tell me about yourself: how to answer this difficult question

　　面试时最令人哑口无言的问题 - 请你自我介绍一下

　　the basic answer about where to start is with preparation. you'll have a better chance of impressing the interviewer if you think about this question before the interview。

　　其实要懂得应对此问题，就要先做好准备，认真考虑问题的涵意。这是一个最好的机会，让你在雇主面前留下好印象。

　　what to talk about

　　如何介绍？

　　with that in mind, make a list of the three most important things you want the interviewer to know about you. avoid focusing on simple references to things that are already on your resume, although this information should form the skeleton of your answer. around this skeleton should be the meat of your answer; your less obvious, but important skills. here are some of the skills that you might want to mention:

　　你可以选择三个重点来介绍自己，但避免重复履历中曾提及的资料。应尽量把你不大明显但重要的技能“推而广之”。以下为你提供一些参考。

　　你可以介绍自己是....。.

　　problem solver

　　解决问题能手

　　creative thinker

　　充满创意

　　accurate

　　小心谨慎

　　people person

　　与人相处融洽

　　team player

　　合群

　　organised

　　组织力高

　　this doesn't mean that you just say, "i'm a great problem solver." instead, explain how you used your problem-solving skills at your previous job。

　　当然你不可能单单说自己是一个解决问题的能手就罢了，你必须加以解释和说明，增强说服力。例如：你可以列举一些曾为以前公司解决重要问题的事例。

　　keep your answer short ¡v about one to three minutes is generally considered good. that may not seem like much at first, but you'll probably discover that you don't have enough time once you start covering three things you want to highlight。

　　自我介绍的时间不要过长，最好是一至三分钟。最初你可能会觉得时间太长，但当你真正要介绍自己三项特质时，你就会发现时间不够用了。

　　what to say

　　应说什么？

　　what you actually say, in terms of the words you use, is something that you have to decide. you need to create an answer that sounds natural and, at the same time, interesting。

　　在自我介绍时，应该说甚么？应该如何构思呢？你的答案最好是自然，不要过分自夸，也不用过分谦虚，但必须令人感兴趣。

　　the way to determine whether your answer is natural is simply by writing a first draft of the answer and then read it out loud. when you do this, you'll probably spot things that you have to change。

　　你最好先写下一个“自我介绍”的初稿，然后大声地朗读。当你这样做时，你就会发现须要修正的地方。

　　don't worry too much about making the written answer perfect. you're not going to recite it from paper. instead, this is just a chance for you to determine the length of your answer。

　　练习时，你无须介怀自己所写的答案不够完美，因为当你面试时，你不会原文照读的。这只是一个机会，让你更容易掌握答案的内容和长度。

　　as you prepare your response, think about how you would talk. you'll want to sound interesting, not boring, so avoid writing just a list of your strengths。

　　当你构思答案时，你要想想应如何说出，内容要令人感兴趣，不沉闷，避免滔滔不绝地只说自己的强项。

　　here are some final things to think about when answering the question "tell me about yourself."

　　最后，为你提供一些对答“自我介绍”的意见：

　　mention major awards or accomplishments that relate to your career;

　　阐述工作上的重要成就或奖项

　　promote your strengths, but do not mention any of your weaknesses;

　　推销自己的长处，但不要提及自己的弱点

　　try to be funny if you can, but don't force it;

　　可以的话，尽量说得幽默有趣

　　summarize your career and education, but don't recite a list;

　　概括说出你的工作经验和学历，但切勿背诵

　　don't start with your date of birth;

　　不用提及你的出生日期

　　avoid information that is not career-related. the fact that you own a dog won't get you a job

　　避免说一些与职业无关的事，例如：你有一只狗，这并不能为你争取到工作

　　always answer this question

　　经常思考和解答这条问题

　　try to sound natural

　　对答要自然