What is the best way to describe yourself in an interview?

What is the best way to describe yourself in an interview?

This is what my eighth and final interview round with Microsoft was like. It was with the GPM who would be my hiring manager.

Interviewer: So Rohan, it looks like you’ve had a long day. Come on in and have a seat. Would you like some water or a soda?

Me: Thanks. Yes it has been a long day but it has been so much fun that I didn’t realize how time flew. I especially enjoyed my last interview round with XYZ. And yes, I’d actually love some water.

Interviewer: That’s nice to hear. So, tell me a little about you. Tell me something I don’t already know.

Me: Well I’m sure you’ve already seen my resume and heard all the feedback so I don’t want to talk about technical stuff. I bet you didn’t know that I can identify over 10,000 species of birds by sight and more than 1,000 by sound.

Interviewer: Well that’s a first. Looks like you’re a serious bird watcher then. My uncle and my son both enjoy the birds here in the Pacific Northwest. Tell me more. This sounds interesting.

Me: I started birding when I was 6 years old. I saw a Peregrine falcon stoop (that means dive) into a valley and kill a pigeon in mid-air. I’ve been fascinated ever since. I’ve photographed hundreds of species and contributed those photos to various books, schools, colleges and galleries. Photography is secondary though. Primarily I love to watch and observe them. My wife has now developed a very keen sight for them too so we make a good team. That’s what we do most weekends and the Pacific Northwest is a great place to bird.

Interviewer: Do you know about the Snow Geese we see here in the winter. I had read a poem as a child that always stuck. <Starts reciting the poem>

Me: Wow! That’s a really nice poem. I had not heard it before. I actually am very familiar with the Snow Geese we see here in the winter. They are the harbinger of winter winds. Similarly we had a really beautiful bird back in the western ghats in India called the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher whose arrival was the most sure-shot indicator of the approaching monsoon. Bird migration is extremely fascinating and I could talk about it for hours on end.

Interviewer: This is really captivating. I’ve never met anyone with this much passion about their hobby. Are you also this passionate about tech?

Me: Maybe just a tad less than I am about birds. Haha. But yes, I do genuinely love tech and it’s an integral part of my life; right after birds that is.

Interviewer: Haha… Well let’s dive into some design problems then.

She then asked me some system design and architecture problems which we solved on the whiteboard together for the next 45 minutes. We finally ended it with big smiles on our faces feeling recharged and energized.

What is the best way to describe yourself in an interview?

Be genuine. Be honest. Tell them why you are an interesting person. Don’t just repeat what is on your resume. They have already read it. Don’t tell them a checklist of your skills. Tell them a good story about yourself. The interviewer, especially the hiring manager, is looking for someone who will be a good fit on his/her team. If you come across as an interesting candidate in the first five minutes, you will have their undivided attention for the rest of the time.

Everyone likes a certain human element to come through. Every interviewer is looking for someone they can work well with. Technical skills can be taught. If you have certain areas that you are not very strong at, be upfront about it but always demonstrate a willingness to learn. Most importantly, make sure you give them a reason to remember you; to ensure that you stand out from the crowd

Courtesy of Rohan Kamath