In these short pages, we provide a sample answer for each interview question in relation to the industry shown. We then analyse the answer, pointing out valuable information so that you can adapt the answer to your specific circumstances.
Business Management - Tell Us About Yourself
Answer
Okay, yes, no problem. I've been working as an intern for The Business Company for the past eighteen months. I've enjoyed my time there but I've researched your company and feel I am more suited to you guys. I've learned some tricks of the trade and now I want to build on my skills. You guys provide the perfect platform for employees.
I worked hard behind the scenes throughout my internship and led a group project. The success of the group project lined up a job offer from that company, but as I have said, my focus has switched to you guys. One of the most important aspects of my internship that I will carry with me throughout my career was ensuring that we got things done by the book and no corners were cut. I pride myself on efficiency through quality, and plan on using this skill throughout my career.
The internship gave me the tools to hit the ground running but my Master's degree equipped me with structure and organisation. My time in college reminded me to take a step back and look at the big picture when making critical decisions. And, although some projects in college didn't turn out exactly the way we wanted them to, we went back to the drawing board and started afresh from square one to achieve the goal we set out to.
Also, my father runs a small local business so he taught me the ropes coming up through my teens. When I was younger, I helped my mother to do the books for the business, so at an early age I developed an understanding of tax returns in business. I also assisted with roster management for employees and with their salaries.
So, to roundup, I bring more than 10 years' experience from my family business and eighteen months' practical experience to the table as well as my Master's Degree in Business Management.
Analysis
The Interviewee got the ball rolling straight away with work experience instead of educational experience. He/she then focused on their practical experience, and emphasising an internship is a good idea because the Interviewee is involved in the business already (even though he/she graduated in recent times). The first hand experience makes the Interviewee a strong candidate, but they also made sure to highlight the decline of a job offer because the Interviewee is using that company as a stepping stone in their career.
The Interviewee touched on an internal project in which they were the driving force. This shows the ability to combine leadership qualities with strong team-player skills that can be rare so early in one's career. The Interviewee mentioned research they did on the company, and throughout the answer they gave the impression that they are interested in working in line with a company that has a similar work ethos.
So, the Interviewee is on the right track so far.
An added extra for the employer would be the Master's degree, but the eighteen months in the internship put the Interviewee on the front foot over other candidates. Because of the length and success of the internship, the Interviewee is a prime candidate for the position. So, it was wise to include this as part of the answer.
The icing on the cake for the employer would be hearing that the Interviewee has been involved in a family business for a long period of time, even assisting with the day-to-day running of the business!
Overall, the Interviewee touched on everything relevant in their background. This leads to a line of questioning from the employer, but the Interviewee used the highly sought-after points that they knew most employers value from a recent graduate. This is a very good answer, and one that would prompt a future Interviewee to prepare extremely well and take all of their background into account. They might have been involved in some type of work in the past that would be beneficial for the application.
Good luck!