How to Respond to "Tell Me About Yourself"

Figure out what to say beforehand.

These days you're asked to narrow yourself down to 100 words in several different scenarios. Keep in mind that you should modify your answers based on the situation. What you share with a potential employer should not mirror the information you give on a first date. Plan accordingly whether you are dealing with work or play.

Instructions

1. 

   Grab that vacancy.

   Base your responses on your audience. Work: In an interview, keep your responses relevant to work. The interviewer does not need to know about the party you just planned for your child. Play: On a first date or for a first impression, be personable, but keep things in perspective. Even if it feels like you've known your date for years, give her some time before you indulge in your deepest life stories.

2. 

   Put on a happy face.

   Present yourself in a positive light. Whether in dating or business, avoid negativity. Keep the conversation away from anything that does not depict your view of life/work in a proactive way.

   Work: In a job interview, don't bring up why your last job didn't work out. If your interviewer brings up this topic, answer directly but get to the point without unnecessary details. Play: Do not talk about past relationships. Just as you would with a job interview, don't be the first to bring up the past. Answer any pressing personal questions briefly and to the point.

3. 

   Stand out.

   Stand out from the crowd. Work: Tell what sets you apart from other prospective employees whether a unique skill relevant to the job or why you feel passionate about this particular position. Play: Give people a reason to remember you over the other 10 people they have met this month. Share a hobby or interest that isn't common. Let your personality shine through, so your new friend or date can make an accurate assessment of who you are.

4. 

   Time to move on.

   Be brief. Keep your initial self-description to about a minute unless explicitly asked to do otherwise. If a person wants to hear more about you, be friendly and open, but avoid lengthy monologues. Don't make the mistake of taking your captive audience as a hostage.

5. Reciprocate when appropriate. Work: On a job interview, ask discreet questions of your prospective employer as well. Prepare a few questions in advance to show you have prepared to learn more about your employer. Play: Follow up your brief description of yourself with a, "Now, tell me about you," and listen to the response without interrupting.

Tips & Warnings

• You have limited control over who sees what you put on the Internet. When filling out your "about me" section on any social networking site, be aware that some employers perform Internet searches on prospective employees.

• When in doubt, keep responses simple and avoid overshare, a new term meant to encompass the sharing of unnecessary personal info on both a personal or professional basis.

References

• Websters New World: Word of the Year