Are you in the interview process; back in the job hunt? Have layoffs or cutback pushed you back into the world of updating your resumé and looking through LinkedIn? Just in case you’re out of practice or have forgotten exactly how to move through an interview putting your best foot forward, we thought we’d give you some thoughts on how you can talk about yourself naturally yet effectively in an interview.

Weaknesses are Okay to Admit! 


Be sure you have a good answer to the question about weaknesses. Don’t pretend you don't have any. But when you’re admitting to your weaknesses, feel free to include some things you’ve implemented because of them.

If you tend to have a one-track mind, talk about the post-it note system you’ve found success with. If you are unorganized, talk about the apps you use or the daily planner you’ve learned to rely on. But even if you don't have good solutions, it’s still okay to admit to a weakness or two in an interview. Companies want honest employees.

Don’t Downplay Your Experience

It’s easy to downplay the experience you’ve had and therefore not give your potential next employer a true picture of your abilities.

So when thinking about past jobs, try to approach them with a fresh perspective. Maybe you waited tables. That doesn’t mean all you did was order meals and bring them to tables. You remembered people’s names. You sold…and then up-sold. You solved problems while multi-tasking. You worked with a team. You looked after your teammates, helping them succeed and even filling in for them. Whatever the experience you’ve had in the past, chances are there’s more there than a simple job title and few obvious tasks. Get a fresh perspective and make sure you talk about what you’ve really done!

Practice Your “Tell Me a Little Bit About You” Speech


Many interviewees himm and haw through open-ended questions in an interview. They struggle through them not because they don't have a good answer, but because they weren’t prepared for the good answer they have.

Everyone has a story to tell, a passion to communicate, a purpose to pursue. But oftentimes, the questions that give a person permission to go off-script can get scattered or off-topic. By practicing your “About Me” speech, you’ll be much more likely to stay on topic. Remember your points. Mention your passions. Practice. You won’t regret it.


Striking the Balance.

It’s always tough to strike that balance between confident and intense or between teachable and unsure. But the more comfortable you are in an interview, the more opportunities you’ll have to give your interviewer an accurate glimpse into who you are and what you could contribute to their organization.

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