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How To Answer Tell Me Something About Yourself Questions

May 01, 2013 • written by Kevin Olega

I’m going to teach you how to answer the dreaded question “Tell me something about yourself.”

I found out today that a lot of people when asked about themselves give bullshit corporate answers like.

“I’m a patient, hardworking person that is looking for ways to contribute my skills and talents to your company.” or something like this:

I am a person with strong interpersonal skills and have the ability to get along well with people.

I enjoy challenges and looking for creative solutions to problems.

Besides the details given in my resume, I believe in character values, vision and action.

I am quick in learning from mistakes.

I am confident that the various tests that you have conducted will corroborate my competencies aptitude and right attitude for the job.

If you were applying in my company and give me those answers it will give me the following impressions:

One: You are bullshitting me.

Two: You are lazy. I am asking about you and you are giving me a copy pasted answer from the internet.

To solve this problem I’m going to teach you how I answer.

I deconstructed my answer into a series of questions about myself and it includes a bunch of follow up questions I answer after the interviewer becomes interested in hearing what I tell them.

It’s not a complete list but its an awesome way to start.

On the other end…

I’d like to know more about you.

Seriously.

There are 7,000 of you who read my lessons this month.

I’ve only met around a hundred.

This is both a training and bonding activity.

I’d like to really connect with you by reading your answers.

Copy-paste the questions and email me your answers or paste them in the comments below.

What is your name?

Where are you from?

What was your past work?

What did you do in that job?

What kind of traits can you take from that job and apply it in a call center job?

Why did you pick that job?

Why did you pick this job?

Where did you study?

How do you spend your free time?

What do you enjoy doing?

What kind of people do you enjoy being with?

What’s your favorite quote?

How many times should you apply before getting hired in a call center?

Here are my answers

What is your name?

My name is Kevin Olega.

Where are you from?

I live in Sucat in Paranaque.

I also lived in Alabang, QC, Mandaluyong and Makati.

What was your past work?

I used to work in sales and business development.

Business development is a fancy way of saying, sales, marketing, training and whatever else the hell the boss or the client wants me to do.

What did you do in that job?

I offered products and services to clients.

Our company sold to other companies and took care of different requests.

What kind of traits can you take from that job and apply it in a call center job?

Well since I was doing sales, I learned that how you say things is a big factor in convincing people to listen and act on the solution I’m presenting. I’m also dealing with difficult people whether they are prospects or clients.

Why did you pick that job?

I used to be a really shy person.

A close friend of mine advised that I overcome this by getting a job in sales.

After a few months I was able to get over my fear of talking to people and now I’m used to it.

Why did you pick this job?

I want to work in a call center because the pay is decent (I say decent because I’ve made bigger amounts of money in sales) and stable.

Big companies pay on time all the time.

I’ve worked with startups and local businesses and I’ve experienced pays being delayed a lot.

I also like the fact that work ends after work.

If my shift is until 9:30am then I’m expected to leave at 9:30am.

No homework.

I can have a life after work.

Where did you study?

I studied in iAcademy in Makati.

How do you spend your free time?

I like writing, meeting new people, exploring the net and recently I am learning how to cook.

What do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy traveling, writing, reading things, watching (feel good and inspiring) movies and collecting skills.

What kind of people do you enjoy being with?

I enjoy hanging out with people who are positive and fun to talk to.

I like people who read books and blogs.

I like people who like food and travel.

I love meeting people who inspire me to be better.

What’s your favorite quote?

Today’s Tragedies are Tomorrow’s Comedies - Colin Wright.

How many times should you apply before getting hired in a call center?

As many times as needed to get hired.

Look do not mindlessly do things like you did in school.

Treat your job application as you would when, you are playing DOTA, trying to pursue that hot partner of yours, or learning cooking or martial arts or something you are interested in.

Be interested and learn what you need to learn.

Apply that and get better until you get hired.

I’d love to hear your answers.

Email away.

You can also check this article.