How many times have you been prompted in a job interview to tell the interviewer a “bit about yourself”? Countless websites, including The Muse, Indeed, Resume Genius, Novoresume, and LinkedIn, place this prompt at the number one spot for most common job interview questions. And despite how frequently interviewers offer this prompt—and even how simple it may seem to answer—many candidates struggle to answer this question succinctly. Many assume they need to somehow summarize everything they’ve written on their resume and cover letter; others think they should expand on their personalities—their hobbies, what they do in their down time, and what brings them to the position at hand. So, how can you perfect your response to this top job interview question?
We’ve got just the tip for you to wow your future employer in your next job interview. Read on to find out what it is and how to perfect your response to this prompt.
Nail Your Response to This Top Job Interview Question
Whenever this prompt comes up, as Instagram user Sam DeMase (@apowermood), aka “your career bestie,” notes, the interviewer is not looking for you to rehash everything that is already on your resume and application forms. Chances are the interviewer read and saw your information and picked you from the pool of applicants specifically because what you wrote in those application forms or on your resume piqued their interest. So, they don’t need you to explain to them again how you’re suitable for the position.
Instead, they’re looking for ways you can directly connect what you have done in the past with what you will bring to this position. Specifically, DeMase suggests using the WAT method to guide your response. Here’s how you can do so.
Explain What You Do for Your Career
The W in the WAT method refers to what you do for a living. Here, you’ll want to offer a specific title or role that you’ve taken on in past positions or aim to take on in your career. You can use specific language to show you are part of the community and industry already, but make sure to clearly outline any jargon that the interviewer may not be familiar with. However you introduce yourself, though, make sure to lead with the position title you have previously had or aim to take on so that the interviewer associates this position with you first-and-foremost.
This will help them clearly identify what your career goals are and what you’ll bring to the workplace.
Offer One of Your Measurable Recent Accomplishments
The A here stands for your accomplishments. This should be as specific a metric as possible so that you can demonstrate exactly how effective you’ve been in your past positions. And, of course, the more universally recognizable your accomplishments are measured, the better. For example, offering your accomplishments in percentages or in comparison to the average metric within your industry will make your accomplishments more clear to the interviewer.
In addition to showing the interviewer that you have specific KPIs to backup your claims, this will further show them that you pay attention to such metrics and are working to improve them consistently.
Tie These into the Job Position
Lastly, the T in the WAT method stands for tying in the aforementioned accomplishments and job titles you have held. Specifically, you’ll want to use language from the job posting to show you’re paying close attention to what the employer is looking for to connect the gap between their organization and your skills.
How to Use the WAT Method
A great example of this method in action is the example DeMase uses in the same reel. In it, DeMase says:
“I’m a training and development leader with over 10 years of experience in the retail space. In my most recent, role, I launched a new LMS program, which increased employee training completion rates by over 60%. I know in this role, you’re looking for someone who is a results-driven builder who has launched programs from the ground up, which is exactly what I do. So, I’m especially excited to discuss this role today.”
In this example, the interviewee’s W is “training and development leader with 10 years of experience.” Their KPI, or their A, is increasing employee training completion rates by over 60%. Then, the tie-in brings both what the employer is looking for and what the interviewee has to offer together.
We particularly love the smooth transition from the tie-in to turning the interview back onto the interviewer. After all, job interviews go both ways. They have to be able to impress you as much as you have to impress them!
Do you have any interview advice you’d like to share with us in exchange for being featured on our blog? We want to hear from you! Email kendra@workwolf with your pitch for an upcoming blog post for a chance to appear in a blog like DeMase!
