How To Conquer The Most Dreaded Interview Question
“Tell me about yourself.”
Who knew four little words could be so intimidating? It seems so simple, yet no one ever knows the best way to respond.
If you’ve been struggling to find the perfect answer to this daunting question, don’t worry. You are not alone.
I, too, have found myself stumped, scrolling through interview TikTok hoping someone would enlighten me with the best way to answer this question. While I managed to stumble across a few helpful recommendations, it still wasn’t exactly what I was looking for.
Only after hours of scrolling did it occur to me that I didn’t need TikTok to tell me about myself. Instead, I turned to the results of my Enneagram and Myers-Briggs personality tests.
If you haven’t taken them before, I highly recommend it. These tests provide valuable insight into our inner selves. They teach us about our workplace habits, leadership skills, communication style, and more. Not to mention, It’s quick, easy, and best of all, free!
While these tests share some similarities, they have several important differences, as well. According to Dr. A.J. Drenth, the most significant difference is that the Myers-Briggs test focuses on nature, while the Enneagram is more about nurture.
Additionally, Pat Wyman, M.Ed., L.P.C., noted that the Enneagram results reveal our coping mechanisms, while the Myers-Briggs test is more reflective of our true self.
Once you’ve taken the test and received your results, you can begin crafting the perfect answer to the dreaded interview question: tell me about yourself.
This way, you know that the information you will be sharing with your potential employer is accurate and precise. You will never have to worry about bragging or coming across as pretentious.
Instead, these tests equip you with eloquent, well-rounded vernacular to describe yourself. I put this method to use yesterday and came out of my interview feeling quite confident.
According to Myers-Briggs, I’m an ENFJ or Protagonist, which means I have Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging personality traits. From this information, I was able to identify three strong adjectives to describe myself. The results really helped me authentically articulate my strengths and weaknesses.
For example, I wrote in a professional setting …
- Strength — Hardworking, reliable, and eager to help.
- Weakness — Sometimes, I bite off more than I can chew because I don’t want to disappoint anyone. To counteract this weakness, I’ve decided to make 2021 a year of intention. I’m prioritizing my mental health and learning that it’s ok to say no.
Remember, there is no shame in writing your answers down and rehearsing beforehand. It will be apparent in your interview if you practice and this will impress the recruiter.
While I can’t assure you that this trick will land you your dream job, I can guarantee that it will help you get one step closer. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
Madison Mullis is the graduate adviser for the University of Memphis PRSSA chapter. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Integrated Strategic Media. She received her B.S. in Public Relations from Georgia Southern University and has worked with nonprofits across the country to help them achieve their goals and objectives. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
