The Most Important Question You Will Be Asked…

…and how to answer itJohn Nykolaiszyn, SPHR

Associate DirectorCollege of Business, Career Management

Services Florida International University

Today’s Agenda• Standup/Sit-down Icebreaker• The Presentation• Group Practice/Mass Chaos• You could possibly win a prize… no

really.

We ask and are asked a series of questions daily

How old are you?Did you clean your room?Can you pick up your clothes ?What are we going to eat?What’s for lunch?Hey Girl Hey, wanna go out with me?What time is it? Why do I have to go to school? Do these jeans make my butt look big?

Hey Girl…

Those jeans don’t make your butt look big

lets go cuddle…

That’s great, but what’s this question you keep talking about John ?

This question is one that you will hear throughout your life.

It will be asked all the time, and it’s so powerful, it can make or break your chances of getting the J-O-B

It’s powerful, but oh so tough to answer

So if it’s that powerful, and that tough do you have a clue as to what it is?

No, it’s not “Does my butt look big in these jeans…”

Dreams, Goals, Aspirations

Here it is, the single most important that you’ll be asked:

“Tell Me About Yourself?”

That’s it…. Nor really, that’s it…

Time for some recruiting secrets

I want to share this secret with you, it’s something all good recruiters know:

Job Applications, cover letter, resume, references, etc… they don’t tell me anything

about you.

Reality?You are the only one who can tell me about yourself.

So here’s what you need to answer that

question successfully…

Super important point #1

AlwaysBe

Confident

Super Important Point #2

Keep It

Interesting

Super Important Tip #3

Keep It

Professional

That’s great, give me an example

Hi, I’m ______________

I am a ________, and I consider myself to be a_____________, __________, & __________

Done…

Time for the Mass ChaosNow it’s your turn…

Rules:1. Turn to the person next to you2. One person will ask “So tell me about

yourself” 3. The “askee”will then answer the question.4. After two minutes, the “askee” becomes

the “asker”

So what did we learn?It’s not that easy.

You have to remember to filter.You can go off topic, or even

worse babble.You may have no clue where to

start?

Don’t define yourself by your last job/position…

…don’t box yourself in!

Reddit Bonus (TL/DR)• Being able to talk about yourself

in a clear, professional way, is important.

• Remember to be Confident, Interesting , & Professional.

• Tailor your answers to the situation: talking to a friend is different than to a professional person.

Remember have fun!