Tell me a little bit about yourself?

If you can't answer this question, you might as well cut the interview short and not waste the interviewer's time. This question is also commonly asked in job interviews and it's your duty to tailor your response for your audience. For example, does it help your case to tell the interviewer that you enjoy long walks on the beach if it's for a job interview?

dexter1 said:

This is perhaps going to be the hardest question of all for me in an interview. How do i go about describing myself? What should i say? What should i not say?

Please help!

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What do you think you should say??? ...not say??? You post up, and we'll help you out.

~above~

aboveliquidice said:

What do you think you should say??? ...not say??? You post up, and we'll help you out.

~above~

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He/she should tell his interviewers that he/she has no idea how to describe him/herself and promptly leave the room. I'm all about giving encouraging words and sharing my experiences but seriously - quit coddling everybody. They are not little kids. If they want to be able to become a pharmacist, shouldn't they be able to answers questions like this on their own?

dexter1 said:

This is perhaps going to be the hardest question of all for me in an interview. How do i go about describing myself? What should i say? What should i not say?

Please help!

Click to expand...

Describe yourself, but make sure what you say is somewhat science/pharmacy RELATED. What you say should make the interviewer believe that you are going to be a good pharmacist/excel in pharm school. Don't say anything that does NOT have anything to do with being a pharmacist though (for example I LOVE shopping but I would never say that b/c its not pharmacy related at all!)....don't waste time. You have to sell yourself.

SHC1984 said:

Describe yourself, but make sure what you say is somewhat science/pharmacy RELATED. What you say should make the interviewer believe that you are going to be a good pharmacist/excel in pharm school. Don't say anything that does NOT have anything to do with being a pharmacist though (for example I LOVE shopping but I would never say that b/c its not pharmacy related at all!)....don't waste time. You have to sell yourself.

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Hmmm. So don't even mention what else you do at all? I mean, I think some seemingly unrelated things could be construed to be appropriate. Ex: My hobby of weightlifting shows drive and an understanding of long term development that will become evident and useful during pharmacy school. How about something like that? Or are you suggesting to keep it to I enjoy chemistry, biology, currently hold a job as a PT, etc?

dexter1 said:

Woah guys sorry lol
its just i know what to say but i find it very hard to express what i am thinking in words.
i just needed advice on how to go about answering this question and thanks for your answer SHC

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Why don't you post up what you think you should say right now? The important things to keep in mind are presenting yourself as qualified and showing you want it. Think as if you were the one asking the question. What would you want to hear?

And one more thing. Embellish, but don't lie.

how about this:
"Hi my name is Joe Smoe. I'm 25 years old. I am Irish American. I had the chance to visit Ireland for the first time 2 years ago. During my trip I discovered that Leprechauns do exist. I finished off my bachelors degree in Biology at UCLA just last summer. I have been working at Slave-On for 6 months as a technician. Now I want to take it one step further and become a pharmacist and make lots of money. I've always wanted to be a drug dealer since I was a kid. But if I could be a legalized drug dealer, it would even be better."

very funny

Kruton said:

Hmmm. So don't even mention what else you do at all? I mean, I think some seemingly unrelated things could be construed to be appropriate. Ex: My hobby of weightlifting shows drive and an understanding of long term development that will become evident and useful during pharmacy school. How about something like that? Or are you suggesting to keep it to I enjoy chemistry, biology, currently hold a job as a PT, etc?

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Weightlifting would be fine. You can say some things that aren't directly related to pharmacy but shows determination, ability to do well in pharm school, and become a good pharmacist. Just like I am going to mention that I use to wait tables b/c that shows that I am patient enough to deal with annoying people...a NEED if you want retail pharmacy...

My point was don't waste time...there are things that are completely unrelated and is better off not say...like MY Real hobbies...shopping, going to the beach, dining out, going to the movies, sleeping, relaxing, reading stephen king books, ballet...Maybe I should mention ballet b/c it shows the same determination as weightlifiting??

Waiting tables, weight lifting, ballet.... all good initiative but bad judgment if you ask me. I worked at a restaurant for four years but I'm not about to tell them that it was beneficial because I had to deal with complaining guests who got their food two minutes late.

ValeUC said:

Waiting tables, weight lifting, ballet.... all good initiative but bad judgment if you ask me. I worked at a restaurant for four years but I'm not about to tell them that it was beneficial because I had to deal with complaining guests who got their food two minutes late.

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Hmmm. Well we can figure this out. I will e-mail the dean of undergrad at Mississippi and we will see what he has to say so we will all be the wiser.

Impressive.

