In a job interview you might stumble on the interview question: “Tell me something about yourself that’s not on your resume…” Underneath you can find the perfect example answer and interview tips.
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Why do interviewers ask this interview question? They’d like to know more about your personality and see if there is a cultural fit. In other words, do you adapt to the core values and collective behaviours that make up their company? Are you flexible, positive and easy to work with? That’s why they ask this question.
Example Answer (Experienced)
“I attribute my sales performance to my competitive nature and genuine interest in consumer behavior. In my spare time, I like reading self-improvement books such as: “Getting Things Done” by David Allen or “How To Sell Anything To Anybody” by Joe Girard. I value the process of continuous improvement.
Currently, I’m reading Robert B. Cialdini’s book: “The Psychology of Persuasion”, to learn more about effective sales strategies to further improve my sales performance. The ability to influence customers into saying ‘yes’ instead of ‘no’ is a great motivator and gives me a sense of personal fulfillment.”
Example Answer (No Experience)
“I attribute [Achievement XYZ] to my genuine passion for [Topic XYZ] and commitment to personal development. I enjoy the process of regular practice or routine because it leads to, not only short-term success, but also remarkable results in the long run.
I’m currently reading: “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. Have you read this book? Basically, the book encourages me to adopt productive habits and change unproductive ones. These productive habits are the so-called compound interest of self-improvement.”
Interview Question Tips
- Don’t reveal inappropriate amount of detail about your personal life, and don’t stray too far from those skills and traits that are relevant for the job role
- Don’t ramble or share negatives about a previous employer or colleague. Take a moment to think about your answer before you blurt out whatever comes into your head.
- Do share intangible strengths that are not on your resume (Being intellectually curious, having good follow-up skills, possessing empathy and self-awareness etc.)
- Do share a sincere and authentic answer. Don’t sum up your strengths but try to engage the interviewer by sharing an honest answer to give a sense of your personality.