Page 76 - How To Answer Interview Questions (II)

Job Interview Question 35

How would people you have worked with describe you?

This is an important question, for two reasons:

1. This is actually going to be how you describe yourself.
What you say should be very positive: “They would say that I am a hard worker, who is very
thoughtful and strategic about the work that I do, that I am proud of my work and what I’ve
accomplished. They would say that I never want to let anyone down, and that I always want to
exceed the expectations of the people I am working for. And they would say that I am someone
they can trust, rely on, and call on when they are having issues, that I am someone who goes
above and beyond.”
Whatever you say, be prepared to give examples that illustrate what you just said. If you say
that you are someone who goes above and beyond, you need to have an example of a time that
you did that. If you don’t have an example, you will be in trouble.

2. What you say needs to be close to what your references will say about you, because they will
ask.
If what you say is miles away from what they actually say about you, you will seem very out of
touch with how you are perceived by others, which doesn’t say good things for your
communication skills. (Always know what your references will say about you.)

This is a great time to thumb over to the section in your brag book where you have printed out
emails or notes from bosses, colleagues, or even clients to actually show them what others have
said about you. If there are especially positive comments in your performance reviews, or any
awards letters, those would be good to show, also.

Key to a Great Interview!