ValeUC said:

Waiting tables, weight lifting, ballet.... all good initiative but bad judgment if you ask me. I worked at a restaurant for four years but I'm not about to tell them that it was beneficial because I had to deal with complaining guests who got their food two minutes late.

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Whats a good thing to say then? None of my REAL hobbies have anything to do with pharmacy. Except that I am a pharmacy tech, I have a 4.0 biology/chemistry GPA, I usually do well in the sciences, other then that can't really say much pharmacy related stuff...LOL...

ValeUC said:

Waiting tables, weight lifting, ballet.... all good initiative but bad judgment if you ask me. I worked at a restaurant for four years but I'm not about to tell them that it was beneficial because I had to deal with complaining guests who got their food two minutes late.

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Mmmmm... I mentioned how waiting tables taught me valuable interpersonal skills. Apparently it worked, because I am a P2.

dexter1 said:

This is perhaps going to be the hardest question of all for me in an interview. How do i go about describing myself? What should i say? What should i not say?

Please help!

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You need to tell the interviewer the experiences you had that lead to your interest for pharmacy...

Here is what I might say...

I worked for my dad's roofing company for 3 summers and I realized that I wasn't interested in working for a construction company. I wanted to start fresh, so I went ahead and worked for Safeway. I first started out as a courtesy clerk and there is a pharmacy in the store that I worked for. I pass by it everyday and got interested in the field. I learned about the PTCB and took a class to prepare for the exam. I passed it on first try and that was when I wanted to pursue for pharmacy....

Update: is what I said too vague?

PharmD321 said:

You need to tell the interviewer the experiences you had that lead to your interest for pharmacy...

Here is what I might say...

I worked for my dad's roofing company for 3 summers and I realized that I wasn't interested in working for a construction company. I wanted to start fresh, so I went ahead and worked for Safeway. I first started out as a courtesy clerk and there is a pharmacy in the store that I worked for. I pass by it everyday and got interested in the field. I learned about the PTCB and took a class to prepare for the exam. I passed it on first try and that was when I wanted to pursue for pharmacy....

Update: is what I said too vague?

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I would think that would be a perfectly acceptable answer for Why are you interested in the Pharmacy Field? but I am not sure it is what the adcoms are looking for when they say Tell me about yourself

SHC1984 said:

Describe yourself, but make sure what you say is somewhat science/pharmacy RELATED. What you say should make the interviewer believe that you are going to be a good pharmacist/excel in pharm school. Don't say anything that does NOT have anything to do with being a pharmacist though (for example I LOVE shopping but I would never say that b/c its not pharmacy related at all!)....don't waste time. You have to sell yourself.

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I love shopping and fashion too, and I told them that at my interviews!
Here's the gist of what I always say: I was born in blahblah..moved to america at the age of xxx...have lived in xxx for the past xx years. I was raised xxxxxxx and I have a really strong connection to my family. I enjoy spending time with them, my friends, I like reading, fashion, science, theater, etc etc.
I think you should explain to them what kind of person you are! They are trying to get to know you first and they'll ask you why you want to go to pharmacy school during the interview anyway.

If I am asking that question, things I want to hear, in random order:
- why are you sitting in front of me (in your case, why do you want to be accepted)
- what makes you think I should give you the position you want (in this case, a seat in the incoming class)
- what will make me remember you more than two minutes after you leave my office

Most of the time I am asking that question while I am scanning the resume/application/personal statement/whatever other paper stuff related to the applicant. Ideally, the applicant would say something that would make me raise my eyes from the paper and connect with them.

Helpful hint: if the interview is being held in a faculty member's office, take a brief (and discreet!) look around. The stuff in the office may hint at what they are interested in, and if that is something you are also interested in, bring it up. It is a good ice breaker. However, be sincere. If you are not, it would quickly be painfully obvious.

cycloketocaine said:

Mmmmm... I mentioned how waiting tables taught me valuable interpersonal skills. Apparently it worked, because I am a P2.

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Good for you. I got accepted and I didn't mention it. Personally, I think someone is really digging if they need to bring up waiting tables. That's just me.

Hels2007 said:

If I am asking that question, things I want to hear, in random order:
- why are you sitting in front of me (in your case, why do you want to be accepted)
- what makes you think I should give you the position you want (in this case, a seat in the incoming class)
- what will make me remember you more than two minutes after you leave my office

Most of the time I am asking that question while I am scanning the resume/application/personal statement/whatever other paper stuff related to the applicant. Ideally, the applicant would say something that would make me raise my eyes from the paper and connect with them.

