The interview is going really well. You’ve got a good rapport with the hiring manager, you’re getting your key points across, you’re speaking clearly and confidently—and then comes this question: Show
“What should I know about you that’s not on your resume?” And you’re stumped, because huh? I know the feeling, so I thought I would break down this question for you so that answering doesn’t seem quite so tricky. Why They’re AskingOn the surface, this question seems weird. After all, you’ve worked hard to condense all your relevant information onto a single page so that everything the interviewer should know is on there! But hiring managers ask this question to get a sense for your personality and character, rather than just your work experiences and accomplishments. They’re also giving you a chance to tell them something that’s important but doesn’t fit within the traditional resume format—like what drives you or what you’re passionate about outside your 9-to-5. What to SayThere are three basic “themes” for your response that you can choose from. First, you can discuss one of your positive traits. Think: your creativity, your enthusiasm, your tenacity, your dedication, the one word that makes you you. Alternatively, you can share a story or detail that reveals something awesome about you and your accomplishments. For example, maybe you’ve climbed a few major mountains, which shows how persistent you are when you put your mind to it. Lastly, you can talk about your motivation or overall goal. Maybe you want to work in hospitality because you want to recreate the same sense of joy and wonder you’ve experienced on vacations for as many guests as possible. What Not to SayIf it’s on your resume, don’t say it! Regurgitating what’s on that paper will make you seem unimaginative, or worse, like you don’t understand the question. The same rule goes for your cover letter. If you mentioned it, you can’t use it again. And of course, as during the rest of the interview, avoid overly personal information or anything that’ll raise a red flag. For example, you might be super eager to get this job because you’ve been unemployed for six months—but telling the interviewer that? Not a good idea. Instead, bring up the work ethic you cultivated while simultaneously getting your degree and working a full-time job. Structuring Your ResponseThere’s a very simple format for your response. Begin by explaining your trait or story. Then, summarize why it’s important for the interviewer to know this. Make sure you connect your answer to the job, the company, or both. Here’s the template:
And here’s a sample answer: Well, one thing you won’t find on my resume: the time I had to administer emergency CPR training. Last year, I was at the lake when I saw a young girl who looked like she was drowning. I was a lifeguard in high school, so I swam out, brought her to shore, and gave her CPR. Although this was—hopefully—a one-time event, I’ve always been able to stay calm during stressful situations, figure out a solution, and then act. This characteristic would make me a valuable member of your company. After all, obstacles are inevitable, especially in a startup environment. As your account manager, I’d use this trait to quickly and effectively resolve issues both within the team and externally. And if anyone needs CPR at the office beach party, well, I’m your woman. I’d love to hear what you’d say to this question! Let me know on Twitter. Photo of job interview courtesy of Shutterstock.Tell me something about yourself that is not written in your resume is a tricky fresher interview question. It can baffle you and lead you to talk in undesirable direction. Learn how to handle it
skilfully and Create a strong impression on interviewers! We all like to think of ourselves as special individuals, unique in our own way. And when it comes to our resumes, we often focus on the experiences and skills that make us stand out from the crowd. Interviewers however want to go much beyond that to understand
you. What do you say when an interviewer asks you to tell them something about yourself that is not written in your resume? Do you have a rehearsed answer for it? Or do you find yourself stumbling with your words, trying to show something interesting? As a fresher, you will probably struggle to come up with something exciting and unique about yourself. It will be a tough balancing act of selling yourself without sounding conceited or arrogant. Here is an
interesting thing. 59% of employees claim that their skills are self-taught. It is these things that you learned by yourself, the skills that you built by yourself, and
your experiences that may be unique in their own way, that are of interest to others, especially interviewers! In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to talk about yourself that make people want to learn more about you. Let us understand why interviewers ask this question first. Then explore how to answer it skillfully. Finally, you will find a few useful answers that give you a starting point and common mistakes that you can avoid.
. . . . . . Why do interviewers ask, “Tell Me Something Not on Your Resume”Interviewers are keen to know about the real you. They know that resumes generally are to present you in best possible way. However, they may hide many critical insights about you. So they want to probe more. They want to dig deeper. 5 Reasons why interviewers want to know What is NOT on Resume1. To get a sense of what you “really” areInterviewers often ask this question to get a sense of your personality. Your resume is generally prepared to show the best of you. But it fails to bring out the real you. In many ways, it is a doctored presentation of you. So, interviews prod you to go beyond your resume.
This is what the interviewers are keen to learn about – The Real You! 2. To learn about your motivations for wanting the jobInterviewers are trying to understand why you’re interested in the position. Especially the reasons that may not be naturally apparent. They want to know what you would bring to the table if hired. Sometimes, people have ulterior motives for wanting a job, which may not initially show up (like being closer to home or earning a higher salary). This can be important information while hiring them. You may be passionate about the company’s mission. Or you like the idea of developing new skills. The reasons can vary. Whatever your reasons, be honest about them and try to give examples of how your motivations would benefit the company if you were hired. 3. To see how well you can think on your feetInterviewers ask questions to assess how you think on your feet. They want to know how you will react under pressure and handle unexpected situations. The best way to answer this question is to stay calm and take your time. Collect your thoughts before answering, and make sure you are clear on what the interviewer is asking. Then, give a thoughtful response that demonstrates your understanding of what the interviewer may be looking for. 4. To gain insights that aren’t covered on your resumeEven if your resume can contain everything from your bio-data to your accomplishments, strengths, and even flaws, there are still a few things the interviewer needs to know. How do you express the things that truly matter to you in your resume? How can the interviewer understand what makes you tick? How can they get a feel of what you are going through in the current phase of life?
