Jordan is a recent graduate of Colgate University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Studies. She moved to DC to pursue a career in marketing and communications and is excited to see where it takes her.
Jordan enjoys all things artistic, especially videography and photography. She also enjoys exploring DC and all the fun restaurants and activities it has to offer.
How to Answer the Inevitable Interview Question: ‘Tell Me About Yourself’
It’s that pivotal moment in a job interview. It seems that every job candidate waits on pins and needles for a single and inevitable question to be asked in the interview … that moment when the interviewer says, “So, tell me about yourself.”
This question strikes fear in the hearts of job seekers everywhere. In reality, the question is an excellent opportunity for job candidates to showcase their accomplishments and utilize their rehearsed elevator pitches. It’s a matter of choosing, adopting, and owning a strategy that highlights the candidate’s finest qualities, experiences, and goals with confidence — without coming across as arrogant. If you want to learn how to answer the “Tell me about yourself” question, explore our interview strategies from the experts at Whitman Associates today!
Are you facing a series of interviews with hiring managers who are eager to learn more about you via the disarmingly pointed “Tell me about yourself” question?
If you are, there is no reason to worry — you can handle this question and learn to market yourself with confidence and ease.
With the right strategy, this question becomes a breeze, alleviating stress, uncertainty, and self-doubt while giving you handy tools to help you communicate your important background information and desired professional traits. Use your “tell me about yourself” answer to share with the interviewer how you market yourself as essential to the position and illustrate what you bring to the table, further leveraging you as the perfect candidate for the role.
Some time ago, recruiting professionals recognized the struggle that job seekers consistently face when they need to answer the “Tell me about yourself” question. Over the years, the present-past-future formula has become a leading strategy for marketing yourself in interviews and is recommended to earnest job candidates by hiring professionals.
The formula is perfect because it provides you with a simple, three-part “script.” It is concise, comprehensive, easy to remember and sure to fill you with confidence — which is often more than half the battle.
Most importantly, this strategy gives recruiting managers a panoramic image of who you are, how you work and what your goals are — especially related to their organizational needs — in a succinct three-point snapshot.
Take a look at these strong present-past-future sample answers to the “Tell me about yourself” question to get an idea of how you might think of marketing yourself in interviews:
While the second example was not written in the official order, it still hit all the same points of present, past and future. Mix it up, but make sure that your “Tell me about yourself” answer is something you can easily respond with because it has been so well-rehearsed as you practice marketing yourself for your interview.
A weaker answer to “Tell me about yourself” might look like the following:
These answers do not work well for a number of reasons — one of them is that the answers come across disjointed, unorganized and lacking enthusiasm. The speaker fails to effectively market themselves and the interviewer might question whether they know how to prepare well or if they simply did not want the job if answering a question this way.
Do you feel like your ‘Tell me about yourself’ answer in job interviews sounds a little robotic, uncertain or insincere? If you’re having problems with any phase of the interviewing process, our recruiting team at Whitman Associates is here to help hone your skills. We’re happy to sit down with you to focus on marketing yourself as a candidate and interviewing techniques to ensure you have custom responses and strategies tailored to your personal strengths and weaknesses while helping you avoid any pitfalls.
Contact us via phone or email today to set up an appointment to talk about interviewing issues, any of our listed jobs that interest you or whatever else we can do to help you land your dream role.
Are you organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about managing individuals, teams, and projects? If so, a career as a project coordinator might be perfect for you. Project coordinators work alongside project managers and administrative assistants to play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth execution of projects at their company, from planning and organizing to communicating and problem-solving. Let’s explore the best practices for finding and securing a temp, temp to perm, or permanent staffing job as a project coordinator with Whitman Associates.
The role of project coordinator is integral to the successful execution of projects within any organization. No matter your sector, project coordinators are the communication hub that keeps information flowing between project managers, cross-collaborative departments, other contractors, and the end client. Project coordinators typically keep records, track progress, and provide regular updates to inform all stakeholders of the project status.
Don’t rely solely on local or generic job boards when researching job listings. There may also be a niche job search platform in your industry that specializes in the role of project coordinator or project manager. Tailor your job search to find coordinator positions supporting managers that match your skills and interests. You can also set up job alerts and receive notifications when relevant project coordinator positions become available.
Your resume and cover letter are your first opportunity to make a positive impression on potential employers. Tailor your project coordinator resume to highlight relevant skills, experience, and accomplishments. Be sure to emphasize your organizational skills, attention to detail, communication abilities, and any pertinent project management software proficiencies. Some of the top skills listed on resumes for project coordinators are:
In your cover letter, showcase your enthusiasm for the role and the industry, address specific requirements from the job posting, and provide examples of how your project coordination skills align with the company’s needs. A personalized and well-written cover letter can significantly increase your chances of standing out.
