{"id":31105,"date":"2018-03-07T18:42:52","date_gmt":"2018-03-08T02:42:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/?p=31105"},"modified":"2018-03-07T18:42:52","modified_gmt":"2018-03-08T02:42:52","slug":"tell-formulate-answer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk\/career-advice\/tell-formulate-answer\/","title":{"rendered":"Tell Me About Yourself:  How to Formulate Your Answer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.103&#8243; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/interview-questions-2.jpg&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;47px|0px|24.4531px|0px&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;50px|0|50px|0&#8243;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;on&#8221;][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;on&#8221;][et_pb_divider height=&#8221;200&#8243; disabled_on=&#8221;on|on|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.103&#8243; text_font=&#8221;PT Sans||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;72&#8243; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;52&#8243; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; max_width=&#8221;620px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Tell Me About Yourself:\u00a0 How to Formulate Your Answer<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;50px|0|50px|0&#8243; padding_mobile=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_row use_custom_width=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_width_px=&#8221;1200px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||0px|&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;0px|||&#8221; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_method_1=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_2=&#8221;off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/American-Public-University-System_200px.png&#8221; show_bottom_space=&#8221;off&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;on|on|&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; animation=&#8221;off&#8221; sticky=&#8221;on&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=&#8221;on|on|&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; text_font=&#8221;PT Sans|on|||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;20&#8243; text_text_color=&#8221;#02b875&#8243; text_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; max_width=&#8221;140px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;20px||0px|&#8221;] <a href=\"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/author\/apus-edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM\u00a0<\/span><\/a> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=&#8221;on|on|&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; text_font=&#8221;PT Serif||on||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;16&#8243; text_text_color=&#8221;#363636&#8243; text_line_height=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; max_width=&#8221;140px&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;10px||60px|&#8221;] Recognized Leader in Online Education [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.103&#8243; text_font=&#8221;PT Serif||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;24&#8243; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#363636&#8243; text_line_height=&#8221;1.5em&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; max_width=&#8221;720px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>By Rowe Leathers, GCDF<br \/>\nContributor, Career Coach<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTell me about yourself.\u201d Those are the most anticipated four words going into an interview. Most applicants have difficulty answering it, mainly because many do not truly understand what is being asked.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>When a potential employer makes the request, what is he or she really trying to find out about you?<\/li>\n<li>Where do you begin your statement and where do you end?<\/li>\n<li>How much information do you provide, and more importantly, how much personal information should you offer?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There is neither a right nor wrong answer &#8211; just the right way to answer. The question is broad enough to give you leeway to draft an answer unique to you. You have carte blanche to frame a professional answer to present yourself in the best light. So, how do you do it?<\/p>\n<p>When answering interview questions, the key word to remember is \u201cprofessional.\u201d Structure your answer to summarize your professional career. Leave personal information out.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#f7f7f4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221;][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_width_px=&#8221;680px&#8221; use_custom_gutter=&#8221;on&#8221; gutter_width=&#8221;1&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; make_equal=&#8221;on&#8221; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; background_color_2=&#8221;#efefe9&#8243; parallax_method_1=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_2=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/interview-questions2.jpg&#8221; show_bottom_space=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.103&#8243; animation=&#8221;off&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#efefe9&#8243; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/interview-questions3.jpg&#8221; show_bottom_space=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.103&#8243; animation=&#8221;off&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.103&#8243; text_font=&#8221;PT Serif||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;24&#8243; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#818178&#8243; text_line_height=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;20%|10%||10%&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;|10%||10%&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>All information you provide should be about your career success, aspirations, and the contributions you will make to the organization.