This is the question that most interviewers pose before their candidates. Learn how to handle this simple yet toughest question.

What could be the intentions behind this question!

  1. Do you have a brief synopsis about yourself?
  2. Do you have good communication skills?
  3. Can you sell yourself well within a very short time, say in a minute or two?
  4. What makes you different from other candidates?
  5. Get the information from the horse’s mouth rather than the painfully go through the record books!
  6. I do not have time to read through your resume text. I would rather prefer to the audio version!
  7. Let me see if you can present yourself well. If you cannot represent your self well, how are you going to represent the organization?

With these many hidden intentions and notions, the candidate has to carefully tread through the given time. Though not timed, the attention span will not be there for more than couple of minutes. Create your 90-second advertisement about yourself.
What should this commercial contain?

  1. Start with your experience (in years). Freshers can skip to point 3 directly.
  2. Current position held. If you are right out of college, say so. If you are between jobs, because of recession or layoff, it is okay. Tell them that “I am on my own pursuing some course.” They would appreciate your thoughtfulness in using the break to acquire new or hone existing skills.
  3. Your domain of interest in which you have acquired expertise. For those who are freshers, mention the domain which you are interested in. Be specific: It is not enough to say “I want to become a software programmer.” It is necessary to elucidate “I want to excel in the field of Java programming.” Any recruiter
  4. Education background. If you have multiple degrees, mentioning the topmost two qualifications will suffice.
  5. Accomplishment or achievements should be the fitting grand finale. Mention it with data without any exaggeration. Do not say “I increased sales to help the company make profits”. Instead “I have implemented sales training campaigns for our region, as a result of which the sales figures increased by 30% in a span of 2 months” sounds much better.
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A few tips for better reach of the commercial:

  • Practice this text with your friend by having mock interviews and implement feedback.
  • Regularly review and revise the content and context of the advertisement making sure the reach is as expected.
  • Though I am an enemy of mugging up in both school and college, I would recommend you practice this text numerous times to make sure you have the flow and naturalness in delivery.

Samples:
Fresher who is interested in Java software platform:

  • I have completed my MCA with 9.5 CGPA out of 10 from the University of XXXXXXXXXX and B. Tech (IT) with 80% from XXXXXXXX University.
  • I am also Sun certified professional.
  • An accomplishment I’m particularly proud of is my college project of creating a timetable module for our college that cut the data administration time by 50%.

The same person after two years of experience:

  • I have 2 years of experience as a Software Engineer, specialized in Java platform, currently working with YYYYYYYYYY.
  • I have completed my MCA with 9.5 CGPA out of 10 from the University of XXXXXXXXXX.
  • I am a Sun and MCSE certified professional.
  • An accomplishment I’m particularly proud of is implementing a reusable module for the Data management system, which enabled to reduce the product wastage by 40%.