T21:27:21","date_gmt":"2017-10-10T04:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/?p=30001"},"modified":"2017-10-09T21:27:21","modified_gmt":"2017-10-10T04:27:21","slug":"interview-tips-tell-little-just-not-much","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk\/career-advice\/interview-tips-tell-little-just-not-much\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview Tips: \u201cTell Me a Little About Yourself\u201d (Just Not Too Much)"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Interview Tips: \u201cTell Me a Little About Yourself\u201d (Just Not Too Much)<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ padding_mobile=”off”][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” custom_padding=”20px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” admin_label=”row” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” _i=”0″ _address=”1.0″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/American-Public-University-System_200px.png” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ animation=”off” sticky=”on” _i=”0″ _address=”1.0.0.0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_font_size=”20″ text_text_color=”#02b875″ text_line_height=”1.2em” header_text_color=”#000000″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||0px|” _i=”1″ _address=”1.0.0.1″] AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM\u00a0<\/span><\/a> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ text_font=”PT Serif||on||” text_font_size=”16″ text_text_color=”#363636″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||60px|” _i=”2″ _address=”1.0.0.2″] Recognized Leader in Online Education [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.76″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_font_size=”24″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_line_height=”1.5em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”720px” custom_margin=”0px||0px|”]<\/p>\n

By Leia O\u2019Connell, MSW
\nContributor, Career Coach<\/p>\n

Often, the first question you\u2019re asked during an interview is one of the most difficult; \u201cTell me a little about yourself.\u201d It\u2019s so broad that it can be hard to know where to begin. What are the most important pieces of information to share without rambling? Check out these tips on how to avoid stumbling on the first step.<\/p>\n

DON\u2019T share your biography. Do not start with, \u201cI was raised in the suburbs of Illinois; my mother was a nurse and my father was a painter. At a young age, I realized that my love for computers would lead to a career in…\u201d You\u2019ve already lost them. Think you would never do this?<\/p>\n

How about \u201cWell, I recently got married. My wife and I have been traveling around and I\u2019ve decided that now is a good time to find a job at a stable employer.\u201d You haven\u2019t told them anything except that while they\u2019ve been working, you\u2019ve been enjoying Maui.<\/p>\n

DO tell them about your most relevant and recent professional experience. Think about your resume; it was designed to show a hiring manager that you\u2019re a qualified candidate. You want the answer to this question to illustrate those qualifications. Why share what isn\u2019t relevant? They brought you in for the interview because they liked your resume and believe you can translate your past successes to their company.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ background_color=”#f7f7f4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|”][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”on” custom_width_px=”680px” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” background_color_2=”#efefe9″ parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” _i=”0″ _address=”2.0″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/interview2.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.76″ animation=”off” sticky=”on” _i=”0″ _address=”2.0.0.0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” background_color=”#efefe9″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/interview3.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.76″ animation=”off” sticky=”on” _i=”0″ _address=”2.0.1.0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|” _builder_version=”3.0.76″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_font_size=”24″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_text_color=”#818178″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20%|10%||10%” custom_margin_tablet=”|10%||10%” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop”]<\/p>\n

Think about your resume; it was designed to show a hiring manager that you\u2019re a qualified candidate.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.76″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_font_size=”12″ text_text_color=”#888888″ text_letter_spacing=”2px” text_line_height=”1.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||20%|” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n

LEIA O’CONNELL, MSW<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|”][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ custom_padding=”3px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” parallax_method_4=”off” admin_label=”row” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” _i=”0″ _address=”3.0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.76″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_font_size=”20″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”60px||0px|” custom_margin_tablet=”40px||0px|” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n

For example, \u201cOver the past three years, I\u2019ve been working towards a degree in management to help support my professional career. I have 10 years of experience supervising staff in retail settings and over the past six months have overseen the implementation of our new inventory management system. As a leader, my focus is on positive communication, committing to a solution-focused environment, and using Lean principles to find the root cause of any issues which develop.\u201d<\/p>\n

DON\u2019T try to wing it. Prepare what you\u2019re going to say ahead of time. While you want to avoid sounding over rehearsed, you should still have an idea of what you\u2019re going to say and how what you\u2019ll say shows you\u2019re right for the job. Being prepared will also help you avoid the dreaded, \u201cUmmmmm\u2026..\u201d<\/p>\n

DO make sure to smile! You\u2019re talking about your life and accomplishments \u2013 this should make you happy! Your facial expression helps set the tone for your professional story and will help set a great impression for the hiring manager.<\/p>\n

You can make a great first impression with a hiring manager if you follow these easy tips! If you\u2019re worried, share your short introduction with a trusted friend. Don\u2019t forget, an interview is all about sharing your professional self, not your entire self.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”780px” custom_padding=”0px|0px|73.90625px|0px” column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” _i=”0″ _address=”4.0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ column_padding_mobile=”on” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.47″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_font_size=”36″ text_font_size_tablet=”26″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||70px|” _i=”0″ _address=”4.0.0.0″] Want new articles before they get published? Subscribe to our Awesome Newsletter. 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Often, the first question you\u2019re asked during an interview is one of the most difficult; \u201cTell me a little about yourself.\u201d It\u2019s so broad that it can be hard to know where to begin. What are the most important pieces of information to share without rambling? Check out these tips on how to avoid stumbling on the first step. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2995,"featured_media":30004,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[41],"class_list":["post-30001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-advice","tag-career-advice-2"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nInterview Tips: \u201cTell Me a Little About Yourself\u201d (Just Not Too Much) - Careers in Government<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk\/career-advice\/interview-tips-tell-little-just-not-much\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Interview Tips: \u201cTell Me a Little About Yourself\u201d (Just Not Too Much) - Careers in Government\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Often, the first question you\u2019re asked during an interview is one of the most difficult; \u201cTell me a little about yourself.\u201d It\u2019s so broad that it can be hard to know where to begin. 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