Helpful hint: if the interview is being held in a faculty member's office, take a brief (and discreet!) look around. The stuff in the office may hint at what they are interested in, and if that is something you are also interested in, bring it up. It is a good ice breaker. However, be sincere. If you are not, it would quickly be painfully obvious.

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I think this stuff here is invaluable. Everyone that I have spoken with says something similar to these things. Make yourself unique. Make them remember you. Make them fight to get you in because they remember you when their committee makes their decisions.

ValeUC said:

Good for you. I got accepted and I didn't mention it. Personally, I think someone is really digging if they need to bring up waiting tables. That's just me.

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I didn't bring it up, the interviewer asked me about it. We had to submit a work history, and since I had worked at a restaurant before my 3 years of pharmacy experience, they asked me about it. So, before you decide to try and make rude comments about someone next time, step back and consider that there may be other circumstances.

Oh, I do apologize if I got through your thin skin. I'll try to be a little more careful with my wording next time.

ValeUC said:

Oh, I do apologize if I got through your thin skin. I'll try to be a little more careful with my wording next time.

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Okay, thank you for being so considerate.

ValeUC said:

I think this stuff here is invaluable. Everyone that I have spoken with says something similar to these things. Make yourself unique. Make them remember you. Make them fight to get you in because they remember you when their committee makes their decisions.

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So how are you really going to make yourself unique if everything you say is pharmacy related? These guys have been here a long, long time and they have probably just heard almost every single pharmacy-related reason in the book.

Kruton said:

So how are you really going to make yourself unique if everything you say is pharmacy related? These guys have been here a long, long time and they have probably just heard almost every single pharmacy-related reason in the book.

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I already did. Hence my acceptance letter. However, I'm not saying everything you say must be pharmacy related. That is true that they have probably heard everything there is to say. Again, it's not my place to tell you how to do it but it can be done. What have they done that most other people haven't? That's what they should be worried about. Sports related, while a good hobby to have, can be done by anyone and that is why I find that to be a common thing. Same with jobs.

ValeUC said:

I already did. Hence my acceptance letter. However, I'm not saying everything you say must be pharmacy related. That is true that they have probably heard everything there is to say. Again, it's not my place to tell you how to do it but it can be done. What have they done that most other people haven't? That's what they should be worried about. Sports related, while a good hobby to have, can be done by anyone and that is why I find that to be a common thing. Same with jobs.

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So then what did you say? What have you done PHARMACY-RELATED that no one else has done? I am really not trying to be rude or anything, but you argument does not really seem to be consistent.

I don't think many people have served eight years in the military. That's the experience I talked about when they asked about my leadership experiences.

alenadoma said:

I love shopping and fashion too, and I told them that at my interviews!
Here's the gist of what I always say: I was born in blahblah..moved to america at the age of xxx...have lived in xxx for the past xx years. I was raised xxxxxxx and I have a really strong connection to my family. I enjoy spending time with them, my friends, I like reading, fashion, science, theater, etc etc.
I think you should explain to them what kind of person you are! They are trying to get to know you first and they'll ask you why you want to go to pharmacy school during the interview anyway.

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I think I am going to tell them my love for fashion (maybe even my collection of LV bags??hahaha..) I mention doing ballet for 10 years during my dental school interviews and got into 4 schools...so I think this could work.
I am not American either...are you asian?
Which pharm school are you going to attend this fall? you are lucky are you already accepted! congrats!!!

ValeUC said:

I don't think many people have served eight years in the military. That's the experience I talked about when they asked about my leadership experiences.

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That is impressive....I am glad you are safe from Iraq now!

Hels2007 said:

If I am asking that question, things I want to hear, in random order:
- why are you sitting in front of me (in your case, why do you want to be accepted)
- what makes you think I should give you the position you want (in this case, a seat in the incoming class)
- what will make me remember you more than two minutes after you leave my office

Most of the time I am asking that question while I am scanning the resume/application/personal statement/whatever other paper stuff related to the applicant. Ideally, the applicant would say something that would make me raise my eyes from the paper and connect with them.

Helpful hint: if the interview is being held in a faculty member's office, take a brief (and discreet!) look around. The stuff in the office may hint at what they are interested in, and if that is something you are also interested in, bring it up. It is a good ice breaker. However, be sincere. If you are not, it would quickly be painfully obvious.

Click to expand...

hels has very good point on how to answer the question about who you are. The interviewers really want to know who you are as a person. They are not try to treat or fail you. I think everyone has an unique life story to talk about. You can pick one or more things that they are interested to you. Give out one story that they might be remember you.

Kruton said:

So how are you really going to make yourself unique if everything you say is pharmacy related? These guys have been here a long, long time and they have probably just heard almost every single pharmacy-related reason in the book.

