职场点津：面试最难的问题
"Tell Me About Yourself"“请你谈谈你自己”
Don Straits, CEO and Dragon Slayer, Corporate Warriors
面试中必会被问到的问题之一就是“请你谈谈你自己”。很多人对这个问题的回答就是简略的背一下简历。事实上这样的回答枯燥无味。那么，该怎样回答这个问题呢?
When you, as a job seeker, are asked the most common, and toughest,
interview question, "Tell me about yourself," your answer can make or break you
as a candidate. Usually job seekers will respond with their "30 second
commercial," and then elaborate on their background. While almost every career
book and career counselor will tell you that is the appropriate response, I
totally disagree.
Many people fail in their job search because they are too often focused on
what they want in a job including industry, type of position, location, income,
benefits, and work environment. Their "30 second commercial" is centered around
this premise. The commercial describes the job seeker's career history and what
they are looking for. Too often, this is in direct contrast to what employers
are looking for.
There are two dominant reasons why job seekers are successful in the job
search. The first is focusing on the needs of the organization. The second is
focusing on the needs of the people within that organization. In this article,
we are going to examine how to focus on the needs of the people within
organizations. This will assist in rethinking your response to that
all-important question, "Tell me about yourself."
In order to learn how to respond to the needs of the interviewer, let's
first learn more about ourselves. We can then apply that knowledge about
ourselves to knowing how to understand and respond to the needs of others.
Most social psychologists recognize four basic personality styles:
Analytical, Amiable, Expressive, and Driver. Usually, each of us exhibits
personality characteristics unique to one of the styles. However, we also
possess characteristics to a lesser degree in the other styles. To determine
your unique style, you can take a Myers-Briggs assessment or go to the following
site for a free Keirsey Temperament Sorter assessment test: w ww.keirsey.com
Here are the characteristics that are most commonly associated with each of
the styles:
Analytical: 分析型
Positive Traits: Precise, Methodical, Organized, Rational, Detail
Oriented
Negative Traits: Critical, Formal, Uncertain, Judgmental, Picky
Amiable: 和蔼可亲型
Positive Traits: Cooperative, Dependable, Warm, Listener, Negotiator
Negative Traits: Undisciplined, Dependent, Submissive, Overly Cautious,
Conforming
Expressive: 表达型
Positive Traits: Enthusiastic, Persuasive, Outgoing, Positive,
Communicator
Negative Traits: Ego Centered, Emotional, Exploitive, Opinionated,
Reacting
Driver: 驱动型
Positive Traits: Persistent, Independent, Decision Maker, Effective, Strong
Willed
Negative Traits: Aggressive, Strict, Intense, Relentless, Rigid
Gaining an in-depth understanding of your personality style has enormous
value in your career as well as your personal life. However, our focus today is
learning how to use this knowledge to make you more successful in your job
search.
Once you have learned about your own style and have studied the other
styles, I encourage you to have a little fun in trying to determine the styles
of others. When you meet someone for the first time, try to identify his or her
style within the first two minutes. You can often identify styles by observing a
person's demeanor, conversation, body language, appearance, and possessions.
To demonstrate what I mean, let's take some examples from the business
world. While there are always exceptions, generally speaking the styles fit the
example.
Analytical Style: Financial Manager (or programmers, engineers, and
accountants). 财务经理(或程序员、工程师和会计)。They like systems and procedures. They are slow
to make decisions because they will analyze things to death?but their decisions
are usually very sound. They prefer working independently and are usually not
very good in team environments, but they are also dependable. They buy cars with
good resale value and great gas mileage. They are conservative dressers. At the
party, they want to know why so much money was spent on Michelob when we could
have purchased Busch. They come to the party with their laptops.
Amiable Style: Human Resources Manager. 人力资源部经理。Very people-focused. They
are dependable, loyal and easygoing; very compassionate. They will give you the
shirt off their backs and the last nickel in their pockets. They are good
listeners and value team players who don't "rock the boat." They are usually
conformists and followers?rarely leaders. They avoid conflict and are not good
decision makers. They drive four-door sedans or mini-vans to take the kids to
sporting events. They usually clean up after the party is over.
Expressive Style: Sales Manager. 销售经理。Very outgoing and enthusiastic, with
a high energy level. They are also great idea generators, but usually do not
have the ability to see the idea through to completion. Very opinionated and
egotistical. Money motivated. They can be good communicators. They prefer to
direct and control rather then ask and listen. They drive red convertibles with
great stereos; to heck with the gas mileage. They come up with the idea for a
company party, but never help clean up. They are on their way to another
party.
Driver: Corporate CEO. 公司CEO。Intelligent, intense, focused, relentless.
They thrive on the thrill of the challenge and the internal motivation to
succeed. Money is only a measure of success; it is not the driving factor. They
are results/performance oriented. They have compassion for the truly
disadvantaged, but absolutely no patience or tolerance for the lazy or whiners.
They drive prestige cars, not because the car attracts attention, but because it
was a wise investment. They want to know why we had a party; what were the
benefits of the party, and did we invite the banker?
Ok, now you are really getting some insight into your style and the style
of others. It is time for the interviews. Throw out your 30-second commercial.
Think on your feet.
You will be interviewing with the human resource manager, the finance
manager, the sales manager, and the CEO. The first question each of them will
ask you is: "Tell me about yourself." How should you respond? Remember the
second reason for succeeding in a job search: focus on the needs of the people
in the organization. Here are just a few examples of how to respond to that
question:
"Tell me about yourself?"
Response to Finance Manager: "I have been successful in my career by making
well-thought-out decisions based on careful analysis of all factors. I approach
problems with logic and sound reasoning. I would enjoy working with you in
developing the appropriate systems and procedures to make our two departments
function efficiently together."
Response to Human Resource Manager: "My career has been characterized by my
ability to work well with diverse teams. I seek out opportunities to involve
others in the decision-making process. This collaboration and communication is
what has enabled me to achieve success in my department. People are the most
valuable resource of any organization."
Response to Sales Manager: "Throughout my career I have always adhered to
the principle that everyone in the organization must be sales-focused. My
department is always trained in customer service, providing outstanding support
to the sales team and to our customers. Without sales, the rest of use would not
have a job. I look forward to helping you drive sales in any way possible."
Response to CEO: "I have achieved success in my career because I have been
focused on the bottom line. I have always sought out innovative solutions to
challenging problems to maximize profitability. Regardless of the task or
challenge, I always established benchmarks of performance and standards of
excellence. I have never sought to maintain the "status quo." An organization
that does not change and grow will die. I would enjoy working with you to help
define new market opportunities in order to achieve the organization's
goals."
In each instance, we responded to the "needs of the individual." It is
almost guaranteed that, when you respond appropriately to the diverse needs of
the different managers, you will become the standard by which all of the other
candidates will be measured.
I challenge you to learn about your personality and leadership style, learn
about the styles of others, and learn how to think on your feet when responding
to questions. Whether you are seeking a job or you are gainfully employed, by
understanding the needs of others you will become a more valuable person,
employee, manager and leader.
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