Tell me about yourself

One question that always stumps me is tell me about yourself. I don't find it easy to talk about me, you are free to speculate what you will based on our talk and interaction. One of the reasons is I feel I am boring, normal. Am I already looking at myself from another person's eyes? The other it is difficult to look at oneself objectively. Times when I do answer, people have already made up their minds. No, you are not serious, you are funny actually. Friendly, no you have this stand-offish manner about you. Observant, are you kidding, you look so lost sometimes. Well, you can never make them happy. Because it is true, we all have a very different self-image and perception about ourselves. Since what you think of me does not always bother me a whole lot (or that is what I will tell you) I don't correct you. I don't set out to influence you and your manner towards me for a preconceived or desirable outcome.

This non-nonchalance is abandoned in the context of a job interview. You have to make a good impression. I've read enough of those interview and HR-gyaan blogs where they tell you to give information pertinent to the role and be memorable, not to ramble on about your interesting life history, etc. But it's a tough one. I mumble a few adjectives and stock phrases and weave some facts and achievements around them, hoping they can see through the attempt at self promotion to the real me and just go ahead and make me an offer! I promise there will be no occasion for regret ;-)Why do these HR folks nod a lot, and take notes and question me on my decisions, choices. I am almost apologetic for being there. There is this added stress of bunking work or calling in sick to attend an interview which adds to the turmoil.

Spinning tall tales and the splendid self-assurance tactic is not my forte. I am mostly nervous. I offer only yes, can do and will do promises. I know HR people are also doing their work, it is indeed difficult to choose from a whole lot of CVs. I doubt they are even read manually. In the interview stage we talk on a superficial level. Everyone is play-acting, they have the meatier role. They don't want to know the real me, ok they are pretending to perhaps. Yes, I love working. I make a reasonable amount of effort to get along with my colleagues. I like variety in my job, I like learning, I love information, I love jokes, a friendly work atmosphere. I love the feeling that being employed gives me, the self-assurance, the fun of being part of a team, doing work which has some meaning in the space of business and commerce. I wish I did not take myself seriously. But I don't often say that, I can never lead the conversation to that stage. I am amazed when people pass comments on career choices. Sometimes things don't add up, life has no straight paths. What is it that you really want to do? I want to ask the same to them. Do you think you are going to be doing this 5 years down the line, or even 5 months.

There have been these funny occasions too. Once the person remarked I don't look very comfortable. I told him that in my previous line of work, I was used to sitting on the other side of the table, firing questions away.  And it would take me a while to get used to this side. Another time I had taken a half-day off from work and my interview was postponed. And I had received a couple of calls from work already. So they asked me about my family and I said, yes parents.....this and that, brother studying, etc. Then they said my CV does not mention my marital status. Only then, I thought I ought to amend the family situation -you see  I am married, since a month ago, and my husband is working as....etc etc. They really did their best not to smile. I did not get that job you see. What if I forgot to come to work one day?

How do you handle this question in particular? Have you had any funny experiences in job interviews.