Your online presence matters if you plan to update your resume and submit job applications. Update your LinkedIn profile when you apply to new roles so it has the most up-to-date professional accomplishments, skills, and aspirations. Follow companies and groups related to project coordination and project management to stay updated with industry trends and job opportunities.
Networking can open doors to hidden job opportunities. Attend industry events, workshops, and seminars to connect with professionals in the field. Join online project management forums and groups to share insights and learn from others’ experiences. Don’t underestimate the power of a genuine connection in the professional world. Finding a mentor is a surefire way to get ahead in your career, as you can learn from discussions you have about their career experiences.
Once you begin applying to new project coordinator roles, it will be time to prepare thoroughly for upcoming interviews. Research the companies you are applying to and understand their projects, values, and culture. Practice answering common interview questions and be ready to provide examples of how you’ve handled challenging situations and demonstrated your project coordination versus project management skills in your previous roles.
During the interview, focus on how your previous administrative assistant and project coordination skills, and experiences align with the company’s and management’s needs. Highlight your ability to streamline processes, manage timelines, and ensure project deliverables are met for the project managers you support. Showcase your problem-solving skills by describing how you’ve overcome obstacles in previous roles and how you are the best fit for the position based on those experiences.
Project management methodologies and tools are constantly evolving. Stay current with the latest trends and best practices by attending industry workshops, taking free or paid training courses online, obtaining necessary certifications and reading industry publications. Demonstrating your commitment to professional growth can make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers and will help you round out your skillset. Consider taking on temp or temp-to-perm positions with companies before joining as permanent staff.
Finding the proper role as a project coordinator can take time. Keep refining your approach, learn from each interview or mentor conversation, and persist in pursuing the perfect position. After your interview, send a thank you note or email to express your appreciation for their time and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position and company. This small gesture can leave a positive impression on the hiring team and help you stand out from other applicants.
Becoming a successful project coordinator involves career planning, effective communication, networking, and continuous improvement. Implementing these best practices can enhance your chances of securing your dream job in project coordination or management support roles. Your dedication and commitment will pay off in the long run as you embark on an exciting and fulfilling career journey with Whitman Associates. Contact us today to discuss your next career move!
Lauren, a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelors in Journalism, has spent the majority of her career in the entertainment marketing space in Los Angeles. With her passion for global good, she moved cross country this year to DC to bring her creative skills to the world of non profit communications and has not looked back!
Lauren is also a professional photographer and an avid lover of nature, animals and art. She enjoys the abundance of beautiful parks around DC as well as taking advantage of the free museums.
Sebastian is a proud Nicaraguan American with a background in digital communication and multimedia journalism. He is well versed in multiple technology editing techniques and analytics softwares and also has a passion for film.
Having bounced around 6 different states Sebastian arrived in his new home of DC in February. He enjoys exploring the DMV area with his girlfriend along with hiking, watching movies, playing games, or even playing with his cat, Mamba.
Sebastian achieved his Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in December 2022 and is ready to build his professional career and make his mark on the DC area.
We are excited to announce that Whitman Associates, Inc. was awarded the Spectrum award for Excellence in Client Satisfaction among Washington, D.C. recruiters by City Beat News!
Thank you to all of our incredible clients and candidates who have made this possible. WAI has proudly provided the DMV with stellar staffing services since 1972, and we are thrilled to be continuing that tradition today.
Bridget is a dedicated higher education, governance and administrative professional with over 20 years of experience. She is driven by a personal motto that “Leadership and service can co-exist.”
In her free time, she enjoys cultural activities, visiting local wineries, taking long drives, going to the beach and listening to live music. Anytime of the day she is first in line for a good laugh. However, after a lot of engagement, the introvert kicks in and it becomes vital that she enjoy a moment of solitude.
Bridget holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Nonprofit Administration.
Have you ever found yourself wondering how to break into a new industry or where you can gain insights into a particular career path? Informational interviews can allow you to ask questions about a company, career or field before you formally apply. These meetings can unlock valuable knowledge, expand your professional network and accelerate your career growth.
Here’s everything you need to know about what informational interviews are, why you should request one, how to ask for an informational interview and questions to ask during an informational interview. Let’s get one step closer to conducting these invaluable conversations.
Before we can get to the questions to ask in an informational interview, it’s helpful to understand their purpose. An informational interview is a one-on-one conversation between you and someone working in an industry, role or organization you’re interested in. The purpose of this informal meeting is to gather information, advice and insights from someone with firsthand experience. Informational interviews are not job interviews, so you won’t be asking questions about specific job openings or asking for a job directly. Instead, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the industry and career that you are interested in, learn about potential career paths and build relationships that could lead to future opportunities. The questions to ask in an informational interview should be relevant to your own goals.
