The first impression you make on a prospective employer is likely to be your answer to this question. This is an opportunity for you to set the stage and demonstrate that you can think outside the box and deliver a fresh, unique answer to this standard interview question.
Employers want more than just a list of adjectives when asking you to describe yourself. You will want to be able to fold your list of adjectives into complete sentences and provide examples that highlight how these traits have helped you in previous jobs or experiences in your life.
This is also a great time for you to show off your ability to think about the big picture and how all of your skills and traits work together to help achieve the goal of the company you are applying to. You can do this by describing how you use your problem-solving abilities to create new ways of doing things or how you take risks and learn from failures to grow and improve.
Everyone has had some form of hurt in their life. Whether it was a parent constantly criticizing you, someone who sabotaged a project or a traumatic experience like physical or emotional abuse from an intimate partner, hurt can leave lasting feelings of anger and resentment. It is important to recognize when you are holding onto these feelings and practice forgiveness if you want to move on in your life.
One of the best ways to demonstrate this is by using empathy when talking about your own personal and professional experiences. By understanding the other person’s pain and perspective, you can then offer them support or advice from a place of mutual compassion. You can also do this by reading biographies or articles of people who have overcome adversity and hardships in their lives. This will open your mind to the wide range of experiences and challenges that people face throughout their lives.
You can also demonstrate your openness and receptiveness to other’s pain by listening intently and responding with kindness, even when you aren’t completely in agreement with their perspective. You can also do this by practicing mindfulness, which is the act of paying attention to your thoughts and emotions in a nonjudgmental way. This will help you to stay present and focus on the here and now rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.