A recruiter’s question “Who are you?” sounds simple enough, but how you respond can have a major impact on your chances of getting hired. Answer it the right way, and you can stand out as a confident, capable candidate with a good understanding of what they’re looking for. Answer it the wrong way, and you could come across as unprepared or arrogant.
The key is knowing which adjectives to choose and how to use them. Employers want to hear about your personality traits and what makes you tick, but they’re also looking for specific skills that can help them achieve their goals. They want to know that you’re a learner who is committed to improving and growing both in the short term and into the future. They want to know you’re resilient and resourceful, especially in today’s fast-changing business environment.
It’s important to be honest, but don’t be overly self-deprecating or cliched in your response. It’s also critical to be clear and concise. If you’re rambling, or sharing too much detail, you risk sounding unfocused and unprepared. The interviewer is also unlikely to believe that you’ll be able to deliver the level of performance they require and are looking for.
This article was originally published in the January issue of IT World Canada, and can be found online at www.ITWorldCanada.com.
ITWorldCanada is the leading technology magazine in Canada for IT professionals and decision makers, covering a range of topics from business strategy to hardware, software and IT services. It’s trusted by IT professionals to provide the best information and advice to get them ahead in their careers. ITWorldCanada is produced by ITBusiness Publishing Ltd, based in Toronto, Ontario.