How to Answer: Tell us a bit about yourself on a personal level.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a CVS Pharmacy job interview.
28. Tell us a bit about yourself on a personal level.
The Goal
CVS Pharmacy may use this question as an icebreaker to start the HireVue interview. The goal of your response is to give the hiring manager a glimpse into who you are as a person and what type of teammate you will be as part of their larger team.
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 16th, 2022
Pro Tip
A HireVue interview may not always include the question, 'Tell us about yourself' using this exact wording. Other forms of asking this question include:
- Take a couple of minutes to talk about your career journey.
- Please walk us through your resume.
- Talk to us about your career.
- Take us through an overview of your professional background.
When answering queries of this nature, there are a few things to consider:
- Keep your answer work relevant. Keep your points job-related as much as possible. You can discuss competitive sports, educational achievements, or volunteer work if you are new to your career.
- Avoid overly personal statements. You can add a splash of personal information; however, choose 'I love to read science fiction books' versus 'I was recently diagnosed with...'
- Be sure to qualify yourself. That means to add in a sentence or two regarding your strengths and why you are a good match for the role.
- Remember to talk about your goals. It is essential to discuss what you want to achieve in your career and how CVS Pharmacy fits into those goals.
- Sprinkle in some achievements. Interviewers love to hear quantifiable statements, including numbers, percentages, and measurable accomplishments. For instance, rather than saying, 'I am the best salesperson,' you could say, 'I was awarded Top Sales Rep for three consecutive months.'
- Show your passion for the mission and values of CVS Pharmacy. Try bringing in words from their job description, vision statement, or core values. Show the decision-makers that your goals align with the organization.
- Practice your response. You will want to avoid sounding robotic or rehearsed; however, the more you practice, the easier it will become to develop a natural-sounding response.
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 16th, 2022
How to Answer
The Past, Present, Future framework can help you build a memorable answer to questions that ask you to review your resume, talk about your background, or give an introduction yourself.
- Past: Discuss how you got to where you are today.
- Present: Paint a picture of what you are currently doing.
- Future: Discuss what you want for your future. Then, connect how a career with CVS Pharmacy aligns with your goals.
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 16th, 2022
What You Need to Know
The average HireVue interview takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. This one-way video interview typically includes three to five questions. Depending on the hiring company's parameters, the HireVue platform will generally give you 30 seconds to prepare a response and up to two minutes to answer each question. It's important to note that HireVue stops recording as soon as your time limit is up, so it's better to run under time than overtime.
Written by Rachelle Enns on August 16th, 2022
Answer Example
"I feel very fortunate to have been raised in a family that rewarded hard work, had a competitive drive, and always gave back to our community. This background was the backbone for a future in the pharmacy setting, where helping others through hard work and dedication is the mantra for success. Having graduated from pharmacy school with a spouse and two amazing children, I'm ready to be in a community where I can help improve the health and lives of those we go to church with and celebrate with at sporting events."
Written by Ryan Brunner on August 16th, 2022