So, what is the purpose of an informational interview? Here are a few of the great benefits of requesting an informational interview:
Establishing connections with professionals in your desired field can open doors to potential job opportunities, mentorships or referrals. Just practicing how to ask for an informational interview builds valuable networking skills.
Informational interviews offer an opportunity to ask key questions and learn about the ins and outs of a particular role or industry from someone who’s “been there, done that.”
These conversations and understanding the questions to ask during an informational interview can help you practice communicating effectively and confidently as a job seeker, which will prove useful during actual job interviews.
Now that we’ve covered what the purpose of an informational interview is, you should start thinking about how to ask for an informational interview. Reaching out to professionals to ask for an informational interview can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.
Think of it this way — a growth-oriented company is always looking for new talent and wants job seekers to show interest. If you find someone who loves what they do, they will probably also love talking about it and relish the chance to answer your questions.
LinkedIn, for example, is a career-focused networking space where questions to ask in an informational interview about a person’s role or industry are incredibly common. Many professionals who are active on LinkedIn already understand what the purpose of an informational interview is, and are happy to add to their network.
Here are some tips on how to ask for an informational interview.
Start by identifying professionals in your desired field, role or organization. LinkedIn is an excellent resource for this — you can search for people by job title, industry or company, and even filter by location or shared connections. Pro tip: consider the questions to ask during an informational interview and research roles that are most likely to have the answers you seek.
Once you’ve found potential informational interviewees, send them a connection request or message with your question. Be sure to personalize your request by mentioning shared connections or interests and explaining why you’re reaching out so they know what the purpose of the informational interview is.
Clearly state that you’re looking to conduct an informational interview and provide context about your career goals or interests. Let them know you value their time and are only seeking 20–30 minutes of their expertise. In this initial outreach, you can pose one question from your list to ask in an informational interview, but keep it brief and respectful.
The best method of how to ask for an informational interview is to be flexible. Offer a range of dates and times when you request an informational interview, and be willing to accommodate the interviewee’s schedule. Be open to conducting the interview in person, over the phone or via video call.
Hi Samantha!
I’m a communications student at Georgetown. I’m interested in event management after I graduate, and I’d love to hear more about your experience working with DC Event Planners. Do you have 20 minutes for a quick meet-up or phone call?
Some people will respectfully decline, but you may be surprised by how many people say yes.
Now that you’ve successfully secured an informational interview, it’s time to prepare a list of thoughtful questions to ask during an informational interview. How to ask for an informational interview is only half the battle. Here are some suggestions to get you started that capture what the purpose of an informational interview is.
Questions to ask to better understand the role:
Questions to ask in an informational interview about potential opportunities:
Once you’ve completed your call or meeting and asked all the questions you wanted to ask during the informational interview, it’s time to follow up. The follow-up is a crucial step in the informational interview process, as it helps solidify the relationship you’ve built with the interviewee and demonstrates your gratitude for their time and insights. They may even set you up with someone else to connect with, making the process of how to ask for an informational interview easier in the future and ensuring you benefit from what the purpose of an informational interview is.
Within 24 hours of the interview, send a personalized thank-you email or handwritten note to the interviewee. Express your appreciation for their time answering the list of questions you asked in the informational interview, reiterate what you found most valuable from the conversation and mention any next steps you plan to take based on their advice.
If you haven’t already, add your informational interviewee on LinkedIn with a personalized connection request. This will help you stay in touch and keep up to date with their professional journey.
As you make progress in your career journey, don’t hesitate to share updates with the interviewee. They’ll likely be interested in hearing about how their advice has helped you, and it’s a great way to maintain the relationship.
You won’t be the only one with a collection of questions you want to ask in an informational interview. As your career progresses, be open to conducting informational interviews for others who may want to ask questions about your career path. Sharing your knowledge and experience can make a significant impact on someone else’s career journey.
Knowing how to ask for an informational interview and to ask your connection key questions can provide valuable insights into your desired career path, as well as expand your professional network and hone your communication skills. Understanding what is the purpose of an informational interview is a powerful networking tool. By being proactive in requesting these interviews and asking the right questions in the informational interview, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking new career opportunities and achieving your professional goals.
When you’re ready to further your career search, remember that Whitman Associates can help — saving you precious time and money on your journey. As a trusted partner in professional staffing since 1972, our knowledgeable and friendly team is dedicated to matching your unique skills and aspirations with the perfect opportunities. Send your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com to get started.
LinkedIn has become a necessity in today’s job market. It’s one of the first places employers will look to evaluate a candidate, and it remains one of the most powerful tools for job hunting, recruitment and networking. LinkedIn offers a wealth of opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals, build your personal brand and even find your dream job — but you have to know how to use it.
