Interview question - Tell us something about yourself that not many people know

jos28 · 03-12-2010 12:11am #1

My son is doing a telephone interview tomorrow. He knows someone who did the same interview and they were asked to ' tell us something about yourself that not a lot of people know'.
Anyone got any ideas of what they might be looking for. We were discussing it and came to the conclusion that they are probably looking for your personality more than your qualifications. Presumably they will have got through the CV, achievements, goals etc as the question was asked towards the end of the interview.
Any tips would be most welcome.

finisklin · 03-12-2010 9:18am

This is an opportunity to showcase some positives attributes, albeit in a subtle manner! Maybe start off with something like "I am actually very determined and sometimes I feel I don't get enough credit for this because......." (some thing like that) and then recount an example that demonstrates the quality indicated. Maybe a sporting, get fit for the team example or a special project where you went above and beyond the call of the duty to get it done.

The trick is not to fall into the trap of revelaing a intimate, personal quality that may be negative. So be professional and positive. Reframe the question to showcase a talent with an example!!!!

Best of luck with it.

jos28 · 03-12-2010 11:50am

Thanks Finisklin,
Some sound advice there. Will let you know how he gets on.
Cheers

HornyDevil · 03-12-2010 2:04pm

jos28 wrote: »

asked to ' tell us something about yourself that not a lot of people know'.

I pick my nose . . . and sometimes flick it.

jos28 · 03-12-2010 2:39pm

^

I know its one of those questions where you would love to use an answer like that. I secretly wear ladies underwear....etc.
Turns out they did not ask him any of those type of questions. The interview focused on his experience which was great. He will know either way on Tuesday, fingers crossed because for him this is the DREAM job.

NeuroticMonkey · 05-12-2010 11:26pm

I know this is probably irrelevant but on the subject of (what seems like) silly interview questions..I once got asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?". I know that it was probably the interviewer trying to be funny but it came across very condescending particularly as it was late on in the interview and I had thought I was doing well up until that point! So after the initial shock I just answered as best I could with the whole spiel of "I want to grow within the compny yada yada etc etc." :rolleyes:

PS: I didn't get that job :pac:

jos28 · 07-12-2010 3:41pm

He got the call this morning. Good news, he got the job and they want him to start ASAP. Delighted for him as it really is the one he has been dreaming of.
Thanks for all the advice folks.

SuperSean11 · 07-12-2010 8:12pm

What answer did he use to the question???

jos28 · 07-12-2010 8:30pm

They actually never asked him. 2 of his friends did the same interview and they were asked. He wasn't !

Berty · 07-12-2010 9:33pm

I'm glad he got the job especially if you are both excited about it. There is nothing better, change in outlook, attitude, smile ear to ear. It's nice to see.

jos28 · 08-12-2010 10:21am

Berty wrote: »

I'm glad he got the job especially if you are both excited about it. There is nothing better, change in outlook, attitude, smile ear to ear. It's nice to see.

Thanks for that Bertie. Now all I have to do is cope with the 'fleeing the nest syndrome'. He will be based in the UK and its the first time he has left home. Delighted for him though.

Interview question - Tell us something about yourself that not many people know

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