​Easy right? “No prep needed” you say? Wrong. While there is technically no right or wrong answer to this one, it’s a notoriously broad question and more often than not candidates find themselves lost for answers on the spot. So, how can you approach a question likes this? We have 3 tips that will ensure you are fully prepared:

1) Break it down

The difficulty with answering loaded questions like these is providing a concise yet meaningful response without rambling. An effective way of tackling this question is to break it down into smaller segments. This ensures that your answer is well-rounded and comprehensive whilst being clear and to the point. In this case, we can separate the question into two categories:

• Professional identity - how will you operate in the role?

• Personal identity - will you be a good cultural fit within the team?

How many points should you choose within each category? Without being too long-winded, two points in each section should suffice. You can then pick out the most important points you’d like to highlight.

2) Outline your key values

A question like this might feel redundant to a candidate; after all, wouldn’t your interviewer want to know more about your technical capabilities and previous experience than your personality? This question is important though, as it allows them to ascertain how you behave in the workplace. You can articulate this by outlining what’s important to you. For example, if you’re a bit of a perfectionist who takes longer on their work to proof-read it, you could say that you care about being diligent.

3) How do others see you?

If you’re really struggling to come up with an answer, ask your family, friends and ex-colleagues how they perceive you. You can recount this at interview (provided it’s all positive!) and back it up with some examples. Not only will this provide you with ideas you hadn’t necessarily thought of, it’ll demonstrate a degree of self-awareness which is valuable to employers as it indicates the ability to reflect and grow.

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If you need some advice on your CV, why not speak to a consultant directly by calling VANRATH on 028 9033 0250.

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