"It is nice to meet you. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?"
An easy peasy question, correct? Each of us has been our "own self" for a lifetime so how challenging can it be to answer this simple, straightforward question?
It is not necessarily easy to answer, and actually, can be incredibly challenging. Why?
Each of us has a rich, woven tapestry of life that we have lived, ranging from our origins to where we are at this specific point in time. Between birth and where we are currently are years of experiences, relationships, triumphs, failures, and our individual responses to each of these milestones that coalesce to make each of us unique. To take all that we have been and strive or wish to be in the future and create a concise, meaningful synopsis of ourselves is no easy task.
So, how do you get started? In order to do so, consider the primary challenges to the process of constructing your life story. Questions that arise as students and career aspirants develop their answers to the "tell me about yourself" question primarily include those related to content and structure.
First, what do the interviewers want to know in terms of content?
Do I limit my answer to specifics related to the school/employment position that highlight my strengths and fit for the position? (answer: include this information but provide a bit more to share who you are as a person)
Should I include my passions and what brings me joy? (answer: yes!)
Do I share personal information (e.g. personal health, family history, relationships/children/family)? (answer: depends on the specific information to be shared, relevance, and whether it supports or deters from your application)
Next, with regard to structure of one's answer, should a chronological account or an account which is restructured based upon salient points be created?
Should I start from birth and share significant steps or milestones in my life?
Should I begin with why I am here and then weave in those aspects of my life that have led me to this point?
(With regard to the above two options, either may be appropriate depending upon your individual story. Ideally, the goal is to express your interest in the position, share your enthusiasm and fit for the position, and support this with your individual journey to this point in time. If you are providing a chronological account, be cautious that it does not drone on. Ideally, you can weave your answer beginning with your interest in the position followed by a chronological structuring focused on topic areas of strength and your current and future interests.)
If I choose to include my hobbies and passions in life, where should these be placed in my story? (answer: usually towards the end)
How long should my answer be? (answer: aim for 1-2 minutes; note that interviewers always can always follow up with further probing questions)
As you plan for upcoming interviews, remember to prepare well! Practicing your answers is very important, to the point where you have a bullet point structure but do not sound rehearsed. Find friends, advisors, teachers (or me :)) to practice with mock interviews. When initially faced with the question, "tell me about yourself", you may be caught off guard, but with practice, you will have the comfort of knowing that you have an answer. Remember how amazing you are and find what makes you unique and an asset to the school/institution and share it (with a smile)!
Finally, remember the importance of delivery. It is not only what you say but how you say it! Speaking with inflections, good eye contact, and smiling (appropriately) are just as important as what you say. Remember that the interviewer is assessing if you are authentic, a good fit for their school or organization, able to communicate well, and if they would like to interact with you on a regular basis as a future student, employee or colleague. And note that kindness, humility, and respect in communication go a long way!
Remember that you are amazing. Truly (I am not just saying this :)). Interviewing well is simply a matter of expressing your unique gifts, both verbally and nonverbally, to interviewers. You have got this!
Wishing you joy, peace and success in your individual journeys,
Take good care and be well,
Dr. Vora
Founder/Coach MedStudentCoach LLC
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