4 Answers to “Can You Tell Us Anything Else About Yourself” in a Job Interview
The role of an interviewer is to assess if you are a strong candidate for a job. So when you look for a new long term career in your job search, think about the questions the interviewer may ask you. There may be a standard list of questions you can follow, but there is no hard and fast rule.
The interview process can include common interview questions, such as “why do you want to work here?” They may even trial your skills and ask you to do a test or case study. That could be the end of the interview. Or they may ask one more question. "Can you tell me more about yourself” or “is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?”
This is an obvious job interview question many people can forget about but is an important one. Here are 5 reasons why and some of the best answers and helpful phrases to give you a confidence boost…
Why “Do You Want To Tell Us Anything Else About Yourself" is a Question that is a Blessing in Disguise?
1. You Can Give Your Interview Another Shot
If you feel that the interview has not gone your way so far, now is your chance to turn the tables. The ball is now in your court and you have free reign to direct the conversation and play to your strengths.
2. You Can Bring Attention to Other Capabilities
You have the opportunity to talk about your strong points. What can you share with the interviewer that is not on your resume that you are proud of? What more do you think you can bring to the table?
3. You Can Talk About Mutual Interests
There may be some common ground that you can bring up. The company may invest in Corporate Social Responsibility. You can then talk about how you have an interest in sustainable initiatives on a personal level.
4. You Can Clarify a Point
If you are unsure of something, now is the time to bring it up. Ask questions about aspects of the job description or role that you are unsure of. Get some clarity so you can end the interview with full transparency.
5. You Can Insert a Personal Spin
An interviewer may want to see if you are a good fit culture-wise. Let them know more about you as a person and share what you do during your spare time outside of work. Volunteer? Great.
The Best Answers to "Do You Want to Tell Us Anything Else About You?"
Keep the conversation going on a positive note. The following top tips and phrases relevant to the role will help you.
What to say when an interviewer asks you "Do You Want To Tell Us Anything About You"?
"No, I have understood the responsibilities of the position. Thank you for asking. What are the next steps?"
It is polite to end the interview as it is if you feel comfortable with the discussion. If you do not have any final questions to ask, that is fine too.
"Yes, actually I do not think we have discussed..."
There may be an important topic that you would like to mention or talk about again. If so, touch upon any concerns or specific points where you can bring into play your strengths. This will show strong communication skills.
"Yes, I would like to mention..."
Bring up an area of interest that you would like to talk about further, if not already. You can tell the hiring manager more depth about online courses that add to your skillset.
"Yes, I would like to clarify..."
Ask a question about a topic or aspect that you are unsure of. This is so you are not left mulling over it when you exit the interview. You will feel better knowing all the answers when you leave.
Do Not Make These Mistakes
"Do You Want to Tell Us Anything Else About You?" is an open-ended question. Because of its vague nature, you may feel the urge or tendency to overshare. Pick your battles.
Think Before Speaking
Take a breath. If you have a question, have a plan. Think about the goal end. What kind of response do you want to elicit?
Less Is More
This holds true for many a scenario. In this particular case, keep your talking points simple and straightforward. Talk about one to two key strengths or clarify only one to two key points. You do not want to keep the interviewer beyond their allotted interview time. They may have a meeting to get to. You want to be clear and concise.
All In All
The above shares takeaways that also hold true for job application forms. The key item to remember is to take your time and think about if you have anything to say or ask. You can turn the question around and ask them a question. Remember, there is no absolute necessity to respond with an answer. A simple "No. Thank you for your time. I have understood a great deal about this role and I am excited to hear what the next steps are." This is a confident way to exit an interview if you have covered all your bases with the potential employer. Was it your last round of job interviews? What’s next?