Talk about the things you find most interesting about yourself. Maybe you love being a parent, driving motorcycles, or playing music. Approach a friend or loved one if you feel like you don’t know what these are. Ask them what they consider most interesting about you. Often, people don’t share because they don’t think they have anything of interest to say.
Don’t go on and on about one subject, however. Gauge the interest level and decide how long to talk about your passions. Look for signs that a person is paying attention. They’ll often show this in body language – things like mirroring your posture, turning the body towards you, not fidgeting – as well as asking you questions and offering feedback.
For example, say, “I work as a teacher and really enjoy it. Educating children is a passion of mine. ”
Things that make people feel closer to you might include talking about your family, preferences, and hardships. In being vulnerable, don’t be an “over-sharer. ” if you have major problems and need to talk about them, see a therapist.
To do this well, you’ll need first to do some research about the job and its duties. Re-read the advertisement closely and then brainstorm about your previous work experiences. Try to think of how your job history and accomplishments fit the job for which you’re applying – having concrete examples of this is always good, too. You can also talk about how the prospective job will help you meet your goals. For example, say, “I’m qualified for this position and am excited about learning more from the people here. ”
Think back on job evaluations you’ve had in the past and any positive feedback you got from supervisors. Identify these as your strengths and, again, try to customize them to the position at hand. For example, say, “My strength lies in my ability to communicate, and this is why I’m great at marketing. ”
If you’re feeling bashful, just remember that you’ve accomplished some goals and you should be proud of your accomplishments. You don’t have to brag, just state what you’ve done. Consider mentioning what you learned in pursuing these accomplishments – what the experience taught you. That way, you can appear to be humble.
For example, if you have a gap in your resume, be positive about explaining it. Say what experiences you gained from it.
Steer clear of controversial personal topics, though. You may want to avoid talking about your political or religious views, for example.
Keep your body uncrossed by keeping your arms by your sides and feet flat on the floor.
If you notice yourself rambling, take a break. Say, “Okay, that’s enough about me. Tell me about you. ”
If someone else describes an accomplishment, be happy for them without having to top it or bring attention to yourself. Celebrate their success without feeling threatened in your own. Be sure to recognize the achievements of others in the conversation, as well, to avoid the appearance that you’re making it all about you.
Some people tend to excessively talk when they feel nervous. If you feel nervous, don’t overtalk. Deal with your anxiety instead by taking some deep breaths. If there are several people in the discussion, try to be inclusive by rotating your questions or requests for input. Try to wait 3 seconds after others finish a sentence before starting to talk, too, to avoid interrupting or talking over them.
