Take time to get to know yourself better
'Tell me something about yourself."
Not only is this the most dreaded job interview question of all, it is also the core question of your life. Who are you, really? And what do you really want? These are "powerful questions."
When someone puts us on the spot with, "Who are you? Tell me about yourself," most of us feel an automatic first response of dread. And in a professional environment, the fear is intensified because we know we are being evaluated, and we also know that we don't really have an answer.
Being able to answer these powerful questions is essential for making all of the choices in your life, not just employment. This is critical information for your personal, professional and spiritual branding and is necessary and vital information for designing your most possible life.
Here are some suggestions for getting to know yourself better so you can share who you really are easily and with great confidence!
1. Take a mini-retreat.
Take time and set an intention.
To do the deeper work of self-knowing, you want to get quiet. Don't sit at the dining table with the kids playing and the TV blaring. This needs to be private time.
A mini-retreat can be a trip to the top of the mountain or a coffee break. Set the intention to take some time out of your busy life to stop and ask the questions.
Journaling is another way we can hear our own voice. Writing helps you access your inner world and also will provide a record of your thoughts if you want to refer back to them.
2. Do the work.
In my opinion, learning to regularly ask yourself the powerful questions is one of the most useful tools you have.
Even if you are not in the process of job interviewing, use this question as an exercise. Practice responding to, "Tell me about yourself."
Make a list of 30 words, adjectives or nouns, that you think capture the essence of who you are. Think deeply about what you want your prospective employer, client or partner to know about you. What are your values, what's important to you, what do you want and what do you have to offer?
Then, choose your top 12 words. Eliminate four ... and four more ... until you have only four left. Contemplate them. These are likely your core values, the simple, most powerful words that you can use to describe yourself.
Another exercise is to practice writing your own introduction. As a speaker, I get introduced a lot. And most of the time, I write it myself. I write about who I am, what I believe is the best of me and what I have to offer. Then I get to stand back and have it read out loud. Write yours. Then have someone read it. Or write your own eulogy. And stand back and have that read out loud for you.
3. Ask others.
First, take a deep breath. Now ask everyone -- those who like you and maybe those who fired you. Ask for the good, the bad and the ugly. Use this information to help you grow.
4. Look for what attracts you.
Whom do you admire? Pay attention to what lights you up.
We are wired to be attracted to our destinies. Trust your instincts. Write them down.
5. Get help.
Get a partner, friend or coach to help you. Do the exercises. Ask each other the powerful questions (and there are many). Read. Practice. Journal the experiences so you can jog your memory later.
If we invest the time in ourselves to do these exercises, a wonderful transformation begins to occur. It's like knowing the answer in class and hoping the teacher will call on you asking: "Who are you? Tell me something about yourself."
You'll be ready, able and excited to answer with clarity, honesty and confidence. "This is who I am, this is what I want ... and this is what I have to offer."
Now that is someone I'd want to hire.
Kathy Murphy, Ph.D., owner of RetreatsbyDesign, works as a Life design counselor/coach/speaker/facilitator. Find her at http://kathymurphyphd.com.The Job Coaches are experienced volunteers from the Center for Women's Job Counseling Program. Ask them a question at 763-7333 or email info@c4women.org. If you want further assistance, make a counseling appointment; a donation of $35 is requested.
