"Describe yourself!", This question is almost invariably 
asked in the majority of interviews, and just as invariably 
answered dismally!. What does one say and why do we always 
seem so flustered by the question?. Because we have always 
been taughtby our parents and respected elders not to boast 
or talk about ourselves.

With a childhood full of such repressive advice, its not 
surprising that the majority of us begin the answer with a 
stammer and a blush, almost instantly changing from flash 
to foolish and ruining our chances of employment.

So what do we say? Frankly, just answer the question as it 
comes. Most disconcerted candidates dread this question and 
begin with a silly "Basically, my name is ...". Why don't 
we realise that our CV is there right in front of the 
interviewer, and he knows this already.
By repeating the stuff that fills our CV, we just 
demonstrate that we are an 'in-the-box' kind of person, 
with little if any skill in innovation and presentation.

Actually, a question of this kind is an ideal way to plug 
in everything we want to say about ourselves that we had 
leave out of the CV. If you have attended a premier 
institution, say that the institution taught you much more 
than the degree it awarded you, mention people who 
influenced you, talk about the books you like reading, your 
hobbies and your other interests.

Talk about your strengths; perhaps mention an instance when 
you used your conflict resolution skills or selling skills 
or whatever. But make certain that it does not sound like 
blowing your trumpet. Mention these instances as learning.
Talk about your weaknesses, but make sure that they 
are 'positive' weaknesses. For instance you could say that 
that you sometimes pay more attention to detail than is 
warranted. You can openly confess a tendency to be 
impatient with team members who cannot carry their own 
weight, or who cannot contribute sufficiently.

But first, think today what you want to say and practice. 
Remember, if you hesitate about yourself, your interviewers 
will doubt whether you fit their bill of requirements. 
After all, if you don't know about you, who does?

But first, think today what you want to say and practice. 
Remember, if you hesitate about yourself, your interviewers 
will doubt whether you fit their bill of requirements. 
After all, if you don't know about you, who does?