Interview Questions – ‘Can you tell me something about yourself that’s not on your CV?’

or Service-leavers who haven’t got recent interview experience, the prospect can seem daunting. Here, we dissect another of the more common but no less difficult interview questions so that you can show your best side to interviewers and land your next post-Services role.

‘Can you tell me something about yourself that’s not on your CV?’

This is a character question.
The interviewer wants to know what kind of person you are. Good thing too, or they’d be looking at hiring a robot instead of you.

Your answer is also a barometer of how well you’ll fit into the team.

Say anything…
So long as it takes you towards convincing them you’re the right person for the job. If you’ve got this far in the interview, you can start to believe that you might be in with a shout – but don’t blow it.

Here’s a chance to say something sensible and prove you’re a well-rounded individual. Even if you’re nervous, do try not to give a quick, silly answer.

This is about judgment
‘I once got arrested for being drunk and disorderly’ does not reflect your best judgment (hopefully).

Interesting
The balance is fine. Find something interesting and impressive but that wasn’t interesting or impressive enough for your CV. Outlining a strength such as those encouraged in the Military such as leadership or work ethic, could be a good move. 

What kind of interesting?
You can basically choose between personal or professional, but since this is still a formalised conversation, skew it towards professional, without being a dull duck. 

Interests
You could tell them about interests that reflect your values or how you think, such as team sports, clubs or classes, for example. Steer away from explaining how you pass time by watching television.

Be sincere
This is not the time to construct a fantasy about reading classical Greek literature, to prove your intellect. Be sincere and authentic.

What inspired you?
There may have been a moment that fired your imagination when you were younger – and hence defined you as a person with certain views, values or mindset. Best advice here is to keep it brief and to the point.

Stick to your goal
With any interview question, remember your goal is to land the job. Making sure you stay relevant and focussed on the job description is always a smart move.