Tell me about yourself...

"So, tell me a little bit about yourself," said the interviewer sitting across from you.

Imagine: You were called in for an interview for a job you applied for. You did what you could to prepare yourself for all the different questions that might pop up during the interview...except that one. Now, you're feeling your anxiety growing while you try to think how you should answer the question.

Ugh! Have you ever been in a situation like that, where you're asked to share something about yourself during an interview? It can feel like an impossible task to know what kind of answer they're looking for.

Recently on Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast, Pete Wright and I discussed a similar situation. Instead of being asked to share about yourself in an interview, we talked about the fear that sometimes comes up in any social setting where a stranger asks, "What do you do?".

It can be intimidating in any sort of situation to feel like you have to label yourself one way or another, especially to someone new.

Sometimes your answer doesn't matter as much—like when you’re introduced to a friend of a friend at a party. You may never even see that person again, so who cares what they think about what you do, right?

But, it's a whole other story when you're trying to make your best first impression during an interview for a job.

Too many options

The phrase, "tell me about yourself" is so vague, it can be difficult to know what type of answer the interviewer is asking for. Do they want your job history? How many kids you have? Your favorite TV shows? It's easy to see how this question can trip people up when they're in an interview.

That's why I wanted to take the chance to share some things to be mindful of if this ever comes up during your next job interview.

Easing into the interview

Most of the time, you'll get this question at the beginning of the interview. To an interviewer, this is an easy question to start the conversation, and hopefully help you—the person being interviewed—relax. The person interviewing you may also need time to ease in to the interview process. Asking you to share some general facts about yourself can help them transition as well.

Make it relevant

While a question like "tell me about yourself" can have a million different answers, chances are, there are certain answers the interviewer is looking for. Try your best to keep your answer relevant to the reason you're there—the job. You can share some of your previous work experience and what led you to apply for the job in the first place.

Keep it short

Again, it can be tricky to gauge how much is too much when you're answering this question. Some ADHDers may find they tend to ramble if they're not mindful of what's going on around them. Plus, being nervous can sometimes cause certain people to continue talking, just to fill any uncomfortable silences.

This is a great interview question to practice before going to an interview. If you can, find a trusted friend or family member who can listen to your responses and give positive, contructive feedback. The more you know before you enter the room, the better prepared you will be.

Stay positive

This is probably one of the hardest parts for people with ADHD, especially if you also struggle with self-esteem. But, an interview is the one place where you want to brag about yourself and your accomplishments. If you don't tell, then they won't know.

I would recommend writing down as many of your accomplishments, strengths, and achievements as you can before going to your interview. Businesses want to find the best person for the job. In an interview, it's your duty to tell them why you're the best. If you aren't able to share why you’re a great fit for the job, it's likely that you probably won’t get that job.

So, those are a few tips for the next time someone says "tell me about yourself" during an interview.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned over the years is that the best way to start an interview is to relax and be confident about what you bring to the table. Sure, that's usually easier said than done, but the more you practice, the better prepared you will be to crush it in your next interview.

Thank you for your time and attention,

Nikki