Betsy Arroyo ⋅ Citrus Heights, CA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 10 years experience

That is the best advice. Also, if I can add one more thing. This should be about a minute long. It's often referred to as The 60 Second Commercial and it's used for more than just answering the question, 'Tell me about yourself' Please check out this link for some guidance:

http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/Students/Networking/60Second.html

Bob Theroux ⋅ Hudson, NH ⋅ 30 years experience

All excellent advice and the need for preparing is key because potential employers want a good feel on your interest and how you come across. The minute rule is perfect this gives you ample time to sell yourself and your interest without dragging things out. I have conducted interviews with potential candidates and the triggers I look for are the rambling on about more about yourself for 10 mins. Prepare as the others have stated and I have practiced many times in front of a mirror, my dog, and my wife so it flows an eliminates the silence gaps. Good Luck!!

john finney ⋅ Palatine, IL Oce ⋅ 20 years experience

Agree with both, and yes, about 1 minute, have it prepared but not memorized, include family, interest, hobbies, anything "interesting" as well as prof skills...also, I always search Google for other input, can find anything you want/advice....also,as a sales type, if interviewer has pics of family, dogs, etc take note of those things, don't be phony but be aware of what may be important to them, good luck

simon kafari ⋅ Boise, ID Hewlett-Packard ⋅ 12 years experience

This is a question you would come accross a lot during interviews. What you should always bear in mind is that such a question gives you the opportunity to sell yourself. What most interviewers are looking for are the skills and experiences you have acquired, the jobs you have performed and how these skills, experiences and jobs are relevant to what you are applying for. The purpose is to see your human side as well as your professional side and how you would fit into the organization. To be able to answer this question well, you would typically need to do your home work well before the inteview. Get to know the organization well, what they do, the culture of the organization, what skills are required in the job you are applying for etc. Be very concise and to the point. Front load your response with skills and experiences relevant to the job you are applying for. If there is time, you may also want to throw in examples of successes you have achieved professionally. Please make sure you demosntrate your ability to be a team player, your leadership skills etc. And yes, do mention things that are personal but don't go into very personal issues and give them just enough details about your military service that would enable you score additional points on the job you are interviewing for. Be careful not to spend the best part of your time on only your military service.

Good luck