How to Answer: Tell me about yourself.
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Southwest Airlines job interview.
24. Tell me about yourself.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Your interviewer is not just interested in how your skills and experience will complement this role. They are mostly interested in how well you would fit in, embody their culture, collaborate with the teams they've worked so hard to build, all while serving their passengers. So how effectively you answer this introductory question may just set the tone for the rest of your interview, and the kind of rapport you'll build upon with the person sitting across from you.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 13th, 2024
How to Answer
Your interviewer represents the company's culture and what their ideal employee looks like. It's their job to custom-build their teams and to find the perfect fit. This isn't just about who you are, it's about who you can be in their team. Remember, many of the keywords and key phrases that are spread across their company culture statements emphasize the energy and attitude of their people and those they aim to recruit. They are looking for people who are friendly, reliable, respectful, who have a heart, are caring and empathetic. People enjoy what they do because they're having a good time doing it, and time flies for them on the job. They don't take themselves too seriously and exude a fun-loving attitude. They are looking for people who never give up and have warrior spirit.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 13th, 2024
How to Prep
It's common practice to customize your resume, cover letter, and career goals to the company position you're applying for. To set a strong first impression, familiarize yourself with Southwest's employee promise, company promise, purpose, and vision. This will help you convey your fit for Southwest's teams and culture while tailoring your communication style to your interviewer's, who serves as your ambassador to their culture. Customize a brief bio using their style of language. Describe your personality, career journey, your determination, and how your hard work and nature led you to this interview. Keep it to around 200 words and practice delivering it in a confident, friendly, relaxed, and energetic manner. Let your personality shine through and give them a glimpse of the best version of you.
Written by Kevin Downey on January 13th, 2024
What You Need to Know
Visit the webpages on Southwest's company's history, how they define the evolution of their company and study their keywords and value propositions. The information available on Southwest's website on its history, promises, vision, and purpose is extensive. Read through all of it if you can. Here is a condensed summary of some of the information they offer:
"More than 50 years ago, Rollin King and Herb Kelleher decided to start a different kind of airline. They began with one simple notion: if you get your passengers to their destinations when they want to get there, on time, at the lowest possible fares, and make darn sure they have a good time doing it, people will fly your airline. And you know what? They were right. We weren't just airborne yesterday, time flies when you're having fun!
Our Employee Promise: I will demonstrate my Warrior Spirit by striving to be my best and never giving up. I will show my Servant's Heart by delivering Legendary Customer Service and treating others with respect. I will express my Fun-LUVing Attitude by not taking myself too seriously and embracing my Southwest Family. Our Company Promise: Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer. Our Purpose: Connect People to what's important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. Our Vision: To be the world's most loved, most efficient, and most profitable airline."
Written by Kevin Downey on January 13th, 2024
Answer Example
"When I was just a kid, I flew for the first time on TWA, about five years before they went out of business. I remember the crew being so kind, and they took me to the cockpit, and gave me a pin and a toy jet. Ever since then, I wanted to work in the sky. I loved flying, and in high school I took flying lessons from our small airfield in Seattle, Boeing Field, and got my private pilot's certificate. When I went to college, I decided to pursue my bachelor's degree in aviation. I almost joined the navy, but decided civilian life was more suited to me. The thing is, I kind of march to the beat of my own drum, and am a super happy-go-lucky and light-hearted person, and the military doesn't seem super fun, and I like to have fun. So, I decided to jump straight to applying to the airline that is closest to my heart, second to TWA."
Written by Samantha Brown on January 14th, 2024