This is one of the most frequently asked questions during an interview. However, many people assume that the answer will easily come to their mouths and they do not substantially prepare for this question in advance. After all, how complicated can it be to tell a topic? In a topic in which you are the greatest specialist in the world – yourself?

It turns out, however, that when it comes down to it – it’s easy to make a few basic mistakes. We have made a short guide for you that will help you avoid mishaps during your next job interview.

“Please tell me something about yourself”

This question is asked very often at the very beginning of the conversation. The answer to them sets the tone for the rest of the meeting. It is worth answering so that the first impression is as good as possible and that it stays that way later in the conversation

The two most important rules:

1. Don’t tell your life story
2. Be brief and accurate

First, too long stories will bore the recruiter. Second, you will not be prepared for the interview. Being able to give a concise answer to such a broad question – and include information relevant to the position – will highlight your professionalism. You will show your interpersonal skills and self-presentation skills.

How can you only include pertinent information?

You can restrict your answer to five elements. Alternatively, focus on those that are most relevant to you and the position in your new company:

1. Professional or professional achievements
2. Academic Achievement
3. Skills – soft and hard
4. Professional goals – career plans
5. Reasons for being interested in a particular company or position

Remember that the entire answer should not be longer than 3 minutes.

1. Professional achievements

What not to do: recite your CV, talk about achievements not relevant to the position, make mistakes in your employment history
What to do: prepare a list of the most important achievements before the meeting, tell about achievements relevant to the position, practice answering the question. Note: Don’t plan your answers word for word. Prepare the most important points and practice so that you can freely improvise around them

2. Academic Achievements

What not to do: delve into details (unless you are a fresh graduate with little work experience), endlessly talk about the topic of the master’s thesis (unless it is extremely relevant for the position, but even in this case, it is better for brevity), list a list of passed subjects
What to do: present how the acquired skills can be effectively used in a given position, mentioning involvement in additional activities such as chairing a student club, mention the most important projects you have been involved in

3. Skills possessed

What not to do: list your skills in a dribble, talk about skills that are not relevant to the job, lie about the skills
What to do: prepare a list 2-4 skills, answer about the skills in the context of the position and how they can be used in the company, explain how you acquired these skills

4. Professional goals

What not to do: talk about personal goals (e.g. buying a flat, raising children), give the impression that you do not have professional goals, list goals that you cannot achieve in the company you are applying to
What to do: list the goals that the company can help you achieve, demonstrate that you strive to build a stable career

5. Reasons for being interested in a particular company or position

What not to do: talk about earnings (there will be time at a later stage of recruitment), say that you want to get this job because of good access, say that you just need a job
What to do: present how the company will help you achieve your career goals (and you will help the company), mention a friendly atmosphere, suggest that you would like to be associated with the company for a longer period