Your LinkedIn profile is your personal brand, your online resume and your virtual business card. This is where potential employers will come to learn more about you, so it’s important to put your best foot forward. Here are nine best practices that every job seeker should know.
LinkedIn is not a platform for casual conversations or small talk. When you’re using your LinkedIn profile to communicate with potential employers or recruiters, it is best practice to treat your messaging as a professional email. Use proper grammar, punctuation and capitalization, and always be respectful and courteous.
If you message a recruiter, address them by their first name. In online culture, Mr. and Ms. sound overly formal. Instead, write a clear, concise message with a friendly tone.
One of the most important features to use on LinkedIn when finding a job is the “Open to Work” setting. This lets recruiters know that you’re actively looking for a job. This is different from the #OpenToWork banner that many people overlay on their profile pictures. The setting is private and will only show your preference to recruiters, allowing you to make new connections without worrying about your current employer seeing your status.
If you’re using LinkedIn to find a job in the D.C. area, one of the most important details you need to include is your location. However, you shouldn’t just list your current location, especially if you’re open to relocating for a job. It is best practice to add all the cities or regions where you would be willing to work to your LinkedIn profile. This will make it easier for employers to find you when they’re searching for candidates based on location.
Remote work has become increasingly popular in recent years, and many job seekers are looking for opportunities that allow them to work from anywhere in the world. If you’re only interested in remote work, it is a good idea to select that setting on your LinkedIn profile. Keep in mind that, post-pandemic, many companies have adopted hybrid models of working or are back in the office full time. For instance, some companies may require one day per week in the office, or some companies may allow 100% remote work but require that you keep business hours in a certain time zone. If you’re open to hybrid options, our best job search advice is to list geographical locations and your preference to work remotely.
Make sure you’re using keywords in your profile that are relevant to the job openings you’re applying for. For example, if your goal is to become a communications assistant, look at relevant job descriptions from several different companies. If you notice they all mention marketing, creativity and communication, your LinkedIn headline could read, “Creative Marketer with Communications Experience.” Recruiters often use LinkedIn’s search function to find candidates, so using relevant keywords in your profile can help you appear in their search results. If you’re using LinkedIn to find a job, this can increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters who are looking for someone with your specific skills and experience.
Your LinkedIn profile is not a “set it and forget it” kind of thing. One of the most important LinkedIn best practices is to keep your profile up to date with your latest job experience, skills and achievements. Make sure your headline is clear and concise, and your summary accurately reflects who you are and what you can offer. Update your profile picture regularly, and make sure it’s a professional-looking photo.
Speaking of photos, your LinkedIn profile picture is an essential part of your personal brand. It’s the first thing that potential employers will see when they come across your profile, so it’s important to make a good impression. It is best practice to ensure that your LinkedIn profile picture is a professional-looking headshot that accurately reflects who you are. If you have a portfolio website or other professional social media accounts, use the same profile picture on all of them. This will help any prospective employer connect the dots between your different online profilespresences.
Be selective about the job postings you apply to. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of job categories and job postings on LinkedIn, but applying to every job you see isn’t the best approach. Instead, focus on the jobs that are the best fit for your skills and experience, and take the time to tailor your application materials to each position.
Finally, be patient. Even with all of these LinkedIn profile best practices in place, finding a job can take time, and it’s important to stay positive and persistent in your job search.
If you’re using LinkedIn to find a job in the D.C. area, don’t forget that it is also a networking platform. Don’t just use it to search for jobs; be sure to also connect with other professionals in your field. Join groups, engage in discussions and share articles or insights that showcase your expertise. Networking is a powerful tool that can help you get your foot in the door, and it’s essential to building your personal brand on LinkedIn. So keep networking, keep applying to jobs and keep your LinkedIn profile up to date. With time and effort, you’ll find the right job for you!
A LinkedIn profile is an incredibly powerful tool for job seekers — by following these best practices, you can increase your chances of being noticed by recruiters and finding your dream job.
If you’re looking for additional support and guidance in your job search, we can help. Whitman Associates is a professional staffing agency serving the Washington D.C. area — we’ve been helping candidates find and secure their dream jobs since 1972!
Get started by emailing your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com. Our team of staffing experts will take the time to review your resume and connect you with job opportunities that match your skills and experience. We look forward to helping you take the next step forward in your career search.
Hyebin Kim has been working as an Executive Assistant through Whitman Associates since May of 2023.
She completed her Bachelor’s Degree of International Affairs with a concentration in Global Public Health at George Washington University. She currently resides in Arlington, Virginia, and is interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in the near future.
In her free time, she enjoys paddling boating, hiking and exploring the DMV area.
