Small talk in an interview

In the workplace, a job interview is a crucial opportunity to present yourself as a candidate and stand out from other applicants.

During this selection process, it is common for recruiters to ask candidates to talk about themselves. This is a seemingly simple matter, but it can be challenging if you are not properly prepared. In this section, we will explore techniques and strategies to best address this situation.

Structure: When you are in a job interview and you have to talk about yourself, it is useful to follow the following structure:

• Introduction: Start with a brief personal introduction where you mention your name, educational background and relevant professional experience.

• Work experience: Describe your accomplishments and responsibilities in previous jobs, focusing on those aspects that are relevant to the position you are applying for.

• Skills and competencies: Highlight your strengths and skills, relating them to the job requirements and responsibilities.

• Motivation: Express your motivation for the position and the company, showing your knowledge of the organization and how your profile fits with its culture and values.

• Closing: Conclude your response by highlighting your enthusiasm for the opportunity to be part of the team and your willingness to contribute to the company's success.

Areas to focus on: You can talk about a variety of important aspects about yourself. Some areas to focus on include the following:

• Work experience: Talk about your previous jobs and the responsibilities you had. Highlight the results you have achieved in your previous roles, especially those that demonstrate qualifications for the position for which you are applying.

• Education and training: Mention your educational background, such as degrees, certifications or courses relevant to the position. Mention if you have any outstanding achievements during your studies, such as outstanding projects or academic awards.

• Interests and motivations: Share your interests and motivations related to the job or industry in which you are applying. Talking about what excites you and what drives you can help interviewers understand your passion and commitment to the job.

• Adaptability and continuous learning: Mention your willingness to adapt to new environments. Highlight examples where you have faced challenges and learned from them.

Storytelling: Storytelling is a powerful technique to capture the interviewer's attention. When talking about yourself, use short stories that illustrate your accomplishments and skills. Make sure these stories have a solid foundation, including:

• Context: Describe the situation you were in and the challenges you faced.

• Action: Explain the actions you took to address the challenge and how you applied your skills and knowledge.

• Outcome: Highlight the results you achieved and how your actions contribut