Pleasantries. Probably the safest initial topics are the weather, the traffic, or the parking—something neutral that gets you both started talking on a simple, nonthreatening level. Though the topic may be mundane, it is OK to be positive.
Shared experiences. See a golf photo on the credenza? If you’re a golfer, you might ask about it. See a Toastmasters plaque on the wall? If you belong, mention it.
Compliments. A sincere compliment sometimes works if it is tasteful, relevant, and appropriate. “What a handsome office!” is fine. “What a nice-looking suit,” isn’t. Positive reinforcements can be important anywhere in the interview, to register a point or shift emphasis. Comments like “I really agree with that” or “Your idea makes a lot of sense” are good rapport builders.
Gratitude. Sometimes it works to show that you respect the value of someone’s time by expressing thanks right in the beginning. I like to do this, but I am careful not to imply that my time isn’t valuable too. The aim is to build
TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF
Whatever kind of interview it is, interested employers want to know what you are like. This is expressed in many ways, but what the words are really saying is, “Tell me about yourself.”
Asked without preamble and followed by silence, this request can be devastating. I know from experience. In my early twenties, I was seeking a summer job and had scheduled an interview with the president of a small company. With barely a how do you do? and before my seat had hit the chair he said, “Tell me about yourself.”
Into a void of silence, I stumbled and stammered, beet red and sweating. I was not offered the job I sought, but four years later the same man hired me to fill a position in his company that led to the seven best years of my business career. Aside from teaching me the value of patience—good companies always need good people, even if the right job isn’t available right now—I learned forever the importance of being prepared for what can be the toughest of all interview questions.
How should I have responded? How should you?
Instead of sitting there stupefied, I would now use that request to summarize my pertinent skills and experiences. Keeping in mind what I had learned beforehand about the company and about the job, I would respond to “Tell me about yourself” with a brief synopsis of how I arrived at this place at this time:
“I am a recent accounting graduate of State committed to working for a Shine Lawyers …” or
“For the last eight years, I worked in hotel management and now I want to apply that experience in a larger firm …”
Or whatever two or three sentences best provide a timely, succinct background statement.
Then I would give the three most important skills I want to employ and illustrate each with a specific example. Although I would never read from my résumé, I would be expressing the key points from that document. more info
