How to Answer "Tell Me Something That is Not in Your Resume"
Written By : Pitch N Hire
Fri Aug 23 2024
5 min read
There will be several types of job interviews that you will face in your entire career. An interview keeps on going pretty well until the recruiter asks ‘Tell me something that is not in your resume.’ At that stage, the interview becomes very critical for you because you try to think out of the box to answer the question. All you want to do is streamline your hiring process but instead, an impromptu question is being asked.
You think of improvising something but how many times does that work out? You think of an extraordinary answer. But, the key is working towards it to make it extraordinary without making it sound like one. This is one of the reasons why a job applicant should be prepared and be a confident job seeker.
Do not worry because, in this blog, we are going to teach you exactly what should be your answer when a hiring manager asks you ‘Tell me something that is not in your resume’, so without further adieu let us go through it.
In this blog we are going to go through the following tricks:
1. Why do recruiters ask this question?
2. What to answer when the recruiter asks ‘Tell me something that is not there in your resume/CV’?
3. What not to say in an interview? / Mistakes not to make in an interview?
Reasons for a Recruiter to Ask ‘Tell Me Something That is Not in Your Resume’
According to the hiring manager, the question ‘tell me something that is not there in your resume’ is a series of combined questions of ‘describe yourself’, ‘introduce yourself, and ‘explain your weakness and strengths.’ No matter what type of resume you have created, he may ask this question anytime. The recruiter sees the potential and your skills for the job. They check if you are right for the position or not. Loads of recruiters look at the resume as a formality because what they look for is an in-person interview so that they can clarify your improvised behavior.
They ensure that you turn out the way they expect you to. The basic thoughts like if you will be a load and liability to them or not, will you give inappropriate excuses, or will you be unable to finish tasks compensate with your best level of answer. Now that you know why hiring managers ask job applicants this question, let us go through the procedure and tricks for you to construct a better answer.
How to answer "Tell me Something That is Not in Your Resume"?
Your resume already has all the skills you possess. But, make this strength intangible. Tell the recruiter about a heroic incident that took place in your previous workplace. It will boost your morale and the recruiter’s impression of you.
During an interview, if you're asked to tell something that is not in your resume, you should show a unique aspect of your personality, interests, or experiences. This is a great opportunity for you to showcase your other skills. It should show your strengths and whether you are a good fit for the job. Below mentioned are some tips on how to answer this question:
1. Mention Your Hobbies
When you have asked “Tell me something that is not in your resume”, try to mention those hobbies or other activities that you have not mentioned in your resume. For example, if you love traveling you can share your experience and how they have influenced your perspective on different cultures and ways of life.
2. Showcase your Problem-Solving Skills
You can also add some real-life story that shows your problem-solving skills and how to tackle them. For example, if you have faced and challenge in your life or in your college you can mention one of them and tell them how you have resolved it and made you a stronger and resourceful person.
3. Passion for Leaning
You can include your passion for learning and how you develop your skills other than the office.
For example, if you have done any online courses or have any certifications that helped you in your personal growth, you can mention those while answering.
4. Show Your Sense of Humor
You can also share some fun facts about yourself that show your creativity and humor. For example, you can tell him about your talent that might amaze him.
Keep in mind that they asked you this question to get to know more about you as an individual beyond what's listed in your resume. So, be authentic, engaging, and personable in your response.
There are so many things going in your mind to include in the answer but let’s go through steps to make it easy. It is neither easy nor difficult to make an answer to tell me something that is not in your resume.
5. Mention your Struggles
This section should include your passions and your constant engagement in your career. The struggle you have been through to reach this stage. But, while talking about struggles, you must not sound cocky and corny. You can keep it to a basic level. If you had chosen a different career option during college but changed it back to another position, tell him/her about the interesting reason behind it.
6. Reason for Choosing That Company
You can mention why you have chosen their company to apply to. For this part, you need to do full-fledged research about their company. Recruiters look for potential, courage, and motivation. Give them a reason by constructing a few simple yet intellectual sentences about it. You need to have a strong format to tell something that is not there on your resume.
You can also read about some of the basic interview questions that will help you to succeed in your interview.
Things that You Are Not Supposed to Do in an Interview
1. You Cannot use Curse Words in an Interview
You are supposed to be on your best behavior and it includes professionalism as well as positivism. Do not crack any kinds of jokes. The jokes just make it worse. It does not matter how casual your hiring manager and the workspace are, you must stick to your professional comfort zone by maintaining the etiquette.
2. You Must Be Confident But Not Overconfident
Be comfortable with your space and sound calm. You cannot tell the recruiter that you are nervous. Show your calmness and not your nervousness. This will not only discourage you from within but will also create an uptight impression of you in front of them.
3. Don’t Talk Money Directly With the Recruiter
This will make you sound greedy. Once you mention money, there is no going back to the road of professionalism. This step will make you look like you are applying for the job just for the money. Usually, there are 2-3 levels of interviews and once you are done with the major one, you can talk about numbers.
4. Do Not Interrupt the Hiring Manager
It is a bad manner to interrupt anyone. When you sense that you need to say something while the recruiter is speaking, calm down and wait for them to finish their statement and then talk. Apart from these points, there are several other mistakes at an interview, a job applicant must avoid.
Some other tips for interviews are:
- Don't be late for the interview.
- Don't bad-mouth your previous employers or colleagues.
- Don't appear disinterested or unengaged.
- Don't lie or exaggerate your skills or experiences.
- Don't fidget or slouch in your seat.
- Don't use your phone or other electronic devices during the interview.
- Don't forget to follow up after the interview.
Remember, an interview is an opportunity to make a good impression and showcase your skills and qualifications. By following these dos and don'ts, you can increase your chances of success and leave a positive and lasting impression on the interviewer.
Things to keep in mind when you are preparing for an interview
- Research the company and the role you're applying for beforehand.
- Dress appropriately and professionally.
- Arrive on time or a few minutes early.
- Be polite, courteous, and professional with everyone you meet during the interview process.
- Make eye contact, smile, and maintain good posture.
- Listen carefully to the interviewer's questions and answer them directly and honestly.
- Use examples and anecdotes from your experiences to support your answers.
- Ask thoughtful and relevant questions about the company and the role.
- Follow up with a thank-you note or email after the interview.
- Be confident, but also humble and respectful.
Along with this question, most of the interviewers also ask “Why should we hire you?”. Read the full guide to know all the possible answers to the question.
Examples of Answer "Tell Me Something That Is Not In Your Resume"
“I focused on my time-management skills while growing up because I had to help my younger sisters in their studies and focused on mine as well. In my previous job, I had a list of priorities to reach my commercial targets which I did, and got several appreciation for being a quick learner. In the first place, I chose law, but I always had an attachment to electronics so I changed back to Electronics and Telecommunications and as a result, it brought success in my career.
I have done a few types of research and courses on graphic designing and computer languages for external knowledge and curiosity to learn, which would conclude that I am highly proficient in computer skills.”
"I enjoy cooking and enjoy experimenting with new recipes. It's a great stress reliever and creative outlet for me, and it's always enjoyable to share my culinary creations with family and friends."
“My ability to speak multiple languages is not listed on my resume. I speak Spanish fluently and have been studying French and Mandarin in my spare time. I think that being capable of connecting with others from various cultures and backgrounds is important, and I find learning new languages to be a rewarding as well as enjoyable challenge.”
Conclusion
When you have asked this question “Tell me something that is not in your resume”, keep in mind to mention all those other skills that you possess. Not tell every detail, only tell those which add value to your interview. Hope this guide will help you crack your interview and not fumble when you are asked this question.
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