Estimated reading time: 5 mins
In the world of job interviews, there are a series of standard questions that almost every candidate expects. However, towards the end of an interview, a question that often takes many by surprise is: “Do you want to tell us anything else about you?” This open-ended question can be a golden opportunity, a trap, or a bit of both. How you respond can significantly influence the interviewer’s final impression of you. Example below!
Understanding the Question
First, let’s decode what the interviewer is actually seeking with this question. Essentially, they are offering you a final pitch opportunity. It’s your chance to summarize your qualifications, reiterate your interest in the role, and leave a lasting impression. It’s less about new information and more about consolidating what you’ve already shared in a compelling way.
Structuring Your Response
Your response should be structured in a way that highlights your strengths, aligns with the job requirements, and adds a personal touch. Here’s a simple structure to follow:
- Reiterate Your Key Qualifications: Start by summarizing the key strengths or experiences that make you a good fit for the role. For instance, “As I mentioned earlier, my five years of experience in digital marketing and my recent certification in data analytics have equipped me with the skills necessary for this role.”
- Highlight Anything Not Previously Mentioned: If there’s something relevant that you haven’t had a chance to mention, do it here. Maybe it’s a project you led that’s directly relevant to the job or a soft skill like resilience or creativity that sets you apart.
- Express Enthusiasm for the Role: Show your genuine interest in the position and the company. For example, “I am particularly excited about this role because of its focus on innovative marketing strategies, which is a passion of mine.”
- Add a Personal Touch: Conclude with something memorable about you. This could be a personal mantra, a brief mention of a hobby or interest that indirectly highlights a key skill, or a short, interesting anecdote that ties back to your professional values or abilities.
What to Include
Relevant Experiences and Skills
Focus on experiences and skills that directly relate to the job. If you’re applying for a managerial position, talk about your leadership skills or a successful project you led. This reinforces your suitability for the role.
Achievements
Highlight any achievements or awards that you haven’t discussed yet. This could be professional accolades, certifications, or significant project outcomes. Achievements can set you apart from other candidates.
Personal Qualities
Include personal qualities or soft skills that are important for the role. For instance, if the job involves teamwork, mention your collaborative skills or ability to work in diverse teams.
Alignment with Company Values
If your personal values align closely with the company’s, mention this. For example, “I am deeply committed to sustainable practices, which is one reason I am so excited about the opportunity to work with a company that prioritizes environmental responsibility.”
What to Avoid
Repeating Your Resume
Avoid simply repeating what’s already on your resume. The interviewer has likely read it and is looking for new insights about you.
Irrelevant Information
Steer clear of personal information that doesn’t enhance your candidacy. The fact that you love surfing might not be relevant unless you’re applying for a role in sports marketing or something similar.
Negative Experiences
Unless you’re discussing a challenge that you successfully navigated, avoid bringing up negative experiences or speaking ill of previous employers.
Overconfidence
While it’s important to sell yourself, there’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Avoid coming across as if you think you’re the only possible candidate for the job.
Tailoring Your Response
It’s crucial to tailor your response to the specific job and company. Research the company culture, mission, and job requirements beforehand. If the company values innovation, for instance, highlight your innovative projects or thinking.
Practice Makes Perfect
Preparation is key when answering open-ended interview questions. Practice your response to ensure it’s concise, relevant, and compelling. While you should have a clear idea of what to convey, maintain a conversational tone. Over-rehearsing can lead to sounding unnatural. Instead, aim for a balance that allows you to respond confidently yet authentically, demonstrating your genuine interest and fit for the role.
Real-life Example
Consider this example response for a project management position:
“As we’ve discussed, my extensive experience in project management and my proactive approach have consistently resulted in successful project completions under budget and ahead of deadlines. What I haven’t had a chance to mention is my commitment to continuous learning and improvement. I recently completed a course in Agile methodologies, which I believe would add considerable value to your team, especially given your company’s shift towards Agile practices. I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to bring my background in traditional and Agile project management to a company that values innovation and efficiency. On a personal note, I am an avid chess player, which I believe has honed my strategic thinking and decision-making skills – key attributes for effective project management.”
Conclusion
When faced with the question, “Do you want to tell us anything else about you?” in an interview, view it as an opportunity to reinforce your strengths, align yourself with the company’s values and goals, and leave a memorable impression. By thoughtfully preparing and tailoring your response, you can turn this open-ended question into a decisive closing argument for your candidacy. Remember, this is your chance to summarize why you’re not just a qualified candidate, but the right fit for the role and the company culture.