These things cannot be covered in your CV but can be perceived in conversation through subtle cues that we tend to give away. It is not just skills but cultural fitness also matters to the company. 5. To assess whether you would be a good fit for the companyWhere do you see yourself 5 years from now? … What are your career aspirations? … These are some of the most common interview questions to judge your fitness and keenness for the job. They give the interviewer a sense of where you see yourself in the future and whether or not you are a good fit for the company with your skills. However, questions about what is not on your resume can reveal things that can be equally useful to understanding your fitness for the given role. For example, you may about when you had to deal with a difficult customer or coworker. This may not be covered in your resume. By talking about a challenging situation, the interviewer can see how you reacted and how you might handle similar situations in the future. The interviewer can also get a sense of your problem-solving skills and your ability to stay calm under pressure. Your CV states the facts, yet the interviewer wants to hear about you as a person. This question can assist your interviewer in determining if you’re a suitable fit for the position and company. . . How to prepare for “Tell me something That Is Not on Your Resume”There are many ways to prepare for interview questions, but one of the best ways is to come up with a list of things, not on your resume. This can show the interviewer that you have other skills and experiences that may be relevant to the role. 9 ways to answer “Tell me something that is Not on your Resume“
. . How to Answer “Tell Me Something That Is Not on Your Resume”Here are 5 tips for answering this behavioral interview question: 1. Be prepared with a few stories or examples that are not on your resumeYou will want to be prepared with a few stories or examples, not on your resume. This will show the interviewer that you are more than just your work history and that you have a personality. You can talk about your hobbies, volunteer experiences, or even things that have happened to you in your personal life. We have already seen 9 ideas to prepare your answer in last section. 2. Be concise and make sure your stories are interesting and relevantInterviews are all about making a good impression, and interesting stories will leave a lasting mark on the interviewer. It’s also important to be concise because nobody wants to hear ramblings during an interview. Tell your story in an engaging and elevator-pitch level short way. 3. Stay away from discussing topics that are too personal or sensitiveThis is very important advice. You want to portray yourself as a professional in an interview and put your best foot forward. Discussing personal or sensitive topics can make you appear unprofessional and even cost you the job. Of course, some events or aspects of your life may be relevant to the job or company you’re interviewing for. If you’re comfortable discussing these things, then, by all means, do so. But if not, it’s best to steer clear of them altogether. For example, discussing your income and financial situation. This is very personal and sensitive information, and it’s best to avoid discussing it. 4. Prepare yourself for possible questions about why the experience is not listed on your resumeHere is what interviewers may think or as after you have talked about anything not written in your resume. Why didn’t you include it in your resume, if you felt like talking about it now? Why did you take the chance to depend on this question during the interview? Or they may say, “What made you think of that now?” You may respond to this question as follows: ‘I feel that this fact is something that can be discussed only if someone asks for it and isn’t suitable enough to be included in a CV.’ The follow up questions totally depend on what you expose or mention in your response. It is a starting point for them to understand the facets of “real you” that may never show up on your resume. 5. Have a positive attitude and be ready to engage in further conversation with the interviewerIt’s important to go into an interview with a positive attitude and be ready to engage in conversation. You’ll show the interviewer that you’re interested in the position and that you’re confident in your abilities. Plus, it’s always helpful to get to know the interviewer better and learn more about the company. . . Special Bonus: 20 Strong Examples of – Tell me about Yourself for Fresher Sample Answer. . 9 Sample Answers for speaking about What is not on your resumeYou can use the following 9 answers to trigger your imagination. However, take them as simply a starting point for your own answer. It is important that you always provide an example after making your point.
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. . 5 Mistakes To Avoid while mentioning what is not on your resume“Tell me about yourself that is not on your resume” may seem like a simple question, but it can be difficult to answer if you’re unsure what the interviewer is looking for. Here are five tips to help you avoid mistakes when answering this question:
. . The Bottom LineIn summary, interviewers ask this question because they want to know the “Real You”! They are keen to learn more about your motivations for wanting the job. Interviewers want to see how you cope with unexpected questions. And lastly, they want to gauge your honesty and ability to think on your feet. The best way to answer this question is to be prepared with a few key points that you want to highlight about yourself that aren’t already included in your resume. Alternatively, you could share something personal about yourself to help the interviewer get to know you better. . . If you want to ace your next interview, you must check the “Fresher Interview Questions” section that covers all the common but challenging interview questions.You may also want to explore the “Career Coaching” section that will prepare you for a high grown career in advance! |