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.103&#8243; text_font=&#8221;PT Sans|on|||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;12&#8243; text_text_color=&#8221;#888888&#8243; text_letter_spacing=&#8221;2px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;20px||20%|&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;20px|||&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>ROWE LEATHERS, CAREER COACH<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221;][et_pb_row use_custom_width=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_width_px=&#8221;1200px&#8221; use_custom_gutter=&#8221;on&#8221; gutter_width=&#8221;4&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;3px||0px|&#8221; custom_padding_tablet=&#8221;0px|||&#8221; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_method_1=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_2=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_3=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_4=&#8221;off&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; custom_padding_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.103&#8243; text_font=&#8221;PT Serif||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;20&#8243; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#363636&#8243; text_line_height=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;60px||0px|&#8221; custom_margin_tablet=&#8221;40px||0px|&#8221; custom_margin_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Your story should begin where your career trajectory turned toward the target role and how your education and previous job roles have come together to support your qualifications. Basically, tell the story of how your career background is relevant to the employer, and how it brought you to his or her organization. The amount of information to provide should be just enough to capture the interviewer\u2019s interest to see you as a successful team member.<\/p>\n<p>Remember, do not offer information such as political views, opinions, or negative comments in general. Unnecessary information about your family life, health, financial challenges, or anything else personal can create a bias that may affect their decision about hiring you.<\/p>\n<p>All information you provide should be about your career success, aspirations, and the contributions you will make to the organization. Structuring your answer and practicing ahead of time will help you feel confident when you are in the hot seat. Remember, your story is unique and as the author, you are the storyteller.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243;][et_pb_row use_custom_width=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_width_px=&#8221;780px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|0px|73.90625px|0px&#8221; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_method_1=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; text_font=&#8221;PT Serif||||&#8221; text_font_size=&#8221;36&#8243; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;26&#8243; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|tablet&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#363636&#8243; text_line_height=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||70px|&#8221;] Want new articles before they get published? Subscribe to our Awesome Newsletter. [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_contact_form captcha=&#8221;off&#8221; module_id=&#8221;et_pb_contact_form_0&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#02b875&#8243; button_border_width=&#8221;8&#8243; button_border_color=&#8221;#02b875&#8243; button_border_radius=&#8221;4&#8243;][et_pb_contact_field field_id=&#8221;E-mail Address&#8221; field_title=&#8221;E-mail Address&#8221; field_background_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0)&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; form_field_font=&#8221;PT Sans||||&#8221; form_field_font_size=&#8221;20&#8243; form_field_font_size_tablet=&#8221;20&#8243; form_field_font_size_phone=&#8221;20&#8243; form_field_text_color=&#8221;#adadab&#8221; form_field_line_height=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; form_field_line_height_tablet=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; form_field_line_height_phone=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on||||&#8221; border_width_all=&#8221;1&#8243; border_color_all=&#8221;#adadab&#8221; 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column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/typing.jpg&#8221; show_bottom_space=&#8221;off&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; force_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; animation=&#8221;off&#8221; sticky=&#8221;on&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_cta title=&#8221;CAREER ADVICE&#8221; button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk\/career-advice\/&#8221; button_text=&#8221;CAREER ADVICE&#8221; use_background_color=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; header_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;] Advice from top Career specialists [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/news-cig.jpg&#8221; show_bottom_space=&#8221;off&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; force_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; animation_style=&#8221;slide&#8221; animation_direction=&#8221;left&#8221; animation_duration=&#8221;500ms&#8221; animation_intensity_slide=&#8221;10%&#8221; sticky=&#8221;on&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_cta title=&#8221;GOV TALK&#8221; button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk-page\/&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Government Updates&#8221; use_background_color=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; header_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;] Articles about the Public Sector [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; column_padding_mobile=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method=&#8221;off&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/public-secot-trends.jpg&#8221; show_bottom_space=&#8221;off&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; force_fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; animation=&#8221;off&#8221; sticky=&#8221;on&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_cta title=&#8221;TRENDS&#8221; button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/hr-tips-and-strategies\/&#8221; button_text=&#8221;TRENDS&#8221; use_background_color=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; header_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; body_font_size=&#8221;20px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;] Public Sector Trends [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There is neither a right nor wrong answer &#8211; just the right way to answer. The question is broad enough to give you leeway to draft an answer unique to you. You have carte blanche to frame a professional answer to present yourself in the best light. 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