"Tell me about yourself"

[Rezdawg]

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How do you answer this in an interview? Where do you start, where do you end, and how much do you include in between?

I dont want to leave it too short, but at the same time, rambling incohesively for 20 minutes would be horrible. Any advice?

 

[boyan]

I usually talk about the things I have done in the past 2 - 3 years. This way I also answer the question "Why do you want to be a dentist?" Tell them which school you are attending, which dentist you have shadowed, what procedures you have observed there and this will take you to a different more specific question. With this "tell me about yourself" they are trying to make you talk

 

[critterbug]

I disagree.

This is your chance to be yourself. Don't talk about anything related to school or dentistry. Talk about where you grew up. What you have experienced in your lifetime. How many brothers and sisters you have. Talk about your dog.

Let them know who you are. Give them a window into your personality. They have your transcript. They know where you went to school. And if you wrote a good essay, they know why you want to be a dentist.

But they dont know why you are who you are. Let em know.

 

[Dr.BadVibes]

Hey reza.......I really think this could be the best question you can get.....you know why??? Because, the way you answer this question can direct the interview in your favour. So if you think you wanna emphasize your academics, than talk about your school and **** like that......but if you wanna emphasize something else like volunteer experience or something.....than put that in!

This question is intended to benefit the student in my opinion.

 

[Rezdawg]

Originally posted by avingupta
This question is intended to benefit the student in my opinion.

I agree. This can basically lead the interview into any direction that the student chooses.

 

[critterbug]

Originally posted by Rezdawg
I agree. This can basically lead the interview into any direction that the student chooses.

Yes. But trust me, the interviewer will notice what direction you are choosing. How many applicants do you think talk about their volunteeer work or their shadowing? Ummmm. Lemme guess. Prob bout 99%. But how many talk about the small town they grew up in? Or maybe the time they climbed Mt. Everest? Or maybe how your dog Spot saved your life.

Not many. Why? Cuz this stuff is unique.

Yes, this question is open ended. But this is your chance to grab the interviewers attention. Make the most of that 5 minute answer.

 

[Rezdawg]

Originally posted by critterbug
Yes, this question is open ended. But this is your chance to grab the interviewers attention. Make the most of that 5 minute answer.

You make good points. I will try to lead it into something specific about myself, that makes me stand out of the crowd.

Thanks for all your help fellas.

 

[savvysearch]

You want to talk about where you grew up and what your interests are and what you are doing to keep yourself busy. But when you go from " I love art" into this rant about the brilliance of Picasso and your favorite artists, that's so random. Few have the talent of making that transition without sounding like a dork.

Really, I have no idea what to say to that question. Do they want an impersonal description of yourself, or do they want conversational/personal tone. That question is very critical because its the question I think people will remember the response to.

 

[ItsGavinC]

I agree with Critterbug--whenever I've been asked this questions I've rarely mentioned anything to do with dentistry. That is simply because dentistry is NOT my life.

I'm SOOOOOO much more than a dental student (or somebody interested in dentistry). I love to write, I love to read, I play sports avidly, I love my wife and my son more than anything, and I'm very fond of the lessons I learned and people I met while serving an LDS mission.

All of that is who I am. It also just so happens that I'm studying dentistry right now, and am incorporating that into my life. It consumes a large portion of my life right now, but isn't who I am.

 

[critterbug]

Originally posted by savvysearch
You want to talk about where you grew up and what your interests are and what you are doing to keep yourself busy. But when you go from " I love art" into this rant about the brilliance of Picasso and your favorite artists, that's so random. Few have the talent of making that transition without sounding like a dork.

Really, I have no idea what to say to that question. Do they want an impersonal description of yourself, or do they want conversational/personal tone. That question is very critical because its the question I think people will remember the response to.

I think the more personal the better. We are going into a personable prefession, so why not show the interviewwer that you are indeed just that: a person.

And what is wrong with sounding like a dork. Heck, I aint afraid to admit it. I'm a dork (or nerd, geek) whatever you choose to call it. So if I sound like a dork I guess that means I'm just bein myself!!