“So, tell me a little bit about yourself…”
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How many times have you been in an interview, a meeting, a conference and someone asks these six little words? (I guess it could be eight, but I didn’t count “so” or “a.”)The question always throws me for a loop. I normally start to panic…
Do they want to know about how I was homely and shy in junior high?
Do I say something witty to impress them and completely avoid the question?
Can I make it to the nearest exit before they notice?
I most always decide to answer the question. (I’ve only run screaming once or twice.) I also learned that I needed to begin anticipating the question. Avoiding the inevitable was not going to help me. Engaging in online communities it has become not only necessary, but essential to be able to describe myself quickly. On Twitter, for example, a personal bio is 160 characters. Have you ever tried to describe yourself in 160 little characters? It’s not easy.
To make things easier for myself and the question asker I’ve developed my own key words at key times (KWAKT). In short, it’s a way I can describe myself in a few short sentences and pull it together for the question asker. The goal is to not create work for the question asker…help them understand what it is that you do–quickly.
My quick response: “I’m a public relations professional and social media freak!” It gets a little laugh, but also describes, quickly, what I love to do.
The other option (and the one I prefer) is to share my life mission statement. These statements have taken me five years of blood, sweat and tears to perfect to a point that I love. (I look at this each and every day.) “I run unabashedly free through this one life, without fear. I embrace the unexpected. I believe in abundance. I live.” Yes, these statements often attract more questions. Yes, this defies what I just told you (to make your answer easy on the recipient). The difference? I just engaged in conversation and began building the relationship.
Do you have a life mission statement? Monikah Ogando was kind enough to share hers with me this afternoon. Pretty inspiring, huh?
Start developing your mission statement today. Or, if you have a mission statement and haven’t looked at in a while, freshen it up.
Next time someone asks you about who you are…you’ll be prepared, confident and impressive.
So, tell me a little bit about yourself…
7 Comments on this post
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Fokus The Hip Hop Democrat said:
Im Fokus , an artist, entrepreneur, project manager, innovator, whatever you need me to be..lol
October 21st, 2008 at 2:20 am -
Ryan Stephens said:
I am passionate about social media marketing and building intimate business relationships, and believe that giving anything less than your best is sacrificing your gift. Oh, and I sell ziploc bags full of my charisma.
This is my first time checking out this blog. Looking forward to getting more acquainted with the content.
Best wishes.
October 21st, 2008 at 2:35 am -
Christian said:
I am a greenie, activist, animal-loving information junky who enjoys the internet and building web applications. Lastly and above all else, I am a happy-as-larry family man.
October 21st, 2008 at 2:52 am -
Dawn said:
Hey Sarah, that Franklin Covey mission builder tool is really cool! I am still working on mine. But I will let you know when I’m done
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:31 am -
Corrie said:
I’m driven, enthusiastic and passionate about life. My mission as an entrepreneur, and a parent: ABC. Always Be Creating.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:49 pm -
Annemarie said:
I just stumbled across your blog. I don’t have a mission statement, though I have helped many companies develop their own.
Thanks for inspiring me…. I’ll let you know when I complete my own.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:31 am -
Aluminum Laptop Cases said:
Impressive life mission statement Sarah. A lot of people throw some general goal/mission on their resume, but few people actually create a mission statement to live by.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