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Don't invent reasons, tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. As soon as I sense that you are trying to give me the answer you think I want (instead of the answer I really want), you are out of consideration. A lot of people I know employ the same logic.

Hels2007 said:

Don't invent reasons, tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. As soon as I sense that you are trying to give me the answer you think I want (instead of the answer I really want), you are out of consideration. A lot of people I know employ the same logic.

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What are you trying to say in reference to my post? I wasn't saying anything about making up some reason? I was simply stating that if you keep everything you say directly related to Pharmacy then they will have heard you already.

alenadoma said:

I love shopping and fashion too, and I told them that at my interviews!
Here's the gist of what I always say: I was born in blahblah..moved to america at the age of xxx...have lived in xxx for the past xx years. I was raised xxxxxxx and I have a really strong connection to my family. I enjoy spending time with them, my friends, I like reading, fashion, science, theater, etc etc.
I think you should explain to them what kind of person you are! They are trying to get to know you first and they'll ask you why you want to go to pharmacy school during the interview anyway.

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hey, i see that you got accepted for st.john fisher SOP
how was the interview? and the whole process?
i'm still waiting for their response,
any info (esp. questions that came up on interview) would helP!!!
I appreciate it!!

dexter1 said:

This is perhaps going to be the hardest question of all for me in an interview. How do i go about describing myself? What should i say? What should i not say?

Please help!

Click to expand...

Oh sweet lord. If you can't tell somebody about yourself, then you're toast. When people can't answer this question it means they lack interpersonal communicative ability, and the adcoms will toss you to the curb faster than you can say "toss my salad." Simple as that.

"How do I go about describing myself?"...are you seriously asking this question? DESCRIBE YOURSELF--that's how.

dexter1 said:

This is perhaps going to be the hardest question of all for me in an interview. How do i go about describing myself? What should i say? What should i not say?

Please help!

Click to expand...

Tell me a little bit about yourself?

Just tell them the truth. You're addicted to porn and you masturbate constantly. And don't forget to shake hands before you leave.

after reading the responses, many people have different opinions on how to approach this question, hence i am confused. so whats the best approach as i haven't received any interview.

oh man, the best way to approach this question is like a few have said before me. be yourself, and simply tell them about yourself. giving your stats, and focusing just on pharmacy related talk is absolutely the WORST thing you could do, imo.

for example...i've worked in biotech for the past 8.5 years. i've conducted many interviews. i cannot tell you how much i loathe when interviewees say, "well, i'm very good in the lab. i had a 4.0 average in science and can learn very quickly." wow, so can 90% of the rest of the candidates. GIVE ME SOMETHING SPECIFIC AND INTERESTING.

when asked this question during an interview earlier this month, i said that i'm in the middle of planning my wedding, and that my finace is a musician and pretty much music is my escape from everyday life. we had a great discussion about that, and in the end i got my acceptance letter 2 days later.

all that matters is that you are honest. tell your interviewer about yourself, and pick that one thing that you are passionate about. doesn't matter what it is (with a few exceptions), because when you're passionate about something, it shows when you talk about it. even if you think the interviewer would have no idea what you're talking about, that's great! more opportunity to provoke questions and make an impression on them by teaching them something new!

Wow, you guys gave the original poster hell. What a warm welcome.

Anyways, this question is difficult for me as well. Here are my questions regarding it: How long should we talk about ourselves? Honestly, I could go on for 20 minutes about myself, but really nobody would want to hear all of that. So limit it to how many minutes?....Also, should we talk about experiences and previous job experience as opposed to qualities about ourselves, ie 'im hardworking, i like to do things right'. Or a blend of the two by talking about experiences and relating them to qualities about ourselves.

I like the post above too, there are some good tips. When you gave interviews did it make you angry when some people went on and on and on, and neverending?

there's no set time limit for how long your answer should be. basically, if you are asked a question, just answer it. hopefully you'll have a good interviewer who will cut you off to ask a follow-up question, or to ask you to expand on something that you brought up. but if you talk, and come to a point where you feel you should end, stop talking. wait a few seconds. if they don't say anything, you can either keep going, or simply say "would you like me to keep going, or do you have something else you'd like to ask?"

when i conduct interviews, i try to listen for an interesting point that someone might bring up, and then ask them about it when it seems that they are done. if i see them struggling to keep talking, i'll interject a question, or prompt them towards what else i'd like to hear.

generally, in an interview, your interviewer should be leading you thru the process. you should never feel like you need to keep talking. just answer the questions, and it will all be fine.