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Public Works Mock Interview

Question 17 of 30 for our Public Works Mock Interview

Public Works was updated by on January 27th, 2024. Learn more here.

Question 17 of 30

Tell me about yourself.

"I've always enjoyed working with my hands and tinkering with things. When I was 8 years old, my parents came home and found that I'd taken apart the TV. The sound would crackle in and out, and while taking it apart and trying to understand how it works, I'd fixed the problem, and put the tv back together. I was doing stuff like that, moving forward. So, naturally, after a few successes at science fairs, I pursued my degree in engineering and have worked for a private firm for the last six years. But I have reached a point where my career isn't progressing as swiftly as I'd like, and my firm can't quite keep up with my level of ambition. So, since I started reevaluating where I wanted to go next, I started considering something more rewarding, where I would really have an impact on my community, which led me here."

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How to Answer: Tell me about yourself.

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Public Works job interview.

  • 17. Tell me about yourself.

      Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

      To land an interview, you likely impressed your interviewer with your CV and resume. Now they want to learn more about you, and with this introductory question, they are giving you a platform to deliver your elevator speech. They want to know more about the personality and cultural fit of the professional before them. How you deliver your answer to this question may set the tone for the rest of the interview. This boils down to how authentic and sincere you are, and how relaxed and confident you seem. It also may inform them of your communication skills, based on how concisely you deliver your answer. In other words, is your answer structured and well thought out, or do you ramble on and jump around in a confusing and hard-to-follow manner?

      Written by Kevin Downey on January 9th, 2024

      How to Prep

      Before the interview, weave a 200-word mini-biography of your professional life, as relevant to the job. While using your unique voice, try to incorporate the keywords or sentiments of their language and culture. Limit any personal details to your hometown, and family background, while highlighting your education and early career. No need to dwell on past struggles. Stick to the positive lessons learned, and your determination and forward-thinking spirit. Share your professional passions, the views that guide you, and the values that inform your character. Share your professional hopes and dreams, your constant hunger for growth, and how your career journey led you here. Practice it out loud, ensuring you sound relaxed, confident, interesting, and someone they'd want to work with.

      Written by Kevin Downey on January 9th, 2024

      Experienced Example

      "I've always enjoyed working with my hands and tinkering with things. When I was 8 years old, my parents came home and found that I'd taken apart the TV. The sound would crackle in and out, and while taking it apart and trying to understand how it works, I'd fixed the problem, and put the tv back together. I was doing stuff like that, moving forward. So, naturally, after a few successes at science fairs, I pursued my degree in engineering and have worked for a private firm for the last six years. But I have reached a point where my career isn't progressing as swiftly as I'd like, and my firm can't quite keep up with my level of ambition. So, since I started reevaluating where I wanted to go next, I started considering something more rewarding, where I would really have an impact on my community, which led me here."

      Written by Kevin Downey on January 10th, 2024

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